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METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

Birmingham Metro

Birmingham, AL · 7 counties · 956,844 residents · 5,279.779 sq mi
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The short version

Birmingham has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,135. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value is $58,413.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 33.9
US median: 33.0
Average education
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 15%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
956,844
−9%vs 2000
vs 1,052,238 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
181 / sq mi
−9%vs 2000
vs 199 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
33.9
−6%vs 2000
vs 36.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
934K1.0M1.1M1.1M1.2M1990201020202024Birmingham
20241.2M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,135
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $38,551 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,901
−38%vs 2000
vs $20,642 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
15.4%
+1.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 13.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$58,413
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $90,229 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$352
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $495 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
69.7%
−2.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.1% in 2000
30.3% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−5%vs 2000
vs 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Birmingham on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic69%(726,196)
Black27.5%(289,082)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(18,567)
Asian0.7%(7,774)
Other0%
Diversity Score54.6%(574,184)
1990
White, non-Hispanic72.8%(696,942)
Black26.4%(252,410)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(3,822)
Asian0.5%(4,451)
Other0.3%(3,041)
Diversity Score50.6%(483,923)
Diversity Score
51
−7%vs 2000
vs 55 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.1%
−4.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 22.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
70.9%
−7.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 78.8% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
6.2%
−1.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 7.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+19%vs 2000
vs 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

In this metro

Principal cities

BirminghamCENTRAL195,893
What's inside

7 component counties

Jefferson CountyCENTRAL665,742Shelby CountyCENTRAL238,552St. Clair CountyCENTRAL98,206Walker County65,140Blount County60,156Chilton County47,708Bibb County22,262
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Birmingham

Buffalo
Pop 1,155,653
Fresno
Pop 1,203,383
Tucson
Pop 1,074,685
Tulsa
Pop 1,069,273
Places similar to Birmingham
Head to head

Compare Birmingham side by side

BIRMINGHAM VS
Buffalo
Income$72,257+176%
Home value$225,816+287%
Population1,155,653−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIRMINGHAM VS
Fresno
Income$74,533+185%
Home value$389,401+567%
Population1,203,383same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIRMINGHAM VS
Tucson
Income$70,315+169%
Home value$319,700+447%
Population1,074,685−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIRMINGHAM VS
Tulsa
Income$69,648+166%
Home value$220,806+278%
Population1,069,273−11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Birmingham, AL?

Birmingham, AL has about 956,844 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Birmingham, AL?

The typical household in Birmingham, AL earns about $26,135 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Birmingham, AL expensive?

In Birmingham, AL, the median home is worth about $58,413, and the typical rent is about $352 a month.

How educated are people in Birmingham, AL?

About 18.1% of adults age 25 and over in Birmingham, AL hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Birmingham, AL?

About 15.4% of people in Birmingham, AL live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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