By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer
[email protected]
9.6% growth since 2000 fueled mainlyby area newcomers
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1175850989207840.xml&coll=1
Huntsville was the fastest-growing metro area in Alabama from 2000 to 2006, outpacing gains in the Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile areas by more than 2 to 1, according to U.S. Census figures released Thursday.
"Don Bogie, director of the Center for Demographic Research at Auburn University Montgomery, said the Huntsville area has consistently drawn newcomers. "The migration figure looks strong. That indicates that it's perceived as a desirable location and people are continuing to come," he said.
"It's the migration number that's driving the growth in the metropolitan area."
The migration, or net gain of new residents, accounted for 70 percent of the Huntsville area's growth, Bogie said. By comparison, migration accounted for 48.2 percent of Alabama's 3.4 percent population gain over the period. Alabama's 2006 population was listed as 4.6 million, with 73,178 of those new residents moving in, Bogie said.
Birth and death rates also affect census numbers, but the net migration rate is the truest measure of population growth as a reflection of an area's economy, he said.
"When you see something that positive, it means the economy is doing well. Jobs are available, and people are finding work," Bogie said.
Brian Hilson, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said population gains in the Huntsville-Madison-Limestone area reflect the area's strong job growth.
"It's a very good sign that's a key to our economic future," Hilson said. "When we talk with companies that are considering growing here, whether it's expanding companies or prospective, almost invariably the question they ask is work-force availability. The growth helps not only existing employees but tells future employers this is a great place to be."
Hilson said area leaders have done a good job diversifying the economy, maintaining high quality-of-life standards and keeping cost-of-living expenses low compared with other parts of the country.
"Looking at the numbers is evidence we're achieving our goals," he said.
Madison County's population accounted for 304,307 residents in the two-county Huntsville MSA, and Limestone County accounted for 72,446 residents for growth rates of 9.9 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively, over the six-year period, Bogie said.
David Seibert, chairman of the Limestone County Commission, attributed much of Limestone's growth to the strong jobs market in the Huntsville area. "The draw for us is being a bedroom community," he said."
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... you better start lobbying now, because interstate funding these days is pretty ridiculous. It's taken them over 20 years and they're still not done linking Birmingham and Memphis. Besides that, the state also has priorities of getting the Northern Beltline in Birmingham... and that doesn't include any projects in Mobile and/or the potential for the extension of I-85 beyond Montgomery. I think a Huntsville to Atlanta direct interstate connection is probably 30-40 years away at least. Atlanta is plenty large enough, but Huntsville isn't yet. Even if growth rates in Huntsville were to continue, it would be a while before that's justifiable... particularly with the amount of work on the ALDOT's plate right now.
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