Alabama is located in the southeastern region of the United States. It borders 4 other states, Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama has the 30th largest area by landmass out of all 50 states and is the 24th most populous state. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about Alabama.
Alabama is a beautiful state, home to friendly people, and tight-knit communities. Alabama is referred to by many as having the best southern hospitality, which is a term used by many to explain the kind and friendly nature of the state’s residents. The crime rates are extremely low and Alabama is considered by many to be a great and safe place to start a family.
The landscape and scenery in Alabama are mesmerizing, with hundreds of unique and beautiful places to visit and explore. Alabama is home to 8 different national parks, filled with amazing hikes and excursions, breathtaking sights, and natural scenic landscapes. There are also 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of Alabama’s land – boredom is virtually non-existent when in Alabama.
When considering the interesting facts about Alabama, it is important to familiarize yourself with the size of the state, both population, and physical size. With a population of over 4.9 million, Alabama is the 24th most populous state in the US and has the 30th largest area by landmass (52,420 square miles). There are 67 different counties in Alabama and Birmingham is by far the largest city within the state, not just in size but population too. It is not; however, the state capital, that title belongs to Montgomery.
Interesting facts about Alabama are plentiful for many reasons and stem from the state’s culture, people, history, geography, and economy. When considering these facts, and more specifically, historic facts about Alabama, there isn’t a better place to start than looking at the state nickname, and how it adopted this famous name.
The Alabama nickname “Yellowhammer” we know today originates from the civil war. There have been a few different theories over the years as to why Alabama adopted this historical nickname, the first being that the nickname was inspired by the gray uniforms of the Confederate soldiers which had a yellow tint to it due to them being “home-dyed”.
And the second valid theory is that a platoon of soldiers paraded in uniforms which were trimmed with yellow cloth. This was thought to have been a ploy by the soldiers to remind people of Yellowhammers, which are birds with pretty little yellow patches underneath their wings. If you would like to learn more information regarding Alabama’s state nickname and other nicknames used to associate with the state, take a look at our page on this.
Facts About Alabama
The next set of interesting facts about Alabama originate from the magic city of Birmingham, AL, there are so many facts about Birmingham that stem from all the amazingly different qualities the city possesses, and historical figures originating from the city.
Located in the north-central region of Alabama, Birmingham is the most populated city within the state and is considered to be the seat of Jefferson County. Despite being the largest city in Alabama, Birmingham is actually one of the youngest, the city was founded in 1871 at the crossing point of two rail lines, residing near one of the world’s richest mineral deposits!
Birmingham, much like many other cities, towns, and even some states in the US was named after a British location, the famous English city of Birmingham, UK. This makes sense due to the British Empire’s influence on the United States over a number of years leading up to the Revolutionary War.
Birmingham, Alabama residents embrace their city’s history and you can even find a Doctor Who fans club, The Jane Austen Society, the Etiquette School of Birmingham, and the Birmingham Museum of Art’s collection of Wedgwood pottery, which is the largest in the world outside of the UK!
Alabama has always been considered a popular state in the US, with a deep and rich history, business opportunities presented to companies large, small, and everything in between, and many booming industries such as Automotive, Technology, Aerospace, Forestry, and Agriculture. This has contributed to creating an abundance of facts about Alabama.
Here are some more facts about Alabama that you may not know
- Although Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city, according to census projections, Huntsville is set to take the top stop within the next 10 years.
- Birmingham, AL is home to a replica Statue of Liberty!
- Jefferson County, AL banned the sale and consumption of alcohol between 1908 – 1911. Following this, a statewide law was put into effect in 1915 making the whole state dry from alcohol until 1937.
- Alabama hosts the largest and most historic veterans day celebrations each year.
- Alabama is the only state to have an alcoholic beverage as its official state drink. Conecuh Ridge Whiskey is the drink used to represent the state, this is extremely ironic when you consider the statewide ban from booze back in the early 1900s.
- Alabama was the first-ever state to introduce Christmas as an official legal state holiday.
- The first rocket to send a man to the moon was designed in the Yellowhammer state.
- Alabama is the only state where all three ingredients required to make iron and steel can be located in close proximity to one another.
- The first-ever 911 call in the US was made in the state of Alabama.
- The first place to celebrate the famous Mardi Gras was Mobile, Alabama.
- The American Civil War first took place in Alabama.
