Could it be Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, or Mobile, personally, I think Mobile and Huntsville will be the next cities over 300,000, I think Huntsville will reach that first, then Mobile, but lets not forget Birmingham, they maybe loosing population, but I hear they are having an economic boom in their downtown. Please, no intense arguements on this thread, lets keep it clean on this thread everyone. :)

Personally, I'm pleased with the whole economic outlook on Alabama. All the cities seem to be doing pretty well. The ones that stand out most to me are Huntsville and Birmingham. Mobile is doing quite well as well... particularly if they were to land that steel plant. I dont know as many details on the other large cities in Alabama, but I know there are literally more than a BILLION in projects underway or approved just in the city limits of Birmingham.

Well, Huntsville, is expected, by 2010, to reach 185,000 or 190,000, right now, it is about 175,000.

Mobile.

A lot of people seem to be rooting for Mobile as the South's next boomtown, but I haven't really seen anything that would indicate that it will be. To me, all signs seem to be pointing to Huntsville as Alabama's rising star across several categories. This isn't to discount what may be going on in Mobile, but personally, I don't see what all the boosterism is about (besides one tower).

Census report ranks Auburn-Opelika 89th among nation's top 100 growth markets

A new U.S. Census Bureau report ranks the Auburn-Opelika area 89th among the top 100 fastest-growing metro areas in America.

In the period between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2006, Auburn-Opelika gained 10,689 residents - a growth of 9.3 percent, according to the population estimates released this week.

This sounds like something you could say about South Carolina too. Which metro area in South Carolina will be the next rising star? Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach? I'm going with Birmingham or Huntsville for Alabama.

I think I've seen a few versions of this thread already :lol:

Metro Birmingham is so much larger than any of the rest in the state, that none are going to catch it.

This isn't to discount what may be going on in Mobile, but personally, I don't see what all the boosterism is about (besides one tower).


There has been some boosterism, but Mobile does have some things going for it that compare quite favorably to other non-Birmingham cities in the state:

* Tourism - Mobile-Baldwin leads the state.
* Skycrapers - Mobile-Baldwin leads the state in overall number of skyscrapers and in height.
* History - Before Birmingham became the state's largest city around 1900,
Mobile was the largest.
* Education - Mobile has one of the state's four large research universities
including one of the state's two medical schools .
* Gulf Coast Region - Although separate metro areas in separate states,
Biloxi and Pensacola are linked to Mobile in many ways - shared history and culture, climate, economy, and TV and radio stations. It is a regional economy. Huntsville-Decatur is more localized, and Montgomery even moreso.

Could it be Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, or Mobile, personally, I think Mobile and Huntsville will be the next cities over 300,000, I think Huntsville will reach that first, then Mobile, but lets not forget Birmingham, they maybe loosing population, but I hear they are having an economic boom in their downtown. Please, no intense arguements on this thread, lets keep it clean on this thread everyone. :)



Dude, Birmingham is already the largest metro in Alabama, that having been said I would guess that Huntsville would be my first pick as the next large city in Alabama.

If I were ALDOT or anyone else related to transportation or economic development in this state I would start pushing for DIRECT access between Bham and Huntsville like a expressway or a toll road. Having something like that connecting your two tech centers would be an economic boom to the state as a whole.

Interesting fact, the reason that I-65 runs closers to Decatur, rather than going through Huntsville is because at that time (late 50's) planners were thinking that Decatur would outgrow Huntsville in population, so therefore Decatur got I-65, and Huntsville got the spur I-565. :bash:

^ That won't happen. I think we should just try to work on getting I-65 widened to three lanes all the way up to I-565. And repair some of the pavement going up there. You know the road's bad when they put a damn sign saying "ROUGH CROSSING" instead of actually doing something to fix the rough crossing (anybody who regularly travels up I-65 between Birmingham and Huntsville knows what I"m talking about).


But I-22 and the Northern Beltline will do wonders for Birmingham's economy and future growth, especially I-22, since it will be finished within the next five years. The Northern Beltline may take another 20 - 25 years to get completed, I don't even think they've started on that one yet.

