Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery is the capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama and the seat of Montgomery County. It was named for Continental Army Major-General Richard Montgomery and sits beside the Alabama River on the Gulf Coastal Plain.

The city has a population of 200,603 people, according to the 2020 census. It is the third-most populous city in Alabama, after Huntsville and Birmingham, and ranks 133rd-most populous in the United States. The Montgomery metropolitan area had a population of 385,460 in 2022, making it the fourth-largest in the state.

Montgomery became Alabama's capital in 1846, replacing Tuscaloosa. In February 1861, it was chosen as the first capital of the Confederate States of America before the government moved to Richmond, Virginia later that year. In the middle of the 20th century, Montgomery was important in the Civil Rights Movement, including the Montgomery bus boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Today, Montgomery is home to many government offices and Maxwell Air Force Base. The city has three public universities (Alabama State University, Troy University (Montgomery campus), and Auburn University at Montgomery), along with cultural spots like the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Montgomery has also been a leader in downtown renewal and smart city planning.

History

Main article: History of Montgomery, Alabama

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Montgomery, Alabama.

Long ago, before European people arrived, the area near the Alabama River was home to the Alibamu tribe of Native Americans. They spoke a language called Muskogean languages and built large dirt mounds for important purposes. The first Europeans to visit were Hernando de Soto and his group in 1540.

Later, settlers from Europe began to arrive. In 1716, a man named James McQueen became the first permanent settler. He married a woman from a local tribe, and their children became part of that tribe's community.

In 1816, Montgomery County was created, and the towns of Alabama Town and New Philadelphia joined to become the town of Montgomery, named after an American Revolutionary War general named Richard Montgomery.

Montgomery grew quickly, especially with the cotton trade. In 1846, it became the state capital of Alabama.

In 1861, leaders from several southern states met in Montgomery to form a new nation called the Confederate States of America. A leader named Jefferson Davis was chosen as its president.

After the Civil War, Montgomery continued to grow. In 1886, it became the first city in the United States to have electric streetcars.

In the 1950s, Montgomery was an important place for the civil rights movement. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. This led to a long boycott of the city’s buses by African Americans. The boycott ended when a court ruled that bus segregation was unfair.

In 1965, a big march for voting rights ended in Montgomery, helping to pass a law that protected the right of all people to vote.

Montgomery has been working to improve its downtown area and riverfront in recent years.

Geography

Montgomery is found at 32°21′42″N 86°16′45″W / 32.36167°N 86.27917°W / 32.36167; -86.27917.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers 162.27 square miles (420.3 km²). Most of this is land, with only a small part being water. The city sits on gentle rolling land about 220 feet (67 m) above sea level.

Downtown Montgomery is along the southern side of the Alabama River, close to where the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers meet. A tall building called the RSA Tower stands there. The area also has important government buildings, like the Alabama State Capitol. Nearby, you can find historic places such as the First White House of the Confederacy and Union Station, which is now part of a park with walking paths and a place for boats.

The city has been growing, especially in its downtown area, with new homes, shops, and restaurants. Parks and special places, like the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, help make Montgomery interesting to visit.

Montgomery has a climate with warm, wet summers and mild winters. Rain falls throughout the year, and sometimes there are strong storms with heavy rain and wind. Snow is rare.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

According to the 2020 census, Montgomery had a population of 200,603 people. The median age was 37.3 years. About 22.7% of the residents were younger than 18, and 15.8% were 65 years or older.

Most people, about 96.6%, lived in urban areas, with only a small portion, 3.4%, living in rural areas. There were 82,835 households, and about 29.2% of them had children under 18 living in them. Many households were led by women without a spouse present.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded 205,764 people living in Montgomery. The racial makeup of the city was diverse: 37.3% White, 56.6% Black, 2.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. About 3.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The age distribution showed that 24.9% were under 18, 11.7% were between 18 and 24, 27.3% were between 25 and 44, 24.2% were between 45 and 64, and 11.8% were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. The median income for a household was $41,380, and many families lived below the poverty line.

Economy

Montgomery is an important place for growing and processing crops like cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. It has also been known for making metal products and lumber. Because it is located near the Alabama River and has many train connections, Montgomery is a key spot for many different industries.

In recent years, the city has added jobs in areas such as healthcare, business, government, and manufacturing. The city’s economy is strong, adding a lot to Alabama’s overall economy. Many people work in jobs related to government, trade, professional services, and manufacturing. Some of the biggest employers in the city are listed in a table.

