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Alabama Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Alabama is a state located in the Southeastern United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west.
Alabama is the 24th most populous U.S. state. The state has a total land area of 50,744 square miles (131,426 square kilometers) and an average population density of 99 people per square mile, making it the 27th most densely populated state in the United States.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Alabama’s population in 2020 was 5,024,279 (approximately 5.0 million). As of July 1, 2024, the estimated population of Alabama is 5,157,699, which is approximately 5.1 million people.
👉 Projected Population of Alabama (2026): ~5.2 million
Alabama Population Growth (2010–2020)
Alabama recorded a population growth rate of 5.1% between 2010 and 2020, adding 244,543 residents during the decade. The state’s median age is 38.6 years, with the population consisting of 51.5% females and 48.5% males.
Alabama Census Snapshot (2020)
Total Population: 5,024,279 (5.0 million)
Median Age: 38.6 years
Population Rank: 24th
Total Land Area: 50,744 sq mi (131,426 km²)
Area Rank: 30th
Population Density: 99.1/sq mi (38.4/km²)
Capital City: Montgomery
Largest City: Huntsville
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020)
Alabama Historical Population
Alabama recorded a population growth rate of 5.1% between 2010 and 2020. In 1900, Alabama’s population was around 1.8 million, and by 2020 it had reached 5.0 million, reflecting an increase of nearly 3 million people over the past century.
Decadal Population Change (1800–2020)
| Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 1,250 | – |
| 1810 | 9,046 | 623.70% |
| 1820 | 144,317 | 1,495.40% |
| 1830 | 309,527 | 114.50% |
| 1840 | 590,756 | 90.90% |
| 1850 | 771,623 | 30.60% |
| 1860 | 964,201 | 25.00% |
| 1870 | 996,992 | 3.40% |
| 1880 | 1,262,505 | 26.60% |
| 1890 | 1,513,401 | 19.90% |
| 1900 | 1,828,697 | 20.80% |
| 1910 | 2,138,093 | 16.90% |
| 1920 | 2,348,174 | 9.80% |
| 1930 | 2,646,248 | 12.70% |
| 1940 | 2,832,961 | 7.10% |
| 1950 | 3,061,743 | 8.10% |
| 1960 | 3,266,740 | 6.70% |
| 1970 | 3,444,165 | 5.40% |
| 1980 | 3,893,888 | 13.10% |
| 1990 | 4,040,587 | 3.80% |
| 2000 | 4,447,100 | 10.10% |
| 2010 | 4,779,736 | 7.50% |
| 2020 | 5,024,279 | 5.10% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020)
Alabama Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Alabama (Overview)
Christianity is the majority religion in Alabama, followed by 86% of the population. The largest Christian denomination in the state is Protestant (78%), followed by Roman Catholic (7%) and Mormonism (1%).
The unaffiliated population accounts for 12%, representing residents who do not follow or adhere to any faith or religion. Other religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam, together make up around 1% of Alabama’s population.
Source: Pew Research Center
For more details, read Religion in Alabama
Race and Ethnicity in Alabama (Overview)
In 2020, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest racial or ethnic group in Alabama, comprising 63.12% of the total population. This was followed by the Black or African American population at 25.64%. The Hispanic or Latino population was the third-largest group at 5.26%.
Residents identifying as two or more races accounted for 3.67%, while the Asian population made up 1.51% of the state’s population.
Ancestry in Alabama (Overview)
According to census studies and estimates, American, English, Irish, German, and Scottish are the five largest ancestry groups in Alabama.
For more details, read Race and Ethnicity in Alabama
Top Cities and Counties in Alabama
As of 2022, Alabama is divided into 67 counties. The most populous county in Alabama is Jefferson County (0.66 million) and The Largest county by Land Area in Alabama in Baldwin County.
The three largest cities in Alabama have almost equal populations, Hunstville (215,006) is the most populated followed by Birmingham (200,733) and Montgomery (196,268).
read more about Cities and Counties in Alabama
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