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CITY · 2010 ACS

Gulf Shores

Alabama · 9,741 residents · 28.437 sq mi
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The short version

Gulf Shores has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $45,801. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 93% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $256,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.0
US median: 37.2
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,741
+93%since 2000
from 5,044 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
343 / sq mi
+93%since 2000
from 177 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.0
−9%since 2000
from 46.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K6K10K14K18K1990201020202024Gulf Shores
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,801
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,826 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,522
+17%since 2000
from $24,356 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
28.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.467
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information22.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade11.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services11.1%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade3.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.4%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$256,200
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $161,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$853
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
33.3%
−39.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
47.3% rent
Vacancy rate
64.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
33.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 29.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.6
+45%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gulf Shores on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(4,880)
Black0.2%(11)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(62)
Asian0.3%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.3%(218)
2010
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(8,856)
Black1.4%(141)
Hispanic / Latino4%(394)
Asian0.9%(91)
Other2.8%(276)
Diversity Score21.7%(2,114)
Diversity Score
22
+402%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 30.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 90.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.9 min
+38%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 79.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
1.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
6.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.5%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
51.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
4.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.3%
−36.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Gulf Shores

Longwood
Pop 16,892
St. Augustine
Pop 16,141
Brookside
Pop 15,115
Seminole
Pop 18,997
Places similar to Gulf Shores
Head to head

Compare Gulf Shores to nearby cities

GULF SHORES VS
Orange Beach
Income$97,736+113%
Home value$502,400+96%
Population8,798−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GULF SHORES VS
Foley
Income$66,336+45%
Home value$289,300+13%
Population30,354+75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GULF SHORES VS
Fairhope
Income$94,274+106%
Home value$430,900+68%
Population26,625+53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GULF SHORES VS
Warrington
Income$61,861+35%
Home value$212,000−17%
Population15,918−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Gulf Shores, Alabama?

Gulf Shores, Alabama has about 9,741 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gulf Shores, Alabama?

The typical household in Gulf Shores, Alabama earns about $45,801 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gulf Shores, Alabama expensive?

In Gulf Shores, Alabama, the median home is worth about $256,200, and the typical rent is about $853 a month.

How educated are people in Gulf Shores, Alabama?

About 29.0% of adults age 25 and over in Gulf Shores, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gulf Shores, Alabama?

About 14.6% of people in Gulf Shores, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gulf Shores, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Gulf Shores, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,712 residents, a change of about 222 percent over that period.

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

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