Census estimates lift Huntsville's population 4%

Among cities that lost population in the 2000 Census, Huntsville led the nation in population growth in the three years since the census was released, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimate.

Estimated population figures released today by the Census Bureau show Huntsville grew nearly 4 percent to 164,237 residents between April 2000 and July 1, 2003.

The 2000 Census, which was disputed by city leaders, showed Huntsville's population at 158,216, a loss of 1.2 percent from the 1990 Census. The nearly 4 percent estimated jump was the biggest among cities that the Census Bureau said lost residents from 1990 to 2000. Norfolk, Va., which lost 10 percent of its population from 1990 to 2000, was second to Huntsville in growth through July 2003, adding just over 3 percent.

Plentiful jobs and a strong housing market are credited for Huntsville's population climb in the latest Census Bureau estimates.

Madison grew 16 percent to 34,080 residents, climbing one spot to become the 12th-largest city in the state.

Huntsville remains Alabama's fourth-largest city, but it's the only one of the top four that experienced a population gain since the 2000 Census count. Nearly 6,000 people were added to Huntsville's rolls over the 39-month period ending last July.

The state's largest municipality, Birmingham, shrunk by 6,200 people to 236,620 residents; Montgomery fell 1 percent to 200,123; and Mobile lost 3 percent to 193,464.

Nationally, the latest figures place Huntsville at 128th in population, Birmingham 74th, Montgomery 93rd and Mobile 109th.

The 2003 estimates by the Census Bureau are based on 2000 Census population counts updated by using administrative records such as building permits. Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer seemed pleased with the numbers but believes the count still falls short even with the July 2003 cutoff.

"We think it should be 168,000 to 170,000,'' she said. Spencer attributed the gains to the city's aggressive growth policies and new businesses such as the Toyota engine plant in northwest Huntsville and the Target distribution center in far west Huntsville.

Both companies opened since the 2000 Census.

Connie Graham, a demographer with the Huntsville Planning Commission, said the city's population gain is a logical follow to the city's strong residential and commercial growth and consistently low unemployment rankings.

"The theory is if you have as much development as we've had since 2000, when the economy is good, the housing starts to follow jobs,'' she said.

Madison's population growth from 29,329 in 2000 to an estimated 34,080 in 2003 moved it ahead of Bessemer in the state rankings.

Bessemer dropped from 29,672 people in 2000 to 29,108 in 2003. If trends continue, Madison could pass Florence for No. 11 on the list. In 2000, Florence had 6,935 more people than Madison, but Madison narrowed that gap to 1,772 last year.

Madison estimates

Madison Mayor Jan Wells said the city's census estimates closely track Community Development Director Bob Atallo's population estimates.

She welcomed the news of the city's continued growth, which began to skyrocket in the 1980s.

"We welcome the growth largely because it plays a part in our ability to recruit retail business here, as everybody wants," Wells said.

Madison's growth has primarily been in the western area near County Line Road since 2000, city officials said.

New subdivisions in that area include Heritage Provence, Buckingham, Walden, Lexington and Ashley Green.

Wells attributed the city's growth to its quality of life, which includes high achievement test scores by city school students and the availability of housing.

She said it is a challenge to provide services to a growing population, but the city has done a good job of providing police and fire protection and good roads for residents.

"We are keeping up," she said.

Decatur ranked as the state's eighth-largest city, growing from 53,929 to 54,239.

The only other Huntsville-area cities in the top 30 in population in Alabama were Athens, 19,869; and Albertville, 17,891. Athens grew by 902 residents, and Albertville increased by 644 residents.

Don Bogie, director of the Center for Demographic Research at Auburn University Montgomery, said Alabama's suburban cities continued their buildup, while rural, more isolated towns tended to lose populations.

The census showed dramatic growth in several suburban cities. Calera and Pelham in mushrooming Shelby County south of Birmingham grew 62 percent and 21 percent respectively, making them among the fastest-growing communities in Alabama of those over 2,500 in population.

Madison's 16 percent climb, Fairhope's 13 percent gain and Prattville's 10 percent hike are further examples of growing bedroom communities feeding off an urban center.

Fairhope is a major migration destination for Mobile workers, while Prattville is a residential hub for people who work in Montgomery.

Annette Waters of the Alabama State Data Center said Huntsville, Decatur and Madison are a major economic engine for North Alabama.

She said the area has fared better than other regions of the state because of all the high-tech, high-wage jobs that make for a strong, stable economy.