Editor's Note: For comments and information, contact Annette Watters, program manager, Center for Business and Economic Research and manager, Alabama State Data Center 205/348-6191.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The U.S. Census Bureau has released new population estimates for Alabama’s cities and towns that give the state its most recent indications of growth since the 2000 census, according to Annette Watters, manager of the Alabama State Data Center at The University of Alabama.

Which town grew the fastest? Clearly, the answer is Pine Apple in Wilcox County. Between 2000 and 2003 Pine Apple increased its population by 80 percent. That figure represents 136 people, moving Pine Apple’s total population from 171 to 307—a big population boom in a small town.

Measuring which place grew the fastest doesn’t tell the whole story. The other obvious question is, “Which city gained the most new residents?” The answer is Huntsville. Huntsville gained 5,719 new inhabitants between 2000 and 2003. Because Huntsville has a much larger population base than Pine Apple, those thousands of people represent not an 80 percent increase, but 4 percent. Nearby Madison gained 4,741 people, only about 1,000 less than Huntsville, but that gain represents a 16 percent increase for the smaller city.

According to the new estimates, seven cities in Alabama gained more than 2,000 people between 2000 and 2003: Huntsville (5,719); Madison (4,741); Auburn (3,861); Pelham (3,041); Prattville (2,354); Dothan (2,113); and Hoover (2,059). Both Calera (1,964) and Millbrook (1,957) came close to the 2,000 mark.

Watters noted that the estimates include the time period through July 1, 2003. If a city has experienced a growth spurt during the most recent 12 months, that will be reflected in future estimates.

“Birmingham remains Alabama’s largest incorporated place, despite continuing population losses,” Watters said. “Montgomery is the state’s second largest city, followed by Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Dothan, Decatur, Auburn and Gadsden, in descending order of population size.”

In addition to Birmingham, three other of Alabama’s largest cities have lost more than 1,000 people over the past three years -- Birmingham (-6,170); Mobile (-5,727); Montgomery (-1,484); and Gadsden (-1,359).

The population totals for the year 2000 have had some enhancements since the 2000 Census was released. These newest estimates take into account corrections that have been made, either through the challenges that cities made to their census counts, or boundary annexations, or changes for any incorrect boundary information the Census Bureau may have been using.

“We need to remember that the population figures for 2003 are estimates, not a real count of people,” Watters said. “If the Census Bureau receives new, different information they can, and do, change the estimates. There is a standard procedure for city and town officials to submit the necessary documentation if they think their estimates are in error.”

She added that getting the estimate revised is not an adversarial process. Officials just provide the specified documentation the Census Bureau needs to make the correction.

Population Estimates for Alabama's 20 Largest Cities and Towns, 2000-2003

* Includes additions and corrections to the original census 2000 data.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Division, Release date, June 24, 2004.

For more information, visit the website of UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research at http://cber.cba.ua.edu. Under “Data” you will find a table with the 2003 population estimate of every Alabama city and town.