Cherokee County, Alabama Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 40th-largest in Alabama
The population of Cherokee County, Alabama is 25,224 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 40th-largest county in Alabama. The median household income is $50,769, the median home value is $165,900, and the median age is 47.4.
The population of Cherokee County has grown 0.7% since 2010 (25,968 → 26,138), a +0.05% annualized rate.
25,224
Population
+0.05%
Annual growth
46
People / sq mi
$50,769
Median Income
$165,900
Median Home Value
Cherokee County covers 554 sq mi of land at 45.6 people per square mile.
About Cherokee County, AL
Cherokee County is a county in Alabama with a population of 25,224. It ranks #40 among counties in Alabama by population. The median age is 47.4, older than the national median. The population is 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
The median household income in Cherokee County is $50,769, below the US median of $74,580. 12.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $165,900, with monthly rent averaging $750. The homeownership rate of 79.5% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Cherokee County reflects 15.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 4.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 29.7 minutes each way.
Cherokee County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Cherokee County had a population of 25,968 in 2010 and 26,138 in 2024, a 0.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 26,254 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.06%.
26,138
Population (2024)
25,968
Population (2010)
26,254
Peak (2019)
0.06%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 25,968 |
| 2011 | 25,993 |
| 2012 | 25,961 |
| 2013 | 26,022 |
| 2014 | 25,900 |
| 2015 | 25,739 |
| 2016 | 25,769 |
| 2017 | 25,822 |
| 2018 | 26,035 |
| 2019 | 26,254 |
| 2020 | 24,981 |
| 2021 | 25,060 |
| 2022 | 25,334 |
| 2023 | 25,700 |
| 2024 | 26,138 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 91.3% |
| Black or African American | 3.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
47.4
Median Age
50.7%
Female
49.3%
Male
23.8%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 15.4% · Seniors (65+): 23.8%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $50,769$-11,258 vs state |
| Mean household income | $71,062 |
| Per-capita income | $31,360 |
| Poverty rate | 12.6%+1.3% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 1.7% |
| Employment-to-population | 49.0% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Cherokee County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.9% of workers.
How residents commute
0.6%
Drive alone
0.9%
Carpool
85.8%
Public transit
4.3%
Work from home
29.7 min
Avg commute
Housing
$165,900$-29,200 vs state
Median home value
$750
Median rent
79.5%
Homeownership rate
14,663
Total housing units
71.5%
Occupied
28.5%
Vacant
20.5%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
91.0%
With health insurance
88.6%
With broadband internet
47.6%
Foreign-born
7.0%
Veterans (18+)
19.6%
With a disability
97.5%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
83.9%
High School+
15.9%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Alabama
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cherokee County, Alabama has a population of 25,224 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 40th-largest county in Alabama. Population density is 46 people per square mile.
The population of Cherokee County has grown 0.7% since 2010 (25,968 → 26,138), a +0.05% annualized rate.
The median household income in Cherokee County, Alabama is $50,769, with mean (average) household income of $71,062 and per-capita income of $31,360. 12.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Cherokee County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (91.3%), Black or African American (3.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Cherokee County, Alabama is 47.4 years. Residents are 50.7% female and 49.3% male.
The median home value in Cherokee County is $165,900 and median monthly rent is $750. 79.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 14,663 total housing units, 28.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Cherokee County, Alabama is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.7%.
Huntsville is among the largest cities associated with Cherokee County, Alabama, with a population of 218,814.
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Statewide data for Alabama
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Alabama
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.