Bessemer, AL

Census Place

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2024 Population
25,400
US Senator
Tommy Tuberville
Republican Party
US Senator
Katie Britt
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
43.3
1.17% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
27.9%
9.08% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$39,613
4.67% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$135,900
4.7% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
9,346
1.25% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Bessemer, AL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.6% of the residents in Bessemer, AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Bessemer, AL are Brown Beauty Barber School (38 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Bessemer, AL was $135,900, and the homeownership rate was 57.4%.

Most people in Bessemer, AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Bessemer, AL was 2 cars per household.

United StatesAlabamaJefferson County, ALBirmingham-Hoover, ALJefferson County (West)--Bessemer, Hueytown & Pleasant Grove Cities PUMA, ALBirmingham City PUMA, ALJefferson County (Southeast)--Hoover (North), Vestavia Hills & Homewood Cities PUMA, AL

Population & Diversity

Bessemer, AL is home to a population of 25.4k people, from which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.02% of Bessemer, AL residents were born outside of the country (1.02k people).

In 2024, there were 3.26 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.9k people) in Bessemer, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.2k White (Non-Hispanic) and 1.73k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.6%
2024 Citizenship
96.9%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96.6% of Bessemer, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Bessemer, AL was 96.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Bessemer, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bessemer, AL
  1. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    16.9k ± 1.05k
  2. White (Non-Hispanic)
    5.2k ± 912
  3. Other (Hispanic)
    1.73k ± 605
10.4%
Hispanic Population
2.64k people

In 2024, there were 3.26 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.9k people) in Bessemer, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.2k White (Non-Hispanic) and 1.73k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

10.4% of the people in Bessemer, AL are hispanic (2.64k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Bessemer, AL as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    52,201 ± 5,580 people
  2. Guatemala
    19,759 ± 3,444 people
  3. Korea
    10,633 ± 2,529 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 52,201 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 19,759 and Korea with 10,633.

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Foreign-Born Population

4.02%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
1.02k people
3.52%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
903 people

As of 2024, 4.02% of Bessemer, AL residents (1.02k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bessemer, AL was 3.52%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Bessemer, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    489 ± 161
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    230 ± 138
  3. Gulf War (2001-)
    199 ± 95

Bessemer, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.13 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Bessemer, AL.

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Economy

The economy of Bessemer, AL employs 9.35k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Bessemer, AL were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,609 people), Manufacturing (1,342 people), and Retail Trade (1,216 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($79,345), Finance & Insurance ($67,969), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,544).

Employment

Occupations

9.35k
2024 Value
± 916
−1.25%
1 Year decline
± 14%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Bessemer, AL declined at a rate of −1.25%, from 9.46k employees to 9.35k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bessemer, AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,114 people), Material Moving Occupations (1,064 people), and Production Occupations (981 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bessemer, AL.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alabama (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

9.35k
2024 Value
± 916
−1.25%
1 Year decline
± 14%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Bessemer, AL declined at a rate of −1.25%, from 9.46k employees to 9.35k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bessemer, AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,609 people), Manufacturing (1,342 people), and Retail Trade (1,216 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Bessemer, AL, though some of these residents may live in Bessemer, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$38,538
Median earning men ± $3,697
$35,742
Median earning women ± $4,664

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($107,643), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($66,176), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($61,395).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,816), Information ($63,289), and Public Administration ($51,250).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.
Y-Axis
2.1%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.13M people employed in Alabama. This represents a 2.1% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.2%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alabama.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Donald J. Trump with 64.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.533%).

Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing the state of Alabama. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Bessemer, AL. Showing the available data for Alabama.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (64.6%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (34.1%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (0.533%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Donald J. Trump with 64.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.533%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alabama for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Alabama

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.
Tommy Tuberville
Senator from Alabama2
Assumed office on January 3, 2021
Katie Britt
Senator from Alabama3
Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing Alabama.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alabama over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Bessemer, AL awarded 38 degrees. The student population of Bessemer, AL in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 16 male students and 38 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Bessemer, AL are Black or African American (33 and 86.8%), White (3 and 7.89%), and Hispanic or Latino (2 and 5.26%).

The largest universities in Bessemer, AL by number of degrees awarded are Brown Beauty Barber School (38 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Bessemer, AL are General Cosmetology (19 and 50%), Barbering (13 and 34.2%), and Other Cosmetology & Related Personal Grooming Arts (5 and 13.2%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 54 students enrolled in Bessemer, AL, 29.6% men and 70.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 47 records, of which 76.6% were women and 23.4% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Cosmetology
    19 degrees awarded
  2. Barbering
    13 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Bessemer, AL was General Cosmetology with 19 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Bessemer, AL according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Brown Beauty Barber School
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
38 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Brown Beauty Barber School with 38 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 13 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Bessemer, AL, which is 0.52 times less than the 25 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 33 degrees mean that there were 11 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 3 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Bessemer, AL was $135,900 in 2024, which is 0.408 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $129,800 to $135,900, a 4.7% increase. The homeownership rate in Bessemer, AL is 57.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Bessemer, AL have an average commute time of 26.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Bessemer, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$135,900
Median Property Value 2024
±$24,955
$6,273
Median Property Taxes
±$750

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Bessemer, AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Bessemer, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

57.4%
Homeownership
2024
67.6%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 57.4% of the housing units in Bessemer, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 55.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Bessemer, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$39,613
Median Household Income
± $3,108
10.9k
Number of Households
± 958

In 2024, the median household income of the 10.9k households in Bessemer, AL grew to $39,613 from the previous year's value of $37,844.

The following chart displays the households in Bessemer, AL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bessemer, AL is from Alabama.
0.456
2023 Wage GINI in Alabama
0.458
2022 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2023, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.523% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alabama across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (75.7%)
  2. Carpooled (11.4%)
  3. Worked At Home (9.45%)

In 2024, 75.7% of workers in Bessemer, AL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.4%) and those who worked at home (9.45%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

26.2 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bessemer, AL have a shorter commute time (26.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.78% of the workforce in Bessemer, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Bessemer, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Bessemer, AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Bessemer, AL have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

27.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bessemer, AL (6.98k out of 25k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Bessemer, AL is Black, followed by Hispanic and White.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

86% of the population of Bessemer, AL has health coverage, with 27.6% on employee plans, 29.2% on Medicaid, 15.4% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 1.28% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Alabama see 1,571 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,571 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2016 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 684 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.7% were men and 53.3% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.1% under 18 years, 19% between 18 and 34 years, 37.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.7% were men and 53.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

14%
Uninsured
27.6%
Employer Coverage
29.2%
Medicaid
15.4%
Medicare
12.5%
Non-Group
1.28%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bessemer, AL grew by 0.691% from 13.9% to 14%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Bessemer, AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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