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Chelsea, AL
City in Shelby County, Alabama. ZIP codes: 35043.
Population
16,260
Land area
32.6sq mi
People per sq mi
498
ZIP codes
1
Chelsea and its ZIP codes
Chelsea at a glance
- Chelsea is about 5 times as dense as Alabama as a whole.
- It is the 45th most populous of 592 cities and towns in Alabama.
- Households here earn a median of $115,337 a year, 80% more than the Alabama figure of $63,999.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $360,000 (72% above Alabama) and median rent is $1,414 a month.
Local data for Chelsea, AL
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Chelsea, AL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$115,337
Poverty rate
2.7%
Median home value
$360,000
Median rent
$1,414/mo
Homeownership
90.0%
Bachelor's or higher
48.5%
Median age
37.6
Average commute
33.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,402), German Americans (1,144), Arab Americans (881).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Shelby County. PPP loans are for Chelsea.
Unemployment rate
3.0%
Sep 2026, +0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$69,505
84,778 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$74,513
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.5B
FY 2026, $6,866 per person
How people get to work
Chelsea, AL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.3%
- Carpooled5.3%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.8%
- Worked from home15.1%
Average one-way commute: 33.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Chelsea, AL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: tornado
Storm events since 1996
733
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
491
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
92° / 35°F
55.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Chelsea, AL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.5%
U.S. 33.3% -1.8 pts
Diabetes
9.6%
U.S. 12.1% -2.5 pts
Smoking
11.1%
U.S. 12.8% -1.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.6%
U.S. 11.1% -4.5 pts
ZIP codes in Chelsea
1 in or overlapping Chelsea. Population shown
Cities near Chelsea
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| WestoverTown | 3.1 mi | 19.8 |
| Highland LakesCensus-designated place | 5.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Eagle PointCensus-designated place | 6.3 mi | 2.2 |
| Shoal CreekCensus-designated place | 7 mi | 5 |
| MeadowbrookCensus-designated place | 7.8 mi | 4.4 |
| WilsonvilleTown | 8.3 mi | 10.6 |
| Brook HighlandCensus-designated place | 8.9 mi | 2.8 |
| Indian Springs VillageCity | 9.2 mi | 3.9 |
| VandiverCensus-designated place | 9.3 mi | 20.3 |
| ColumbianaCity | 9.3 mi | 18 |
| PelhamCity | 10 mi | 38.8 |
| HarpersvilleTown | 11 mi | 22 |
| SterrettCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 22.9 |
| VincentTown | 11 mi | 20.6 |
| DunnavantCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 19.3 |
| Vestavia HillsCity | 13 mi | 20 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Chelsea, AL in?
- Chelsea is in Shelby County, Alabama.
- What ZIP codes are in Chelsea, AL?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Chelsea include 35043.
- What is the population of Chelsea, AL?
- About 16,260 people live in Chelsea, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Chelsea?
- Nearby places include Westover (3.1 mi), Highland Lakes (5.8 mi), Eagle Point (6.3 mi), Shoal Creek (7 mi), Meadowbrook (7.8 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023