Birmingham, AL
35205
Jefferson County County · Alabama · Pop. 36,480
Last updated: May 2026
Birmingham, Alabama (ZIP code 35205) is home to approximately 36,480 residents. The median household income in 35205 is $65,975, which is 7% below the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 35205 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $272,752 and the average rent is $1,317/month. 35205 has a violent crime rate of 235.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 35205 is served by with an average school rating of 6.4/10. Air quality in 35205 is rated Good with an average AQI of 41.1. The average commute time in 35205 is 26 minutes, 1 minutes below the national average. Compare 35205 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters in this area spend approximately 24% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.1x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Birmingham (35205) has lower-than-average violent crime rates - 38% below the national average - making it a relatively safe place to live.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 35205
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Academy | public | 7/10 | 745 |
| Birmingham STEM Academy | public | 6/10 | 783 |
| Riverside Elementary | public | 6/10 | 642 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 35205 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Birmingham, AL (35205)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 38% below the national average
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 41.1 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
No significant concerns identified based on available data.
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 35205
What is the population of 35205? ▼
The population of ZIP code 35205 in Birmingham, Alabama is approximately 36,480 people.
Is 35205 safe to live in? ▼
Birmingham (35205) has lower-than-average violent crime rates - 38% below the national average - making it a relatively safe place to live. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 35205? ▼
The median household income in 35205 (Birmingham, Alabama) is $65,975. The per capita income is $42,884. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 35205? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 24% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.1x the median income. Median home value: $272,752. Average rent: $1,317/month.
What are schools like in 35205? ▼
Schools in 35205 receive an Education Grade of C+. There are 3 schools with an average rating of 6.4/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 35205? ▼
The violent crime rate in 35205 is 235.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 1754.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 35205? ▼
The median monthly rent in 35205 (Birmingham, Alabama) is $1,317/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 35205? ▼
The median home value in 35205 (Birmingham, Alabama) is $272,752. The national median home value is $303,400. Homes in this ZIP code are more affordable than the national average.
Is 35205 a good place to live? ▼
35205 (Birmingham, Alabama) has a ZipScore of 66/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is a good neighborhood with solid fundamentals.
What is the air quality in 35205? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 35205 is 41.1 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 7.8 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026