DEMOGRAPHICS / REGIONAL ECONOMY

The Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan region was once known as the South’s largest manufacturing and steel producing center. Today, this area is home to more than 400 technology companies and ranks among the top 10 technology centers in the Southeast. The metro area also ranks in the top 40 of U.S. metropolitan areas for in-migration of young, single, college-educated professionals. Birmingham is the second largest banking center in the South and the seventh largest in the nation by assets, but healthcare has also emerged as a major sector of the regional economy. Nearly 10 percent of the work force is employed in healthcare-related industries and services. The University of Alabama has driven the area’s healthcare sector to national prominence, and HealthSouth—the nation’s largest provider of outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation services—is headquartered in Birmingham. Birmingham-Hoover ranks third as the best state for relocation, and the metro area is the Southeast’s largest magazine publishing center. Two of the Southeast’s largest contractors call Birmingham-Hoover their home. Jefferson and Shelby Counties are also Alabama’s largest corporate travel destinations and rank among the state’s most popular for tourism.