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CITY

Sylvania

Alabama · 1,853 residents (2025 est.) · 8.516 sq mi
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The short version

Sylvania has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,161. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 62% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $161,500. At a median age of 34.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 56%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,925
+62%since 2000
from 1,186 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
226 / sq mi
+62%since 2000
from 139 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.3
−9%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,853 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7841K2K2K3K1990201020202024Sylvania
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,161
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,553 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,649
+65%since 2000
from $15,561 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.2%
+17.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.6%
−6.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.382
−21%since 2010
from 0.481 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Information6%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services2.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$161,500
+56%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$692
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $313 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.8%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.2% in 2000
33.2% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.3%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.6%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+45%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sylvania on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(1,141)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.9%(23)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.2%(1,564)
Black1.9%(37)
Hispanic / Latino13.1%(252)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.7%(72)
Diversity Score40.1%(772)
Diversity Score
40
+1965%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.3%
+17.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.2%
+22.9 ptssince 2000
from 61.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.0 min
+68%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 86.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
4.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.5%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 65.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.2%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.7%
−20.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
41.5%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
58.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
7.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.0%
−41.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2012
from 18.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.0%
−75.3 ptssince 2013
from 86.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.2%
+16.6 ptssince 2017
from 71.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.9%
−6.7 ptssince 2016
from 93.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
12.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2016
from 5.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sylvania

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Pop 1,830
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Pop 1,639
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Pop 1,640
Long Neck
Pop 2,161
Places similar to Sylvania
Head to head

Compare Sylvania to nearby cities

SYLVANIA VS
Fort Payne
Income$47,479−15%
Home value$157,000−3%
Population15,189+720%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVANIA VS
Scottsboro
Income$53,929−4%
Home value$190,400+18%
Population16,123+770%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVANIA VS
Guntersville
Income$67,929+21%
Home value$324,800+101%
Population9,394+407%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVANIA VS
Albertville
Income$56,099same
Home value$188,400+17%
Population23,710+1180%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sylvania, Alabama?

Sylvania, Alabama has about 1,925 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sylvania, Alabama?

The typical household in Sylvania, Alabama earns about $56,161 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sylvania, Alabama expensive?

In Sylvania, Alabama, the median home is worth about $161,500, and the typical rent is about $692 a month.

How educated are people in Sylvania, Alabama?

About 22.3% of adults age 25 and over in Sylvania, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sylvania, Alabama?

About 10.6% of people in Sylvania, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sylvania, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Sylvania, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 981 residents, a change of about 104 percent over that period.

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

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