^ That won't happen. I think we should just try to work on getting I-65 widened to three lanes all the way up to I-565. And repair some of the pavement going up there. You know the road's bad when they put a damn sign saying "ROUGH CROSSING" instead of actually doing something to fix the rough crossing (anybody who regularly travels up I-65 between Birmingham and Huntsville knows what I"m talking about).


But I-22 and the Northern Beltline will do wonders for Birmingham's economy and future growth, especially I-22, since it will be finished within the next five years. The Northern Beltline may take another 20 - 25 years to get completed, I don't even think they've started on that one yet.


You're absolutely right. It really isn't rocket science that interstates really create an economic boom for a region... and northern Jefferson County is on the verge of that between I-22 and the Northern Beltline. I-22 should be tied in to I-65 (as currently planned) by around 2010... and over to US31 by around 2011-2012. The Northern Beltline will be done in segments, so as different segments open up, it will help those particular areas in terms of growth. The northern end of Jefferson County is already among the fastest growing areas of Jefferson County... and neither I-22 or the Northern Beltline are even completed.

I don't think anyone is catching Birmingham, but in terms of the 2nd city in Alabama it's hard for me to choose. Huntsville has a WHOLE lot going on right now... but personally, I see more potential in Mobile. I'm not really sure, but it looks like those are the cities that will be fighting it out for 2nd place in Alabama over the next couple of decades.

^ That won't happen. I think we should just try to work on getting I-65 widened to three lanes all the way up to I-565. And repair some of the pavement going up there. You know the road's bad when they put a damn sign saying "ROUGH CROSSING" instead of actually doing something to fix the rough crossing (anybody who regularly travels up I-65 between Birmingham and Huntsville knows what I"m talking about).


But I-22 and the Northern Beltline will do wonders for Birmingham's economy and future growth, especially I-22, since it will be finished within the next five years. The Northern Beltline may take another 20 - 25 years to get completed, I don't even think they've started on that one yet.

I think there is a section of the Northern Beltline is currently under construction between AL 75 and AL 79 in the Pinson area.

There is no doubt in my mind that Greater Mobile is the most progressive area in the state. If Mobile wins the steel plant, which is looking more of a reality, it will push the city to one of the most prosperous cities in the country. Mobile is the city of choice, second to none in Alabama. Once you leave Baldwin County headed north on I-65 then you enter Alabama. With little to no help from the State of Alabama, Greater Mobile continues to strive. Once Mobile creates a regional tansportation network and focus on centralizing itself as the center of the region, then more counties will be added to the metro.

I see where Mobile has potential, but in terms of actual performance, this is where I see Huntsville taking a clear lead. For instance, according to the Census figures from 2000-2006, Huntsville experienced the vast majority of its growth in the actual greater Huntsville area (34,377 people, 10% increase), the core of the metropolitan region, with outlying Decatur experiencing very little growth in comparison (3,682 people, 2.5% increase). In contrast, the greater Mobile area grew very little (4,314 people, 1.1% increase) when compared with the outlying Daphne-Fairhope area (28,747, 20.5% increase), a coastal area that's booming just like any other Southern coastal area (e.g., Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, etc.). At this point, I see nothing that sets Mobile apart in any significant way, particularly economically, tourism, skyscrapers, history, etc. notwithstanding.

I see where you're coming from, krazeeboi.
I do think the "booming just like any other Southern coastal area" description of Baldwin County could easily spill over to Mobile if Mobile's big projects come through, such as the enormous Earnhardt racetrack facility, and the possible big manufacturing plants that Mobile is competing for.

l

I used to stay in Alabama for a bit. From the looks of what I saw, I'll take Huntsville. Alot of development is starting to take shape there.

A/O's growth is amazing. What specifically is the source of this growth? How much is associated with Auburn and how much is not?

I'm just wondering what it is that Auburn has going for it that Tuscaloosa does not (the obvious bantering aside).

A/O's growth is amazing. What specifically is the source of this growth? How much is associated with Auburn and how much is not?

I'm just wondering what it is that Auburn has going for it that Tuscaloosa does not (the obvious bantering aside).



