News Summary
Foley, Alabama has been recognized as the fastest-growing city in the state, boasting a 12% population increase from July 2023 to July 2024. This growth catapults Foley to the 16th position among the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Athens follows with a significant 5.3% rise. The overall state population rose by 49,000, reaching approximately 5.16 million. Other notable cities like Brookside also saw impressive growth, while several areas faced population declines, highlighting diverse demographic trends across Alabama.
Foley, Alabama, has been recognized as the fastest-growing city in Alabama, experiencing a remarkable population increase of 12% from July 2023 to July 2024. This growth has positioned Foley as the 16th fastest-growing metro area in the United States for this period. Meanwhile, Athens, Alabama, also showed significant growth with a 5.3% increase, making it the second fastest-growing city in the state for areas with populations exceeding 15,000.
The 2024 Census data indicates that the overall population of Alabama has increased by approximately 49,000 people, now totaling around 5.16 million. Within this demographic landscape, Brookside in Jefferson County achieved the title for the fastest-growing city by percentage, with a 13.1% growth rate, albeit adding only 158 residents.
Additional Notable Growth Patterns in Alabama
Aside from Foley and Athens, other cities also experienced notable population growth. Madison saw a 4.9% increase, while Fairhope, Opelika, and Chelsea recorded growth rates of 4%, 3.9%, and 2.8%, respectively. Additionally, Gulf Shores had a 2.7% growth, followed by Prattville at 2%, and Cullman and Huntsville with 1.86% and 1.85% growth rates, respectively.
Population Declines in Other Regions
While certain areas thrived, several cities experienced population losses from July 2023 to July 2024. Cities such as Birmingham, Anniston, Gardendale, Hueytown, Gadsden, Mountain Brook, and Center Point all reported declines during this timeframe.
Regional Growth Insights
The metro area of Huntsville experienced the largest numerical population increase in Alabama, adding over 13,000 new residents. The Birmingham-Hoover metro area also contributed to population growth, with approximately 6,300 people added. Notably, Baldwin County, known for its beach towns, welcomed more than 7,500 new residents.
Significant growth has also been observed in the Wiregrass region, which includes Dothan, an area that added about 1,300 people during the same period. Conversely, certain rural areas, especially in the Black Belt region, continue to face population decline.
Changes in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area
The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area underwent an official renaming to Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Area in 2024, although no explanations were provided for this change. Data from the past three years indicates that Hoover’s population has slightly decreased by approximately 0.2%, while Birmingham maintains a population nearing 197,000.
Healthcare and City Budgets
Birmingham is recognized as Alabama’s healthcare hub, with a total of 4,097 physicians operational in the city, significantly outpacing Huntsville’s 1,083 physicians. In terms of healthcare facilities, Birmingham boasts 13 hospitals, compared to Huntsville’s five. On the budget front, Birmingham’s projected city budget for 2025 is set at $554 million, while Huntsville’s budget stands at $328 million.
In addition to healthcare, Birmingham’s law enforcement is more robust with 851 sworn police officers, compared to Huntsville’s estimated 400 officers. The city has also maintained a stronger reputation for culinary offerings, green spaces, and legal services in comparison to Huntsville.
The latest census data highlights the diverse growth trends across Alabama, illustrating a nuanced landscape of population dynamics within the state.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Birmingham-Hoover Metro Name Change
- Wikipedia: Population Density
- Yellowhammer News: Alabama’s Population Shifts
- Google Search: Alabama Population Growth
- WBRC: Birmingham City Schools Strategic Plan
- Google Scholar: Birmingham Alabama Population
- AL.com: Birmingham vs. Huntsville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Demographics of Alabama
- CBS 42: Birmingham Population Decline
- Google News: Population Growth in Alabama
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
