Iron ore, coal, and limestone defined Birmingham when it was founded in 1871. More than 150 years later, the Magic City is a vibrant place of outstanding communities committed to becoming the best version of Birmingham we can be. Birmingham is home to world-class medical research, a celebrated food and arts scene, and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. We are a community dedicated to fostering growth through a progressive business climate and a devotion to social justice.
Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Birmingham boasts more green space per capita than any other city its size in the nation, with breathtaking locations from Ruffner Mountain to Railroad Park to the 2.2 mile Vulcan Trail at the foot of Vulcan Park and Museum. The city is home to Childrens of Alabama Indy Grand Prix in April, Birmingham Freedom Fest in the summer, great HBCU football in October featuring the Magic City Classic, and the Birmingham Bowl in December.
In June 2024, Birmingham will proudly host MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues. The city-owned Rickwood Field is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and former home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The event will feature a special Regular Season game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.
Population:
The city of Birmingham has a population of nearly 200,000 and is the central hub of the Greater Birmingham Region with a population of 1.1 million, making it the largest population and economic region in the state of Alabama.
Demographics:
Birmingham has a median age of 35.7 with a median household income of $32,404. The median property value in Birmingham is $86,900 with a homeownership rate of 46.4%. The city is 71.6% black, 24.6% white and 3.5% Hispanic.
Fast Fact:
Birmingham is seventh among the 150 largest US metros for percent increase in millennial residents (ages 25-34).
History:
Birmingham was founded in 1871 at the crossing of two rail lines near one of the world’s richest deposits of minerals. The Alabama Legislature passed an act to incorporate the city on December 19, 1871.