News Summary
Alabama’s population rose by 40,026 residents to a total of 5,157,699 from July 2023 to July 2024, primarily due to international and domestic migration. While 41 out of 67 counties reported gains, major cities like Birmingham and Mobile faced declines. Smaller towns, particularly Brookside and Foley, showed significant growth. Notably, Madison County grew by 2.3%, while Alabama’s Black Belt experienced losses. The influx from abroad contributed to this upswing, despite a slight decline in domestic arrivals. Population trends highlight ongoing demographic shifts and their potential implications for the state.
Montgomery – Alabama’s population saw a notable increase of 40,026 residents from July 2023 to July 2024, reaching a total of 5,157,699. This growth was driven by both international and domestic migration, alongside local population increases across the state.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that nearly two-thirds (41 out of 67) of Alabama’s counties experienced population gains during the past year. Approximately 58% of cities across the state reported increases in their populations from 2023 to 2024, with Huntsville emerging as the leader in numeric growth, adding over 4,000 residents to reach a total of more than 230,000.
Key Growth Areas
Major cities in Alabama such as Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile faced population declines over the same period. In contrast, smaller towns made significant strides in growth, with Brookside, located near Birmingham, posting the highest growth rate among small towns at 13.2%. Foley, a city in Baldwin County, led the growth rate for larger cities, enjoying a 12% increase.
Madison County, which includes parts of Huntsville, reported a growth rate of 2.3%, translating to about 9,500 new residents—approximately 26 each day. Additionally, Limestone County, recognized as the fastest-growing county statewide, recorded a 3.6% growth rate, bringing its total population to around 118,942 and placing it among Alabama’s top 10 counties.
Declining Populations in Certain Areas
Despite the overall growth, Alabama’s Black Belt region saw significant losses, with several counties experiencing population declines. Greene County faced the steepest drop at 2.4%, reducing its population to approximately 7,100 residents. In stark contrast, Jefferson County, the largest county in Alabama, managed to halt its population decline with a slight growth of 0.1%, corresponding to around 700 new residents.
International and Domestic Migration Trends
International migration played a crucial role in Alabama’s population increase, with approximately 15,800 newcomers arriving from abroad, an increase from around 13,000 in the previous year. However, domestic migration into Alabama saw a modest decline this year, with around 26,000 new arrivals from other states compared to approximately 26,985 the previous year.
Alabama’s fertility trends are influencing long-term population changes. Estimated births in the state were recorded at 57,541, which fell short of the number of deaths at 59,273. Ongoing issues of an aging population and low birth rates are contributing to these slow natural population growth patterns.
Regional Comparisons
In the context of the Southeastern U.S., Alabama’s overall population growth positions it in the middle compared to neighboring states. The state outperformed Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky, yet it continues to lag behind faster-growing states like Florida and North Carolina.
The new estimates and trends underscore Alabama’s complex demographic landscape, reflecting substantial variations between urban and rural areas, as well as the effects of migration patterns on population dynamics. As Alabama navigates these changes, the shifting population may impact various aspects, from economic development to public services and community planning.
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Additional Resources
- Alabama’s Fastest Growing Counties in 2024
- Wikipedia: Demographics of Alabama
- PARCA Population Growth Report
- Google Search: Alabama population growth
- Alabama’s Population Shifts
- Google Scholar: Alabama population trends
- Alabama’s Population Increases by 40K in 2024
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alabama
- Alabama’s Growth After 205 Years
- Google News: Alabama demographics
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison 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 Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
