City

Bessemer, AL

4 ZIP codes  ·  Jefferson County  ·  Alabama

👥74,518Population
💰$60,201Median HH Income▼ 21% below avg
🎂40.8Median Age
🏠$160,471Median Home Value▼ 42% below avg
🎓31.6%College Grads▼ 18% below avg
📊6.4%Unemployment▲ 31% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 47.2% Female 52.9% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 36.8%Hispanic: 7.7%Black: 52.3%Asian: 0.6%Other: 2.5%Race
White36.8%
Hispanic7.7%
Black52.3%
Asian0.6%
Other2.5%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
7%
5–17
16%
18–24
7%
25–44
24%
45–64
26%
65+
9%

Key Indicators

Median Age40.8 yrs
Avg HH Size2.57
Below Poverty19.7% ▲ 97% above avg
College Grads31.6% ▼ 18% below avg
Unemployment6.4% ▲ 31% above avg
No HS Diploma855 (1.8%)
HS Graduate16,561 (34.7%)
Some College6,126 (12.8%)
Associates8,879 (18.6%)
Bachelors4,734 (9.9%)
Graduate Degree10,559 (22.1%)

Education

No HS: 1.8%HS Grad: 34.7%Some College: 12.8%Associates: 18.6%Bachelors: 9.9%Graduate: 22.1%Edu
No HS1.8%
HS Grad34.7%
Some College12.8%
Associates18.6%
Bachelors9.9%
Graduate22.1%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 72.4%Renter: 27.6%Tenure
Owner72.4%
Renter27.6%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
10%
$50k–$100k
18%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
15%
$200k–$300k
23%
$300k–$500k
15%
Over $500k
3%

Financials

Median HH Income$60,201 ▼ 21% below avg
Median Home Value$160,470 ▼ 42% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.7x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$1,021/mo
Total Housing Units32,744
Vacant Units4,312

Income Distribution

Under $25k
25%
$25k–$50k
17%
$50k–$75k
17%
$75k–$100k
14%
$100k–$150k
15%
$150k–$200k
6%
Over $200k
5%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
87%
Public Transit
1%
Walked
1%
Work From Home
11%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
17%
15–30 min
36%
30–45 min
32%
Over 45 min
16%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
13%
1960s–1970s
11%
1980s–1990s
16%
2000+
57%
About Bessemer, AL

Bessemer is a city in Alabama, located in Jefferson County. The city spans 4 ZIP codes and is home to approximately 74,518 residents. It is a middle-aged city, with a median age of 40.76 years.

Economically, Bessemer is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $60,201 is below the national average. Approximately 19.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 6.4%, above the national average.

The real estate market in Bessemer is an affordable housing market. Median home values stand at $160,470, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $1,021 per month. Homeownership is high at 72.4%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Bessemer is moderately educated. 31.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — below the national average. The community is majority Black (52.26%).

Bessemer, AL offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within Alabama. Spread across 4 ZIP codes, the city's neighborhoods vary in character, density, and demographics — explore each ZIP code below for a detailed breakdown.

ZIP Codes in Bessemer
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
35020 25,308 $33,247 $90,900 $856 7.9% 19.5% 56.2%
35022 23,989 $79,084 $241,300 $991 5.9% 45.3% 80.8%
35023 25,221 $69,288 $153,400 $1,216 5.4% 30.6% 80.6%