Greater Birmingham | |
|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area | |
     Clockwise from top: Downtown Birmingham,Alabama Theatre in Downtown Birmingham, Old Mill in Mountain Brook, Aerial picture ofSamford University in Homewood,Vulcan statue in Birmingham | |
 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Alabama |
| Largest city |  Birmingham |
| Principal cities | -Hoover -Vestavia Hills -Alabaster -Homewood -Trussville -Bessemer -Talladega -Sylacauga -Cullman |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,566 sq mi (11,830 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,115,289 |
| • Rank | 50th |
| • Density | 217/sq mi (84/km2) |
| GDP | |
| • MSA | $79.098 billion (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (CDT) |
| Area codes | 205,659 |
| Website | www |
TheBirmingham metropolitan area, sometimes known asGreater Birmingham, is ametropolitan area in northcentral Alabama centered onBirmingham, Alabama, United States.
As of 2023[update], the federal government defines theBirmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area as consisting of seven counties (Bibb,Blount,Chilton,Jefferson,St. Clair,Shelby, andWalker) centered on Birmingham.[2] The population of thismetropolitan statistical area as of the2020 census was 1,180,631, making it the 50th largest metropolitan statistical area in the United States as of that date.
The seven counties in the Birmingham metropolitan statistical area are combined with the Cullmanmicropolitan area (Cullman County) and theTalladega–Sylacauga Micropolitan Statistical Area (Talladega County andCoosa County) to form the federally definedBirmingham–Cullman–Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area.[2]
According to theUnited States Census 2020 census, thecombined statistical area has a population of 1,415,988. It is the 42nd largest population sub-region in the United States, and the largest population region inAlabama, constituting roughly 1/4 of the state's population. It is the largest population region inCentral Alabama. The northern counties of the Birmingham metro area specifically Blount and Cullman are also part of the North Alabama region also known locally as theTennessee Valley and are overlapped by the much larger Birmingham metropolitan area despite its proximity to the nearby Huntsville metro. Nearby countiesTuscaloosa,Etowah, andCalhoun, while not officially a part ofGreater Birmingham, contribute significantly to the region's economy. The Birminghammedia market covers these counties as well. According to theList of metropolitan areas of Alabama, Birmingham is the largest urban area and metro in Alabama. Birmingham is part of thePiedmont Atlantic Megaregion containing an estimated 19 million people, while many residents also consider themselves part of theDeep South. It is classified asSoutheast by the U.S. Census and also falls in the geographic area of theUpland South due to its location at the southern terminus of theAppalachian foothills. The entire MSA and CSA are within the congressional Appalachian Regional Commission's definition ofAppalachia.
Counties marked with * are officially part of the Birmingham–Cullman–Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area
| County | 2022 Estimate | 2020 Census | Change | Area | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 665,409 | 674,721 | −1.38% | 1,111 sq mi (2,880 km2) | 599/sq mi (231/km2) |
| Shelby County | 230,115 | 223,024 | +3.18% | 785 sq mi (2,030 km2) | 293/sq mi (113/km2) |
| St. Clair County | 93,932 | 91,103 | +3.11% | 632 sq mi (1,640 km2) | 149/sq mi (57/km2) |
| Walker County | 64,339 | 65,342 | −1.54% | 805 sq mi (2,080 km2) | 80/sq mi (31/km2) |
| Blount County | 59,512 | 59,134 | +0.64% | 645 sq mi (1,670 km2) | 92/sq mi (36/km2) |
| Chilton County | 45,884 | 45,014 | +1.93% | 693 sq mi (1,790 km2) | 66/sq mi (26/km2) |
| Bibb County | 22,005 | 22,293 | −1.29% | 623 sq mi (1,610 km2) | 35/sq mi (14/km2) |
| Total | 1,181,196 | 1,180,631 | +0.05% | 4,489 sq mi (11,630 km2) | 223/sq mi (86/km2) |
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 140,420 | — | |
| 1910 | 226,476 | 61.3% | |
| 1920 | 310,054 | 36.9% | |
| 1930 | 431,493 | 39.2% | |
| 1940 | 459,930 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 556,926 | 21.1% | |
| 1960 | 812,094 | 45.8% | |
| 1970 | 833,075 | 2.6% | |
