Birmingham, AL · standard
ZIP Code 35205
Jefferson County, Alabama - Census ACS demographics, housing tenure, and business patterns, benchmarked against every US ZIP.
- 19,686
- 2,100/sq mi High-density area
- $51,158
- Median income Below-median income area
- $293,800
- Median home value Near-median home value
- 58.0%
- Bachelor's or higher Above-average bachelor's attainment
National ZIP placement
Birmingham pairs one of the lowest household incomes in the country with above-median home values, in a suburban-density, renter-heavy area.
- 16th pct
- household income, US ZIPs
- Top 34%
- home value, US ZIPs
- 2,100
- people per sq mi
- 33%
- owner-occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023). Percentiles rank ZIP 35205 against every reporting US ZIP.
ZIP code 35205 is a mid-sized community (a standard USPS delivery area) in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, home to 19,686 residents across 9.4 square miles, a density of 2,100 people per square mile, in the Chicago time zone.
ZIP 35205 reports a modest median household income of $51,158 (16% below the average Alabama ZIP), while per-capita income is $45,277. The poverty rate is 16.4%, with unemployment at 4.4%; those measures add context to the income figure. Housing costs run above the statewide ZIP benchmark while renting is common: median home value is $293,800 (66% above the average Alabama ZIP), with only 32.8% owner-occupied homes and median rent of $1,084.
This is a highly-educated ZIP: 58.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 30.1, and the average commute is 16 minutes. The page also surfaces 10 ZIP codes within roughly 10 miles and 6 more in Jefferson County, so 35205 can be compared with both its immediate and county-level context.
Every figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (including median rent) and the FHFA House Price Index, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with Census →
Top industries in ZIP 35205
Top 5 sectors by establishment count in Birmingham, AL
Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 35205.
- Health care and social assistance
Health care and social assistance
137 establishments
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
Professional, scientific, and technical services
114 establishments
- Accommodation and food services
Accommodation and food services
63 establishments
- Other services (except public administration)
Other services (except public administration)
59 establishments
- Finance and insurance 47
Finance and insurance
47 establishments
What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + FHFA HPI ACS demographics and median rent, ZBP business establishments, FHFA HPI for ZIP 35205, Birmingham, AL · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.
Quick Facts
19,686
Population
9.4
Area (sq mi)
2,100
People / sq mi
Chicago
Time Zone
standard
ZIP Type
Who lives in ZIP 35205?
30.1
Median Age
48.2%
Male
51.8%
Female
8.6%
Foreign-Born
Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How much do residents earn?
$51,158
Median Household Income
-16% vs state ZIP avg
$45,277
Per Capita Income
16.4%
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Unemployment Rate
16.0 min
Mean Commute Time
How ZIP 35205 ranks among Alabama ZIPs
Birmingham, AL household income vs. every Alabama ZIP code
Median household income among 587 reporting Alabama ZIPs (this ZIP's population is too small for a reliable national-corpus placement)
$51,158 38th percentile higher than 38% of 587 Alabama ZIPs
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more Alabama ZIPs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2019–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What is the education profile here?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What does housing look like?
Housing stock: occupied vs vacant
12,087housing units
12,087
Total Housing Units
9,926
Occupied Units
2,161
Vacant Units
1.52
Avg Household Size
Occupancy Type
$293,800
Median Home Value
+66% vs state ZIP avg
$1,084
Median Rent
1961
Median Year Built
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How have home values changed over time?
FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals
-0.5%
YoY Change (2024)
253
HPI Index (2000 = 100)
+153%
Total Change Since 2000
Home values in ZIP 35205 have decreased 0.5% over the past year (2024). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +153% cumulative appreciation.
| Year | Annual Change | HPI Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +5.5% | 203 |
| 2021 | +8.1% | 220 |
| 2022 | +11.0% | 244 |
| 2023 | +4.5% | 255 |
| 2024 | -0.5% | 253 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2024. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.
What businesses operate in this ZIP?
Census Bureau data shows 600 business establishments in ZIP 35205, employing approximately 12,585 people with a combined annual payroll of $873,342,000.
600
Businesses
12,585
Employees
$873.3M
Annual Payroll
16
Industry Sectors
| Industry | Establishments | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 137 | 22.8% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 114 | 19.0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 63 | 10.5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 59 | 9.8% |
| Finance and insurance | 47 | 7.8% |
| Retail trade | 46 | 7.7% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 32 | 5.3% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 22 | 3.7% |
| Construction | 20 | 3.3% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 16 | 2.7% |
| Wholesale trade | 12 | 2.0% |
| Information | 9 | 1.5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 8 | 1.3% |
| Educational services | 6 | 1.0% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 6 | 1.0% |
| Manufacturing | 3 | 0.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.
