Census 2020
ALL COUNTED
Census 2020 ended Oct. 15, 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau released preliminary census information (PL 94-171) for the purposes of state and municipal redistricting on Aug. 12, 2021. Additional census data will be released in September 2021.
HOW WE COMPARED
Alabama and 48 other states had a 99% household response rate. Alabama’s self-response percentage of 63.5% was an improvement over the 62.5% self-response in 2010. According to Alabama Counts, 47 counties exceeded their 2010 response rate. Madison County had the second-highest self-response rate in the state at 76%, just slightly less than Shelby County’s rate of 77.8%. The self-response rate was higher in 2020 than 2010 in 75% of Huntsville’s neighborhoods, and the total self-response rate increased from 69% to 73%.
THE CURRENT PICTURE
According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Huntsville is now the most populous city in Alabama. The total population for the City of Huntsville as of April 1, 2020 was 215,006, which is an increase of 19.4 percent from the 2010 total of 180,105. Since 2000, Huntsville has added 56,790 people.
WHY NUMBERS MATTER
Population, growth and where those people live will decide the future direction of Huntsville and the state. Uneven concentrations of Alabamians result in congressional and state legislative lines being redrawn to ensure fair representation. The population data processed by the Census Bureau is the basis of an apportionment report used to determine representation. It also releases a second set of data used by states and local governments to determine if district lines need to be withdrawn.
Click here to access preliminary census data (Released Aug. 12, 2021)
The Census Bureau has released the first local-level results from the 2020 Census. The total population for the City of Huntsville as of April 1, 2020 was 215,006, which is an increase of 19.4 percent from the 2010 total of 180,105. Since 2000, Huntsville has added 56,790 people. The State of Alabama population came in at 5,024,279, a 5.1% increase in the last decade. Alabama is now the 24th most populous state in the U.S.
- City of Huntsville population – 215,006
- Madison County’s population – 388,153
- Limestone County’s population – 103,570
- City of Birmingham’s population – 200,733
- City of Mobile population – 187,041
- City of Montgomery population – 200,603
APPORTIONMENT
In April 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau confirmed Alabama will not lose a seat in the House of Representatives based upon numbers released in 2020 Census apportionment data. This means Alabama will retain its seven congressional seats.
REDISTRICTING
Redistricting differs from apportionment because it involves revising the geographic boundaries of areas from which people elect not only congressional leaders, but also state representatives, City Council members and even school board members. So, while apportionment determines the number of congressional representatives, redistricting determines any necessary changes in district maps. The responsibility for redrawing congressional and state lines falls to the Alabama Legislature.
Closer to home, changes to Huntsville’s population may require a re-examination of its Council and school board districts to ensure proper representation. If changes are needed, Mayor Tommy Battle will present a plan with input from the City’s legal and planning departments. The City Council will have to approve redistricting changes.
STAY INFORMED
The latest Census figures, apportionment and redistricting data will be posted here and updated as information is available.
RESPONSE MAP
Please note: As of January 28, 2021, the map shows 2020 Census count numbers.