Population 41,776 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Vestavia Hills
Household size in Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Vestavia Hills has 2.53 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.46 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the east.
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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.3 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.3 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.8 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.3 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Vestavia Hills are younger than 41.3 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.3 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the south.
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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.1% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Vestavia Hills: 8.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Vestavia Hills has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of 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 Vestavia Hills
Renters in Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.8% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.0% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.7% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Vestavia Hills own their homes; 29.8% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 36.9% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the center. The renter share has edged down 1.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.3% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Vestavia Hills is close to the national rate: 9.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in the wider Birmingham area (11.6%). Vacancy has edged up 0.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Vestavia Hills are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1983, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1979 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the west 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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,150 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,153 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,280 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,518 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$368 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
Rent in Vestavia Hills runs $1,518 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in the Birmingham area as a whole ($1,238). Rent has climbed $368 a month since 2006–10, up 32%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 33.1% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Vestavia Hills
Bachelor's degrees in Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.6% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 66.3% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 70.0% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 68.7% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Vestavia Hills is highly educated: about seven in ten adults 25 and older (68.7%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.0 points, as it has nationally. Only two of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have a higher 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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.3% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.5% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.7% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.0% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Vestavia Hills: 96.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged down 1.3 points, even as the national rate rose. Only 12 of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have a higher 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 Vestavia Hills
| Period | Vestavia Hills | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.4% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.5% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Vestavia Hills has been low: just 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Vestavia Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vestavia Hills | 2.53 | 41.3 | 8.1% | 29.8% | 9.1% | 1983 | $1,518 | 68.7% | 96.0% | 2.2% |
| Homewood | 2.52 | 32.1 | 8.2% | 37.7% | 12.9% | 1966 | $1,597 | 68.5% | 95.0% | 2.0% |
| Mountain Brook | 2.62 | 44.6 | 2.4% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 1966 | $1,531 | 80.4% | 97.5% | 2.5% |
| Meadowbrook | 2.73 | 41.6 | 5.7% | 7.0% | 9.7% | 1988 | $1,419 | 72.9% | 98.9% | 1.2% |
| Hoover | 2.52 | 39.9 | 9.0% | 32.7% | 7.4% | 1992 | $1,535 | 60.9% | 96.7% | 3.1% |
| Indian Springs Village | 2.99 | 40.3 | 8.3% | 9.8% | 5.7% | 1985 | $1,636 | 63.8% | 95.0% | 2.8% |
| Birmingham area | 2.57 | 40.0 | 12.0% | 29.2% | 11.6% | 1984 | $1,238 | 34.7% | 90.5% | 4.4% |
| Simmsville | 1.96 | 56.7 | 7.1% | 9.5% | 4.3% | 2005 | $1,625 | 58.7% | 98.3% | 5.6% |
| Irondale | 2.37 | 40.0 | 9.7% | 36.6% | 7.9% | 1981 | $1,246 | 40.1% | 91.4% | 4.1% |
| Fairfield | 2.53 | 34.8 | 31.4% | 43.5% | 19.9% | 1961 | $1,041 | 20.5% | 91.9% | 4.7% |
| Sterrett | 2.81 | 40.9 | 7.0% | 6.0% | 3.7% | 2004 | $1,999 | 47.0% | 95.8% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: San Bruno, CA · Gonzales, LA · Hamtramck, MI · Hobbs, NM · Lancaster, TX · Laurel, MD · Aiea, HI · Meadow Woods, FL · Moline, IL · Pahrump, NV
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 Vestavia Hills. 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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