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 many people, with over 200,000 living there, based on the 2020 census. It is the third-most populous city in Alabama, after Huntsville and Birmingham. The Montgomery metropolitan area has even more people, with around 385,000.

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, 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 reasons. The first Europeans to visit were Hernando de Soto and his group in 1540.

Later, settlers from Europe arrived. In 1716, a man named James McQueen became the first permanent settler.

In 1816, Montgomery County was created, and the towns of Alabama Town and New Philadelphia joined to become the town of 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.

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. In 1955, Rosa Parks helped start a boycott of the city’s buses. 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 located at 32°21′42″N 86°16′45″W / 32.36167°N 86.27917°W / 32.36167; -86.27917.

The United States Census Bureau says 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 next to the Alabama River, close to where the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers join. A tall building called the RSA Tower is there. The area 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 downtown, with new homes, shops, and restaurants. Parks and special places, like the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, make Montgomery interesting to visit.

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

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

The 2020 census said Montgomery had 200,603 people. The middle age was 37.3 years. About 22.7% were younger than 18, and 15.8% were 65 or older.

Most people, about 96.6%, lived in urban areas. Only 3.4% lived in rural areas. There were 82,835 households, and about 29.2% had children under 18. Many households were led by women without a husband.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded 205,764 people in Montgomery. The city had many different groups of people: 37.3% were White, 56.6% were Black, 2.2% were Asian, 0.2% were Native American, 0.1% were Pacific Islander, 2.2% were from other races, and 1.3% were from two or more races. About 3.9% were Hispanic or Latino.

The age groups were: 24.9% under 18, 11.7% between 18 and 24, 27.3% between 25 and 44, 24.2% between 45 and 64, and 11.8% 65 or older. The middle age was 34 years. The middle income for a household was $41,380, and many families had less money than needed.

Economy

Montgomery is an important place for growing and processing crops like cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. It also makes metal products and lumber. The city is near the Alabama River and has many train connections, which helps different industries.

In recent years, the city has added jobs in healthcare, business, government, and manufacturing. The city’s economy is strong and helps Alabama’s overall economy. Many people work in 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, Baptist Medical Center East near the Auburn University Montgomery campus, and Jackson Hospital. 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.

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. 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 lots of parkland to play in. The city takes care of over 1,600 acres of parks. There are 24 community centers, a skate park, two golf courses, Cramton Bowl Stadium and Multiplex, two tennis centers, 65 playgrounds, 90 baseball and softball fields, and 24 soccer fields. One of the soccer fields is called the Emory Folmar Soccer Facility. There is even a riverboat to enjoy.

Culture

Montgomery has a lively arts scene. The Winton M. Blount Cultural Park has the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, showing 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, 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, performing 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 where famous musicians like Nat King Cole, Hank Williams, and Big Mama Thornton were born. The city has also produced 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 place for college sports, with Alabama State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Huntingdon College, and Faulkner University all having 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 helps keep the city clean and promotes care for the environment. BONDS helps citizens connect with city programs and supports neighborhoods.

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

Education

Most of Montgomery and Montgomery County are served by the Montgomery Public Schools system. It has many schools for children and teens.

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.

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 began in 1829 and is the largest paper in central Alabama.

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

Transportation

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

The city has a public bus system called the Montgomery Area Transit System. There is a bus station for trips to other cities. The main airport, Montgomery Regional Airport, mainly serves small planes and connects 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. Some of these people have done important work in politics, entertainment, and sports. The city is still a place where interesting and influential people live and grow.

Sister city

Montgomery has one sister city:

• Pietrasanta, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy