Bessemer, AL โ€” City Data, Demographics & Statistics

Jefferson County ยท Alabama

๐Ÿงฌ

City DNA

A unique fingerprint for Bessemer based on 8 key metrics โ€” compared to averages.

PopulationIncomeHome ValueSafetyEducationMedian AgeClimateCost of Living
Bessemer
National Avg
Alabama Avg
Population: 64Income: 25Home Value: 13Safety: 99Education: 14Median Age: 71Climate: 50Cost of Living: 40

Quick Stats

Population

25,655

2023 ACS

Median Income

$37,844

2023

Median Home Value

$129,800

2023

Median Rent

$922

2023

Median Age

42.8

Unemployment

8.8%

Cost of Living Index

79.5

100 = national avg

Bessemer is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, with a population of 25,655 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Bessemer is one of the communities in Alabama.

The median household income in Bessemer is $37,844, and the median home value is $129,800. The cost of living index is 79.5 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $922 per month. The unemployment rate is 8.8%, and the median age is 42.8 years.

People & Demographics

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)

Population

Total Population

25,655

Male

12,098

47.2%

Female

13,557

52.8%

Median Age

42.8

Age Distribution

Education & Household

Bachelor's or Higher

10.1%

High School or Higher

38.2%

Foreign Born

3.5%

Veterans

6.1%

Married

24.3%

Avg Household Size

2.4

Marital Status by Age

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

0.452

Simpson's Index (0-1)

Largest Group

Black

70.6%

Foreign Born

3.5%

White
19.8%
Black
70.6%
Asian
0.2%
Native American
0.1%
Two or More
4.3%
Other
5.1%

Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.

Hispanic/Latino

8.2%

2,091 people

Not Hispanic/Latino

91.8%

Hispanic/Latino Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Mexican
1,402 (67.0%)
Puerto Rican
174 (8.3%)
Salvadoran
262 (12.5%)
Honduran
12 (0.6%)
Other Hispanic
242 (11.6%)

Asian Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Filipino
3 (7.3%)
Vietnamese
18 (43.9%)
Korean
19 (46.3%)

American Indian & Alaska Native Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Other Native American
28 (100.0%)

Languages Spoken

Total Speakers (5+)

23,871

English Only

92.5%

#1 Non-English Language

Spanish

1,632 speakers

Limited English

4.1%

Language Distribution

Spanish
1,632 (6.8%)
French/Haitian/Cajun
105 (0.4%)
Korean
19 (0.1%)
Other Languages
18 (0.1%)
German
10 (0.0%)
Tagalog
9 (0.0%)

English Proficiency

Speaks English Very Well

95.9%

Limited English Proficiency

4.1%

Spanish
56.4% limited English
French/Haitian/Cajun
27.6% limited English
Korean
100.0% limited English

Veterans & Military

Total Veterans

1,575

6.1% of population

Disability Rate

17.7%

279 with disability

Veteran Median Income

$36,224

Period of Service

Gulf War (2001+)
9.8%
Gulf War (1990-2001)
15.5%
Vietnam
40.8%
Korea
7.9%
World War II
1.8%

Veteran Age Distribution

18-34
5.6%
35-54
10.3%
55-64
29.1%
65-74
25.4%
75+
29.5%

Male Veterans

1,415

89.8%

Female Veterans

160

10.2%

Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income

Veteran Income

$36,224

Non-Veteran Income

$22,685

Difference

$13,539

59.7% higher

Disability Status

With Disability

279

Without Disability

1,296

Disability Rate

17.7%

Ancestry & Heritage

Total Reporting Ancestry

6,171

#1 Ancestry

American

11.9% (3,048)

#2 Ancestry

English

3.1% (803)

#3 Ancestry

Irish

2.4% (625)

Top 20 Ancestries

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
American
11.9%
English
3.1%
Irish
2.4%
Sub-Saharan African
1.8%
German
0.9%
Italian
0.7%
West Indian
0.7%
Scottish
0.6%
Jamaican
0.4%
French
0.3%
Dutch
0.3%
European
0.2%
Arab
0.1%
Scotch-Irish
0.1%
Hungarian
0.1%
Swedish
0.1%
Russian
0.1%
Slovak
0.1%
Norwegian
0.0%
Swiss
0.0%

Families & Households

Total Households

10,598

Family Households

5,778

54.5%

Married Couples

2,385

22.5%

Non-Family Households

4,820

45.5%

Single Mother Households

2,838

26.8%

Single Father Households

555

5.2%

Living Alone

4,234

40.0%

Children Under 18

Total Children

4,118

In Married Couple

999

24.3%

With Single Mother

2,733

66.4%

With Single Father

386

9.4%

Family Income

Median Family Income

$52,500

Married Couple Income

$74,159

Single Mother Income

$37,970

Single Father Income

$57,066

Avg Family Size

2.4

Avg Non-Family Size

2.4

Grandparents w/ Grandchildren

631

Grandparents Responsible

359

Economy

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)

Income Overview

Median Household Income

$37,844

-48% vs national

Per Capita Income

$24,074

-35% vs national

Poverty Rate

30.7%

+126% vs national

Gini Index

0.4850

0 = perfect equality

Unemployment

8.8%

+69% vs national

SNAP Recipients

27.9%

of households

How Bessemer Compares

Bessemer vs Similar Cities

Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Bessemer is highlighted.

Median Household Income

Per Capita Income

Poverty Rate

Unemployment Rate

๐Ÿ“Š

Where Do You Stack Up?

Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Bessemer. The median household income here is $37,844.

$

Income Distribution

<$25K
34.4%
$25-50K
27.4%
$50-75K
12.8%
$75-100K
9.9%
$100-150K
10.3%
$150-200K
3.5%
$200K+
1.7%

Employment Snapshot

Unemployment Rate

8.8%

+51% vs AL avg

Labor Force

10,375

Employed

9,464

Mean Commute

23 min

How People Get to Work

Employment by Sector

Education & Workforce

Bachelor's Degree+

10.1%

of adults 25+

High School Diploma+

38.2%

of adults 25+

Median Age

42.8

Work from Home

9.6%

of workers

Cost of Living

Overall Index

79.5

100 = national avg

-20.5 vs national average

Living Wage (1 Adult)

$34,984

per year

Living Wage (Family of 4)

$82,690

per year

Cost Index by Category

Housing
84.1
Food
78.9
Transportation
85.6
Healthcare
83.1
Utilities
84.2

100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.

Fair Market Rent

Source: HUD

1 Bedroom

$1,155

per month

2 Bedroom

$1,266

per month

The median household income in Bessemer, AL is $37,844, which is 48.3% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $24,074. The poverty rate of 30.7% is higher than the AL state average of 17.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4850, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 8.8%, compared to the state average of 5.8%. The labor force is 10,375. 10.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 23 minutes, with 9.6% working from home. About 76.5% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 79.5, which is 20.5% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 84.1. A single adult needs to earn approximately $34,984 per year to cover basic expenses.

Housing & Real Estate

Market SnapshotRedfin โ€” January 2026

Median Sale Price

$215,000

Median List Price

$145,000

Price Per Sq Ft

$122

Days on Market

106

Active Inventory

90

Months of Supply

5.3

Balanced market

Zillow Home Value

$130,113

ZHVI โ€” January 2026

Zillow Rent Index

$1,227

ZORI โ€” January 2026

Market CompetitivenessRedfin

Sold Above List

17.6%

Off Market in 2 Weeks

10.5%

Sale-to-List Ratio

94.9%

Buyer's market

Sold Above Asking
17.6%
Under Contract in 2 Wks
10.5%
Listings with Price Drops
13.3%

Price TrendsRedfin

Sale Price โ†‘ 28.7%List Price โ†‘ 16.1%Mar 24 โ†’ Jan 26

Market ActivityRedfin

Homes Sold

17

New Listings

31

Pending Sales

19

Homes Sold โ†“ 19.0%New Listings โ†‘ 47.6%Pending โ†“ 24.0%Mar 24 โ†’ Jan 26

Price Per Square FootRedfin

Median Sale $/SF

$122

Median List $/SF

$114

Sale $/SF โ†‘ 5.2%List $/SF โ†‘ 62.9%Mar 24 โ†’ Jan 26

House Price IndexFHFA

How much have housing prices increased in Bessemer, AL? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Birmingham, AL metro area, home prices have risen 355.3% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 90.2%. The 10-year growth rate is 85.0%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 44.7%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 8.4%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Birmingham, AL housing market rather than Bessemer alone.

40yr โ†‘ 355.3%20yr โ†‘ 90.2%10yr โ†‘ 85%5yr โ†‘ 44.7%2yr โ†‘ 8.4%Q1 1978 โ†’ Q4 2025

Metro area: Birmingham, AL

Bessemer vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin

Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Bessemer is highlighted.

Median Home Value

Median Rent

Median Price Per Sq Ft

Rent Burden

Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

Median Home Value

$129,800

Median Rent

$922

Total Housing Units

12,612

Vacancy Rate

16.0%

Owner Occupied

55.1%

Renter Occupied

44.9%

Median Property Tax

$876

per year

Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)

$911

Housing Types

Single Family
76.3%
Multi-Family
21.3%
Mobile Home
2.5%

Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

Median Property Tax

$876

per year

Effective Tax Rate

0.68%

of home value

Median Home Value

$129,800

Estimated Mean Tax

$762

The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($876) by the median home value ($129,800). In Bessemer, AL, this works out to an effective rate of 0.68%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.

The current median sale price in Bessemer, AL is $215,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 106 days on the market. 17.6% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 5.3 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $122. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,227/month. About 55.1% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1963. There are 12,612 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $876. The effective tax rate is 0.68%, below the national average.

Crime Overview

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)

Violent Crime Rate

17.44

per 1,000 residents

+571% vs national

Property Crime Rate

71.24

per 1,000 residents

+314% vs national

Total Crimes

2,192

2024

Violent Clearance

20%

cases solved

Property Clearance

14%

cases solved

YoY Change

-26.4%

violent crime rate

improving vs 2023

How Bessemer Compares

Source: FBI (2024)

Bessemer vs Similar Cities

Source: FBI (2024)

Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Bessemer is highlighted in green.

Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)

Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)

Murder Rate (per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trends

Source: FBI
Violent โ†“ 1.5%Property โ†“ 27.6%2015 โ†’ 2024

Crime Composition

Source: FBI (2024)

Violent Crime Breakdown

Property Crime Breakdown

Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates

Source: FBI (2024)

Bessemer police solve 55% of murder cases but only 5% of motor vehicle theft cases.

Weapon Used in Violent Crime

Source: FBI (2024)

Crime Breakdown

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)
Crime TypeCategoryCountRate per 1KClearance %
MurderViolent110.4454.5%
RapeViolent150.6113.3%
RobberyViolent401.6220.0%
Aggravated AssaultViolent36514.7719.7%
BurglaryProperty28411.497.4%
Larceny/TheftProperty1,25250.6516.6%
Motor Vehicle TheftProperty2259.104.9%

Bessemer, AL reported 431 violent crimes and 1,761 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 17.44 per 1,000 residents is 570.6% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 20% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 1,252 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 62.7% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.

Crime History

Source: FBI
YearViolentPropertyViolent RateProperty Rate
20244311,76117.4471.24
20235901,97623.6879.31
20224661,90218.4475.28
20211093404.2113.12
20204471,13816.9743.19
20177882,58129.8997.91
20167632,40328.6990.37
20154752,64117.7198.44

