Alabama’s population growth is increasingly concentrated in the Huntsville region, with new federal estimates showing North Alabama continuing to outpace the rest of the state as other areas slow or decline.

According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, Limestone and Madison counties were the two fastest-growing counties in Alabama in 2025, anchoring a broader surge tied to the Huntsville metropolitan area.

Limestone County led the state with a 3.3% growth rate, adding 3,877 residents to reach a population of 122,928. Madison County also posted strong gains, continuing a multi-year trend that has added tens of thousands of residents since 2020.

The data comes from the Census Bureau’s annual Population Estimates Program, which tracks changes using birth, death, and migration data. Full county-level estimates are available here.

At the metro level, the Huntsville area added about 14,000 residents in 2025, placing it among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Comparable metro-level data can be found here.

Growth is also extending beyond the metro’s core counties. Nearby counties including Cullman and Marshall continued to post steady gains, reflecting how expansion tied to Huntsville’s economy is spreading across a broader portion of North Alabama.

While growth in North Alabama remains strong, the latest data suggests it is becoming more concentrated.

Jefferson County, Alabama’s most populous county, lost roughly 800 residents over the past year, while the Birmingham metro area grew by just 0.3%. The Mobile metro area also recorded a population decline.

The divergence highlights a broader shift in where growth is occurring across Alabama.

In previous years, population increases were more widely distributed across multiple regions, including coastal Baldwin County and several mid-sized metros. The latest estimates, however, point to a more defined pattern, with the Huntsville area emerging as the state’s primary growth engine.

That trend aligns with continued economic expansion in North Alabama, particularly in industries tied to defense, aerospace, and technology, as well as ongoing residential development in surrounding counties.

At the same time, statewide growth has moderated alongside national trends, making the Huntsville region’s gains stand out more sharply.

By the numbers (2025 Census estimates)

– Fastest-growing county: Limestone County (+3.3%)
– Second-fastest: Madison County
– Huntsville metro growth: ~14,000 residents
– Huntsville metro: Among fastest-growing in U.S.
– Limestone growth since 2020: ~19,000 residents
– Madison growth since 2020: 45,000+ residents
– Birmingham metro growth: +0.3%
– Mobile metro: Population decline
– Jefferson County: ~-800 residents

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].