A/O is in sort of a "sweetspot" -- on I-85 about mid-way between Montgomery and Atlanta. Fairly close to Hartsfield-Jackson, lower taxes than Georgia, highly educated work force, available (relatively inexpensive) land. I suspect that the biggest contributing factor is its location, with the university playing a lesser (but still important) role.

I'm just wondering what it is that Auburn has going for it that Tuscaloosa does not

Location is a major factor - being right next to GA, one of the fastest-growing and most prosperous areas of the South, instead of being near the poor part of MS without casinos.

Being within easy commuting distance of a larger neighbor (Columbus, GA )also helps diversify the job base, whereas Tuscaloosa is far enough from Birmingham that most who want jobs in the metro Birmingham area just move there.

Doesn't anyone listen? The Hamilton/Guin/Gu-Win area is booming. There are plans for a two-story building, and if that comes through there's no end to what may come. A traffic light is just years away!

Seriously, though, I'd like to see Florence/Tuscumbia/Muscle Shoals get some attention. I've only driven through there once, it's a part of Alabama I know almost nothing about. It seems nice enough, and Memphis and Nashville aren't too far from there.

think Mobile and Huntsville will be the next cities over 300,000, I think Huntsville will reach that first, then Mobile, but lets not forget Birmingham, they maybe loosing population, but I hear they are having an economic boom in their downtown. Please, no intense arguements on this thread, lets keep it clean on this thread everyone

it would take over 100 years for any large Alabama city to make it to 300,000.

Huntsville Short/Mid Term, if annexations are successful.
OR
Mobile, if EADS, Thyssen Krupp, and the myriad of other deals come through. I mean just these two projects would add 15-25k new jobs (w/ suppliers) in a total labor market of 200k, and a total unemployed population of 6k.

Also GS/OB at least were expected to add 25-30k additional jobs between 2005 and 2010.


So up to 50k new jobs (next 5 years) (in addition to generic growth in small business, which has been Mobiles traditional strong point and on top of the 30k for construction of the steel plant) in a area that only has 8k unemployed?

My question is were the hell are people going to live? There is no housing on the MS gulf coast. Baldwin absorbs all vacancies faster than can be built. The only real viable option for massive amount of near term housing need is going to be repopulation of the inner 65 corridor, where there has been decline over the last few decades (though nothing extreme).


Oh and remember demographically 1 job = 2 people (pop. wise).

I see where Mobile has potential, but in terms of actual performance, this is where I see Huntsville taking a clear lead. For instance, according to the Census figures from 2000-2006, Huntsville experienced the vast majority of its growth in the actual greater Huntsville area (34,377 people, 10% increase), the core of the metropolitan region, with outlying Decatur experiencing very little growth in comparison (3,682 people, 2.5% increase). In contrast, the greater Mobile area grew very little (4,314 people, 1.1% increase) when compared with the outlying Daphne-Fairhope area (28,747, 20.5% increase), a coastal area that's booming just like any other Southern coastal area (e.g., Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, etc.). At this point, I see nothing that sets Mobile apart in any significant way, particularly economically, tourism, skyscrapers, history, etc. notwithstanding.
The Spanish Fort-Daphne-Fairhope area is a bedroom for Mobile. A lot of Mobile newcomers, as well as natives, choose to live across the bay because that's where the trendy housing construction is. South Baldwin County though, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, is a booming coastal area with a trajectory of its own.

---

Huntsville is Alabama's boomtown, and that isn't likely to change any time soon. Birmingham is our largest metro and that isn't going to change any time soon. I don't think the "largest city" title means a thing. Even if Huntsville, Montgomery, or Mobile wind up with larger populations within the city limits, they'd still be far behind the size of the Birmingham metropolitan area. The good news is that all of our major metro areas are growing and have bright futures.

