Founded: 1871 (chartered 1864)
Head Official: Mayor Bernard Kincaid (since 2000)
City Population
1980: 284,413
1990: 265,347
2000: 242,820
2003 estimate: 236,620
Percent change, 1990–2000: –8.7%
U.S. rank in 1980: 50th
U.S. rank in 1990: 60th (State rank: 1st)
U.S. rank in 2000: 82nd (State rank: 1st)
Metropolitan Area Population
1980: 815,000
1990: 839,945
2000: 921,106
Percent change, 1990–2000: 9.6%
U.S. rank in 1980: 42nd
U.S. rank in 1990: Not reported
U.S. rank in 2000: 54th
Area: 151.95 square miles (2000)
Elevation: Average 620 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 62.5° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 52.16 inches of rain; 2.1 inches of snow
Major Economic Sectors: services, wholesale and retail trade, government
Unemployment rate: 4.3% (November 2004)
Per Capita Income: $15,663 (2000)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 21,265
Major Colleges and Universities: University of Alabama at Birmingham; Samford University; Birmingham-Southern College; Miles College
Daily Newspaper: Birmingham Post-Herald; Birmingham News