Nearby ZIP Codes
Want a side-by-side? Compare 35205 vs 35233 →
ZIP 35205 vs its nearest neighbors, by population
Resident population of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 35209
Birmingham (35209)
29,544 residents
- 35205
Birmingham (35205)
19,686 residents
- 35208
Birmingham (35208)
14,855 residents
- 35213
Birmingham (35213)
13,185 residents
- 35204 10,337
Birmingham (35204)
10,337 residents
- 35222 7,884
Birmingham (35222)
7,884 residents
- 35234 6,311
Birmingham (35234)
6,311 residents
- 35203 3,798
Birmingham (35203)
3,798 residents
- 35254 1,403
Birmingham (35254)
1,403 residents
What this shows Among its immediate neighbors, ZIP 35205 ranks #2 by population - useful context the national average alone can't give.
ZIP 35205 vs its nearest neighbors, by median income
Median household income of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 35213
Birmingham (35213)
$159,824 median income
- 35222
Birmingham (35222)
$84,066 median income
- 35209
Birmingham (35209)
$71,439 median income
- 35233 $60,336
Birmingham (35233)
$60,336 median income
- 35205 $51,158
Birmingham (35205)
$51,158 median income
- 35203 $47,434
Birmingham (35203)
$47,434 median income
- 35208 $38,561
Birmingham (35208)
$38,561 median income
- 35204 $35,420
Birmingham (35204)
$35,420 median income
- 35234 $26,831
Birmingham (35234)
$26,831 median income
What this shows By household income, ZIP 35205 ranks #5 of 9 neighboring ZIPs, local affluence varies block to block, not just metro to metro.
| ZIP Code | City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35233 | Birmingham, AL | 1,308 | 1.0 mi |
| 35203 | Birmingham, AL | 3,798 | 1.6 mi |
| 35209 | Birmingham, AL | 29,544 | 2.1 mi |
| 35229 | Birmingham, AL | 940 | 2.3 mi |
| 35234 | Birmingham, AL | 6,311 | 3.2 mi |
| 35204 | Birmingham, AL | 10,337 | 2.6 mi |
| 35222 | Birmingham, AL | 7,884 | 3.0 mi |
| 35254 | Birmingham, AL | 1,403 | 3.2 mi |
| 35208 | Birmingham, AL | 14,855 | 4.1 mi |
| 35213 | Birmingham, AL | 13,185 | 3.9 mi |
Nationwide ZIPs with similar ACS profiles
Two Census-derived peer sets for ZIP 35205, both outside AL so the neighborhoods are not geographic containment (Nearby and same-county blocks stay local).
Similar population
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by resident population (19,686 here; floor ≥1,000).
Similar median household income
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by ACS median household income.
More ZIP Codes in Jefferson County
Related Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is ZIP code 35205 in?
ZIP code 35205 (Birmingham) is located in Jefferson County, Alabama. Jefferson County contains multiple ZIP codes, see the full list at /counties/jefferson-al.
What is the population of ZIP code 35205?
ZIP code 35205 in Birmingham, AL has a population of 19,686 according to the Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in ZIP 35205?
The median household income in ZIP 35205 is $51,158, which is 33% below the national average of $76,288.
What is the average home value in ZIP 35205?
The median home value in ZIP 35205 is $293,800, which is 6% above the national average of $278,155.
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 35205?
The largest racial group in ZIP 35205 is White at 62.4%. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 4.0% of the population.
How many businesses are in ZIP code 35205?
ZIP code 35205 has 600 business establishments employing approximately 12,585 people, according to Census Bureau ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023 data.
What are the main industries in ZIP code 35205?
The top industries by establishment count in ZIP 35205 are: Health care and social assistance (137), Professional, scientific, and technical services (114), Accommodation and food services (63). There are 16 industry sectors represented in total.
How have home values changed in ZIP code 35205?
According to the FHFA House Price Index, home values in ZIP 35205 decreased by 0.5% in 2024. Since 2000, home values in this ZIP have appreciated by approximately 153%. This is a developmental index based on repeat sales and appraisal data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is the education level in ZIP code 35205?
In ZIP code 35205, 73.2% of residents aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 58.0% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures come from the Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023).
What is the average commute time in ZIP 35205?
The mean commute time for workers in ZIP code 35205 is 16.0 minutes according to Census ACS data. The national average is roughly 26 minutes, so commuters here spend less time traveling to work than typical.
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 35205?
In ZIP code 35205, approximately 32.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 67.2% are renter-occupied, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 35205?
The poverty rate in ZIP code 35205 is 16.4% according to Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. This measures the percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold.
Related
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What to do with ZIP 35205's numbers, next.
- See how ZIP 35205 compares to a neighboring ZIP code on the same Census fields Compare this ZIP
- Check where Birmingham, AL ranks among every U.S. ZIP code on income, education, or homeownership View national rankings
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ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census Bureau approximations of USPS ZIP codes; figures describe the ZCTA area, not any single address within it.