Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville: The second most populous city in Alabama. It is located in the northern part of the state. Huntsville is known for its many space and aerospace industries, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

About

Huntsville is a city located in the county of Madison in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its population at the 2010 census was 180,105. After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 202,964 inhabitants.

The city was created 219 years ago in 1804.

Huntsville is a city located in Madison County, Alabama, known as "Rocket City". With a population of around 200,000, it is the third largest city in Alabama.

History and Origins

Huntsville was incorporated in 1811 and emerged as a cotton mill town. Its nickname "Rocket City" comes from the space industry that took off in the 1950s.

Key historical facts:

  • Settled in 1805 and became a cotton and textile center
  • Home to Alabama's first industrial boom after the Civil War
  • Selected as site for space industries like NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
  • Population growth accelerated as high-tech industries emerged

Economy and Major Industries

Major economic drivers today are aerospace technology, defense, manufacturing, biotech, and healthcare. Top employers include:

  • Redstone Arsenal military base
  • Cummings Research Park technology hub
  • Huntsville Hospital System
  • NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Attractions and Things to Do

Popular Huntsville attractions are:

  • U.S. Space and Rocket Center showcasing space history
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden with diverse flora and gardens
  • Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring International Park
  • Von Braun Astronomical Observatory for stargazing
  • Outdoor activities like golf, hiking, and fishing

Huntsville offers high-tech industries, culture, and natural beauty in northern Alabama.

Huntsville locator map
Location of Huntsville on Alabama map.

Quick Facts about Huntsville

Population : 202,964 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Alabama (United States)
County : Madison County
Head of government : mayor
Instagram username : huntsvillecity
Twitter username : huntsvillecity
Postal code : 35800–35899
Phone Area Codes : 256
Water as percent of area : 0.64%
Land as percent of area : 99.36%
Altitude : 633 feet / 193 meters
Capital city : Huntsville is capital of Madison County
Establishment : January 01, 1805 (219 years ago)
Time Zone : Central Time Zone
Local time : 08:43:40 (8th December 2024)
Population growth : 11.26% (2010-2020)
HsvMontage image
HsvMontage
HsvMontage image

Geography

Huntsville is located at 34°43'49"N 86°35'9"W (34.7304000, -86.5859400). It has 2 neighbors: Decatur and Athens.

Huntsville map

    Tommy Battle ,

Huntsville has 2 neighbours.

  • Decatur The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama. It is located on the Tennessee River in north-central Alabama. Decatur is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Decatur Museum of Art and History and the Decatur Civic Center.
  • Athens county seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States

Demographics

The population of Huntsville increased by 11.26% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 180,105 - census
2011 182,327 1.22% estimation process
2012 183,748 0.77% estimation process
2013 186,001 1.21% estimation process
2014 187,834 0.98% estimation process
2015 190,333 1.31% estimation process
2016 192,412 1.08% estimation process
2017 195,420 1.54% estimation process
2018 198,125 1.37% estimation process
2019 200,574 1.22% estimation process
2020 202,964 1.18% estimation process

Demographic Facts

Estimated population as of July 1, 2019 : 200,574
Based on demographic estimates as of April 1, 2010 : 180,395
Based on demographic estimates as of 1 April 2010 : 11.2%
April 1, 2020 Population : 215,006
April 1, 2010 Population : 180,105
People under 5 years old, percentage : 6.1%
People under 18 years old, percentage : 20.6%
People over 65 (%) : 16.1%
Female persons, % : 51.7%
White only, percent : 61.3%
Black or African American alone, percent : 30.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native only, % : 0.4%
Asians alone % : 2.6%
Only Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, % : 0.1%
% of people who have participated in two or more races : 2.8%
% of Hispanic or Latino : 6.2%
White people, not Hispanic or Latino people, make up the majority of the population. : 57.7%
2015-2019 Veterans : 17,580
Percentage of foreign-born people, 2015-2019 : 6.6%
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 56.7%