| 1980 | 930,281 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 956,844 | 2.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,052,238 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,061,024 | 0.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,115,289 | 5.1% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,114,262 | −0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[3] | |||
Cities marked with * are officially part of the Birmingham–Cullman–Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area
According to the 2019 ACS 1-Year Estimates Data Profiles, there were 1,090,435 people living in the Birmingham–Hoover, AL Metropolitan Area. The racial makeup of the area was 65.8%White, 31.6%African American, 1.9%Asian, 0.9%Native American, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 1.6% fromother races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 4.5% of the population wereHispanic of any race.[4]
The economy ofGreater Birmingham is the most diversified of any metropolitan area in Alabama. Many of the region's major employers are located in Birmingham and Jefferson County. The economy of Birmingham ranges from service industries such as banking and finance to health-related technological research and heavy industry. TheUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is Alabama's largest employer as well as the area's largest, with some 20,000 employees. The area is world headquarters forRegions Financial, andBooks-A-Million, the second largest book retailer in the United States.
Birmingham is known as the shopping destination in the state of Alabama and a primary shopping hub of thePiedmont Atlantic Megaregion. It includes the major retail destination for the region, theRiverchase Galleria mall, along with several other shopping centers and malls.
Greater Birmingham is at the convergence of four major interstate highways:Interstate 65 (which connects withMobile andChicago);Interstate 20 (which connects withDallas andAtlanta);Interstate 59 (which connects withNew Orleans andChattanooga); andInterstate 22 (which connects withMemphis).Interstate 459, completed in 1984, forms a southern bypass around Birmingham. It runs through portions ofBessemer,Vestavia Hills, andTrussville, and forms a main route through the primary city ofHoover.Interstate 422, the Birmingham Northern Bypass is planned to run from the current I-20/59/459 interchange near Bessemer to Interstate 59 andUS Route 11 nearArgo. It is planned to be completed by 2048.
Four U.S. highways,US-31,US-11,US-78, andUS-280, run through Greater Birmingham. US-31 parallelsInterstate 65 for its entire route, including Greater Birmingham. US-280 runs southeast of the city, connecting it withAuburn andAuburn University. The corridor through suburban Birmingham is notorious for its severe congestion as it carries about 200% of its traffic capacity. US-31 and 280 merge inHomewood to form the Elton B. Stephens Expressway known locally as theRed Mountain Expressway. This expressway goes through ageologic cut through Red Mountain, connecting downtown Birmingham to its southern suburbs. US-78 parallelsInterstate 22 to the northwest of Birmingham, andInterstate 20 to the east. US-11 parallelsInterstate 59 for its entire route. All four of these highways meet in downtown Birmingham.
.svg)
Interstate 20.svg)
Interstate 22.svg)
Interstate 59.svg)
Interstate 459.svg)
Interstate 65
U.S. Highway 11
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 78
U.S. Highway 231
U.S. Highway 280
U.S. Highway 411Birmingham received $87 million from the US Congress to help fund a regional transportation system. The city's new $30 million, three-block intermodal station brings Amtrak, Greyhound, theBirmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and automotive transportation together in one place.
Greater Birmingham is served byBirmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport withAmerican Airlines,American Eagle,Southwest,United, andDelta providing service to more than 40 cities. Established in 1931, BHM has been governed by the Birmingham Airport Authority since its establishment in 1986. In 2008, the airport was renamed Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in honor of late Birmingham civil rights activistRev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
33°31′29″N86°48′46″W / 33.524755°N 86.81274°W /33.524755; -86.81274