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

97.6

Relatively High

Expected Annual Loss

96.9

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

56.2

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

80.0

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

38

Public Assistance

$62.3M

Individual Assistance

$11.3M

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

18 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $62.1M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Hurricane Helene โ†’HurricaneSep 2024โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms and Flooding โ†’Severe StormDec 2021โ€”$602K
Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormApr 2021โ€”$90K
Hurricane Sally โ†’HurricaneSep 2020โ€”โ€”
Covid-19 Pandemic โ†’BiologicalMar 2020$5.1M$2.9M
Covid-19 โ†’BiologicalMar 2020โ€”โ€”
Hurricane Nate โ†’HurricaneOct 2017โ€”โ€”
Hurricane Irma โ†’HurricaneSep 2017$4Kโ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line โ€ฆ โ†’Severe Storm(s)Jan 2016$15Kโ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormMay 2014$6.1M$574K
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormFeb 2012โ€”$121K
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormApr 2011$33.5M$3.3M
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-lโ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormApr 2011โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormMay 2009$827Kโ€”
Hurricane Gustav โ†’HurricaneAug 2008โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms and Tornadoes โ†’Severe StormMar 2007โ€”$4K
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation โ†’HurricaneSep 2005โ€”โ€”
Hurricane Katrina โ†’HurricaneAug 2005$2.5Mโ€”
Hurricane Dennis โ†’HurricaneJul 2005$1.1Mโ€”
Hurricane Ivan โ†’HurricaneSep 2004$6.6M$3.2M

Showing 20 of 40 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

2,880

Total Claims Paid

$47,400,531

Avg Claim Payout

$16,459

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

125

Federal Funding

$63,836,119

Properties Protected

658

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

2.12

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures40$9,914,436
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine27$10,587,705
206.1: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Private Structures22$949,175
200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine10$3,559,034
601.1: Generators6$895,914

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Bessemer has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, lightning, cold wave. The area has had 38 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (18 declarations). 2,880 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $62,251,359 in public assistance recovery funding. $11,273,765 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 125 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.

Health

Community Health

Source: CDC PLACES

Obesity Rate

44.7%

8.6pp above the national average

Depression Rate

21.4%

2.1pp below the national average

Diabetes Rate

21.9%

10.0pp above the national average

Uninsured Rate

13.5%

2.9pp above the national average

Health Scorecard

Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)

Health Outcomes

Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.

High Cholesterol

41.7%

Arthritis

32.5%

Cancer (excl. skin)

6.7%

Teeth Lost (65+)

23.8%

Health Risk Behaviors

Prevention & Screening

Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Frequent Mental Distress

18.6%

14+ days in past month

Depression

21.4%

Loneliness

41.1%

Lack of Support

29.4%

Disability Prevalence

Any Disability

43.9%

Mobility

24.5%

Cognitive

19.2%

Hearing

7.9%

Vision

10.1%

Self-Care

7.9%

Independent Living

13.7%

Health-Related Social Needs

Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health

Bessemer has an obesity rate of 44.7%, which is 8.6pp above the national average. The depression rate is 21.4%, 2.1pp below the national average. About 13.5% of adults lack health insurance. 83.1% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.

Nearby Hospitals

Source: CMS Hospital Compare

Nearest Hospitals

5

With Emergency Services

5

Avg CMS Rating

2.8 / 5

Nearest Hospital

2.8 mi

Medical West, An Affiliate Of ...

Loading mapโ€ฆ
HospitalDistanceTypeRatingER
Medical West, An Affiliate Of Uab Health System2.8 miAcute Care Hospitals2/5Yes
Princeton Baptist Medical Center8.4 miAcute Care Hospitals3/5Yes
St Vincent'S Birmingham12.7 miAcute Care Hospitals3/5Yes
Callahan Eye Hospital13.7 miAcute Care Hospitalsโ€”Yes
University Of Alabama Hospital13.7 miAcute Care Hospitals3/5Yes

Climate & Environment

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

4

Pop. Served

125,417

Violations (5yr)

5

System NamePop. ServedViolations (5yr)
BESSEMER WATER SERVICE86,0910
WARRIOR RIVER WATER AUTHORITY38,7004
WATER WORKS, INC.5941
GOVERNMENTAL UTILITY SERVICE CORPORATION320

Greenhouse Gas Emitters

Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)

Facilities Reporting

1

Total COโ‚‚e

154.8K MT

Top Emitter

United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC

154.8K MT COโ‚‚e

Total COโ‚‚e vs Similar Cities (10,000 - 25,000)

FacilitySectorCOโ‚‚e (MT)
United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC
Quikrete
Metals154,837

Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons COโ‚‚e/year.

There are 4 water systems serving the area. 5 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 1 industrial facility reports greenhouse gas emissions totaling 154.8K metric tons of COโ‚‚e.

