City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Gadsden, AL

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

33,617
Residents
$38,699
Median income
$101,900
Median home
$927
Median rent (state)

Gadsden - the verdict

Gadsden ranks in the 7th percentile for household income and the 14th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
8th
percentile, median rent
14th
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: Gadsden, AL

Gadsden is a small city in Alabama, home to 33,617 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $38,699 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 21.5%. Gadsden's housing stock carries a median value of $101,900, and the median resident age is 39.6 years. 14.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 48.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 42 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Gadsden's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3159.2 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 59.0°F with 57.6 inches of precipitation per year.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $927 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alabama run around $245, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 87.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

33,617 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$38,699 /yr

Poverty 21.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Gadsden compare to other US cities?

Where Gadsden sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% pricier than other cities
Safety 14% 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: Gadsden ranks #169 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 Gadsden'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.

7thIncome percentile
14thSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 14th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gadsden's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gadsden'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 37 Avg. percentile National median
Gadsden'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 Gadsden's home value compares nationally

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

$101,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Gadsden $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 - Gadsden, AL Gadsden, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL median $38,699/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%
Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.8%

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

Population
33,617
Median Income
$38,699
Median Home Value
$101,900
Median Age
39.6
Poverty Rate
21.5%
Labor force participation
48.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3159.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
581.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2577.6
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
59.0°F
Annual Precipitation
57.6"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
33,200 residents33,400 residents33,600 residents33,800 residents34,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 33,874 residents 33,367 residents ▼ -1.5%
Gadsden's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
42
housing units authorized
Single-Family
28
detached homes
Multifamily
14
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 19
2023 27
2024 42

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.8%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
3.4%
Other
1.5%

Based on 12,735 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 Gadsden sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$927/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Alabaster
33,633 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 Gadsden's 33,617 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kennesaw, GA
33,627 people
Uniondale, NY
33,637 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 Gadsden's $38,699 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Washington, AR
$38,700 median income
Northwood, PA
$38,702 median income
Falfurrias, TX
$38,696 median income
Prairie Creek, IN
$38,720 median income
Maricopa, CA
$38,676 median income
Weldon, NC
$38,725 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 50.7% 36.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.2% White 50.7% Black or African American 36.9% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.8% Two or more races 5.4% 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 Gadsden 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
Gadsden (this city) 33,617 $38,699
Alabaster 33,633 $90,163
Opelika 31,944 $58,763
Northport 30,991 $77,781
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gadsden, AL?

What is the population of Gadsden, AL? +

33,617 people live in Gadsden, AL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Gadsden runs $38,699, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gadsden? +

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

Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3159.2 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 Gadsden, AL? +

Gadsden's median home value sits at $101,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Gadsden? +

The average annual temperature in Gadsden runs 59.0°F, 57.6 inches of precipitation. 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.