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CITY

Gadsden

Alabama · 33,367 residents (2025 est.) · 37.443 sq mi
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#256Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-7.9%
The short version

Gadsden has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,345. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 15% 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 $116,800. The poverty rate of 28.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the Alabama median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
33,374
−14%since 2000
from 38,978 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
891 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 1,041 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
−1%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:33,367 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
32K35K38K41K43K1990201020202024Gadsden
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,345
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,823 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,914
+47%since 2000
from $15,610 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
21.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.483
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.484 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,800
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$808
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $361 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.7%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 63.6% in 2000
44.3% rent
Vacancy rate
22.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.6%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+47%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gadsden on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.6%(24,016)
Black33.8%(13,188)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(1,039)
Asian0.5%(206)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.4%(23,944)
2024
White, non-Hispanic49.3%(16,438)
Black36%(12,009)
Hispanic / Latino10.5%(3,507)
Asian0.4%(137)
Other3.8%(1,283)
Diversity Score76.9%(25,673)
Diversity Score
77
+25%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.2%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+57%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 81.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% 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
7.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 13.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 50.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.7%
−38.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
52.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2012
from 21.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
16.8%
−64.4 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.3%
+23.6 ptssince 2017
from 62.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 93.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 5.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gadsden, Alabama?

Gadsden, Alabama has about 33,374 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gadsden, Alabama?

The typical household in Gadsden, Alabama earns about $40,345 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gadsden, Alabama expensive?

In Gadsden, Alabama, the median home is worth about $116,800, and the typical rent is about $808 a month.

How educated are people in Gadsden, Alabama?

About 15.5% of adults age 25 and over in Gadsden, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gadsden, Alabama?

About 28.1% of people in Gadsden, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gadsden, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Gadsden, Alabama has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 9,149 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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