Demographics & People
198,173 people call Birmingham home, in 88,788 households. Population shrank 0.6% from 199,322 (2022) to 198,173 (2024). Median age 35.6 years. (2.1y younger than Jefferson County; 3.7y younger than Alabama). Children under 18 are 19% of the population. Population is 67% Black and 24% White (non-Hispanic). 48% of households are family-led. County is losing 8,344 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Alabama avg 2.5).
- 52% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Alabama 39%).
- 55 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Alabama 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 0.6% from 199,322 (2022) to 198,173 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~197,025 (extrapolated at -0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 195,494.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| County Population | 674,721 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -0.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 199,322 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 198,173 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 198,173 people (vs Alabama 26,673) |
| Population Estimate | 195,494 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 35.6y is 3.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 19% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 35.6 years (vs Alabama 37.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 198,173 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 37,436 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 59,997 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 68,254 |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 32,486 |
| Median age | 35.6 years (vs Alabama 37.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 198,173 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 47.5% |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | moderately diverse |
| Asian population | 1.4% (at Alabama median) |
| Black population | 66.7% (vs Alabama 28.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.8% (at Alabama median) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 24.2% (vs Alabama 57.1%) |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (1)
Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001
Households & Family Composition
88,788 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 48% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 42,060 families, 12% are married couples with children.
| Family households | 42,178 households (vs Alabama 7,066) |
|---|---|
| Households that are families | 47.5% (vs Alabama 61.2%) |
| Total households | 88,788 households (vs Alabama 10,925) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 17.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 8,344 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 534,384 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 542,728 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -8,344 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12