- The first Europeans to find Alabama were the Spanish; however, the French were the ones who settled in the state.
- Alabama is home to the largest cast-iron statue in the world. In 1904, the city of Birmingham constructed an impressive 56-foot statue of the Roman god of fire and forging, Vulcan.
- Alabama is home to the only bookstore in the world to sell only signed copies!
- The first-ever successful live open-heart surgery was performed in Alabama.
- Alabama is the most religious state in the US.
- Alabama is home to African-American baseball pioneers Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, as well as legendary boxer Joe Louis.
- Alabama’s highest point is Cheaha Mountain, at 2,407 feet above sea-level.
- Alabama’s constitution has over 300,000 words and 775 amendments.
- The Alabama state abbreviation is AL.
- The speed limit in Alabama is 70 mph.
Economic Facts About The State of Alabama
Alabama has a good business climate that is defined by a coalescence of hardworking companies that have given Alabama the supportive business climate it is known for. Facts about the state of Alabama originate from the beautiful forests, vast, attractive landscapes, and undeniably unique people and cultures that make Alabama such a popular place to live. One of Alabam’s mottos is “One State. Many Paths to Success.”
People who decide to take the plunge and move to Alabama do so because it is not just an affordable place to live (Top 10 Most Affordable) with relatively low taxes when compared with other states, but it is home to some of the most beautiful scenery, as well as some of the most hospitable residents you will find in the whole of the US.
If you would like to learn how to register a business in Alabama so you can start your entrepreneurial journey, we have created a checklist walking you through the process.
With all the opportunities this presents to companies and those looking to start a new business or franchise, or those simply looking for employment, the state’s economy has been growing well, and at a consistent rate. Alabama’s industries not only have deep roots, but they’re also widespread from years of tremendous growth and development. Alabama’s targeted business sectors consist of companies that have found success in Alabama and garnered international attention across the world.
Let’s take a look at some economic facts about the state of Alabama
- Alabama’s GDP is over $204 billion.
- Alabama’s GDP per capita is over $41,000.
- Alabama ranks 10th in the US for infrastructure (CNBC’s Top States for Business, 2019).
- Alabama is rated 23rd for tax and revenue stability (fiscal) out of all 50 states according to US News & World Report (2019).
- Alabama’s leading industries, as well as economic contributors, are; automotive, technology, forestry products, bioscience, chemicals, agriculture, and aerospace and aviation.
- Alabama is home to over 401,000 small businesses.
- Alabama is home to over 802,000 small business employees.
- Small businesses make up over 99% of Alabama businesses.
- Small businesses create jobs for over 47% of Alabama’s workforce.
- Alabama’s sales tax rate is 4%.
- Alabama income tax rates are 2%, 4%, & 5%.
- The minimum wage in Alabama (2020) is $7.25 per hour.
- Alabama is ranked as the 6th most affordable state to live in (CNBC’s Top States for Business, 2019).
- Agriculture is a top-performing industry in Alabama, in 2018 Alabama generated approximately $5.8 billion in agricultural cash receipts.
- Alabama is ranked 22nd for Cost of Doing Business in the state (CNBC’s Top States for Business, 2019).
- Since the early 19th century, Alabama’s education system has been improving massively, with public schools still facing slight underfunding, there is still some way to go for the state, but its education system is certainly heading in the right direction.
- The corporate income tax in Alabama is 6.5%.
A snapshot of the facts about Alabama state detailed above illustrates why many people choose Alabama to either start a new business or franchise or relocate to the state for work or personal reasons. It is hard to argue why over 1 million people moved to Alabama between 2010 and 2018!
History of Alabama State
When looking into the facts about Alabama, another interesting place to begin would be how it was founded. When considering the history of the United States, it is no secret that European settlers were some of the first inhabitants, especially the Spanish. It was Spanish explorers who are believed to have arrived at Mobile Bay, AL in 1519.
The first permanent European settlement in Alabama was, however, founded the French, not Spanish, at Fort Louis de la Mobile in 1702. Over 50 years after settling, the British ended up gaining control of the area by 1763 by the Treaty of Paris, however, pretty much the whole region of Alabama was surrendered to the US and Spain after the American Revolution.
On December 14, 1819, Alabama was admitted to the union, becoming the 22nd state to join the union, which subsequently led to the inception of the United States.
