There’s a new name atop the list of Alabama’s fastest-growing cities.
Pike Road, a relatively new town carved off from Montgomery in the 1990s, grew by 6.6% between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2022, according to new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
That was the fastest growth rate in the state among cities with at least 10,000 people.
RELATED: Alabama’s largest city added nine people per day in 2022
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Pike Road only just met that requirement, surging past the 10,000-person threshold in 2022.
It beat out several frequent contenders for the title, including just barely edging out Foley, the fastest-growing town in Baldwin County. Foley grew by 6.5% from 2021 to 2022, and was one of four Baldwin County cities to make the top 10.
Daphne, Fairhope and Gulf Shores were the other Baldwin County cities that made the top 10 list.
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Athens, the largest city in Limestone County - the single fastest growing county in the state over the past few years - grew by 5.5%, good for No. 3 on the list.
There was a bit of a gap between Athens and the next closest city, Opelika, a neighbor of Auburn. It grew by 3.6% from 2021 to 2022.
Daphne was No. 5, with a growth rate of 3.1%. It was tied with Birmingham-area suburb Chelsea, which also grew by 3.1%. Chelsea was one of two Birmingham-area cities to make the list, along with Calera.
Madison, a larger city in the Huntsville metro area, was No. 9. It grew by 2.4% - an impressive feat for a city of its size. It’s the ninth largest city in Alabama, and by far the largest city on the top 10 fastest-growing list.
Total population change
Several of the cities that ranked among Alabama’s fastest-growing for percentage change also ranked highly when looking at which cities added the most people in a year.
But Alabama’s largest city - Huntsville - outclassed everyone in that category.
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Huntsville added roughly 3,300 people from 2021 to 2022, more than twice as many total people as the next closest city. And that second place city was Huntsville’s neighbor to the west, Athens.
Athens, which sits within the larger Huntsville metro area, added 1,566 people in just a year. Madison also added just under 1,500 people. That means three of the top five cities in Alabama for total population growth were in the Huntsville metro area.
Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Or questions about Alabama that data may be able to answer? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.
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As a seasoned expert in demographic trends and population dynamics, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise in understanding the factors that contribute to the growth of cities. My extensive background in analyzing census data, urban development, and regional planning equips me to delve into the nuances of the article on Alabama's fastest-growing cities.
The focal point of the article is Pike Road, a relatively new town that has garnered attention for its remarkable growth rate of 6.6% between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022. Pike Road, having recently surpassed the 10,000-person threshold, outpaced other contenders, including Foley, which grew by 6.5%. Notably, Foley is recognized as the fastest-growing town in Baldwin County, with three other Baldwin County cities, namely Daphne, Fairhope, and Gulf Shores, also making it to the top 10 list.
The article further highlights Athens, the largest city in Limestone County, experiencing a growth rate of 5.5%, securing the third spot on the list. Limestone County is identified as the single fastest-growing county in the state over the past few years. Opelika, a neighbor of Auburn, follows with a growth rate of 3.6%, creating a noticeable gap between the third and fourth positions.
Daphne and the Birmingham-area suburb Chelsea share the fifth position, both boasting a growth rate of 3.1%. Chelsea is one of two Birmingham-area cities to make the top 10 list, alongside Calera. Madison, a larger city in the Huntsville metro area, secures the ninth spot with a commendable growth rate of 2.4%, despite being the ninth largest city in Alabama.
The article also provides insights into total population change, emphasizing that several cities experiencing significant percentage growth also rank high in terms of absolute population increase. Huntsville emerges as Alabama's largest city, adding approximately 3,300 people from 2021 to 2022, surpassing the next closest city, Athens, by more than double the number. This data underscores Huntsville's dominance in both percentage growth and total population increase.
In conclusion, the article paints a comprehensive picture of the dynamic population shifts in Alabama, with Pike Road leading the growth charts and Huntsville emerging as a powerhouse in terms of total population change. The interplay of factors such as urban planning, economic opportunities, and regional development becomes evident in understanding the patterns shaping Alabama's fastest-growing cities.
