Census: Huntsville and Auburn growing rapidly, Montgomery shrinking

By Challen Stephens

May 19, 2016

Huntsville continues to lead the growth in Alabama, according to new Census estimates released today, adding more than 10,000 residents since 2010. That’s more than any other city in the state.

At the current rate of growth, Huntsville would pass Birmingham as the state’s largest city within 15 years.

“I’m not worried about being biggest,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle when told about the new estimates, “I just want to make sure we keep giving a good quality of life.”

In Alabama, there are only four major cities, each hovering on either side of 200,000 people. And among these four, Montgomery is shrinking, while Mobile and Birmingham have been essentially stable since 2010.

Meanwhile, the new estimates for city populations in 2015 show growth in Huntsville picking up, as the city added 2,377 of those new residents from 2014 to 2015.

“You have to grow as a city to be a successful, healthy city,” said Battle, but added: “That’s a fine line to make sure your community grows but you don’t outgrow your infrastructure.”

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