Welcome to Alabama
Your life in the Yellowhammer State begins
Welcome to Alabama
Alabama is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, the Cotton State, and the Heart of Dixie and is the 24th largest state in the country with a population of more than 4.9 million people. Alabama is known for its iron and steel natural resources, sweet tea, Southern hospitality, and football.
The state's major industries include information technology, chemicals, automotive, aerospace, and forestry. Because 70 percent of the state is covered in forests and because it's rich in iron ore, limestone, and coal, Alabama is known for its timber and it makes sense that the Yellowhammer state is the largest supplier of steel pipe and cast-iron products.
Some of the top attractions in Alabama include Gulf State Park, Cheaha State Park, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Oak Mountain State Park, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the McWane Science Center, Mobile Bay, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum.
Alabama Self-Storage Facts
Alabama has seen a recent surge in self-storage development activity, due in part to net positive population growth throughout the state creating more demand for the product. Developers did not keep up with demand for self-storage space in the wake of the last recession, leading to a scarcity of supply and rising storage rates. This trend is playing out nationwide and in the great state of Alabama as well. Now self-storage developers have been building new facilities in top Alabama destination to tap into the pent up demand.
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Alabama:
1,002
Alabama is home to more than 1,002 self-storage facilities
30,065,572
Alabama facilities offer more than 30,065,572 million square feet of storage space combined.
6.29
Alabama has 6.29 square feet of storage space for every man, woman, and child. That's more than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.
Reasons to Move to Alabama
Considering a move to Alabama, but not quite convinced yet? Take a look at our top 10 reasons to love the Heart of Dixie.
1
A low cost of living. Compared to most states, Alabama has a very low cost of living. So if you move to the Yellowhammer State, you'll have more cash to splurge on the things you really want.
2
Friendly folks. Southern hospitality makes people really friendly in Alabama - friendly enough to strike up a random conversation during your daily commute or while standing in line at the grocery store.
3
Scenic beaches. Alabama has plenty of beaches for when you want to work on your tan or just have a fun-filled day at the beach with the family. Check out Gulf Shores Main Public Beach, Cotton Bayou Beach, Dauphin Island Public Beach, or West End Beach.
4
Gorgeous state parks. Alabama is home to several state parks that make it easy to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and swimming, including Oak Mountain State Park, Cheaha State Park, and Gulf State Park.
5
Football is king. Similar to states like Louisiana and Texas, football is king in Alabama, especially if you're talking about the famous rivalry between college football teams the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
6
Laid back lifestyle. If you're looking for the crawling country pace, you'll find it in Alabama. The people in Alabama have a very laid back way of life so you'll fit right in if that's your kind of living.
7
Big city living. In Alabama, you can have the best of both worlds - big city living or the slow crawl of country life. Larger cities like Birmingham can provide the big city living you're craving.
8
The sweet tea. If you're a fan of sweet tea, you'll love the sweetness factor in Alabama. Much like other southern states, in Alabama, you'll get the perfect blend complete with a Mason jar to drink it out of if you know where to go.
9
Great higher education. Alabama is home to four Tier 1 universities, including The University of Alabama (UA), the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Auburn University (AU), and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).
10
Delicious southern food. Can't get enough of delicious southern cuisine? Alabama can give you your fill of classic southern staples like fried chicken, black-eyed peas, collard greens, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and a sweet potato pie for dessert.
Moving to Alabama
Alabama has a population of 4.9 million people and ranks as the 24th most populous state in the US. Between 2018 and 2019, Alabama's population grew by 0.21 percent. According to a 2018 Atlas Van Lines' Migration Patterns study, more people are moving into Alabama than out and it's among the top 10 states in the US for inbound moves. People are moving for the great weather and the low cost of living.
Alabama Economic Outlook
Alabama's GDP was $221.7 billion was of 2018, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The state's unemployment rate was 3 percent as of September 2019.
Below is a breakdown of the largest sectors of the Alabama economy by real value GDP added:
Alabama is looking at a job growth rate of 1.2 percent and is expected to add about 25,000 new jobs through 2020. Construction is a huge growth area for the state and the automotive industry is also growing with 4,000 new jobs expected to be added throughout 2021 thanks to building plans for new plants. Furthermore, Amazon is expected to create 1,500 new jobs in a Birmingham fulfillment center. Alabama has a cost of living score of 88.6, which means it's cheaper than the national average. Housing costs are also significantly lower than the national average.
Who are Alabama's Largest Employers?
Places to live in Alabama
Alabama covers roughly 52,419 square miles and has diverse landscapes, ranging from beaches to mountains to forests. The three largest cities include Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile.
Birmingham
Birmingham is Alabama's largest city and has a population of more than 210,099 people. Due to its rapid growth, Birmingham was nicknamed Magic City and offers plenty for residents and visitors alike to enjoy, including Oak Mountain State Park, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Zoo, Vulcan Park and Museum, and Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure.
Montgomery
Montgomery is the second-largest city in Alabama with a population of more than 197,337 people. It also happens to be the capital of Alabama and what would the capital city be without an array of sights to see and activities to enjoy? The city has so much to offer, including the Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Center, the Alabama Safari Park, Riverfront Park, Blount Cultural Park, and the Museum of Alabama.
Mobile
Mobile is the third-largest city in Alabama and more than 191,437 people call it home. It was named one of the best cities to live in the US by National Geographic mostly likely because of the range of activities, the restaurant and bar life, the architecture, and the array of museums and other attractions, such as the Mobile Carnival Museum, Dauphin Street, the History Museum of Mobile, the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, and Battleship USS Alabama.
Moving to Alabama Resources
All Alabama Cities
- Anniston
- Auburn
- Bessemer
- Birmingham
- Cullman
- Foley
- Gardendale
- Hoover
- Huntsville
- Madison
- Montgomery
- Opelika
- Decatur
- Florence
- Tuscaloosa
- Dothan
- Gadsden
- Prattville
- Phenix City
- Alabaster
- Enterprise
- Northport
- Athens
- Daphne
- Pelham
- Oxford
- Albertville
- Selma
- Trussville
- Ozark
- Leeds
- Theodore
- Tuskegee
- Hazel Green
- Hartselle
- Semmes
- Boaz
- Sylacauga
- Scottsboro
- Orange Beach
- Fort Payne
- Guntersville
- Lanett
- Bay Minette
- Saraland
- Fairhope
- Sheffield
- Helena
- Fairfield
- Muscle Shoals
- Centre
- Heflin
- Moody
- Robertsdale
- Gulf Shores
- Alexander City
- Irondale
- Talladega
- Arab
- Millbrook
- Summerdale
- Spanish Fort
- Tuscumbia
- Calera
- Wetumpka
- Harvest
- Meridianville
- Moulton
- Loxley
- Mccalla
- Pell City
- Lincoln
- Russellville
- Homewood
- Vestavia Hills
- Valley
- Clanton
- Pike Road
- Eufaula
- Fultondale
- Montevallo
- Hueytown
- Oneonta
- Mobile