City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Bessemer, AL

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

25,655
Residents
$37,844
Median income
$129,800
Median home
$1,266
Median rent (state)

Bessemer - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Bessemer places in the 6th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
1st
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: Bessemer, AL

Alabama's Bessemer is a small city, with 25,655 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Bessemer households earn a median of $37,844 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.9%. Bessemer's housing stock carries a median value of $129,800, and the median resident age is 42.8 years. Educational attainment runs 14.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 45.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 37 residential building permits were authorized in Bessemer (Stable), down 3% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Bessemer's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 8867.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Bessemer's yearly average temperature at 63.7°F with 55.5 inches of precipitation per year and 1.2 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: the state registers 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,266 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alabama run around $245, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Bessemer report an average commute of 23.1 minutes, with 76.5% driving alone and 9.6% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

25,655 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$37,844 /yr

Poverty 23.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Bessemer compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Alabama and the picture shifts: Bessemer ranks #222 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Bessemer's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

6thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bessemer's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bessemer'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 25 Avg. percentile National median
Bessemer'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 Bessemer's home value compares nationally

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

$129,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $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. Bessemer $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 - Bessemer, AL Bessemer, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bessemer, 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 Bessemer, AL median $37,844/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%
Bessemer, 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 Bessemer, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.6%

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

Population
25,655
Median Income
$37,844
Median Home Value
$129,800
Median Age
42.8
Poverty Rate
23.9%
Labor force participation
45.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
8867.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1743.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
7123.8
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
55.5"
Annual Snowfall
1.2"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
24,500 residents25,000 residents25,500 residents26,000 residents26,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,936 residents 24,984 residents ▼ -3.7%
Bessemer's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
37
housing units authorized
Single-Family
37
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 38
2020 11
2021 24
2022 19
2023 102
2024 37

Permit volume decreased 3% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.1 minutes
Drive Alone
76.5%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
9.6%
Other
0.9%

Based on 9,071 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 Bessemer 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
97.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Trussville
26,182 people
Pelham
24,510 people
Athens
27,474 people
Homewood
27,697 people
Fairhope
23,360 people
Daphne
28,673 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bessemer's 25,655 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Galt, CA
25,665 people
Pace, FL
25,630 people
Columbine, CO
25,681 people
Medford, NY
25,681 people
Immokalee, FL
25,624 people
Newberg, OR
25,622 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bessemer's $37,844 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bogalusa, LA
$37,846 median income
Clarksville, AR
$37,848 median income
Scotts Hill, TN
$37,837 median income
Chamois, MO
$37,857 median income
Nickelsville, VA
$37,857 median income
Smithfield, NC
$37,827 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bessemer, 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 Bessemer, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 19.8% 70.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.2% White 19.8% Black or African American 70.6% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.1% Two or more races 4.3% 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 Bessemer 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
Bessemer (this city) 25,655 $37,844
Trussville 26,182 $120,794
Pelham 24,510 $91,904
Athens 27,474 $65,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bessemer, AL?

What is the population of Bessemer, AL? +

Bessemer, AL counts 25,655 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Bessemer households earn a median of $37,844 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bessemer? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bessemer; 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 Bessemer, AL safe? +

Bessemer has a total crime rate of 8867.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Bessemer, AL? +

Homes in Bessemer carry a median value of $129,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bessemer? +

Climate normals put Bessemer's yearly average temperature at 63.7°F, 55.5 inches of precipitation, and 1.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.