City · Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, city, mostly in Houston County (97.8% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Dale and Henry counties, Alabama. Dothan had 72,060 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 71,072 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 71,514 (±472). GEOID 0121184.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
72,060
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 71,072 · ACS 2020-2024: 71,514 ±472
Median household income
$55,792
±$1,256 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999
Median home value
$194,000
±$3,979 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900
Median gross rent
$960
±$21 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007
Where is Dothan and what county is it in?
Dothan is a city mostly in Houston County (97.8% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Dale and Henry counties, Alabama. It covers 90.2 square miles of land, 788 residents per square mile in 2020.
Dothan is in the Dothan, AL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Houston County | 69,539 | 97.8% |
| Dale County | 1,530 | 2.2% |
| Henry County | 3 | 0.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Dothan, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 72,060 people lived in Dothan on July 1, 2025, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than Alabama (+3.3%). The 2020 Census counted 71,072 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 71,514 (±472).
| Measure | Dothan | Houston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 71,514 ±472 | 108,140 | +3,620 |
| Households | 29,351 ±328 | 43,302 | +3,083 |
| Average household size | 2.40 ±0.03 | 2.47 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 33,734 ±327 | 50,158 | +2,197 |
Dothan's population since 2000
From 57,737 in 2000 to 72,060 in 2025: up 24.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Dothan as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Dothan?
The median resident of Dothan is 40.2 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 35.7%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dothan | Houston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2 ±0.6 | 40.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% ±0.5 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8% ±0.5 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Male | 47.3% ±0.5 pts | 48.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% ±0.4 pts | 4.6% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.4% ±0.8 pts | 63.4% | −4.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 35.7% ±0.7 pts | 27.1% | +2.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.1 pts | 1.1% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±0.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7% ±0.5 pts | 3.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.3% ±0.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.1% ±0.6 pts | 9.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6% ±0.8 pts | 17.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.1% ±0.8 pts | 11.2% | +1.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6% ±0.8 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.6% ±1.1 pts | 23.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.9% ±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.1% ±0.8 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9% ±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Dothan earn?
Half of Dothan's 29,351 households earn less than $55,792 a year (±$1,256), against $58,626 in Houston County and $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 the median was $57,942 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $2,150 after inflation. 19.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dothan | Houston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,792 ±$1,256 | $58,626 | −$2,150 |
| Mean household income | $82,541 ±$2,323 | $81,747 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,321 ±$1,033 | $34,005 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.3% ±1.1 pts | 17.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.1% ±2.4 pts | 26.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.3% ±1.0 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.1% ±0.6 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4% ±0.9 pts | 86.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Dothan?
Owners occupy 57.1% of Dothan's occupied homes and renters 42.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $194,000 by its owner (±$3,979). The median renter pays $960 a month including utilities, and 36.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dothan | Houston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $194,000 ±$3,979 | $183,300 | +$8,534 |
| Median gross rent | $960 ±$21 | $945 | +$36 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.8% ±1.7 pts | 36.5% | −2.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,272 ±$40 | $1,277 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.1% ±1.3 pts | 63.8% | −2.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 42.9% ±1.3 pts | 36.2% | – |
| Housing units | 33,734 ±327 | 50,158 | +2,197 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5% ±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.6% ±1.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.8% ±1.0 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% ±0.4 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.5% ±0.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.9% ±0.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.0% ±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Dothan building?
Builders took permits for 252 new housing units in Dothan in 2025 (132 in single-family houses), 3.5 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Alabama.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Dothan work and get to work?
83.8% of Dothan's workers drive alone and 5.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Dothan | Houston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.6% ±1.0 pts | 57.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±0.5 pts | 4.5% | −2.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 83.8% ±1.1 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9% ±0.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0% ±0.7 pts | 4.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.4 min ±0.7 | 22.1 min | +0.9 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Dothan?
17 census tracts lie mostly in Dothan, and 9 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $19,852 (Tract 412) to $123,690 (Tract 402.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 402.04Houston County | 6,346 | $84,457 |
| Tract 402.05Houston County | 5,802 | $91,023 |
| Tract 410Houston County | 5,203 | $36,236 |
| Tract 409Houston County | 5,629 | $63,750 |
| Tract 408.01Houston County | 5,440 | $84,142 |
| Tract 411Houston County | 3,916 | $43,047 |
| Tract 403.01Houston County | 3,752 | $52,679 |
| Tract 403.02Houston County | 3,998 | $47,115 |
| Tract 415Houston County | 3,878 | $34,770 |
| Tract 405Houston County | 3,587 | $55,000 |
| Tract 402.06Houston County | 4,040 | $76,944 |
| Tract 414Houston County | 3,019 | $30,320 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Dothan) · Census block assignment files
How does Dothan compare with other places in Alabama?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Dothan is the 541st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 8th-most populous of 463 in Alabama.
Dothan ranks 164th of 305 places in Alabama with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 8th | 463 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 124th | 257 |
| Residents per square mile | 65th | 311 |
| Median household income | 164th | 305 |
| Per capita income | 96th | 311 |
| Median home value | 122nd | 304 |
| Median gross rent | 110th | 274 |
| Poverty rate | 117th | 258 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 84th | 295 |
| Median age | 141st | 309 |
| Owner-occupied share | 261st | 310 |
| Work from home | 115th | 138 |
| Travel time to work | 272nd | 310 |
Dothan's figures with every place in Alabama (CSV)
Every place in Alabama, sortable · Compare Dothan with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Dothan?
1 of the 57 figures for Dothan on this page carries a coefficient of variation over 40% and is marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Dothan are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Dothan.