Foley, Alabama Emerges as the Fastest-Growing City

News Summary

According to the latest U.S. Census data, Foley, Alabama, has become the fastest-growing metro area in the state with a remarkable growth rate of 12% from July 2023 to July 2024. Athens also showed impressive growth at 5.3%. Other cities on the rise include Brookside and Madison. Meanwhile, Alabama’s economic landscape is evolving with significant investments and improvements at Birmingham Airport, signaling positive trends in both population and economy across the region.

Foley, Alabama is leading the way in rapid growth according to the latest U.S. Census data released on Thursday, which identifies the fastest-growing cities in Alabama for 2024. Foley experienced a remarkable growth of 12% from July 2023 to July 2024, making it the 16th-fastest growing metro area in the entire United States. Meanwhile, Athens, Alabama reported a growth of 5.3%, positioning it as the second-fastest growing city in Alabama among cities with populations exceeding 15,000.

Other cities on the rise include Brookside in Jefferson County, which recorded the highest percentage growth at 13.1% despite an increase of only 158 residents. Notably, the top ten fastest-growing Alabama cities with populations over 15,000 also featured Madison (growing by 4.9%), Fairhope (4%), Opelika (3.9%), Chelsea (2.8%), Gulf Shores (2.7%), Prattville (2%), Cullman (1.86%), and Huntsville (1.85%).

In contrast, several cities including Birmingham, Anniston, Gardendale, Hueytown, Gadsden, Mountain Brook, and Center Point experienced a population decline from July 2023 to July 2024. However, Birmingham is witnessing an overall regional growth, with all seven counties in its vicinity reporting an increase in population for the first time since 2008, adding over 6,000 people or approximately 0.5% growth.

Despite its history of population challenges, Jefferson County added approximately 660 residents in 2024, mainly driven by international migration. Shelby County saw the largest population surge, adding nearly 2,400 residents, while St. Clair County followed closely with an addition of 1,400 residents. Growth was also noted in Bibb and Chilton counties, which achieved increments of 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Walker County, home to the city of Jasper, has now shown slight growth for the second consecutive year.

In addition to population growth, there are signs of economic enhancement in the region. Birmingham Airport reported a 7% increase in travel from January to July 2024 compared to the previous year. The airport is also undergoing improvements such as extending the lifespan of its runway and increasing taxi lane capacity, funded by a $2 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant. New nonstop flights from Southwest Airlines to Phoenix and Nashville are set to commence, with Spirit Airlines slated to join the flight schedule in October 2024.

Moreover, a new $31 million investment is directed toward developing an air cargo facility at Birmingham Airport in collaboration with major freight agency Kuhne Nagel. Connectivity in the Birmingham area is also set to improve, as Lumos fiber-optic service plans to expand over 1,300 miles of infrastructure in Alabama, aiming to provide reliable high-speed internet to underserved communities.

The economic landscape is showing positive trends, with projects such as Birmingham’s Brasfield & Gorrie committing to a three-story, 28,500-square-foot expansion of its headquarters. This expansion, which costs $18.9 million, will create 64 new jobs. The company announced its intention to add 85 headquarters jobs within the next five years, with 75% of these positions already filled.

The trends highlighted by the Census data underscore a significant transformation within Alabama’s cities, with rapid growth in certain areas coupled with new investments aimed at fostering economic opportunities and enhancing living conditions.

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