Lincoln is located at . It is home to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, employing over 4,000 people. Talladega Superspeedway race track is located near the city. It is located off of exit 173 along I-20, which is just outside the city limits. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The city is located along Interstate 20, which runs west to east through the southern part of the city. Access to the city can be found from exits 165 and 168. Via I-20, Birmingham is 44 mi west, and Atlanta is 106 mi east. U.S. Route 78 also runs west to east through the city. Alabama State Route 77 connects the city with Talladega, which is 13 mi south.
At the 2000 census, there were 4,577 people, 1,831 households, and 1,354 families living in the city. The population density was 214.6 people per square mile. There were 2,297 housing units at an average density of 107.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 71.90% White, 27.05% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 1,831 households 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 22.3% of households were one person and 5.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.89. The age distribution was 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males. The median household income was $34,053 and the median family income was $36,900. Males had a median income of $29,407 versus $24,102 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,442. About 9.4% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 6,266 people, 2,478 households, and 1,785 families living in the city. The population density was 294.2 people per square mile. There were 3,197 housing units at an average density of 150.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 23.4% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 1,831 households 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.9% of households were one person and 7.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.94. The age distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% 65 or older. The median age was 39.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males. The median household income was $36,919 and the median family income was $42,139. Males had a median income of $36,991 versus $21,804 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,123. About 11.1% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.