ALABAMA AT A GLANCE
Population 4,557,808
Total Area 52,423 square miles
Land Area 50,750 square miles
Water Area 1,673 square miles
Capital City Montgomery
Statehood December 14, 1819
Area Codes 205, 251, 256, 334
Agriculture Poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, soybeans
Industry Paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber/plastic products, transportation equipment, apparel, chemicals
State Bird Yellowhammer
State Song "Alabama"
State Tree Southern Longleaf Pine
State Flower Camelia
State Motto Audemus jura nostra defendere (We dare defend our rights.)
REGIONAL ECONOMY
The Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan region was once known as the South's largest manufacturing and steel producing center. Today, this area is home to more than 400 technology companies and ranks among the top 10 technology centers in the Southeast. The metro area also ranks in the top 40 of U.S. metropolitan areas for in-migration of young, single, college-educated professionals. Birmingham is the second largest banking center in the South and the seventh largest in the nation by assets, but healthcare has also emerged as a major sector of the regional economy. Nearly 10 percent of the work force is employed in healthcare-related industries and services. The University of Alabama has driven the area's healthcare sector to national prominence, and HealthSouth—the nation's largest provider of outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation services—is headquartered in Birmingham. Birmingham-Hoover ranks third as the best state for relocation, and the metro area is the Southeast's largest magazine publishing center. Two of the Southeast's largest contractors call Birmingham-Hoover their home. Jefferson and Shelby Counties are also Alabama’s largest corporate travel destinations and rank among the state's most popular for tourism.
CLIMATE & WEATHER
Metro Birmingham enjoys a temperate climate characterized by warm summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham receives slightly less rainfall than the Gulf Coast and is slightly cooler. The annual average temperature is 62 degrees. Snowfall is infrequent, with an annual average of only 0.5 inches. The average yearly rainfall is a generous 52 inches, with March being the wettest month and October the driest. Spring and fall tend to be pleasant seasons, although variable. Cold fronts occasionally bring strong to severe thunderstorms to the South. Autumn tends to bring less rainfall and fewer storms with lower humidity than the spring. The Gulf Coast communities in Mobile and Baldwin counties have an average annual temperature of 68 degrees. Winters are usually very mild and summers are consistently warm, although maximum temperatures are pleasantly moderated by cooling breezes. For up-to-date climate and weather activity and conditions, consult the National Weather Service:
Metro Birmingham
National Weather Service
www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx
COST OF LIVING COMPARISON
Metro Area Comp Grocery Housing Utilities Transport Health
New York NY 201.2 144.6 373.6 135.1 108.6 127.8
Los Angeles CA 158.2 135.8 271.7 102.9 115.0 116.6
Boston MA 133.6 112.6 163.2 126.0 111.5 130.4
Philadelphia PA 124.0 123.7 144.7 115.2 110.0 115.9
Baltimore MD 120.0 108.1 154.7 115.9 109.5 105.7
Fort Lauderdale FL 117.8 100.4 154.7 96.5 107.5 116.3
Portland OR 116.7 114.7 127.4 115.6 102.6 106.4
Seattle WA 116.3 110.0 136.8 93.6 108.7 117.1
Chicago IL 111.9 109.4 133.5 107.2 105.2 107.5
Salt Lake City UT 102.9 101.9 100.8 94.8 98.2 87.5
Tuscaloosa AL 95.5 109.9 80.1 94.5 105.6 103.6
Birmingham AL 95.4 111.6 81.0 114.9 99.5 99.2
Auburn-Opelika AL 94.4 101.9 78.7 90.9 97.3 79.0
Cincinnati OH 94.0 91.7 85.3 109.2 89.8 95.2
Huntsville AL 91.1 93.9 79.1 81.1 101.4 87.2
Mobile AL 91.0 96.6 75.7 92.0 93.1 82.6
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2006
Urban Area Comparison based on 100.0 as national average