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CITY · 2020 ACS

Gulf Shores

Alabama · 15,014 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 $53,209. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 9,970 residents. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $254,500. With a median age of 49.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 49.4
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,014
+198%since 2000
from 5,044 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
528 / sq mi
+198%since 2000
from 177 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
49.4
+7%since 2000
from 46.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K6K10K14K18K1990201020202024Gulf Shores
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,209
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,826 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,792
+43%since 2000
from $24,356 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.3%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services14.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food4.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$254,500
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $161,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,102
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.8%
−9.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
37.2% rent
Afford Score
4.8
+24%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87%(13,062)
Black2%(307)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(622)
Asian1.1%(161)
Other0.2%(26)
Diversity Score18.6%(2,792)
Diversity Score
19
+330%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 30.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 90.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+57%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 79.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.0%
−28.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
54.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
6.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
15.8%
−63.8 ptssince 2013
from 79.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+84%
Home value$502,400+97%
Population8,798−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GULF SHORES VS
Foley
Income$66,336+25%
Home value$289,300+14%
Population30,354+75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GULF SHORES VS
Fairhope
Income$94,274+77%
Home value$430,900+69%
Population26,625+53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GULF SHORES VS
Warrington
Income$61,861+16%
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 15,014 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Gulf Shores, Alabama earns about $53,209 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 $254,500, and the typical rent is about $1,102 a month.

How educated are people in Gulf Shores, Alabama?

About 34.5% 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 9.0% 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 11,985 residents, a change of about 396 percent over that period.

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

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