Bessemer, AL

Census Place

Add Comparison

2019 Population

26,680

0.295% 1-year decline

US Senator

Richard Shelby

Republican Party

US Senator

Tommy Tuberville

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

39.5

1.02% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

25.8%

8.06% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$32,301

2.19% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$86,500

3.59% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

10,048

2.11% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Bessemer, AL had a population of 26.7k people with a median age of 39.5 and a median household income of $32,301. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Bessemer, AL declined from 26,759 to 26,680, a −0.295% decrease and its median household income grew from $31,610 to $32,301, a 2.19% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Bessemer, AL are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (72.4%), White (Non-Hispanic) (20.5%), Other (Hispanic) (2.77%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.6%), and White (Hispanic) (1.27%). 0% of the households in Bessemer, AL speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

97.1% of the residents in Bessemer, AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Bessemer, AL are Brown Beauty Barber School (11 degrees awarded in 2019).

In 2019, the median property value in Bessemer, AL was $86,500, and the homeownership rate was 51.7%. Most people in Bessemer, AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Bessemer, AL was 2 cars per household.

United States Alabama Jefferson County, AL Birmingham-Hoover, AL Birmingham City (West) PUMA, AL Hoover (North), Vestavia Hills & Homewood Cities PUMA, AL Bessemer, Hueytown & Pleasant Grove Cities PUMA, AL

Diversity

Bessemer, AL is home to a population of 26.7k people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2019, 11.9% of Bessemer, AL residents were born outside of the country (3.18k people).

In 2019, there were 3.53 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (19.3k people) in Bessemer, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.47k White (Non-Hispanic) and 739 Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bessemer, AL

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
19.3k ± 776
White (Non-Hispanic)
5.47k ± 774
Other (Hispanic)
739 ± 378

4.32%

Hispanic Population

1.15k people

4.32% of the people in Bessemer, AL are hispanic (1.15k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Bessemer, AL as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

11.9%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

3.18k people

3.78%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

1.01k people

As of 2019, 11.9% of Bessemer, AL residents (3.18k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 34%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bessemer, AL was 3.78%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.7

In 2019, the median age of all people in Bessemer, AL was 39.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Bessemer, AL are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Bessemer, AL residents was 39.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
48,648 ± 5,388 people
Guatemala
13,164 ± 2,813 people
India
9,844 ± 2,433 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 48,648 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 13,164 and India with 9,844.

Citizenship

97.1%

2019 Citizenship

96.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 97.1% of Bessemer, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Bessemer, AL was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
760 ± 173
Gulf War (1990s)
365 ± 161
Korea
167 ± 77

Bessemer, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.08 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Alabama. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Alabama, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Alabama. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Alabama across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Bessemer, AL is $32,301. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Bessemer, AL was Census Tract 141.05 with a value of $63,882, followed by Census Tract 104.02 and Census Tract 104.01, with respective values of $58,864 and $33,942.

Males in Alabama have an average income that is 1.44 times higher than the average income of females, which is $43,012. The income inequality in Alabama (measured using the Gini index) is 0.459, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Bessemer, AL employs 10k people. The largest industries in Bessemer, AL are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,758 people), Manufacturing (1,358 people), and Retail Trade (1,335 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,313), Utilities ($59,792), and Information ($54,792).

Wages

Median Household Income

$32,301

2019 value

± $3,016

2.19%

1 Year Growth

± 11.1%

Households in Bessemer, AL have a median annual income of $32,301, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $31,610 in 2018, which represents a 2.19% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Bessemer, AL compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

$61,746

Average Male Salary in Alabama

± $1,542

$43,012

Average Female Salary in Alabama

± $1,077

In 2019, full-time male employees in Alabama made 1.44 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Alabama by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Alabama

Asian
$59,683 ± $10,574
White
$50,914 ± $1,134
American Indian
$44,130 ± $8,792

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Alabama workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.17 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Alabama.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Alabama by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bessemer, AL is from Alabama.

0.459

2019 Wage GINI in Alabama

0.46

2018 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2019, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.143% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 141.05
Census Tract 104.02
Census Tract 104.01

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Bessemer, AL was Census Tract 141.05 with a value of $63,882, followed by Census Tract 104.02 and Census Tract 104.01, with respective values of $58,864 and $33,942.

The following map shows all of the places in Bessemer, AL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

25.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bessemer, AL (6.76k out of 26.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males < 5.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
5,263 ± 562
White
1,013 ± 254
Other
304 ± 152

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

10k

2019 Value

± 785

2.11%

1 Year growth

± 10.7%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Bessemer, AL grew at a rate of 2.11%, from 9.84k employees to 10k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bessemer, AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,202 people), Production Occupations (963 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (930 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bessemer, AL.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Bessemer, AL, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,202 people), Production Occupations (963 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (930 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Bessemer, AL has an unusually high number of residents working as Material Moving Occupations (2.08 times higher than expected), Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors (1.91 times), and Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.75 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Bessemer, AL, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($70,721), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($69,250), and Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, & Media Occupations ($60,156).

