Birmingham, Alabama
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| Birmingham, Alabama | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Birmingham |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | The Magic City, Pittsburgh of the South |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Alabama |
| Subdivision type2 | Counties |
| Subdivision name2 | Jefferson, Shelby |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1871 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | December 19, 1871 |
| Founder | Elyton Land Company |
| Named for | Birmingham, England |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Randall Woodfin |
| Area total km2 | 393.5 |
| Area total sq mi | 151.9 |
| Area land km2 | 378.0 |
| Area land sq mi | 145.9 |
| Area water km2 | 15.5 |
| Area water sq mi | 6.0 |
| Elevation m | 196 |
| Elevation ft | 643 |
| Population total | 200,733 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 531.0 |
| Population density sq mi | 1375.6 |
| Population metro | 1,115,289 |
| Timezone | CST |
| Utc offset | −6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | −5 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 35201–35224, 35226, 35228–35229, 35231–35238, 35242–35244, 35246, 35249, 35253–35255, 35259–35261, 35266, 35270, 35282–35283, 35285, 35287, 35288, 35290–35298 |
| Area code | 205, 659 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 01-07000 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 015817 |
| Website | www.birminghamal.gov |
Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1871 during the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, it rapidly grew into a major industrial center due to abundant deposits of iron ore, coal, and limestone. The city earned the nickname "The Magic City" for its explosive growth and became a pivotal site in the Civil Rights Movement during the mid-20th century. Today, it is the most populous city in Alabama and a hub for finance, medicine, and education in the Southeastern United States.
History
The Elyton Land Company founded the city at the crossing of the Alabama and Chattanooga Railroad and the South and North Alabama Railroad, naming it for the industrial powerhouse of Birmingham, England. Its early economy was dominated by the iron and steel industry, with operations like the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron Company and Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company driving growth, the latter later becoming part of U.S. Steel. The Great Depression severely impacted its industrial base, but the city's most defining historical chapter came during the 1950s and 1960s, when it became a major battleground for desegregation. Key events included the Birmingham campaign organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Martin Luther King Jr., the violent response from Public Safety Commissioner Bull Connor, and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four girls, galvanizing support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Geography
Located in the north-central part of the state within the Jones Valley, the city is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, specifically the southern terminus of the Appalachian Ridge-and-Valley Province. The primary waterway is the Cahaba River, a major tributary of the Alabama River known for its biodiversity. The metropolitan area spans two primary counties, Jefferson and Shelby, and features significant geographic landmarks like Red Mountain, which contains rich iron ore seams, and the nearby Oak Mountain State Park.
Demographics
According to the 2020 United States Census, the city proper had a population of 200,733, while the broader Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area exceeded 1.1 million residents. The city has a majority African American population, a demographic shift that solidified in the late 20th century. Historically, the population swelled with immigrants drawn to industrial jobs, including significant numbers from Southern Europe and Appalachia. Major educational institutions influencing the population include the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Samford University.
Economy
Once dominated by steel production, the city's economy has diversified significantly. It is now a leading regional center for healthcare, anchored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital and the UAB Health System. The city is also a major banking hub, hosting the headquarters of Regions Financial Corporation and the BBVA U.S. operations before its acquisition by PNC. Other key sectors include biotechnology research, insurance with companies like Protective Life Corporation, and automotive manufacturing, with a Mercedes-Benz assembly plant located nearby in Vance, Alabama.
Culture
The city is renowned for its deep connection to the Civil Rights Movement, with institutions like the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church serving as National Historic Landmarks. It is a significant center for the arts, home to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Museum of Art, and the historic Alabama Theatre. The city's culinary identity is strongly tied to Southern cuisine, with famous dishes like the Alabama-style white barbecue sauce originating at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in nearby Decatur. The annual Sidewalk Film Festival and the Magic City Art Connection are major cultural events.
Government
The city operates under a mayor-council system. The current mayor, Randall Woodfin, was elected in 2017. The legislative body is the nine-member Birmingham City Council, with representatives elected from nine single-member districts. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County, and its government has historically been involved in landmark legal cases, including those related to desegregation orders from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Key public services are managed by entities like the Birmingham Water Works Board and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.