Living in Bessemer, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bessemer · Census data 2020–2024
Bessemer has 25,400 residents with a median age of 43.3. The median household income is $39,613 (38% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $135,900, the median rent is $961/month.
Bessemer at a glance
- Population
- 25,400
- Median age
- 43.3State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $39,613State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $135,900State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $961/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 57.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.6%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Bessemer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 35% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 38% lower than the Alabama median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 8.6%; a poverty rate of 27.9%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Bessemer
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bessemer the median home value is $135,900, 59% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $961 per month, which is 32.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,246 a month in housing costs.
Bessemer median household income
The median household income in Bessemer is $39,613 and the income per person is $25,797. 27.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Bessemer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,827
- Owner-occupied
- 57.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 42.6%
- Vacant
- 14.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.27
Bessemer demographics
- Population
- 25,400
- Median age
- 43.3
- Under 18
- 20%
- 65 and older
- 22.1%
- Households
- 10,925
- Foreign-born
- 4%
- Veterans
- 7.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bessemer ›
Education in Bessemer
15.6% of adults 25 and older in Bessemer have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 5.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bessemer
- Unemployment rate
- 8.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 9.4%
- Drive alone
- 75.7%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.8%
Bessemer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | $135,900 | $961 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | $155,300 | $1,304 |
| Lipscomb | 2,214 | $41,875 | $90,400 | $1,044 |
| Brighton | 3,079 | $38,221 | $70,800 | $656 |
| McCalla | 13,253 | $87,468 | $279,900 | $1,777 |
| Midfield | 5,045 | $52,755 | $107,600 | $1,244 |
| North Johns | 129 | $49,205 | $74,600 | — |
| Concord | 1,913 | $66,406 | $173,500 | $775 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | $330,700 | $1,574 |
More for people moving to Bessemer
Bessemer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bessemer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bessemer, AL?
The median household income in Bessemer is $39,613, 38% lower than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bessemer?
The median home value in Bessemer is $135,900, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Bessemer?
The median gross rent in Bessemer is $961 per month, about 32.1% of household income.
Is Bessemer, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 35% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 38% lower than the Alabama median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 8.6%; a poverty rate of 27.9%.
What is the median age in Bessemer?
The median age in Bessemer is 43.3 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Bessemer?
The average commute to work in Bessemer is 26 minutes; 9.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bessemer?
The unemployment rate in Bessemer is 8.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bessemer?
15.6% of adults in Bessemer have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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