Considering or planning a move to the Huntsville area?
We Huntsvillians forget what a unique place we live in. Or maybe we never felt it at all because we’ve been here long enough for it to become normal. We’ve become accustomed to living around rocket scientists, engineers, PhD’s, and FBI agents, in a nature-loving culture in the cotton-growing Bible Belt.
We’ve proven that Colorado isn’t the only state with an abundance of mountain (aka hills) hiking and biking trails, and organizations like the North Alabama Land Trust that work tirelessly to keep North Alabama green. And our more-than-competent city government has helped secure a vast array of industries that has helped make the economy resilient over the last several decades.
It’s been said that Huntsville is the birthplace of NASA. NASA’s largest center and the world’s largest space museum are here. Where else…?
Browse below for more information to get a feel for this uncommon place.
Articles
Huntsville’s identity is very diverse. See what news sources say about it.
The city of Huntsville had over 227,000 residents in 2022. It is 226 square miles and 145,000 acres. The metropolitan statistical area has over a half million residents. Home ownership rate is 56.7%. There are over 85,000 households with an average household income of $87,475, while the median household income sits at $60,959 per year. Huntsville is the state’s largest city, though Birmingham’s metropolitan area is still much larger with more than 1 million residents.
General Information
Weather, cost of living, crime maps, where to vote and more can be found here.
When Huntsville was first incorported it was dubbed “Twickenham.” Twickenham now applies to the historic district that contains the largest concentration of antebellum homes in the state.
Schools
Information on public and private schools is located here. Check out the handy address look-ups to find yours.
You may hear the area being referred to as “the Tennessee Valley.” IT is due to the fact that the Tennessee River flows all the way across the northernmost part of the state, meeting Huntsville about midway.
Redstone Arsenal is the name of the Army Base attached to Huntsville that is also home to the headquarters of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Aviation and Missile Command, Space and Missile Defense Command, Missile Defense Agency, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the ATF, and the FBI’s second headquarters.
Being new to the area will make you fit right in. Since NASA was born here so many years ago, Huntsville has been a melting pot of people from all over the country and the world. It started when Werner Von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists made Huntsville their home after World War II.
Cities and Towns
Explore the surrounding suburbs and communities.
(Photo: Downtown Madison, Huntsville’s largest suburb)
Emerging technologies in Huntsville include gaming, electronic communications, modeling & simulation, geospatial, energy, cyber security, robotics and small satellites. Many of these industries are located in Cummings Research Park, the second largest Research park of its kind in the country. While Huntsville is known primarily for Space and Defense, the Automotive Industry is making a big splash with the advent of Mazda/Toyota Manufacturing, a final assembly plant for Vehicles of both brands.
The Great Outdoors
You came for the economic opportunity. But who knew North Alabama had so much natural beauty?
(Photo: Blevins Gap Overlook)
Huntsville is set in the foothills of the Appalachains. With 132,000 miles of rivers and streams, much of the fresh water resources in the continental U.S. flow through or originate in Alabama. Most of the major rivers contain one or more hydroelectric dams, creating numerous RESERVOIRS for recreation. Seven of these lakes are within a two-hour drive.
Huntsville, AL is home to family fun!
Located up north in the state of Alabama, Huntsville is the perfect place for anyone wanting to enjoy the outdoors with scenic locations and parks.
With affordable living being one of the top reasons people choose it as their home, the fun-filled attractions and events such as The Alabama Jubilee Balloon Festival definitely don’t disappoint.
Whether you enjoy history and ancient wars or are a fan of some classical music and opera, Huntsville offers fun family things to do and see. Every weekend you and your kids can enjoy a new outdoor activity or visit any of the famous attractions.
It’s the perfect place for music and art lovers with the many music halls and museums Huntsville, AL, has to offer.
You can find information about any upcoming events on the websites above and plan your week accordingly to enjoy a fun-filled time with your family and get the most of our beloved city.