This is what I see in about ten years from now for the major 4 metros

1st Birmingham-Culman-Hoover - 1,300,000
2nd Huntsville-Decatur-Madison - 750,000
3rd Mobile-Daphne-Fairhope - 700,000
4th Mongomery - 450,000

So yes, Birmingham may go in to the 2nd or 3rd place in city population, but I see Birmingham having the title of largest metro in the state for a long time, and poeple may think lightly of Birmingham's city population, but Birmingham has one of the largest metros in the south, there are more poeple living around Birmingham than Nashville, the city population is included in the metro, Nashville has about 800,000 poeple around it, while Birmingham has about 900,000 poeple around it, oh, and Mobile, if you take all the skyscrapers in Birmingham and stack them up one on top of the other, it would be over a mile high, and if you Mobile do the same thing, it would barly graze 2,000ft, so, Birmingham has Mobile beat, and don't let that new 745ft missguige you Mobile, no offence.

^^ You should want the people in your city not around it so no need to brag. Also, if mobile wants a big building let them have it in peace. :ohno:

Sorry Nashville, didn't mean to brag, just trying to make a point to Mobile.

Gannman, I would like you to say that to Atlanta, lol

This is why I said that Huntsville and Mobile will probolly be leading the state economy wise, I beleive that Huntsville's economy is going to be Hotels, Redstone Arsenal, and its major High-Tech industry, Mobile's will be Manufactoring, Tourism, and the Shiping Industry, this is why I say Huntsville and Mobile will probolly be the next largest cities in CITY population, not metro, that's Birmingham's territory, ok, I think the worst thing that could probolly happen to Mobiole is if their race track falls through and they don't get the steel plant, and the worst thing that could possibly happen to Huntsville is loosing Redstone Arsenal.

And what if Birmigham incoporated all of Jeffersoon County as the city?

I wouldn't be surprised if Birmingham were over 1.3 million ten years from now. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman is already about 1.2 million now... and there's alot of growth happening (at an accelerating pace I might add). Not to mention, I think a few other counties are on the verge of being included in the Birmingham MSA.

I doubt Jefferson Co. and Birmingham will become a consolidated government anytime soon. Once things improve, however, and Birmingham cleans up its act, many cities may WISH to be a part of Birmingham rather than Birmingham trying to convince suburbs to be annexed. Either way, it doesn't really matter too much. It'd be nice for Birmingham to retain the largest city AND metro population. But if I had to pick between the two, I'd definitely pick the larger metro population. City population size just really is frankly irrelevant today.

Sorry Nashville, didn't mean to brag, just trying to make a point to Mobile.

I think more people live around Mobile than Birmingham.

I think more people live around Mobile than Birmingham.

Does it matter? In short: NO!

More people live around Mobile than Birmingham? What are you talking about?

I thought this was a population thread so why is Timinator talking about sky scrapors what point are you trying to prove to Mobile. Any one with good sense can see that B-ham has the largest sky line in the state and a nice one I might add . You can make that point to a blind man and I don`t think he was talking about Mobile`s population as having more ppl but more ppl sq mile I hope ! .

I thought this was a population thread so why is Timinator talking about sky scrapors what point are you trying to prove to Mobile. Any one with good sense can see that B-ham has the largest sky line in the state and a nice one I might add . You can make that point to a blind man and I don`t think he was talking about Mobile`s population as having more ppl but more ppl sq mile I hope ! .


Mobile's city limits density... about 1,200 people per square mile.

Birmingham's city limits density... about 1,500 people per square mile.

Still trying to understand what he was talking about...

Mobile's city limits density... about 1,200 people per square mile.

Birmingham's city limits density... about 1,500 people per square mile.

Still trying to understand what he was talking about...

Atlanta will be the biggest city in Alabama. Their metro area is growing so fast and is big, it won't be long before it goes into Alabama and becomes the largest in the state. :lol:

Atlanta will be the biggest city in Alabama. Their metro area is growing so fast and is big, it won't be long before it goes into Alabama and becomes the largest in the state. :lol:

Okay... but even if their metro touches inside the state, that wouldn't make them the biggest city in Alabama since no portion of their city limits fall within the state.

It will be interesting, however, whatever happens in the distant future. Birmingham continues to add counties to the east, and Atlanta will probably continue to add counties to the west. At some point, the metro areas will likely meet somewhere in the middle... that'll be interesting. Though I hope that doesn't really happen. Even if it does, that'd be decades and decades away.

