From the Outside Looking In: Who Are Birmingham’s Voters?

When election season rolls around in Birmingham, candidates hit the streets, ads hit the airwaves, and signs sprout on nearly every corner. But behind all the buzz, there’s a powerful force that actually decides the future of the city: the voters.

So… who are they?
Let’s take a closer look at the demographics of registered voters in Birmingham, Alabama, and why it matters more than ever that every voice is heard — especially in a city with so much at stake.

A City Shaped by Black Voters
Birmingham is a majority-Black city, and the voter rolls reflect that. About 68% to 72% of registered voters in the city identify as Black or African American. That makes Birmingham one of the most influential majority-Black voting blocs in the South.

White voters make up approximately 22% to 26% of the city’s registered base, with smaller percentages identifying as Hispanic, Latino, multiracial, or other groups.

Bottom line: The future of Birmingham is being shaped, in large part, by Black voters — and candidates who fail to connect with that reality are already behind.

The Age of Engagement
Voter registration in Birmingham isn’t evenly distributed by age. While young adults (ages 18–29) make up a sizable chunk of the population, they account for only 14% to 18% of registered voters. Compare that to those aged 45 and up, who make up more than half of all registered voters.

This gap isn’t just about numbers — it’s about power. Older voters are more likely to show up at the polls, especially during off-year and municipal elections, while younger voters often sit those out. That has a huge impact on which issues get prioritized and who gets elected.

Women Lead the Way
Across Birmingham — and across the country — women are more likely to be registered to vote and to cast ballots. In the Magic City, women account for roughly 54% to 58% of registered voters.
This means that women, especially Black women, continue to be the backbone of political power in local elections. They are organizers, mobilizers, and decision-makers — both behind the scenes and at the ballot box.

A Vote that Counts
Birmingham’s local elections, including mayoral races and city council seats, often have low voter turnout — usually between 20% and 30% of registered voters. That means a small percentage of the population is deciding how the city is run.

When turnout is low, the stakes get even higher. A few thousand votes can shift leadership, change budget priorities, or alter how neighborhoods get revitalized.

Why This Matters
If you care about jobs, schools, roads, public safety, health care, housing, or economic development — then you need to care about voting. Because decisions are being made with or without you.
And when only certain groups show up consistently, they become the ones who get heard and helped.

Final Word: Be the Shift
From the outside looking in, it might seem like voting is just a box to check every few years. But in Birmingham, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to shape our community’s future.

Election Day is Tuesday, August 26, 2025