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Birmingham Real Estate

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Birmingham, AL 

Birmingham, Alabama, is synonymous with the Deep South. Every facet of its culture celebrates Southern traditions in music, food, and art. The city is also synonymous with the Civil Rights and is home to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which illustrates the area’s role in the historic movement.

As the most populated city in Alabama, this north-central city is a vital regional hub for the state and the South. The city had an estimated population of 209,304 in 2019 while the greater metropolitan area topped 1.1 million. 

Birmingham, AL lies 101 miles from Huntsville, 58 miles from Tuscaloosa, and 91 miles to Montgomery.

Job Market

Through its founding and up through the 1960s, Birmingham was a vital industrial center for the southern United States, primary manufacturing steel and iron. Today, it is one of the largest banking and business centers in the U.S. 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham and its medical colleges are a significant draw and employer in the area. UAB is the area’s largest employer and the second-largest in Alabama. Additionally, three of the state’s five law schools are in the city. 

Regions Financial Corporation and BBVA Compass are headquartered here, as are several other smaller banks. Numerous large banks, like Wells Fargo, have regional hubs in the city.

Neighborhoods

Birmingham is divided into 23 neighborhoods. Many historic homes abound in the city, as around 60 percent of the housing was built before 1970. A few notable areas:

Central City’s redevelopment stalled during the recession, but it’s been charging back. New housing is scattered among the renovated boutique hotels and revitalized storefronts. The historic Alabama and Lyric Theaters are along Third Avenue North.

Crestwood North is also listed as Woodlawn Heights on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a diverse neighborhood, with many of his historic homes undergoing renovation. While hilly, it’s walkable and complimented by a neighborhood park with a swimming pool.

Downtown Birmingham is transforming afters years of losing residents. Redevelopment into a mixed-use district is stimulating the local economy and encouraging independent shops into the area.

Five Points South and Southside are marked by a wide circle where the 20th-century trolley line turned back towards downtown. The revitalization of Lakeview and Pepper Place, plus UAB’s ascendancy, created a housing boom in the area. Railroad Park opened in fall 2010, and a minor-league baseball team took up residence in 2013. Today, the entertainment district is home to some of the city’s best restaurants.

Forest Park/South Avondale entertainment and commercial districts are growing. Residents are conveniently near a farmer’s market, shops, and parks. The walkable neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Highland Park was named as a 2011 America’s Great Place by the American Planning Association. It’s highly walkable and close to other popular entertainment districts. The annual Do Dah Day parade is a Birmingham tradition.

Education

The Birmingham City Schools serve Birmingham with seven high schools, 13 middle schools, 33 elementary schools, and nine K-8 schools. The greater area is home to several independent school schools. Several high schools have rated highly on independent evaluators over the years, such as the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Trussville High School, Mountainbrook High School, and Homewood High School. Two private college-preparatory schools operate in Birmingham, Saint Rose Academy and Indian Springs School. 

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