Community
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Huntsville is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Alabama and one of the state’s most diverse places. Nicknamed the “Rocket City” because of its deep ties to NASA, Huntsville boasts a hard-to-beat combination of high average income levels, low unemployment, affordable housing, award-winning public schools, a vibrant arts scene and favorable weather. It’s no wonder U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Huntsville No. 7 on its list of Best Places to Live in America.
Huntsville is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which helped design the famous Saturn V rocket that took Neil Armstrong to the moon and is now developing the powerful Space Launch System to carry humans to Mars – and beyond. The Army’s Redstone Arsenal, which manages missile defense programs, is another major employer.
When the workday is done, we know how to have fun. From hiking in Monte Sano State Park and fishing on the Tennessee River to sipping a locally-made craft beer at Campus 805, catching a concert at the Orion Amphitheater or the Von Braun Center and shopping for one-of-a-kind artwork at Lowe Mill, Huntsville is full of surprises.
At a glance
- Huntsville Metro Area population: 514,465 (2022 Census estimate)
- Average household income: $52,960 (in Huntsville, Alabama Workforce 16-county Region)
- Unemployment rate: 2.0% as of July 2024
- Top employers: U.S. Army, NASA, Huntsville Hospital, Boeing, SAIC, ADTRAN, Toyota, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Major Attractions: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville Botanical Garden, Alabama Constitution Village, Huntsville Museum of Art, Lowe Mill Art and Entertainment Center, Orion Amphitheater, MidCity District, Campus 805, Rocket City Trash Pandas Minor League Baseball, Huntsville City Football Club
- Accolades: Named one of the Top 10 Best Place to Live in U.S. and the 2nd Affordable Place to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025 by U.S. News & World Report; 5th Best Metro to Live & Work for Millenials in the U.S. by Commercial Cafe; Among 10 Best Places to Live in the South by Travel + Leisure
Resources
- Apartment guide
- Discover Huntsville Madison County, a publication of the Huntsville Madison County Chamber
- Huntsville Madison County Chamber
- Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison, AL
