Real Estate Directory - Alabama
Population 4,447,100
Capital city/population: Montgomery (201,568)
Largest cities/population:
- Birmingham - 1,052,238
- Huntsville - 342,376
- Montgomery - 201,568
- Mobile - 198,915
Alabama is the 30th largest state in the United States, covering 52,423 square miles, with 53 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of the land slopes gently toward the Mississippi River along the state’s west coast, and toward the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Alabama boasts a mild climate year round, with an average January temperature of 46ºF, and an average July temperature of 80ºF. Rainfall is spread evenly throughout the state, with occasional snowfalls in the north.
HOUSING
In 2002, Alabama reported over two million housing units. Over 73% of Alabamians are home owners, with the state-wide average home value at $85,000. Despite the national trend of a slowing real estate market, the overall home market in Alabama remains strong.
Birmingham - Greater Birmingham continues a growing trend. There were over 415 homes sold in November, 2004, and 400 for the same time this year. Average sales price of all home types was $167,938. A strong buyers market still exists, with new subdivisions showing the most growth for new home owners.
Huntsville - The housing market in Huntsville offers great properties for home buyers. Sellers continue to place more homes on the market, with an average home price of $120,400.
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Alabama hosts a thriving business climate, and its government has created favorable conditions for business, industry, and housing. Over 5,200 manufacturing and distribution companies call Alabama home, as well as nine Top 500 companies, 24 manufacturing headquarters, and 49 corporate headquarters. Manufacturing and construction industries account for over 25% of the total employment, and the state’s resources of iron ore, coal, and limestone support a strong steel-producing industry, making Birmingham the iron and steel capital of the south.
Over 300 automotive-related manufacturers provide Alabama with a strong presence in the automotive industry. Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing have assembly plants here, with Toyota Motors also operating a dedicated engine plant.
Alabama is perhaps best known for its strong aerospace industry. The state’s 300 aerospace companies work in space and defense, maintenance, refurbishment, and overhaul. The industry alone has created over 73,000 jobs in the state, with a $3.0 billion payroll. Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, and EADS North America have all expanded their operations, spending over $1.2 billion in the process, along with the creation of many new jobs. State income and property taxes are among the lowest in the nation. Alabama also offers incentive programs such as corporate income tax credits, which includes the cost of land, buildings, machinery, and equipment.
ECONOMY
Chief manufacturing products include paper products, chemicals, textiles, metals, food products and clothing, wood products, printing, and motor vehicle products. Agricultural products include poultry, cattle, greenhouse items, nursery and sod production, cotton, and peanuts.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the 2003 total gross state product was $132 billion. The per capita income for the state was $26,505.
SCHOOLS
The state has more than 35 major colleges and universities. Total amounts of schools (including private, charter, and public elementary through high school) are as follows for the four major cities:
- Birmingham 172
- Huntsville 84
- Montgomery 96
- Mobile 104
The government has developed a long-term strategic alliance between the state’s electronic firms and the higher education community, providing a steady flow of workers educated in the latest technology. Magnet schools, offered by over 40 districts, have developed their curricula after colleges, providing additional study in several areas.
HISTORY
Native Americans were among the first settlers in Alabama. Cherokee, Chicksaw, Choctaw, and Creek were among the prominent tribes settling here. The French established the first European settlement with the establishment of Mobile in 1702.
Montgomery is the capital and birthplace of the Confederate States of America, and the Confederate flag was designed and flown in 1861. Alabama seceded from the Union in January, 1861, becoming a Confederate that year. Over 120,000 soldiers were sent to fight in the Civil War, and afterwards the state was readmitted to the Union on July 14, 1868. Alabama was also center-stage during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
ATTRACTIONS
The state is home to over 22 state parks, the Birmingham Zoo, eleven college football teams, 50 newspapers, and over 23 museums. Tourists enjoy the various natural history, art, wildlife, science, space and rocket, and even a hippie museum. Huntsville hosts the largest collection of rockets and missiles in the world. Visitors can also tour the first White House of the Confederacy, the Civil Rights Memorial, and Helen Keller’s birthplace.
RELIGION
The major religions of Alabama:
- Christian – 92%
- Protestant – 79%
- Baptist – 49%
- Methodist – 10%
- Presbyterian – 3%
- Episcopalian – 2%
- Church of God – 2%
- Church of Christ – 2%
- Pentecostal – 2%
- Lutheran – 2%
- Other Protestant – 7%
- Catholic – 13%
- Other religions – 1%
- Non-religious – 7%
RACE & ANCESTRY
| Census year: | 2000 |
1990 |
White |
71.1% |
73.6% |
Black |
26.0% |
25.3% |
Asian |
0.7% |
0.5% |
Native American |
0.5% |
0.4% |
Other race |
0.7% |
0.1% |
Mixed race |
1.0% |
* |
White, non-Hispanic |
70.3% |
73.3% |
Hispanic‡ |
1.7% |
0.6% |