Infrastructure

Commute Overview2023 ACS

Mean Commute

23 min

-1% vs national

Drive Alone

76.5%

-3% vs national

Public Transit

1.3%

+40% vs national

Work From Home

9.6%

+3% vs national

Carpool

9.5%

Walk

2.2%

How Bessemer's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023

How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023

Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023

Traffic Fatalities

Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)

Fatalities

7

2023

6-Year Avg

5

fatalities/yr

Pedestrian

2

Nighttime

5

dark conditions

YearCrashesFatalitiesAlcoholPedestrianCyclist
202377020
202244000
202156020
20201010050
201911010
201844000

Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.

The average commute in Bessemer, AL is 23 minutes, which is 1.3% below the national average of 23 minutes. 76.5% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 9.6% work from home, which is above the AL state average of 5.2%. Public transit is used by 1.3% of commuters, compared to the national average of 0.9%. 9.5% of workers carpool. 2.2% walk to work. In 2023, there were 7 traffic fatalities from 7 fatal crashes. 2 were pedestrians.

Internet & Broadband Access

Source: Census ACS

Broadband Access

81.5%

of households

Cable / Fiber / DSL

60.7%

of households

No Internet

13.4%

of households

Total Households

10,598

Internet Subscription Types

Cable, Fiber, or DSL
60.7%
Cellular Data Plan
74.4%
Satellite
8.6%
Cellular Only (no wired)
16.9%
No Internet Access
13.4%

Device Ownership

Source: Census ACS

Has Computer

90.3%

of households

Smartphone

83.3%

of households

Desktop / Laptop

55.8%

of households

Tablet

45.9%

of households

Any Computing Device
90.3%
Smartphone
83.3%
Desktop / Laptop
55.8%
Tablet
45.9%
Smartphone Only
23.1%
No Computer
9.7%

Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).

Electricity Rates

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)

Residential Rate

15.2ยข

per kWh

-20% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg

Commercial Rate

13.6ยข

per kWh

-12% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg

Industrial Rate

7.3ยข

per kWh

-39% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg

Avg Monthly Bill

$174

residential

+18% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg

11% below the national average of 17.1ยข/kWh

Residential electricity in Alabama averages 15.2ยข per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1ยข. The average monthly electric bill is $174. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).

Bessemer vs Similar Cities

Source: EIA (2024)

Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (10,000 - 25,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.

Residential Rate (ยข/kWh)

Commercial Rate (ยข/kWh)

Industrial Rate (ยข/kWh)

Average Monthly Bill

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

4

Population Served

125,417

Violations (5yr)

5

System NameTypeSourcePop. ServedViolations
BESSEMER WATER SERVICECommunityPurchased surface water86,0910
WARRIOR RIVER WATER AUTHORITYCommunitySurface water38,7004
WATER WORKS, INC.CommunityGround water5941
GOVERNMENTAL UTILITY SERVICE CORPORATIONCommunitySurface water320

81.5% of households in Bessemer have broadband internet access. 60.7% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 16.9% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 13.4% of households have no internet access. 23.1% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 4 water systems, providing water to 125,417 people. A total of 5 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.

Politics & Government

County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Bessemer is located in Jefferson County, AL. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Bessemer.

Election Overview

Source: Jefferson County (2024)

2024 Winner

Democrat

Dem Votes

162,112

54.6%

GOP Votes

131,123

44.2%

Total Votes

296,741

Margin

D+10.4%

Shift from 2020

R+2.7pp

vs prior election

๐Ÿ“ŠElection Results by Year
2016โ€“2024
๐Ÿ“ˆPartisan Lean Trend
D+10.4%

Election History

Source: County-Level Election Results
YearDem VotesGOP VotesTotalDem %GOP %Margin
2024162,112131,123296,74154.6%44.2%D+10.4
2020181,688138,843325,84855.8%42.6%D+13.1
2016151,581130,614290,11152.3%45.0%D+7.2

In the 2024 presidential election, Jefferson County recorded 296,741 total votes. Democrats won the county with 54.6% of the vote compared to 44.2% for Republicans, a margin of D+10.4%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+2.7pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Jefferson County has shifted 3.2 percentage points toward Democrats.

