Moving to Alabama
Alabama, otherwise known as ‘Yellowhammer State’, is a wonderful state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to AL, we have organized a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful data to help make your move an easy transition.
Geography
Located in the East South Central Region of the country, Alabama is bordered by Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. With a total land area of over 52,419.02 Square Miles, it comes in as the 20th smallest state.
Population
Currently, the population of AL is 4,863,300 making it the 24th most populated state in the union and the 23rd least densely populated. The state capital, Montgomery, has a population of 200983. which is the 17th largest capital in the country.
Other Populous Alabama Cities are:
| US Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Birmingham | 212,157 |
| 115 | Montgomery | 200,022 |
| 124 | Huntsville | 193,079 |
| 125 | Mobile | 192,904 |
Notable Alabamians
Alabama is home to many famous and some infamous citizens such as, Henry Louis “e;Hank”e; Aaron a prominent baseball player is from Mobile and Ralph Abernathy a memorable civil rights activist is from Linden. Others include people like Tallulah Brockman Bankhead a actress and Hugo LaFayette Black a jurist.
Climate
Alabama is located at subtropical latitudes on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and on the southern end of the vast, relatively flat plains of central North America extending from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico. The state is therefore exposed to the influences of diverse air masses, including warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and dry continental air masses, which are cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Clockwise circulation of air around a semi-permanent high pressure system in the North Atlantic (the “Bermuda High”) causes a quite persistent southerly flow of air off the Gulf during the warmer half of the year. Thus, relatively mild winters, hot summers, and year-round precipitation characterize Alabama’s climate. In addition to serving as a predominant source of moisture, the Gulf helps moderate temperatures along the coast. This mild climate is an important economic driver for agricultural production and tourism.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new location. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Alabama’s violent crime rate is 42 per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 317per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.
Alabama ranks #13 in the US for violent crime and #10 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Alabama’s educational system.
Overall Grade: D+
Alabama spends on average $10038.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). AL ranks #44 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While AL ranks #44 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 89.30%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Alabama ranks #33 with over 42.40% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for Alabama is 4.02% which ranks 13th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. AL’s rate is $14.44 which ranks 2nd in the US.
Currently, AL sales tax is $24.67 for which it comes in as 31st compared to other states.
Sports
Unfortunately Alabama does’nt have any major league teams.
Utility Companies
Before you move to Alabama, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in AL.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to Alabama, visit their website at http://www.alabama.gov/