According to the U.S Census Bureau web page the city of Birmingham has 1,619.7 persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0107000.html


The city of Mobile has 1,687. 1 persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0150000.html

Huntsville has 909.0 Persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0137000.html

Montgomer has 1,297.3 persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0151000.html

So if these demographics are correct I assume he was talking about square mile and again I hope he was, and the person per square mile in each city is at the very bottom of the page.

Okay... but even if their metro touches inside the state, that wouldn't make them the biggest city in Alabama since no portion of their city limits fall within the state.

It will be interesting, however, whatever happens in the distant future. Birmingham continues to add counties to the east, and Atlanta will probably continue to add counties to the west. At some point, the metro areas will likely meet somewhere in the middle... that'll be interesting. Though I hope that doesn't really happen. Even if it does, that'd be decades and decades away.

^^ Dude you should try not taking people's comments so personal especially when your sources are WRONG!

According to the U.S Census Bureau web page the city of Birmingham has 1,619.7 persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0107000.html


The city of Mobile has 1,687. 1 persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0150000.html

Huntsville has 909.0 Persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0137000.html

Montgomer has 1,297.3 persons per square mile

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0151000.html

So if these demographics are correct I assume he was talking about square mile and again I hope he was, and the person per square mile in each city is at the very bottom of the page.

The Wikipedia pages for Birmingham and Mobile have figures similar to what I was saying, so there must be another definition... maybe it's the urban area rather than city limits or maybe something else.

EDIT: I think the source I used counts total city land area (both land and water) whereas the one listed by the Census that you just found counts only city LAND area. I suppose it depends on your definition then since some cities actually have significant numbers of folks that live on the water. If you want to discount water area, then that's fine. I really doubt he was speaking of density anyway when he made that assertion.

Using the link you provided, however, the highest density place in Alabama from what I can find is Homewood (suburban Birmingham)... they have over 3,000 people per square mile.

^^ Dude you should try not taking people's comments so personal especially when your sources are WRONG!

Who is taking anything personally?

My sources are wrong? This coming from the person who says more people live around Mobile than Birmingham. :lol:

Who is taking anything personally?

My sources are wrong? This coming from the person who says more people live around Mobile than Birmingham. :lol:

^^ You are! When you include areas west pass Pascagoula and east pass Pensacola it becomes more realistic than funny. Its funny on our behave because the people of Birmingham are so threaten by the growth of Mobile.

Haven't we beat this horse to death enough? If you add up Mobile's CSA, ALL of Jackson Co (MS) and ALL of Escambia Co (FL), you STILL are not larger than Greater Birmingham...in fact, you wouldn't quite even be over 1-million with Jackson Co and Escambia Co added in. This is not anything to do with being threatened, but when you post stuff like "more people live around Mobile than Birmingham," that flies in the face of reason and what the facts actually say. Escambia and Jackson Co are NOT a part of Mobile's MSA or CSA for that matter... trying to include areas beyond those counties are even further removed from the realm of reality.

Jesus Christ!

Not trying to start a Mobile Vs. B-ham thread but I love facts, the fact is B-ham is the head runner in CSA population in Alabama .But saying that the counties tha touch Mobile county and are 45 minutes within driving distance of Mobile county would not surpass a million is just crazy .


these are 2005 county pop demos all counties mentioned have grown since then .

Alabama counties

Mobile co- 401,427
Baldwin c0- 162,586
Washington county-17,773
Clark c0-27,269
Monroe co 23,733 = 632,788 these are county tags I see in Mobile on a daily basis and they all touch mobile co as well.

Mississippi counties
Jackson co - 135,940
Green co -13,183
George co-21,239
Harrison co-193,810 = 364,172 again these couties boarder Mobile co as well. I live in west Mobile (Semmes) 10 min drive from Mississipi .I love Missisppi but sometimes I cant find a good parking spot at a wal mart at schillingers nor Semmes because they are full of Mississippi tags with these exact counties on there tags.

Florida counties

Escambia co -296,772
Santa Rosa Co - 143,105 = 439,877

Add them all together and it`s 1,436,837 remove santa rosa and it will be 1,293,732 but why remove them (source U.S Census Bureau).