Health care

Montgomery is an important place for healthcare in central Alabama and the Black Belt region. The city has several hospitals, including Baptist Medical Center South on South East Boulevard, Baptist Medical Center East near the Auburn University Montgomery campus on Taylor Road, and Jackson Hospital close to Oak Park off Interstate 85. There are also two medical school campuses in Montgomery, one at Baptist Medical Center South (run by the University of Alabama at Birmingham) and another at Jackson Hospital, which is run by the Alabama Medical Education Consortium.

Law and government

See also: List of mayors of Montgomery, Alabama and Montgomery Police Department (Alabama)

Montgomery uses a Mayor–council government system. The mayor and council members are chosen for four-year terms. The current mayor is Steven Reed, who became the city’s first African-American mayor after an election in October 2019. The city has a nine-member council, with each member representing one district.

As the seat of Montgomery County, Montgomery is home to important government offices. It is the capital of Alabama, hosting the office of the Governor, the Alabama Legislature, and the Alabama Supreme Court.

At the federal level, Montgomery belongs to parts of Alabama’s 2nd, 7th, and 3rd Congressional district. These districts are represented by Barry Moore, Terri Sewell, and Mike Rogers.

Recreation

Montgomery has over 1,600 acres of parkland cared for by the City of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department. The department runs 24 community centers, a skate park, two golf courses, Cramton Bowl Stadium and Multiplex, two tennis centers, 65 playgrounds, 90 baseball and softball fields, 24 soccer fields including the Emory Folmar Soccer Facility, and even a riverboat.

Culture

Montgomery has a rich arts scene. The Winton M. Blount Cultural Park is home to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, which features American and Southern art, European prints, and porcelain and glass works. The Montgomery Zoo has over 500 animals from five continents in 40 acres of habitats.

The Museum of Alabama, located in the Alabama Department of Archives and History building, shows the state's history. The W. A. Gayle Planetarium, run by Troy University, offers tours of the night sky and shows about astronomy.

Blount Park also has the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s Carolyn Blount Theatre, which performs classic plays and local works. The Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Dance Theatre, and Montgomery Ballet. The Capri Theatre shows independent films. The Montgomery Performing Arts Center opened in 2007 and hosts many performances.

Montgomery is the birthplace of several famous musicians, including Nat King Cole, Hank Williams, and Big Mama Thornton. The city has also produced successful rock bands like Trust Company and Hot Rod Circuit.

Sports

Montgomery is home to the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, which plays in the Southern League and is affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. They play at Dabos Park. The city has hosted NCAA baseball championships and Southern League All-Star games.

The Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic women’s golf event is held nearby. Montgomery is also a site for college sports, with Alabama State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Huntingdon College, and Faulkner University all fielding teams. The city has hosted many college football events, including the Blue–Gray Football Classic and the Historical Black College and University All-Star Football Bowl.

Civic organizations

Montgomery has many active civic groups. The Montgomery Clean City Commission promotes cleanliness and environmental awareness. BONDS helps citizens engage with city programs and supports neighborhoods.

Several organizations focus on diversity and the city’s important civil rights history. Leadership Montgomery offers citizenship training, and Bridge Builders Alabama works with high school students to promote diversity. One Montgomery is a forum for citizens active in civic affairs. The city is home to several important civil rights sites, including The Legacy Museum, Civil Rights Memorial, and Rosa Parks Library and Museum.

Education

Most of the city of Montgomery and Montgomery County are served by the Montgomery Public Schools system. In 2022, there were 26,381 students and 1,412 teachers. The system includes 32 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 10 high schools, along with special schools and programs.

Montgomery is home to many schools and universities. There are private schools, such as Montgomery Academy (Alabama), and public colleges like Alabama State University and Troy University. The city also has branches of universities and special programs for military training.

Media

See also: List of television stations in Alabama, List of radio stations in Alabama, and List of newspapers in Alabama

Montgomery has one main newspaper called the Montgomery Advertiser. It started in 1829 and is the biggest paper in central Alabama.

The city has seven local TV stations and many radio stations that broadcast news, weather, and entertainment for the area.

Transportation

Montgomery has two major highways that go through the city. Interstate 65 runs north and south, connecting to Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile. Interstate 85 also runs north and south through the city, leading to Atlanta and Charlotte.

The city has a public bus system called the Montgomery Area Transit System, which helps people get around. There is also a bus station where people can take trips to other cities. The main airport, Montgomery Regional Airport, mainly serves small planes and helps connect people to bigger cities like Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Charlotte.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama, has been home to many famous people throughout history. Some of these individuals have made important contributions in areas like politics, entertainment, and sports. The city continues to be a place where interesting and influential people live and grow.

Sister city

Montgomery has one sister city:

• Pietrasanta, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy