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Opelika, AL
City in Lee County, Alabama. ZIP codes: 36801.
Population
32,820
Land area
61.5sq mi
People per sq mi
534
ZIP codes
1
Opelika and its ZIP codes
Opelika at a glance
- Opelika is about 5.3 times as dense as Alabama as a whole.
- It is the 17th most populous of 592 cities and towns in Alabama.
- The median household income is $65,004, close to the Alabama median.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $241,800 (15% above Alabama) and median rent is $950 a month.
Local data for Opelika, AL
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Opelika, AL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$65,004
Poverty rate
16.0%
Median home value
$241,800
Median rent
$950/mo
Homeownership
69.1%
Bachelor's or higher
36.4%
Median age
39.9
Average commute
22.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,805), German Americans (1,786), Mexican Americans (1,194).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Lee County. PPP loans are for Opelika.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Sep 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$55,924
68,299 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$50,811
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.2B
FY 2026, $6,885 per person
PPP loans
$74M
1,152 loans, 10,314 jobs reported
How people get to work
Opelika, AL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.7%
- Carpooled6.3%
- Public transit1.1%
- Walked1.1%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.3%
- Worked from home7.5%
Average one-way commute: 22.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Opelika, AL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: heat wave
Storm events since 1996
462
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
250
0.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
90° / 33°F
55.2 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Opelika, AL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
42.6%
U.S. 33.3% +9.3 pts
Diabetes
16.1%
U.S. 12.1% +4.0 pts
Smoking
15.2%
U.S. 12.8% +2.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.3%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
ZIP codes in Opelika
1 in or overlapping Opelika. Population shown
Cities near Opelika
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| AuburnCity | 6.9 mi | 62.9 |
| CussetaTown | 9.8 mi | 2.6 |
| WaverlyTown | 12 mi | 2.8 |
| LoachapokaTown | 13 mi | 1.1 |
| HuguleyCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 8.3 |
| ValleyCity | 15 mi | 12.9 |
| La FayetteCity | 17 mi | 8.9 |
| NotasulgaTown | 18 mi | 14 |
| LanettCity | 18 mi | 6.2 |
| Camp HillTown | 18 mi | 9 |
| Smiths StationCity | 19 mi | 8.2 |
| Antioch, GACensus-designated place | 19 mi | 2.6 |
| West Point, GACity | 20 mi | 12.9 |
| Piney Grove, GACensus-designated place | 21 mi | 2.7 |
| LadoniaCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 3.1 |
| TuskegeeCity | 23 mi | 17.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Opelika, AL in?
- Opelika is in Lee County, Alabama.
- What ZIP codes are in Opelika, AL?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Opelika include 36801.
- What is the population of Opelika, AL?
- About 32,820 people live in Opelika, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Opelika?
- Nearby places include Auburn (6.9 mi), Cusseta (9.8 mi), Waverly (12 mi), Loachapoka (13 mi), Huguley (15 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023