I see a lot of florida tags as aswell it`s hard finding a parking spot at the mall because it`s full of Mississipii and Florida tags as well as Aalabam tags with a 2 & 5. Mobile co loves all of our neighboring counties that shop and work with us . The most interesting thing is in my opinoion and I say my is that we feel more accepted by Fla and Miss than the rest of Ala why is that ? Another thing that bothers me is that the Mobile & Baldwin Co area can care less about the way H-vill , B-ham or Montgomery is growing were Happy for the other big 4 but it doesnt bother us .So why is that some people in the B-ham area are threatend by whats going on in Mobile why not be happy for us we would show tha same love ,have been doing it for years why not return it ?

Ok, the last thing I want is Port of Bama and Blazer85 at each other's throuts about who has the biggest city, I do say this, that both Birmingham and Mobile are big, all I hear is Birmingham this and Mobile that, plz, someone, talk about about our state capital, Montgomery and our high-tech and space center of the south, Huntsville, oh, and I beleive that Huntsville and Mobile will become the largest cities in Alabama in CITY population, by the way, here is another fact why Huntsville will become the largest, that if any city in the US is going to take us to Mars or near by black hole or solar system, it will be Huntsville.

Yeah, I think this thread just got locked.

I hope it doesn`t become locked I`m not premoting a battle here I just believe in facts . Timinator made the most valed point lets talk about Alabama`s growing economy and the jobs that both of Alabama`s big 4 are bringing .

Jesus Christ!

Jesus lives in Alabama? :?

The reason why I made this thread is becuase the thread "Next LARGE Alabama City" was locked due to fighting, plz, board members of Skyscrapercity.com, plz do not lock this thread, I am trying to keep it free from fighting and irrevelent comments like "Jesus lives in Alabama".

And plz, no more messages about the RSA Battle House Tower, I think we all know that it is now the tallest building in the state of Alabama and we all know it is 745ft tall, and I am happy for Mobile, but plz, say every once in a while, not everyday, I would be greatful for that. :)

Shure I will respect your wishes my friend I don`t know if others will, but no one has mentioned the RSA tower on any of the 3 pages that make this thread my friend.The only time it was mentioned was when the RSA tower had a thread of it`s own and i`m shure it does just not as active as the one on skyscraperpage.com and even the Rsa thread on that website there is no bragging of hight just pics and the finishings of the tower .

But saying that the counties tha touch Mobile county and are 45 minutes within driving distance of Mobile county would not surpass a million is just crazy .

Never said that. I specifically said that if you add up Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, and Jackson you don't get 1,000,000... and that's true. You're taking ELEVEN counties and adding them up to give you that 1.4 million. Even so, I'm puzzled how that matters with regards to the claim that "more people live around Mobile than Birmingham." I mean if you were to take Birmingham and add up all the counties within 45 minutes in any direction, you'd get nearly 1.7 million... but I'm not sure how that's relevant to anything though in terms of city/metro populations or the purpose of this thread.

Birmingham's MSA includes 7 counties... with the CSA, it's 8 counties. But Birmingham doesn't even have Tuscaloosa Co. counted in either our MSA or CSA... and that county even borders Jefferson Co to the west. I mean, you include Tuscaloosa Co alone and Birmingham's MSA/CSA would jump up to around 1,350,000.

The point is not that Birmingham people are threatened... the point is that some people make outrageous claims with the intent of stirring people up...and many times, statements that are totally untrue. Saying "more people live around Mobile than Birmingham" is like me from Birmingham saying "more people live around Birmingham than Charlotte." If I did that, Charlotte folks would be all over me calling me on it (as well they should). It's not a matter of being "threatened" like you want to make it out to be... it's a matter of what's truth and what's a lie. I'm not out to get this thread closed either, but let's just say I'm a bit allergic to wildly false statements.

Ok I understand where you are coming from Blazer85. I don`t know where that guy got that from either but anyway I see a bright future for Alabam`s big 4 that will bring national recognition I hope

You Alabamians are so funny! God bless you guys!