Nonprofits Overview

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF

Total Nonprofits

215

Total Assets

$42.0M

Total Income

$39.4M

Per 10K Residents

83.8

nonprofits

+4.8% vs peers avg

Orgs with >$1M Assets

9

Median Assets

$88K

Oldest Active

1941

ruling year

Newest Org

2025

ruling year

Nonprofits by Category

Source: IRS / NTEE Classification
Religion
37
Human Services
36
Education
22
Community Improvement
18
Youth Development
13
Arts & Culture
8
Recreation & Sports
7
Philanthropy
7
Public Benefit
4
Animal-Related
3
Health Care
3
Mental Health
3
Environment
2
Employment
2
Food & Agriculture
2
Housing & Shelter
2
Mutual Benefit
2
Voluntary Health
1
Medical Research
1
Crime & Legal
1
Public Safety
1
Science & Tech
1
90.6%of all nonprofit assets are held by the 10 largest organizations

Top 10 hold $38.1M of $42.0M total

Nonprofit Size Distribution

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF

Number of nonprofits by total asset size

When Were Nonprofits Founded?

Source: IRS Ruling Date

Number of currently active nonprofits by founding decade

Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities

Source: IRS BMF + Census ACS

Compared to cities with population 10,000 - 25,000

Largest Nonprofits in Bessemer

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF
OrganizationCategoryAssetsIncomeEst.IRS
THE FOUNDRY MINISTRIES INCHuman Services$8.5M$9.4M1972
EMPOWER SCHOOLS OF ALABAMAEducation$7.8M$7.1M2021
FAITH BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE INCEducation$4.6M$3.8M1972
ALABAMA AEROSPACE AND AVIATION SCHOOLS INCEducation$4.1M$4.6M2020
LEGACY YMCAโ€”$3.1M$1.8M1942
FRIENDS OF MCCALLACommunity Improvement$2.7M$101K2013
BESSEMER REDEVELOPMENT CORPCommunity Improvement$2.6M$904K2020
BESSEMER NON PROFIT DEVELOPMENT CORPโ€”$2.5M$1.5M1991
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMYEducation$1.5M$2.0M2012
MISSION DENTAL INCHealth Care$670K$4.1M2011
BESSEMER HALL OF HISTORY INCArts & Culture$659K$106K1971
UAB MEDICAL WESTHealth Care$659K$30K1981
SHANNON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INCPublic Safety$431K$12K2018
PRAY LOVE UNITE MINISTRIES INCORPORATEDReligion$351K$321K2015
JOE BEASLEY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION INCArts & Culture$244K$112002
ALABAMA STEM EDUCATION INCEducation$241K$827K2014
THE BESSEMER CUT OFF ADVOCACY CENTER INCโ€”$190K$195K1990
SAVE THE YOUTHYouth Development$182K$27K1996
WESTERN HELP SERVICES FOUNDATIONHealth Care$168K$23K2002
GUY K AND KATHARINE I MITCHELL FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$143K$204K2019
DESHAZO FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$108K$100K2024
WORLD WIDE TRACT MINISTRY INCArts & Culture$106K$33K1967
MC CALLA YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONRecreation & Sports$88K$114K2014
FULL CIRCLE RESCUE AND SANCTUARYAnimal-Related$75K$142K2024
TAILS FROM ALABAMAAnimal-Related$59K$132K2020
PACE FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$58K$12018
EMPOWERED TO CONQUER YOUTH CONFERENCEYouth Development$51K$140K2012
CANAAN BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN NO 2Education$48K$540K2010
GARRETT FOUNDATION INCArts & Culture$41K$4K1997
MOUNT TABOR BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION INCCommunity Improvement$13K$596K1985
MISSION 44Human Services$12K$42K2020
PARENT BOOSTER USA INCEducation$11K$135K2005
FORWARD IN FAITH RANCHReligion$5Kโ€”2015
ALABAMA BLACK DEAF ADVOCATESHuman Services$4K$4K2014
NATIVE STRENGTH REVOLUTION INCโ€”$2K$85K2018
HELEN ALEXANDER FAGAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATIONEducation$350โ€”2025
WEST JEFFERSON TECHNICAL EDUCATION ENDOWMENT & TRUST INCEducation$1$71986
LOOSED TO HEAR MINISTRIES INCHuman Services$1$12022
S T A R RESOURCE CENTERHuman Services$1$10K2018
ROCK CREEK BASEBALL ASSOCIATIONRecreation & Sports$1$12025
MAGICAL HELPING HANDSHuman Services$1$52024
COMMUNITY REFORM PROJECTCommunity Improvement$1โ€”2024
AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF THE UNITED STATESRecreation & Sports$1$8K1968
ITS ALL ABOUT JESUS OUTREACH MINISTRYFood & Agriculture$1$12023
A PLACE FOR US INCHuman Services$1$2K2023

