County · Alabama
Etowah County, Alabama
Etowah County, Alabama. Etowah County had 103,886 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.4% since 2020, slower than Alabama (+3.3%). It holds 23 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 census-designated) and 33 census tracts. GEOID 01055.
Etowah County is the county of the Gadsden, AL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
103,886
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 103,436 · ACS 2020-2024: 103,105
Median household income
$54,563
±$2,653 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999
Median home value
$167,100
±$4,938 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900
Median gross rent
$847
±$44 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007
How many people live in Etowah County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 103,436 residents in Etowah County. The Census Bureau estimates 103,886 for July 1, 2025, up 0.4% since 2020, slower than Alabama (+3.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 103,105 over 535 square miles of land.
| Measure | Etowah County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 103,105 | 5,086,768 | +357 |
| Households | 39,411±707 | 1,997,247 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.05 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 47,603±49 | 2,337,265 | no clear change |
Etowah County's population since 2000
From 103,459 in 2000 to 103,886 in 2025: up 0.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Etowah County?
Etowah County holds 23 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 census-designated places. The largest is Gadsden with 33,367 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Gadsden | 33,945 | $40,345 |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow City | 10,191 | $56,398 |
| Southside | 9,426 | $76,487 |
| Attalla | 5,827 | $59,215 |
| Glencoe | 5,372 | $68,517 |
| Hokes BluffGEOID 0135392 | 4,446 | $74,968 |
| Carlisle-Rockledge | 2,167 | $60,360 |
| Whitesboro | 2,113 | $67,188 |
| Sardis City | 1,814 | $67,721 |
| Lookout MountainGEOID 0144160 | 1,484 | $80,362 |
| BallplayGEOID 0103820 | 1,437 | $47,837 |
| Coats BendGEOID 0116080 | 1,318 | $70,409 |
| Tidmore BendGEOID 0176208 | 1,119 | $60,729 |
| Boaz | 10,107 | $49,846 |
| New UnionGEOID 0154582 | 1,019 | $43,462 |
| IvaleeGEOID 0138032 | 946 | $41,198 |
| Altoona | 948 | $43,056 |
| GallantGEOID 0128816 | 869 | $55,130 |
| EgyptGEOID 0123224 | 845 | $37,250 |
| Walnut Grove | 773 | $40,089 |
| Bristow CoveGEOID 0109457 | 624 | not published |
| Reece City | 615 | $66,705 |
| RidgevilleGEOID 0164656 | 83 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Etowah County?
The median resident of Etowah County is 41.7 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 19.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 14.7%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Etowah County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±0.3 | 39.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.7%±0.1 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.2% | 5.6% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.2%±0.2 pts | 63.4% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 14.7%±0.4 pts | 25.6% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.3%±0.5 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| With a disability | 18.9%±1.0 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.4%±1.0 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.1%±1.2 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.1%±1.4 pts | 28.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±0.7 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±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 Etowah County earn?
Half of Etowah County's 39,411 households earn less than $54,563 a year (±$2,653), against $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 it was $54,934 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Etowah County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,563±$2,653 | $63,999 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,295±$3,785 | $88,898 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,604±$1,436 | $36,087 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9%±1.7 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.0%±3.9 pts | 21.3% | −5.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.7%±1.2 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.5%±1.2 pts | 87.5% | – |
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 Etowah County?
Owners occupy 73.9% of Etowah County's occupied homes and renters 26.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $167,100 by its owner (±$4,938). The median renter pays $847 a month including utilities, and 39.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Etowah County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $167,100±$4,938 | $209,900 | +$27,170 |
| Median gross rent | $847±$44 | $1,007 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.5%±4.4 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,284±$48 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.9%±1.3 pts | 70.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 47,603±49 | 2,337,265 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±1.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.7%±1.2 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.2%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2%±0.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 Etowah County building?
Builders took permits for 123 new housing units across Etowah County in 2025 (123 single-family), 1.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Etowah County get to work?
86.5% of Etowah County's workers drive alone and 4.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | Etowah County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.2%±1.2 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 86.5%±1.4 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2%±1.2 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.5 min±1.0 | 25.5 min | +1.5 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 are Etowah County's census tracts?
Etowah County is divided into 33 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $19,620 (Tract 7) to $84,167 (Tract 109).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Etowah County compare with Alabama's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 67 |
| Median household income | 34th of 67 |
| Median home value | 24th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 42nd of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31st of 67 |
| Median age | 31st of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Etowah County 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' school search.