So then Port of Bama and Blazer85 are all good now over the dispute with Birmingham and Mobile, I mean it is ok to state your facts, I am totally ok with that, just don't get into an arguement about it. :)

Just remember that if you go on a rocket ship into space, thank Huntsville for getting you there. :) And I hope Port of Bama and Blazer85 are friends now. :)

Ok I understand where you are coming from Blazer85. I don`t know where that guy got that from either but anyway I see a bright future for Alabam`s big 4 that will bring national recognition I hope

That's something else I can agree on. I think the whole state's future is bright, but particularly in the state's "big 4." We might not be adding huge skyscrapers every year like some other cities, but our economy is strong and growing stronger, more and more people are moving here (not at an exponential rate, but steady enough), etc. I think more folks in the region and nation are beginning to take notice.

Blazer85, if Birmingham gets a better governmant and police force, could Birmingham's city population start growing again into the 300,000's?

Blazer85, if Birmingham gets a better governmant and police force, could Birmingham's city population start growing again into the 300,000's?

Absolutely. I firmly believe that leadership (or a lack thereof) is one of the primary obstacles facing Birmingham today. Not the city's history with racism, not the decline of the steel industry, not any of that stuff. Those things contributed certainly, but it's the leadership that has killed this city.

The key is in DOWNTOWN revitalization. Downtown is obviously the "face" of the city, so it's important in that respect. But more importantly, the redevelopment downtown is helping INCREASE the numbers of young, intelligent, progressive professionals. These folks will then begin getting involved in political issues (like the young civic group "Catalyst"). Ultimately, their voices will be heard in the elections. Too often there are unqualified unintelligent people that are elected to city leadership positions. With young, progressive people moving downtown, the dynamics are beginning to change and you won't see as many unqualified candidates winning elections.

Alot about growth is psychological and mental. I think the mentality downtown is certainly changing. Alot of other neighborhoods are, admittedly, changing much more slowly. But downtown appears to really be headed towards a big rebirth. Downtown has been for years pretty quite in terms of life after 5PM. Now, things are really starting to get kicking again.

Just curious, is Birmingham trying to get a major league team in by building that Superdome sized arena in their downtown? And if this works out, Birmingham will once again be the "Iron Fist" of Alabama?

i thought this thread was finished. so we all agree that the major urban centers are growing at a good rate correct? let's leave it at that shall we?

oh, and i think out the big 4 major cities in Alabama, Mobile is the most dense cit, about 1,620 persons per square mile, Wikipedia is wrong because it multiplied the total city population with Mobile's total city area in square miles at 159, which got 1,201. Huntsville is still the least even though that number is going up.

The reason why I made this thread is becuase the thread "Next LARGE Alabama City" was locked due to fighting, plz, board members of Skyscrapercity.com, plz do not lock this thread, I am trying to keep it free from fighting and irrevelent comments like "Jesus lives in Alabama".

I didn't say "Jesus lives in Alabama." I'm Jewish, I don't care. I just asked that jokingly because someone posted "Jesus Christ," and I thought I'd comment on that :)

Jesus lives in Alabama? :?

See, there are question marks.

I am sorry about that Yakirz, well anywho what is new in Montgomery?

i thought this thread was finished. so we all agree that the major urban centers are growing at a good rate correct? let's leave it at that shall we?

No offence, but it is just more than urban population, this thread is also about economic growth aswell, so this thread is far from over.

Birmingham all the way!

No offence, but it is just more than urban population, this thread is also about economic growth aswell, so this thread is far from over.

:badnews:

LoL !!!

That's something else I can agree on. I think the whole state's future is bright, but particularly in the state's "big 4." We might not be adding huge skyscrapers every year like some other cities, but our economy is strong and growing stronger, more and more people are moving here (not at an exponential rate, but steady enough), etc. I think more folks in the region and nation are beginning to take notice.


Nearly 5% GDP growth to back up your assesment.

And considering that is with low population growth, that means standard of livings' are increasing at a rate that is some of the highest in the developed world.

Long term: GDP growth % - Pop. growth % = standard of living growth

I'm starting a new thread with my true feelings about Birmingham. Mobile and Huntsville are both wonderful places and Alabama's lucky to have them.

That would be a good Idea, now we can talk about Huntsville and Montgomery on this thread.