Population 3,390 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South East Lake
Household size in South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.45 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.25 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in South East Lake run small, averaging 2.42 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.55, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next. Compared with other Birmingham neighborhoods, though, South East Lake has larger households than most.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.3 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.0 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.3 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.2 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in South East Lake are younger than 39.3 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in South East Lake: 23.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Only two of Birmingham's 17 neighborhoods have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 South East Lake
Renters in South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 47.7% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.4% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.3% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +20.9 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in South East Lake: 53.3% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. About six in ten owners (60.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.8% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.0% of the housing in South East Lake, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1957 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
South East Lake is a place of older homes: half were built before 1957, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. South East Lake has older homes than the great majority of Birmingham neighborhoods.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $831 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,001 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $910 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,100 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$269 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
A typical rental in South East Lake costs $1,100 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 34.8% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. South East Lake has lower rents than the great majority of Birmingham neighborhoods.
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 South East Lake
Bachelor's degrees in South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in South East Lake have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.5%, against 35.6% nationally. South East Lake has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Birmingham neighborhoods.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.5% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.7% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 83.2% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.6% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in South East Lake never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Only two of Birmingham's 17 neighborhoods have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 South East Lake
| Period | South East Lake | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in South East Lake: 7.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only two of Birmingham's 17 neighborhoods have higher unemployment. 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).
South East Lake compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South East Lake | 2.42 | 39.3 | 23.4% | 53.3% | 18.0% | 1957 | $1,100 | 18.5% | 86.6% | 7.6% |
| Roebuck | 2.85 | 34.6 | 32.6% | 40.8% | 6.2% | 1962 | $1,166 | 17.7% | 82.7% | 5.6% |
| Huffman | 2.53 | 32.0 | 15.3% | 48.3% | 13.3% | 1977 | $1,204 | 21.4% | 93.8% | 1.0% |
| Crestline | 1.90 | 31.7 | 8.8% | 40.5% | 10.6% | 1973 | $1,383 | 71.9% | 95.2% | 4.4% |
| Spring Lake | 2.47 | 37.9 | 24.1% | 47.6% | 31.2% | 1975 | $1,168 | 22.2% | 89.8% | 5.1% |
| Forest Park | 1.79 | 39.3 | 2.6% | 56.8% | 10.8% | 1977 | $1,238 | 67.7% | 95.9% | 4.4% |
| Echo Highlands | 2.22 | 44.6 | 18.4% | 36.8% | 15.8% | 1979 | $1,126 | 28.6% | 90.1% | 3.6% |
| Highland Park | 1.35 | 36.0 | 2.2% | 64.5% | 13.2% | 1950 | $1,207 | 74.0% | 98.5% | 4.5% |
| Norwood | 1.65 | 41.0 | 9.4% | 46.2% | 21.8% | 1952 | $1,270 | 33.8% | 86.8% | 3.3% |
| Southside | 1.38 | 36.5 | 2.8% | 75.4% | 19.4% | 1978 | $1,390 | 73.7% | 98.6% | 1.7% |
| Redmont Park | 2.10 | 50.8 | 1.1% | 24.9% | 11.6% | 1953 | $1,403 | 89.0% | 99.6% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Belaire, San Angelo, TX · Boca Teeca, Boca Raton, FL · Canterbury Green, Fort Wayne, IN · Central Hammond, Hammond, IN · Confederate Point, Jacksonville, FL · Corn Hill, Rochester, NY · Dicken, Ann Arbor, MI · Downtown Bradenton, Bradenton, FL · Las Palmas, San Antonio, TX · Eastside, Binghamton, NY
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 South East Lake. 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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