 About 10.5% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.In 2012, having surpassed a population of 12,000 residents, Pell City became only the 14th municipality in Alabama to change its form of government to a Council-Manager form of government.Under this form of government, the city council appoints a City Manager who then oversees the day-to-day operations of the city.