Quick Facts

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Birmingham – Hoover Quick Facts

Bioscience and Technology

  • Birmingham ranks as the eighth best place in the nation for entrepreneurs and Alabama stacks up as the 12th best among entrepreneur-friendly states, according to Gold Guide, a comprehensive list of statistics and rankings published by the National Policy Research Council.
  • According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Birmingham ranks fourth in the Southeast and 25th in the nation for medical and behavioral research allocations. (National Institutes of Health 2002)
  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical School ranks third in the Southeast and 17th in the nation for medical and behavioral research allocations. (National Institutes of Health 2002)
  • Birmingham – Hoover is home to more than 400 technology companies and ranks among the top ten largest Southeastern technology centers. (U.S. Bureau of labor Statistics, 2004)
  • Birmingham – Hoover ranks among the top 40 out of a total of 318 U.S. metropolitan areas for the in-migration of Young, Single, College Educated Professionals. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003)
  • Birmingham has an overall ranking of ninth among its 32 peer communities in lifestyle amenities that attract the “Creative Class.” (Rise Of The Creative Class)

Finance and Insurance

  • Birmingham is the second largest banking center in the southern half of the United States and is the nation’s seventh largest banking center ranked by assets. (Thomas Bank Directory 2003)
  • Birmingham is the headquarter city for more of the nation’s top 50 largest banking institutions than any U. S. city outside of New York City. (Thomas Bank Directory 2003)
  • Birmingham based Regions Financial is the 12th largest financial institution in the United States. Other Birmingham based financial institutions and national rankings include SouthTrust Corporation (21), AmSouth Bancorporation (29) and Compass Bancshares (44). (Thomas Bank Directory 2003)
  • Birmingham-Hoover is home to several major insurance companies, including Torchmark Corporation and Protective Life Corporation.

Automotive Manufacturing and Supplies

  • Birmingham – Hoover is the center of the nation’s fastest growing automotive manufacturing region, which includes Mercedes Benz U.S. International (35 miles west of downtown Birmingham), Honda manufacturing of Alabama (40 miles east of downtown Birmingham) and Hyundai Motor manufacturing (85 miles south of downtown Birmingham).
  • Birmingham ranked fourth in the United States in Expansion Management’s annual survey of “European Capital Investment” in the U.S. manufacturing sector. (Expansion Management 2003)
  • Birmingham – Hoover ranked 25th among Expansion Management magazine’s 2004 list of “America’s 50 Hottest Cities for Manufacturing Expansion and Relocation.” (Expansion Management 2004)
  • Alabama is ranked as the third best state for business relocation. (Plant Sites and Parks 2004)
  • Between 2000 and 2002, Alabama ranked second in the Southeast in new manufacturing projects. (Site Selection 2003)

Transportation and Logistics

  • The completion of the new Interstate 22 linking Birmingham to Memphis will make Birmingham the hub of four interstate highways and will rank Birmingham among the Southeast’s top three interstate transportation hubs (tied with Atlanta and Nashville).
  • The Birmingham International Airport is the largest airport in Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle and is among the top 75 largest U.S. airports with 160 arrivals and departures to major cities throughout the nation.
  • Birmingham is served by four interstate rail carriers, more than any other southeastern city.
  • Port Birmingham is the largest inland shipping center of general commodities on the Tennessee – Warrior – Tombigbee river systems.

More Economic Highlights

  • Birmingham – Hoover is the Southeast’s largest magazine publishing center and is home to more than ten national magazines, including Southern Living, Cooking Light, Health, Coastal Living, Southern Accents and Progressive Farmer.
  • Birmingham – Hoover is home to two of the Southeast’s top ten largest contractors – Brasfield & Gorrie and BE & K Inc.
  • The Riverchase Galleria is the Southeast’s fourth largest retail center.
  • Jefferson and Shelby Counties are Alabama’s largest corporate travel destinations and rank among Alabama’s largest tourism destinations.