City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Leeds, AL

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

12,221
Residents
$71,672
Median income
$220,400
Median home
$1,266
Median rent (state)

Leeds - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Leeds places in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
17th
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: Leeds, AL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 12,221 residents in Leeds, a small town within Alabama. The typical household in Leeds brings in $71,672 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.0%. Typical homes in Leeds are valued around $220,400, and the median resident age is 40.1 years. About 28.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 113 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 197% from five years earlier. Leeds's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2908.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 25.3 minutes, with 79.3% driving alone and 7.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

12,221 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$71,672 /yr

Poverty 8.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Leeds compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% 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: Leeds ranks #160 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 Leeds'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.

52ndIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Leeds's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Leeds'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Leeds'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 Leeds's home value compares nationally

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

$220,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Leeds $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 - Leeds, AL Leeds, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Leeds, 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 Leeds, AL median $71,672/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%
Leeds, 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 Leeds, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.2%

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

Population
12,221
Median Income
$71,672
Median Home Value
$220,400
Median Age
40.1
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor force participation
62.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2908.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
297.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2611.5
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 →
12,200 residents12,400 residents12,600 residents12,800 residents13,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,384 residents 12,831 residents ▲ +3.6%
Leeds's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
113
housing units authorized
Single-Family
113
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 38
2020 32
2021 110
2022 82
2023 76
2024 113

Permit volume increased 197% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
25.3 minutes
Drive Alone
79.3%
Carpool
11.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
7.1%
Other
1.0%

Based on 5,972 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 Leeds 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

Sylacauga
12,388 people
Eufaula
12,664 people
Pell City
13,353 people
Moody
13,378 people
Irondale
13,462 people
Boaz
10,847 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Leeds's 12,221 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

El Campo, TX
12,220 people
Beatrice, NE
12,233 people
Choctaw, OK
12,208 people
Maili, HI
12,236 people
Rosaryville, MD
12,206 people
Pennsville, NJ
12,238 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Leeds's $71,672 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Danielson, CT
$71,672 median income
Vero Beach South, FL
$71,675 median income
Homer, NY
$71,675 median income
Akiak, AK
$71,667 median income
Dietrich, ID
$71,667 median income
Pulaski, IA
$71,667 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Leeds, 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 Leeds, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.6% 13.6% 10.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.1% White 72.6% Black or African American 13.6% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.2% Two or more races 10.1% 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 Leeds 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
Leeds (this city) 12,221 $71,672
Sylacauga 12,388 $46,384
Eufaula 12,664 $45,550
Pell City 13,353 $73,043
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Leeds, AL?

What is the population of Leeds, AL? +

12,221 people live in Leeds, AL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Leeds, the typical household earns $71,672 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Leeds? +

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

Leeds has a total crime rate of 2908.8 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 Leeds, AL? +

Leeds's median home value sits at $220,400, 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 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.