Census: Huntsville leads Ala. growth

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Huntsville is growing faster than Alabama's three other major cities.

New Census estimates released Thursday show Huntsville's population has jumped to an estimated 176,645 people. That's a growth of more than 18,000 residents since 2000.

Birmingham and Mobile both lost population, while Montgomery had modest growth.

An economist at Auburn University Montgomery, Kevin Deravi, said it's no surprise Huntsville is gaining residents faster than other cities. He cites jobs linked to the city's technology base, which includes NASA and the Army's Redstone Arsenal.

Deravi said Huntsville will continue to grow since people are moving to the city because of the Pentagon's decision to relocate thousands to the area.

Looking at some cities in our area, comparing results of the 2000 Census to current estimates:

Bay Minette +223

Bayou La Batre +546

Birmingham -14,022

Brewton -219

Citronelle +79

Crestview +4,678

Dauphin Island +215

Elberta +925

Fairhope +4,667

Foley +6,217

Gulf Breeze +915

Gulf Shores +5,204

Huntsville +18,429

Mobile -7,893

Orange Beach +2,447

Pensacola -2,435

Robertsdale +1,182

Saraland +658

Satsuma +321

Spanish Fort +357