Huntsville zip code is 35801. County name: Madison, County fips: 01089

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Economic Facts

Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 56.7%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $182,900
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $1,296
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $383
2015-2019 median gross rent : $827
2015-2019 Households : 85,020
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.21
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 78.7%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 8.3%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 91.4%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 85.3%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 91.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 44.1%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 9.6%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 11.6%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 62.6%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 57.7%
Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : 575,051
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 2,268,155
Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : 6,213,842
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 3,945,293
2012 total retail sales per capita : $21,472
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 19.2
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $55,305
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $35,634
Percentage of people living in poverty : 16.8%
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 16,838
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 8,211
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 6,565
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 4,380
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 11,515
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,816
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 13,915
2010 population per square mile : 861.5
2010 land area in square miles : 209.05
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 73.3%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $201,200
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $1,562
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $542
2015-2019 median gross rent : $833
2015-2019 Households : 9,924
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.58
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 89.0%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 5.3%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 92.7%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 90.0%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 96.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 37.0%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 6.9%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 4.0%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 64.6%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 60.7%
Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : 45,276
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 194,121
Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : 458,433
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 706,264
2012 total retail sales per capita : $27,386
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 23.0
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $75,566
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $37,716
Percentage of people living in poverty : 10.2%
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 2,753
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,728
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 640
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 202
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 2,278
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 270
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 2,185
2010 population per square mile : 801.7
2010 land area in square miles : 32.06
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 63.4%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $164,300
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $1,635
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $836
2015-2019 median gross rent : $1,017
2015-2019 Households : 4,417
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.56
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 82.1%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 8.5%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 93.9%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 89.5%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 95.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 58.1%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 5.2%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 3.6%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 69.3%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 66.7%
Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : 26,971
Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : 973
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 212,561
2012 total retail sales per capita : $15,813
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 21.1
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $77,256
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $34,480
Percentage of people living in poverty : 11.1%
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 1,083
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 592
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 416
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 320
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 713
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 137
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 892
2010 population per square mile : 7,437.9
2010 land area in square miles : 1.82
Residential units, July 1, 2019 : 22,755
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 74.3%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $103,900
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $995
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $405
2015-2019 median gross rent : $669
Permits for construction, 2020 : 47
2015-2019 Households : 18,427
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.34
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 90.9%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 5.3%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 80.8%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 73.9%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 89.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 15.9%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 11.5%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 7.8%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 57.6%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 51.3%
Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : 41,628
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 236,584
Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : 887,565
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 556,232
2012 total retail sales per capita : $12,426
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 23.9
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $47,603
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $25,509
Percentage of people living in poverty : 16.4%
Total number of employer establishments, 2019 : 1,106
2019 total employment : 15,130
2019 total annual payroll ($1,000) : 575,478
Total employment, change in percentage terms, 2018-2019 : 1.4%
2018 total non-employer establishments : 2,977
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 4,402
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 2,949
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,013
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 78
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 4,169
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 492
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 3,753
2010 population per square mile : 69.3
2010 land area in square miles : 652.43

Best Things to Do in Huntsville

1 U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Rating: 4.7 (9320)

1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18006377223 🔗 Url

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

2 Huntsville Botanical Garden

Rating: 4.7 (3377)

4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12568304447 🔗 Url

Huntsville Botanical Garden

3 Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Rating: 4.7 (2579)

2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12565330399 🔗 Url

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

4 Big Spring Park

Rating: 4.7 (2294)

420 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12565648026 🔗 Url

Big Spring Park

5 Monte Sano State Park

Rating: 4.8 (2278)

5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12565343757 🔗 Url

Monte Sano State Park

Where ot Eat in Huntsville

1 Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center

Rating: 4.2 (2087)

930 Old Monrovia Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35806, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16789655707 🔗 Url

Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center

2 Dave & Buster's

Rating: 4.3 (1618)

