Living in Gadsden, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gadsden · Census data 2020–2024
Gadsden has 33,374 residents with a median age of 38.6. The median household income is $40,345 (37% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $116,800, the median rent is $808/month.
Gadsden at a glance
- Population
- 33,374
- Median age
- 38.6State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $40,345State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $116,800State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $808/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 55.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.5%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Gadsden a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 44% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 7.2%; a poverty rate of 28.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Gadsden
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gadsden the median home value is $116,800, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $808 per month, which is 30.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,176 a month in housing costs.
Gadsden median household income
The median household income in Gadsden is $40,345 and the income per person is $22,914. 28.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Gadsden: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,513
- Owner-occupied
- 55.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.3%
- Vacant
- 22.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1959
- Average household size
- 2.53
Gadsden demographics
- Population
- 33,374
- Median age
- 38.6
- Under 18
- 23.8%
- 65 and older
- 18%
- Households
- 12,746
- Foreign-born
- 4.2%
- Veterans
- 5.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gadsden ›
Education in Gadsden
15.5% of adults 25 and older in Gadsden have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 5.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gadsden
- Unemployment rate
- 7.2%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 4.2%
- Drive alone
- 81.8%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.3%
Gadsden vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | $116,800 | $808 |
| Reece City | 784 | $66,705 | $153,800 | $1,139 |
| Tidmore Bend | 1,192 | $60,729 | $162,500 | $1,257 |
| Attalla | 5,775 | $59,215 | $126,100 | $743 |
| Glencoe | 5,353 | $68,517 | $206,100 | $736 |
| Rainbow City | 10,284 | $56,398 | $223,000 | $1,048 |
| Ivalee | 809 | $41,198 | $140,600 | $714 |
| Southside | 9,483 | $76,487 | $226,500 | $1,184 |
| Lookout Mountain | 1,120 | $80,362 | $158,300 | — |
More for people moving to Gadsden
Gadsden ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gadsden: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gadsden, AL?
The median household income in Gadsden is $40,345, 37% 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 Gadsden?
The median home value in Gadsden is $116,800, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Gadsden?
The median gross rent in Gadsden is $808 per month, about 30.5% of household income.
Is Gadsden, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 44% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 7.2%; a poverty rate of 28.1%.
What is the median age in Gadsden?
The median age in Gadsden is 38.6 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Gadsden?
The average commute to work in Gadsden is 21 minutes; 4.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gadsden?
The unemployment rate in Gadsden is 7.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gadsden?
15.5% of adults in Gadsden 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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