City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Alabaster, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Alabaster - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

33,633
Residents
$90,163
Median income
$242,600
Median home
$1,266
Median rent (state)

Alabaster - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Alabaster places in the 71st percentile for household income and the 42nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

71st
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
42nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Alabaster, AL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 33,633 residents in Alabaster, a small city within Alabama. Alabaster households earn a median of $90,163 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.1%. Home values in Alabaster run a median of $242,600, and the median resident age is 39.5 years. 40.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 107 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 128% from five years earlier. Alabaster reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1610.0 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Alabama scores 88.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,266 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Alabama's average monthly utility costs around $245 (state average). Workers in Alabaster report an average commute of 26.2 minutes, with 74.7% driving alone and 15.3% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

33,633 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$90,163 /yr

Poverty 3.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Alabaster compare to other US cities?

Here's how Alabaster stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 71% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 42% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alabama alone, Alabaster ranks #98 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Alabaster against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alabama only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alabama-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Alabaster's strongest outlier among Alabama cities

Among the 556 Alabama cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Alabaster ranks #38 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Alabaster only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#50 of 530
91st percentile in Alabama
Median Gross Rent
#39 of 556
76th percentile in Alabama
Median Home Value
#59 of 517
89th percentile in Alabama
Poverty Rate
#472 of 556
15th percentile in Alabama
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#38 of 556
93rd percentile in Alabama

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alabama only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

71stIncome percentile
42ndSafety percentile

71st percentile nationally for median household income · 42nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Alabaster's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Alabaster's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 55 Avg. percentile National median
Alabaster's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Alabaster's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$242,600 46th percentile more affordable than 46% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Alabaster $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Alabaster, AL Alabaster, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Alabaster, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Alabaster, AL median $90,163/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Alabaster, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Alabaster, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
33,633
Median Income
$90,163
Median Home Value
$242,600
Median Age
39.5
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor force participation
65.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1610.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
99.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1511.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
33,000 residents33,500 residents34,000 residents34,500 residents35,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 33,398 residents 34,748 residents ▲ +4.0%
Alabaster's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
107
housing units authorized
Single-Family
107
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 47
2020 152
2021 80
2022 67
2023 111
2024 107

Permit volume increased 128% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.2 minutes
Drive Alone
74.7%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
15.3%
Other
0.6%

Based on 17,117 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Alabaster sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,266/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Gadsden
33,617 people
Opelika
31,944 people
Northport
30,991 people
Enterprise
28,990 people
Phenix City
38,477 people
Daphne
28,673 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Alabaster's 33,633 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Uniondale, NY
33,637 people
Kennesaw, GA
33,627 people
Baldwin, NY
33,595 people
Harker Heights, TX
33,595 people
Statesboro, GA
33,705 people
Walla Walla, WA
33,766 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Alabaster's $90,163 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Garden Grove, CA
$90,166 median income
Denver, IA
$90,156 median income
Manchester, OK
$90,156 median income
Kitsap Lake, WA
$90,156 median income
Rio Rancho Estates, NM
$90,172 median income
Eatontown, NJ
$90,174 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Alabaster, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Alabaster, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.6% 14.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.7% White 73.6% Black or African American 14.9% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.4% Two or more races 5.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Alabaster compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Alabaster (this city) 33,633 $90,163
Gadsden 33,617 $38,699
Opelika 31,944 $58,763
Northport 30,991 $77,781
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Alabaster, AL?

What is the population of Alabaster, AL? +

The population of Alabaster, AL stands at 33,633 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Alabaster, AL? +

Median annual household income in Alabaster runs $90,163, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Alabaster? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Alabaster; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Alabaster, AL safe? +

Alabaster has a total crime rate of 1610.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Alabaster, AL? +

Homes in Alabaster carry a median value of $242,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.