950 Makers Way NW, Huntsville, AL 35806, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12569475650 🔗 Url

Dave & Buster's

3 Topgolf

Rating: 4.5 (1607)

6100 Topgolf Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35806, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12562704667 🔗 Url

Topgolf

4 Chuck E. Cheese

Rating: 4.3 (1211)

1220 Jordan Ln NW, Huntsville, AL 35816, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12565342415 🔗 Url

Chuck E. Cheese

5 AMF Pin Palace Lanes

Rating: 4.1 (515)

2006 Country Club Ave NW, Huntsville, AL 35816, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12565348438 🔗 Url

AMF Pin Palace Lanes

Where to Stay in Huntsville

1 Sleep Inn & Suites Huntsville Near U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Rating: 4.4 (361)

4727 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35816, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12563822583 🔗 Url

Sleep Inn & Suites Huntsville Near U.S. Space & Rocket Center

2 Hyatt Place Huntsville/Research Park

Rating: 4.4 (203)

6860 Governors W, Huntsville, AL 35806, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12566669660 🔗 Url

Hyatt Place Huntsville/Research Park

Other Places in Huntsville

1 USDA Rural Development

Rating: 1 (1)

4890 University Square # 3G, Huntsville, AL 35816, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12565445795 🔗 Url

2 Usda Aphis Ppq

2850 Wall Triana Hwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35824, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12567728621 🔗 Url

People born in Huntsville (187)

People born in Huntsville, including professional tennis player, college tennis coach Bryan Shelton, Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois Bennett M. Stewart, actress and singer Debby Ryan, .

List

Schools in Huntsville

College & universities near Huntsville, AL

Code Name City ZIP
449348 Huntsville Bible College Huntsville (AL) 35811-1632
100706 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville (AL) 35899
100654 Alabama A & M University Normal (AL) 35762
480976 The Salon Professional Academy-Huntsville Huntsville (AL) 35816
101912 Oakwood University Huntsville (AL) 35896

Post offices near Huntsville

Post Office Name City ZIP
Downtown Huntsvill Post Office Huntsville (AL) 35801
W Post Office Huntsville (AL) 35805
Mastin Lak Post Office Huntsville (AL) 35810
Wynn Driv Post Office Huntsville (AL) 35816
Normal Post Office Normal (AL) 35762

Other places with the same name (9)

  • Huntsville , Texas The second-largest city in Walker County, Texas. It is located in the eastern part of the state. Huntsville is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Huntsville Museum of Art and the Huntsville Botanical Garden. with a population of 41,392 people.
  • Huntsville , Arkansas city in Arkansas, USA with a population of 2,599 people.
  • Huntsville , Missouri city in Missouri with a population of 1,475 people.
  • Huntsville , Tennessee human settlement in Scott County, Tennessee, United States of America with a population of 1,285 people.
  • Huntsville , Utah town in Weber County, Utah, United States with a population of 639 people.
  • Huntsville , Ohio city in Logan County, Ohio, United States of America with a population of 441 people.
  • Huntsville , Illinois unincorporated community in Illinois with a population of 134 people.
  • Huntsville , Kansas human settlement in United States of America with a population of 113 people.

Other cities in Madison County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Madison County , AL.

City Name Population Title
Madison 52,654 The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.
Mountain Brook 20,034 City in southeastern Jefferson County, Alabama
Chelsea 14,608 City in Madison County, Alabama, United States
Lincoln 6,979 City in Talladega County, Alabama, United States
Meridianville 6,021 Unincorporated community in Alabama
Moores Mill 5,682 Census designated place
Harvest 5,281 Unincorporated community in Alabama, United States
Hazel Green 3,630 Unincorporated community in Alabama
New Hope 2,800 City in Madison County, Alabama
Owens Cross Roads 2,233 City in Madison County, Alabama, United States of America
New Market 1,597 Town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States
Triana 1,327 Town in Alabama, United States

Distance to Other Cities

Huntsville distances to largest Alabama cities