Hale County, Alabama Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 55th-largest in Alabama

The population of Hale County, Alabama is 14,749 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 55th-largest county in Alabama. The median household income is $41,325, the median home value is $126,300, and the median age is 41.0.

The population of Hale County has declined 4.0% since 2010 (15,745 → 15,116), a -0.29% annualized rate.

Hale County within Alabama · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

14,749

Population

-0.29%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$41,325

Median Income

$126,300

Median Home Value

Hale County covers 644 sq mi of land at 22.9 people per square mile.

About Hale County, AL

What sets Hale County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually rare here, at 2.0% versus 14.0% nationally. With 14,749 residents, Hale County is a county in Alabama.

Money is tight relative to the rest of US counties: the median household earns just $41,325, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 16.0%, above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $126,300, with typical rent around $723.

College attainment is 16.8%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (2.0%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 35 minutes each way.

Hale County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Hale County had a population of 15,745 in 2010 and 15,116 in 2024, a -4.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 15,745 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.28%.

Hale County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

15,116

Population (2024)

15,745

Population (2010)

15,745

Peak (2010)

-0.28%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	15,745	-	-	estimate
2011	15,360	-385	-2.45%	estimate
2012	15,366	+6	+0.04%	estimate
2013	15,249	-117	-0.76%	estimate
2014	15,047	-202	-1.32%	estimate
2015	15,016	-31	-0.21%	estimate
2016	14,845	-171	-1.14%	estimate
2017	14,812	-33	-0.22%	estimate
2018	14,773	-39	-0.26%	estimate
2019	14,669	-104	-0.70%	estimate
2020	14,771	+102	+0.70%	estimate
2021	14,715	-56	-0.38%	estimate
2022	14,613	-102	-0.69%	estimate
2023	14,931	+318	+2.18%	estimate
2024	15,116	+185	+1.24%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	38.4%
Black or African American	55.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.5%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.0

Median Age

52.2%

Female

47.8%

Male

20.0%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.6%

5–9

9.5%

10–14

4.4%

15–19

6.7%

20–24

5.3%

25–34

11.2%

35–44

11.8%

45–54

10.7%

55–59

7.3%

60–64

6.7%

65–74

12.0%

75–84

5.3%

85+

2.7%

Children (under 15): 20.5% · Seniors (65+): 20.0%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$41,325$-20,702 vs state
Mean household income	$61,740
Per-capita income	$26,024
Poverty rate	16.0%+4.7% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.9%
Employment-to-population	47.1%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

31.9%

Manufacturing

15.1%

Education & health care

9.7%

Retail trade

6.2%

Finance & real estate

5.3%

Agriculture

4.1%

Public administration

3.9%

Construction

3.7%

The largest employment sector in Hale County is professional & business services, accounting for 31.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.3%

Drive alone

0.9%

Carpool

86.8%

Public transit

2.0%

Work from home

34.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$126,300$-68,800 vs state

Median home value

$723

Median rent

77.0%

Homeownership rate

7,514

Total housing units

73.7%

Occupied

26.3%

Vacant

23.0%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.7%

With health insurance

85.1%

With broadband internet

13.5%

Foreign-born

7.0%

Veterans (18+)

25.5%

With a disability

98.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

81.9%

High School+

16.8%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Alabama

Huntsville (218,814)Birmingham (199,322)Montgomery (198,440)Mobile (185,097)Tuscaloosa (107,699)Hoover (92,401)Auburn (78,738)Dothan (71,118)Madison (58,335)Decatur (57,760)All Alabama cities →

Other counties in Alabama

Jefferson County (669,744)Mobile County (413,162)Madison County (397,135)Baldwin County (239,945)Tuscaloosa County (234,036)Montgomery County (227,197)Shelby County (226,955)Lee County (177,663)Morgan County (123,742)Calhoun County (116,141)All Alabama counties →

Part of Alabama

Alabama demographic profile All Alabama data →

Metro areas in Alabama

Birmingham (1,181,432)Huntsville (504,712)Mobile (413,162)Montgomery (385,159)Columbus (326,136)Tuscaloosa (275,217)Daphne (239,945)Auburn (196,614)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Hale County, Alabama has a population of 14,749 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 55th-largest county in Alabama. Population density is 23 people per square mile.

The population of Hale County has declined 4.0% since 2010 (15,745 → 15,116), a -0.29% annualized rate.

The median household income in Hale County, Alabama is $41,325, with mean (average) household income of $61,740 and per-capita income of $26,024. 16.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Hale County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Black or African American (55.8%), White (38.4%), Hispanic or Latino (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Hale County, Alabama is 41.0 years. Residents are 52.2% female and 47.8% male.

The median home value in Hale County is $126,300 and median monthly rent is $723. 77.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 7,514 total housing units, 26.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Hale County, Alabama is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 31.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.9%.

Huntsville is among the largest cities associated with Hale County, Alabama, with a population of 218,814.