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CITY

Opelika

Alabama · 35,765 residents (2025 est.) · 61.153 sq mi
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The short version

Opelika has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,004. Population has grown 40% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $241,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.9
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 65%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,820
+40%since 2000
from 23,498 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
537 / sq mi
+40%since 2000
from 384 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.9
+17%since 2000
from 34.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:35,765 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
21K24K27K31K34K1990201020202024Opelika
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,004
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,397 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,177
+95%since 2000
from $18,023 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.2%
+23.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.456
−6%since 2010
from 0.487 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$241,800
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$950
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 64.4% in 2000
30.9% rent
Vacancy rate
10.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.0%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.3%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.7
+54%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
80
RELATED:See current rent listings in Opelika on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic54.5%(12,797)
Black42.7%(10,034)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(252)
Asian0.9%(218)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.1%(15,060)
2024
White, non-Hispanic51.3%(16,826)
Black37.7%(12,379)
Hispanic / Latino7.2%(2,376)
Asian1.8%(588)
Other2%(651)
Diversity Score73.6%(24,161)
Diversity Score
74
+15%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.4%
+14.1 ptssince 2000
from 22.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.2%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.2%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
+96%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.3%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.2%
−17.7 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
5.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.8%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.8%
−76.0 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.1%
+14.1 ptssince 2017
from 72.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 94.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 3.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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OPELIKA VS
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OPELIKA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Opelika, Alabama?

Opelika, Alabama has about 32,820 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Opelika, Alabama?

The typical household in Opelika, Alabama earns about $65,004 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Opelika, Alabama expensive?

In Opelika, Alabama, the median home is worth about $241,800, and the typical rent is about $950 a month.

How educated are people in Opelika, Alabama?

About 36.4% of adults age 25 and over in Opelika, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Opelika, Alabama?

About 16.0% of people in Opelika, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Opelika, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Opelika, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,698 residents, a change of about 48 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →