Birmingham, AL Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze population trends, housing costs, and the local economy by exploring Map AI.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 208,951 | 5,021,982 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 1396.8 | 95.9 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.86% | 0.60% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.9 | 37.1 |
| Households | 90,395 | 1,968,535 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Birmingham declined by 12.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 207,050 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Birmingham has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,111 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.51% | 4.84% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Birmingham is about 24% lower than in Alabama.
Housing
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $87,869 | $158,589 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,036 | $962 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 48.9% | 69.9% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Birmingham is about 7.1 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,036 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Birmingham spend about 41 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 172 hours, about 7.2 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 20.6 | 22.0 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 41.2 | 44.1 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 172 | 184 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,328 | $5,691 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 9.0% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 22,721 | 8,636 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 2,854 | 1,193 | 1,355 |
The average commute time in Birmingham is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Birmingham has a education index of C, which means it is somewhat educated.
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 24.9% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.18 | 2.50 | 2.54 |
Health
Birmingham has a health index of C, which means it is somewhat healthy.
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 72.3 | 74.7 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 25.7% | 23.4% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 20.2% | 22.1% | 19.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Birmingham, Alabama.
What is the population of Birmingham, Alabama?
The population of Birmingham, Alabama is 208,951, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Birmingham, Alabama?
The population density of Birmingham, Alabama is 1396.8 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Birmingham, Alabama?
The median household income in Birmingham, Alabama is $47,111, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Birmingham, Alabama?
The median home price in Birmingham, Alabama is $87,869, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Birmingham, Alabama?
The unemployment rate in Birmingham, Alabama is 5.9%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.