Industries

Employment by Industries

10k

2019 Value

± 785

2.11%

1 Year growth

± 10.7%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Bessemer, AL grew at a rate of 2.11%, from 9.84k employees to 10k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bessemer, AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,758 people), Manufacturing (1,358 people), and Retail Trade (1,335 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Bessemer, AL, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,758 people), Manufacturing (1,358 people), and Retail Trade (1,335 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Bessemer, AL has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (2.14 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.57 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.55 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Bessemer, AL, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,313), Utilities ($59,792), and Information ($54,792).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $52.4B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.3B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($21.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alabama products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alabama.

$280B

2018 Value in Alabama

$481B

Projected 2045 Value in Alabama

71.8% growth

In 2018, total outbound Alabama trade was $280B. This is expected to increase 71.8% to $481B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alabama trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$31.8B
Florida
$17.8B
Tennessee
$14.7B

In 2018, the top outbound Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $31.8B, followed by Florida with $17.8B and Tennessee and $14.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alabama shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Jefferson County, AL went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 51.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.3%), followed by Other (4.13%). The most partisan county was Winston County, AL with 89.5% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville 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 Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Bessemer, AL. Showing the available data for Jefferson County, AL.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (51.6%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44.3%)
Republican Party
Other (4.13%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 51.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.3%), followed by Other (4.13%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alabama for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Alabama.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Jefferson County, AL

51.6% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Alabama

Winston County, AL
89.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Blount County, AL
89.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Cleburne County, AL
87.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Alabama was Winston County, AL with 89.5% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Alabama colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Alabama

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

Richard Shelby

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 1987

Tommy Tuberville

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville 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.

US Representatives from Alabama

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Alabama have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Bessemer, AL awarded 11 degrees. The student population of Bessemer, AL is skewed towards women, with 5 male students and 38 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Bessemer, AL are Black or African American (7 and 63.6%), followed by White (2 and 18.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1 and 9.09%), and Two or More Races (1 and 9.09%).

The largest universities in Bessemer, AL by number of degrees awarded are Brown Beauty Barber School (11 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Bessemer, AL are General Cosmetology (9 and 81.8%), Barbering (2 and 18.2%), and Hair Styling & Design (0 and 0%).

Concentrations

Most Common

General Cosmetology
9 degree-majorss awarded
Barbering
2 degree-majorss awarded
Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor
0 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Bessemer, AL was General Cosmetology with 9 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.

Universities

Brown Beauty Barber School

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

11 degrees awarded

In 2019, the Bessemer, AL institution with the largest number of graduating students was Brown Beauty Barber School with 11 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 2 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Bessemer, AL, which is 0.222 times less than the 9 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Bessemer, AL by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Black or African American
7 degrees awarded
White
2 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Bessemer, AL was Black or African American students. These 7 degrees mean that there were 3.5 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 2 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Bessemer, AL was $86,500 in 2019, which is 0.36 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $83,500 to $86,500, a 3.59% increase. The homeownership rate in Bessemer, AL is 51.7%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Bessemer, AL have an average commute time of 22.1 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 Value

$86,500

2019 Median

± $3,924

$83,500

2018 Median

± $3,827

In 2019, the median property value in Bessemer, AL grew to to $86,500 from the previous year's value of $83,500.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Bessemer, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Bessemer, AL the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$32,301

Median Household Income

± $3,016

10.5k

Number of Households

± 749

In 2019, the median household income of the 10.5k households in Bessemer, AL grew to $32,301 from the previous year's value of $31,610.

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.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Bessemer, AL 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.

Rent vs Own

51.7%

2019 Homeownership

53.3%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 51.7% of the housing units in Bessemer, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 53.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Bessemer, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bessemer, AL have a shorter commute time (22.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 0.995% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (76.5%)
Carpooled (16.9%)
Worked At Home (3.15%)

In 2019, 76.5% of workers in Bessemer, AL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (16.9%) and those who worked at home (3.15%).

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.

Transportation

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, followed by false.

Health

84.3% of the population of Bessemer, AL has health coverage, with 29.4% on employee plans, 27.8% on Medicaid, 14% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 2.53% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Alabama was $7,281 in 2014. This is a 4.07% increase from the previous year ($6,996).

Primary care physicians in Jefferson County, AL see 920 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.08% decrease from the previous year (930 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1085 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 524 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Bullock County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (29.5%). Additionally, Macon County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (50.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Jefferson County, AL.

920 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Jefferson County, AL

Primary care physicians in Jefferson County, AL see an average of 920 patients per year. This represents a 1.08% decrease from the previous year (930 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Jefferson County, AL in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,281

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Alabama

$3,641

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,042

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,267

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Alabama (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.07%, from $6,996 to $7,281.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

15.7%

Uninsured

29.4%

Employer Coverage

27.8%

Medicaid

14%

Medicare

10.5%

Non-Group

2.53%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bessemer, AL declined by 2.01% from 16% to 15.7%.

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.