Gadsden, Alabama Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Gadsden, Alabama is located in the northeastern part of the state and is situated between the Appalachian Mountains and the Coosa River. The city is known for its mild climate, with temperatures rarely reaching above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in summer or below freezing in winter. The city has a long history of industry, dating back to its founding as a trading post in 1825. Gadsden was once a hub for iron production and textile manufacturing, although many of those industries have since left or been replaced by modern businesses. Politically, Gadsden is largely conservative, though it does have some progressive politicians that are respected locally.

Economically, Gadsden benefits from its proximity to Birmingham and Atlanta, two major metropolitan areas. It also has an active tourism sector that includes attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve. In terms of education, Gadsden has several school districts serving both public and private schools as well as several colleges including Gadsden State Community College and Jacksonville State University. Landmarks include the downtown courthouse square, which features a variety of historic buildings like the old post office building and the Wallace Building art gallery. Other popular destinations include Imagination Place Children’s Museum, Mary G Hardin Center for Cultural Arts and Convention Hall Complex at Convention Hall Park.

Population: 38,978. Estimated population in July 2024: 37,405 (-4.0% change)
Males: 17,934 (46.0%), Females: 21,044 (54.0%)

Etowah County

Zip codes: 35901, 35903, 35904, 35905, 35907.

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.0 years
Median household income: $24,823
Median house value: $50,000

Population by Race

Races in Gadsden:

• White Non-Hispanic (61.6%)
• Black (34.0%)
• Hispanic (2.7%)
• Other race (1.2%)
• Two or more races (1.2%)
• American Indian (0.7%)

Ancestries: United States (19.2%), Irish (6.7%), English (6.6%), German (3.5%), Scotch-Irish (1.6%), Scottish (1.3%).

Elevation: 554 feet

Land area: 36.0 square miles

Population by Education

Gadsden, Alabama is a city located in the northeastern part of the state and is home to a population of 36,856 according to the 2019 census. The city is diverse racially, with 40.1% of the population being white and 55.7% being African American. Additionally, 4.9% of the population are Hispanic or Latino, 2.2% are Asian, and 0.2% are Native American or Alaskan Native. The median age for Gadsden is 38 years old and the median household income for 2017 was $34,385. The poverty rate for Gadsden is 23%, with approximately 8,686 people living below the poverty line in 2017.

The majority of residents living in Gadsden are employed in service industries such as retail trade (18%), health care (13%), manufacturing (12%), accommodation & food services (11%), and educational services (8%). A large percentage of full-time employees work in industrial occupations such as production (16%) and transportation & material moving occupations (14%). The unemployment rate currently sits at 3%, which is slightly lower than the national average of 3.7%.

Gadsden has plenty to offer its residents with attractions like Noccalula Falls Park & Campground, Mary G Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, Imagination Place Children’s Museum, and Black Creek Trail System providing plenty of entertainment opportunities for all ages. There are also a number of educational institutions located within Gadsden including Gadsden State Community College and Wallace State Community College – Hanceville Campus as well as several public schools within the Etowah County School District system that serve students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

For population 25 years and over in Gadsden

• High school or higher: 70.3%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 6.3%
• Unemployed: 9.0%
• Mean travel time to work: 19.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Gadsden city

• Never married: 25.4%
• Now married: 46.3%
• Separated: 3.1%
• Widowed: 11.8%
• Divorced: 13.4%

2.6% Foreign born (1.7% Latin America, 0.5% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: -4,470 (-10.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Gadsden:

• GADSDEN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (1007 GOODYEAR AVENUE)
• HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (801 GOODYEAR AVENUE)
• MOUNTAIN VIEW HOSPITAL (3201 SCENIC HIGHWAY)
• RIVERVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (600 SOUTH THIRD STREET)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Gadsden:

• TALLADEGA MUNI (about 31 miles; TALLADEGA, AL; Abbreviation: ASN)
• ANNISTON METROPOLITAN (about 32 miles; ANNISTON, AL; Abbreviation: ANB)
• BIRMINGHAM INTL (about 61 miles; BIRMINGHAM, AL; Abbreviation: BHM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Gadsden:

• GADSDEN MUNI (about 6 miles; GADSDEN, AL; Abbreviation: GAD)
• THE ALBERTVILLE MUNI-THOMAS J BRUMLIK FLD (about 22 miles; ALBERTVILLE, AL; Abbreviation: 8A0)
• MCMINN (about 24 miles; WEAVER, AL; Abbreviation: 25A)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Gadsden:

• GADSDEN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 3,360; Location: 1001 GEORGE WALLACE DR; Public; Website: www.gadsdenst.cc.al.us)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Gadsden:

• JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 21 miles; JACKSONVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 6,418)
• JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 54 miles; BIRMINGHAM, AL; Full-time enrollment: 3,279)
• GEORGE C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLL-HANCEVILLE (about 56 miles; HANCEVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 3,272)
• ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY (about 62 miles; NORMAL, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,886)
• SAMFORD UNIVERSITY (about 66 miles; BIRMINGHAM, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,106)
• UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE (about 67 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,795)
• SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 67 miles; WADLEY, AL; Full-time enrollment: 2,925)

Schools

Public high schools in Gadsden:

• SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 710; Location: 2150 HIGHWAY 77; Grades: 09 – 12)
• GADSDEN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 593; Location: 607 S 12TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
• EMMA SANSOM HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 502; Location: 2210 W MEIGHAN BLVD; Grades: 09 – 12)
• LITCHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 350; Location: 1109 HOKE ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
• JK WEAVER TECHNICAL CENTER (Location: 1515 CAMPBELL AVE; Grades: 10 – 12)

Private high school in Gadsden:

• COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 293; Location: 771 WHITES CHAPEL RD.; Grades: PK – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Gadsden:

• GASTON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 640; Location: 4550 US HIGHWAY 411; Grades: KG – 12)
• DISQUE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 513; Location: 612 TRACY ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
• GENERAL FORREST MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 443; Location: 2000 W MEIGHAN BLVD; Grades: 06 – 08)
• OSCAR W ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 417; Location: 919 RALEY ST; Grades: KG – 05)
• EURA BROWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 415; Location: 1231 ALCOTT RD; Grades: KG – 05)
• MITCHELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 382; Location: 1501 NOCCALULA RD; Grades: KG – 05)
• GEORGE W FLOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 331; Location: 601 BLACK CREEK RD; Grades: KG – 05)
• CORY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 330; Location: 715 RALEY ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
• STRIPLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 281; Location: 600 CLEVELAND AVE; Grades: KG – 05)
• WALNUT PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 268; Location: 3200 WALNUT ST; Grades: KG – 05)

Private primary/middle schools in Gadsden:

• EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (Students: 144; Location: 156 SOUTH 9TH STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
• ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (Students: 109; Location: 700 ALBERT RAINS BLVD; Grades: KG – 8)
• GADSDEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 55; Location: 1911 SOUTH 11TH STREET; Grades: PK – 6)

Libraries

Library in Gadsden:

• GADSDEN-ETOWAH CO. PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $1,128,570; Location: 254 COLLEGE STREET; 197,757 books; 6,041 audio materials; 4,403 video materials; 155 serial subscriptions)