County · Alabama
Pickens County, Alabama
Pickens County, Alabama. Pickens County had 18,221 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.7% since 2020, while Alabama grew 3.3%. It holds 9 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 01107.
Pickens County is one of the 4 counties of the Tuscaloosa, AL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,221
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,123 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,721
Median household income
$46,274
±$2,486 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999
Median home value
$123,900
±$17,051 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900
Median gross rent
$648
±$87 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007
How many people live in Pickens County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,123 residents in Pickens County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,221 for July 1, 2025, down 4.7% since 2020, while Alabama grew 3.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,721 over 881 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pickens County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,721 | 5,086,768 | −1,522 |
| Households | 6,764±290 | 1,997,247 | −873 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.11 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,729±56 | 2,337,265 | −859 |
Pickens County's population since 2000
From 20,949 in 2000 to 18,221 in 2025: down 13.0%. 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 Pickens County?
Pickens County holds 9 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Aliceville with 2,024 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Aliceville | 2,177 | $39,167 |
|---|---|---|
| Gordo | 1,628 | $47,569 |
| Reform | 1,520 | $33,578 |
| Carrollton | 1,023 | $31,000 |
| Pickensville | 557 | $34,250 |
| MacedoniaGEOID 0145316 | 241 | $31,453 |
| EthelsvilleGEOID 0124472 | 49 | $48,750 |
| McMullenGEOID 0145640 | 32 | not published |
| MemphisGEOID 0148052 | 29 | $2,500 or less |
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 Pickens County?
The median resident of Pickens County is 42.2 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 40.9%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pickens County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2±0.4 | 39.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9% | 17.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6%±0.5 pts | 5.6% | −1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.8%±0.2 pts | 63.4% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 40.9%±1.1 pts | 25.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.9 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±0.7 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 7.7% | – |
| With a disability | 22.2%±2.3 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.5%±1.5 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±2.0 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.1%±2.2 pts | 28.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0%±1.3 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.9 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 Pickens County earn?
Half of Pickens County's 6,764 households earn less than $46,274 a year (±$2,486), against $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 it was $49,041 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pickens County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,274±$2,486 | $63,999 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,757±$4,469 | $88,898 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,934±$1,993 | $36,087 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.0%±3.2 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.9%±6.4 pts | 21.3% | −10.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.5%±3.0 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.1%±3.0 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 Pickens County?
Owners occupy 75.8% of Pickens County's occupied homes and renters 24.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $123,900 by its owner (±$17,051). The median renter pays $648 a month including utilities, and 31.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pickens County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $123,900±$17,051 | $209,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $648±$87 | $1,007 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.9%±8.2 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,107±$81 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.8%±3.0 pts | 70.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,729±56 | 2,337,265 | −859 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±3.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.3%±3.3 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.3%±3.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.3%±1.5 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 Pickens County building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units across Pickens County in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.2 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 Pickens County get to work?
90.2% of Pickens County's workers drive alone and 5.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Pickens County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 45.5%±2.9 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%±1.9 pts | 4.7% | −5.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 90.2%±2.8 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.8%±1.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.6 min±2.3 | 25.5 min | no clear change |
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 Pickens County's census tracts?
Pickens County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,026 (Tract 503) to $63,750 (Tract 504.02).
| Tract 50001107050000 | 4,302±575 | $51,031 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 50101107050100 | 3,125±375 | $45,069 |
| Tract 50201107050200 | 2,102±304 | $51,964 |
| Tract 50301107050300 | 4,498±385 | $34,026 |
| Tract 504.0101107050401 | 2,165±392 | $51,027 |
| Tract 504.0201107050402 | 2,529±412 | $63,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pickens County compare with Alabama's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 48th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 55th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 53rd of 67 |
| Median household income | 53rd of 67 |
| Median home value | 47th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 60th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 21st of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 61st of 67 |
| Median age | 28th 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 Pickens 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.