Bessemer, AL has 215 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $42.0M. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 37 organizations. 9 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 83.8 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1941.

SBA Lending Overview

Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level Data

Total SBA Loans

228

Total Approved

$111.6M

Jobs Supported

2,681

Per 10K Residents

88.9

SBA loans

+61.8% vs peers avg

Unique Lenders

69

Top Lender

PNC Bank, National Association

24 loans

Top Industry

Retail Trade

Data Span

1992โ€“2026

Loan Program Breakdown

Source: SBA FOIA
7(a)78% of all loans

Loans

178

Total Amount

$80.5M

Avg Loan

$452,466

Median Loan

$166,500

SBA Guaranteed

$60.7M(75%)

Jobs Supported

1,881

50422% of all loans

Loans

50

Total Amount

$31.1M

Avg Loan

$621,620

Median Loan

$370,500

7(a) โ€” 78%504 โ€” 22%

Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)

Source: SBA FOIA

Recent Loans

38

17% of all-time total

Recent Amount

$33.9M

30% of all-time total

Avg Recent Loan

$891,250

Top Industries Funded

Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS Codes
Retail Trade28 loans
NAICS 44
$8.0M
Other Services28 loans
NAICS 81
$9.3M
Construction24 loans
NAICS 23
$10.8M
Accommodation & Food Services23 loans
NAICS 72
$26.0M
Retail Trade13 loans
NAICS 45
$3.9M

SBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities

Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACS

Compared to cities with population 10,000 - 25,000

Top SBA Borrowers

Source: SBA FOIA
BusinessLoansAmount
Ala Bessemer Sw Llc1$5.0M
Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure2$4.4M
Pace Runners Inc2$4.4M
Faith Memorial Chapel L.l.c.5$4.4M
General Attractions Llc2$3.8M
Gagb Llc1$3.6M
Blox Real Estate, Llc1$3.4M
Baron Bessemer Llc1$3.3M
Hansa Hotels Llc1$3.0M
Tannehill Premiere Cinema, L.l.c1$2.4M

Bessemer, AL has received 228 SBA loans totaling $111.6M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 178 loans (78% of the total), supporting 1,881 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 50 loans totaling $31.1M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Retail Trade. The most active SBA lender in Bessemer is PNC Bank, National Association with 24 loans. That works out to 88.9 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.

ZIP Code Overview

Source: Census ACS

ZIP Codes

13

Total Population

249,488

Avg Median Income

$70,165

Avg Home Value

$194,131

ZIP Code Details

Source: Census ACS
ZIP CodePopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueMedian RentArea (sq mi)
3502025,308$33,247$90,900$85616.6
3502223,989$79,084$241,300$99164.2
3502325,221$69,288$153,400$1,21691.7
350611,633$52,143$162,500$1,1513.8
350649,929$48,581$119,900$9973.6
3508019,808$111,871$278,500$1,61146.1
3511120,661$85,181$263,800$1,12862.0
351279,502$68,344$189,100$1,15310.1
3521125,267$34,286$94,500$1,04416.6
352213,127$39,750$72,600$1,0123.7
3522637,693$126,053$387,100$1,46717.7
3522810,575$50,147$79,200$1,0804.4
3524436,775$114,172$390,900$1,41323.9

Bessemer, AL has 13 ZIP codes with a combined population of 249,488. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $70,165. The average median home value is $194,131. The average median monthly rent is $1,163.

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