ZIP Code 35215: Population, Income, Housing

State: AL

Total population: 43,903 Household income: $52,793 Rent: $1,148

Overview

Total population

43,903

Rent

$1,148

Year built

1975

Household income

$52,793

Per capita income

$27,977

Poverty rate

19.2%

Unemployment rate

N/A

Household size

2.6 persons

Rent over 30% of income

50.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Alabama

County

Jefferson County

City

Birmingham

Total population

43,903

Adults over 25

27,852

Total households

17,045

Household size

2.6 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$52,793

Per capita income

$27,977

Poverty rate

19.2%

Unemployment rate

N/A

Rent over 30% of income

50.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Housing

Rent

$1,148

Year built

1975

Households that rent

43.4%

Households that own

56.6%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.7

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Race

White

15.8%

Black

76.4%

Asian

0.2%

Two or more races

3.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

5.8%

Not Hispanic or Latino

94.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Commute

Commute rate

16,397 (91.5%)

Commute time to work

28 mins

Work from home

1,519 (8.5%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Education

Less than high school

33.3%

High school graduate or GED

36%

Some college or associate degree

11.7%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

19%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Comparison of ZIP Code 35215 with: Jefferson County, AL Birmingham, AL Birmingham metro area, AL Alabama United States

ZIP 35215

Total population43,903

Rent$1,148

Year built1975

Household income$52,793

Per capita income$27,977

Poverty rate19.2%

Unemployment rateN/A

Jefferson County, AL

Total population667,755

Rent$1,193

Year built1975

Household income$66,388

Per capita income$41,013

Poverty rate15.7%

Unemployment rate3.2%

Birmingham, AL

Total population198,173

Rent$1,107

Year built1965

Household income$46,051

Per capita income$32,216

Poverty rate24.7%

Unemployment rate3.9%

Birmingham Metro Area, AL

Total population1,184,613

Rent$1,172

Year built1983

Household income$71,498

Per capita income$40,359

Poverty rate13.8%

Unemployment rate2.9%

Alabama State

Total population5,086,768

Rent$1,007

Year built1986

Household income$63,999

Per capita income$36,087

Poverty rate15.6%

Unemployment rate3.1%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	ZIP35215	CountyJefferson, AL	CityBirmingham, AL	Metro AreaBirmingham metro area, AL	StateAlabama	CountryUnited States
Total population	43,903	667,755	198,173	1,184,613	5,086,768	334,922,499
Rent	$1,148	$1,193	$1,107	$1,172	$1,007	$1,413
Year built	1975	1975	1965	1983	1986	1980
Household income	$52,793	$66,388	$46,051	$71,498	$63,999	$80,734
Per capita income	$27,977	$41,013	$32,216	$40,359	$36,087	$44,673
Poverty rate	19.2%	15.7%	24.7%	13.8%	15.6%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	N/A	3.2%	3.9%	2.9%	3.1%	4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

Summary for 35215

Rent & Income

In 35215, the typical monthly rent is $1,148 and the typical household income is $52,793. Rent here is similar to Birmingham and higher than Alabama, and household income is higher than Birmingham and lower than Alabama. The estimated poverty rate is 19.2%, which is lower than the Birmingham rate but higher than the Alabama rate.

Housing & Affordability

This ZIP Code is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 43.4% of households. About 50.7% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Only about 19% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, indicating lower levels of formal education.

ZIP 35215 — Rent vs Household Income

ZIP 35215 — Poverty

How ZIP 35215 compares in Alabama (29 ZIP Codes)

Metric	This ZIP	Rank	Starts from	State range
Rent	$1,148	16 / 29	from lower rent	$820 – $1,542
Household income	$52,793	22 / 29	from higher income	$29,152 – $124,516
Poverty rate	19.2%	20 / 29	from lower poverty	2.6% – 43.5%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Alabama with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 35215

Rent

When it comes to rent, ZIP Code 35215 ranks 16th out of 29 ZIP Codes in Alabama. Statewide, values range from $820 in ZIP 35630 up to $1,542 in ZIP 35749.

Household income

Income-wise, this area is placed 22nd out of 29 ZIP Codes. Across Alabama, figures vary from $29,152 in ZIP 35401 up to $124,516 in ZIP 35226.

Poverty rate

When it comes to poverty, ZIP Code 35215 places 20th out of 29 ZIP Codes. Throughout Alabama, numbers span from 2.6% in ZIP 35173 up to 43.5% in ZIP 35401.

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 35215 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,148 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 35215

Annual Household Income: $52,793

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 35215

Estimated Rate: 19.2%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 35215

In ZIP Code 35215, households that rent: 7,403 (43.4%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	7,403	43.4%
Owner-Occupied	9,642	56.6%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 35215

In ZIP Code 35215, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 3,755 (50.7%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	3,755	50.7%
Other renter households	3,648	49.3%
Total renter households	7,403	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 35215

Less than High School: 9,283 people (33.3%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 10,016 people (36%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 3,272 people (11.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 5,281 people (19%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 27,852

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.