Population 16,648 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Arab
Household size in Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.41 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.68 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.15 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Arab run a little small, averaging 2.56 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The picture is much the same across the Birmingham area. Household size has climbed from 2.41 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.9 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.9 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.6 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.3 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
At 40.3, the median age in Arab is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has crept up from 39.9 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.7% of households in Arab, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 6.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Arab has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Alabama cities.
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 Arab
Renters in Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.3% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.0% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Arab is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 46.4% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged up 1.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Arab: 8.0% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 5.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Arab has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Alabama cities.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Arab is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $603 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $701 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $656 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $869 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$266 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
The median renter in Arab pays $869 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $266 a month since 2006–10, up 44%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.4% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest 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 Arab
Bachelor's degrees in Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.5% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.5% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Arab: 23.5% 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 6.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.2% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.9% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.5% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.5% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.3 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Arab is close to the national rate: 89.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 11.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Arab
| Period | Arab | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Arab runs below the national rate: 3.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.3 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Arab compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arab | 2.56 | 40.3 | 7.7% | 23.4% | 8.0% | 1984 | $869 | 23.5% | 89.5% | 3.5% |
| Strawberry | 2.60 | 39.0 | 3.5% | 16.4% | 5.6% | 1995 | $942 | 25.0% | 83.9% | 0.0% |
| Joppa | 2.45 | 49.4 | 5.1% | 10.8% | 7.0% | 1988 | $895 | 23.6% | 87.8% | 1.6% |
| Scant City | 2.40 | 55.2 | 1.0% | 11.7% | 8.5% | 1982 | $967 | 28.2% | 97.4% | 1.6% |
| Diamond | 2.59 | 39.7 | 12.9% | 20.7% | 9.7% | 1988 | $837 | 33.4% | 91.5% | 1.2% |
| Mount Carmel | 2.72 | 42.0 | 1.4% | 7.0% | 24.1% | 1990 | $750 | 30.1% | 96.1% | 6.7% |
| Union Grove | 2.60 | 46.7 | 10.7% | 13.9% | 13.8% | 1986 | $882 | 23.9% | 90.4% | 6.3% |
| Baileyton | 2.56 | 38.9 | 9.7% | 16.0% | 10.5% | 1988 | $1,074 | 18.8% | 81.6% | 4.9% |
| Guntersville | 2.51 | 43.5 | 10.5% | 26.0% | 17.4% | 1986 | $890 | 27.1% | 86.5% | 4.1% |
| Morgan City | 2.85 | 29.1 | 23.8% | 25.3% | 37.1% | 1987 | $865 | 20.9% | 89.2% | 10.6% |
| Baileytown | 2.83 | 35.0 | 6.5% | 20.4% | 15.2% | 1990 | $1,433 | 32.1% | 85.2% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Zimmerman, MN · Westwood, MA · Cinco Ranch, TX · Whitewater, WI · Wilmington, OH · Windham, ME · Franklin, KY · Wauconda, IL · Fort Riley, KS · Aurora, OH
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 Arab. 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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