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CITY

Bessemer

Alabama · 24,984 residents (2025 est.) · 40.527 sq mi
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The short version

Bessemer has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,613. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $135,900. The poverty rate of 27.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 38% less than the Alabama median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
25,400
−14%since 2000
from 29,672 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
627 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 732 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.3
+21%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:24,984 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
25K27K29K32K34K1990201020202024Bessemer
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,613
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,066 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,797
+111%since 2000
from $12,232 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.1%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 27.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.473
−2%since 2010
from 0.484 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical7.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration7.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$135,900
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$961
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $382 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 59.2% in 2000
42.6% rent
Vacancy rate
14.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 32.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+40%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bessemer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic28.5%(8,458)
Black69.3%(20,549)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(338)
Asian0.2%(50)
Other0%
Diversity Score53.5%(15,889)
2024
White, non-Hispanic20.5%(5,198)
Black66.6%(16,925)
Hispanic / Latino10.4%(2,640)
Asian0%(5)
Other2.5%(632)
Diversity Score62.8%(15,960)
Diversity Score
63
+17%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.1%
+18.7 ptssince 2000
from 67.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.2 min
+72%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.7%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.4%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 12.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
49.5%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 53.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.6%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Female
53.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.5%
−36.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
25.0%
+5.3 ptssince 2012
from 19.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.0%
−69.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.8%
+24.6 ptssince 2017
from 59.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2016
from 94.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.3%
+5.1 ptssince 2016
from 4.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Bessemer to nearby cities

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BESSEMER VS
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BESSEMER VS
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BESSEMER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bessemer, Alabama?

Bessemer, Alabama has about 25,400 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bessemer, Alabama?

The typical household in Bessemer, Alabama earns about $39,613 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bessemer, Alabama expensive?

In Bessemer, Alabama, the median home is worth about $135,900, and the typical rent is about $961 a month.

How educated are people in Bessemer, Alabama?

About 15.6% of adults age 25 and over in Bessemer, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bessemer, Alabama?

About 27.9% of people in Bessemer, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bessemer, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Bessemer, Alabama has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 8,097 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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