Population 5,916 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 35042
Household size in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.02 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.68 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.58 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in ZIP 35042 has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 3.02 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.3 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.3 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.8 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in ZIP 35042 are younger than 39.8 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.6, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the southeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.0% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in six households in ZIP 35042 (16.0%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. ZIP 35042 has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Alabama ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 35042
Renters in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.9% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.9% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.9% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.1% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly three in ten households in ZIP 35042 rent their homes (28.1%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About two-thirds of owners (66.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the northeast. The renter share is up 5.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.3% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.8% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.5% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in ZIP 35042 than nationally: 12.5%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 5.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in ZIP 35042 is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1985, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $565 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $547 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $669 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $795 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$230 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
The median renter in ZIP 35042 pays $795 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $230 a month from 2006–10, a 41% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 35042
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in ZIP 35042: 13.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 288 Alabama ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 24 have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.1% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.3% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.9% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 83.1% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.1 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in six adults in ZIP 35042 never finished high school, well above the national share: only 83.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.1 points, mirroring the country. ZIP 35042 has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Alabama ZIP codes.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 35042
| Period | ZIP 35042 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.7% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in ZIP 35042 runs well above the national rate: 15.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Alabama ZIP code with 5,000+ people has higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 4.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 35042 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 35042 | 2.43 | 39.8 | 16.0% | 28.1% | 12.5% | 1985 | $795 | 13.2% | 83.1% | 15.0% |
| ZIP 35034 | 2.62 | 40.4 | 20.3% | 26.3% | 17.3% | 1986 | $1,030 | 14.2% | 81.7% | 14.4% |
| ZIP 36793 | 2.37 | 48.6 | 8.1% | 16.2% | 19.0% | 1980 | $988 | 11.7% | 81.9% | 4.5% |
| ZIP 35035 | 2.44 | 41.1 | 15.5% | 15.2% | 8.2% | 1991 | $674 | 4.3% | 77.0% | 15.3% |
| ZIP 36792 | 2.32 | 39.2 | 15.2% | 18.9% | 17.8% | 1981 | $993 | 5.3% | 88.0% | 7.3% |
| ZIP 35456 | 2.49 | 39.8 | 8.3% | 18.0% | 14.3% | 1994 | $1,180 | 14.6% | 84.5% | 3.8% |
| ZIP 35085 | 2.77 | 36.0 | 8.4% | 22.8% | 11.7% | 1988 | $880 | 13.4% | 84.4% | 3.6% |
| ZIP 35171 | 2.75 | 39.0 | 6.9% | 19.8% | 8.2% | 1990 | $856 | 20.5% | 85.2% | 3.4% |
| ZIP 35474 | 3.22 | 34.9 | 10.0% | 14.8% | 12.4% | 1996 | $1,116 | 28.5% | 90.6% | 4.8% |
| ZIP 35045 | 2.38 | 41.6 | 11.8% | 28.3% | 8.1% | 1984 | $900 | 18.4% | 88.4% | 4.2% |
| ZIP 35046 | 2.90 | 38.7 | 10.2% | 14.7% | 21.1% | 1987 | $841 | 17.6% | 86.3% | 8.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 22824, VA · 26047, WV · 25661, WV · 97002, OR · 97227, OR · 24277, VA · 23665, VA · 23140, VA · 22973, VA · 95626, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 35042. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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