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Which counties in Alabama are losing population?

31 of the 67 counties in Alabama had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Perry County lost the largest share, down 12.2% (−1,030 people). Jefferson County lost the most residents (−8,978).

Of the 31 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 16 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 15 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 31 Alabama counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in Alabama
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1Perry County−12.2%−1,0307,425Domestic migration (−770)
2Lowndes County−9.0%−9229,359Domestic migration (−581)
3Wilcox County−8.3%−8739,666Domestic migration (−666)
4Greene County−8.2%−6347,067Domestic migration (−418)
5Dallas County−8.0%−3,03635,140Domestic migration (−2,688)
6Macon County−6.8%−1,33218,132Domestic migration (−1,066)
7Choctaw County−5.7%−71911,904Natural change (−407)
8Conecuh County−5.7%−65510,899Natural change (−530)
9Sumter County−5.0%−60511,588Domestic migration (−448)
10Marengo County−5.0%−95518,311Domestic migration (−535)
11Butler County−4.8%−92218,100Domestic migration (−507)
12Bullock County−4.5%−4599,780Domestic migration (−292)
13Clarke County−4.2%−96822,014Domestic migration (−504)
14Pickens County−3.9%−73518,221Natural change (−529)
15Monroe County−3.8%−74218,965Natural change (−434)
16Washington County−3.3%−51214,822Domestic migration (−279)
17Fayette County−2.8%−45915,872Natural change (−514)
18Lamar County−2.6%−35913,587Natural change (−370)
19Coosa County−1.7%−17710,161Natural change (−466)
20Barbour County−1.4%−35124,607Natural change (−354)
21Jefferson County−1.3%−8,978665,742Domestic migration (−17,523)
22Montgomery County−1.1%−2,454225,891Domestic migration (−8,880)
23Chambers County−0.9%−32834,253Natural change (−564)
24Tallapoosa County−0.8%−33940,953Natural change (−1,151)
25Mobile County−0.7%−2,756411,658Domestic migration (−4,713)
26Russell County−0.6%−35358,898Natural change (−351)
27Calhoun County−0.3%−404115,834Natural change (−2,404)
28Marion County−0.3%−9529,097Natural change (−736)
29Clay County−0.1%−914,207Natural change (−345)
30Escambia County−0.1%−2036,665Natural change (−763)
31Walker County−0.0%−765,140Natural change (−1,943)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Alabama is losing population fastest?

Perry County: down 12.2% between 2020 and 2025, to 7,425 residents (−1,030 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Lowndes County (−9.0%) and Wilcox County (−8.3%).

How many counties in Alabama are losing population?

31 of the 67 counties in Alabama had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 36 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in Alabama losing population?

Of the 31 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 16 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 15 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for Alabama

Counties losing population in other states

Across the U.S.