Daily Blog: Moving to Mid-sized Cities

Are Alabamians leaving big cities for mid-sized cities?

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090706/NEWS/907064000?Title=Census-data-shows-Alabamians-may-be-returning-to-their-roots

It seems that while Birmingham and Mobile lost residents according to the Census, other smaller cities were gaining them. According to the article:

"Taken as a group, cities with 25,000 to 99,999 people have grown 13.8 percent and cities between 10,000 and 25,000 have grown 15.7 percent, Watters said.

"She noted towns with populations between 2,500 and 5,000, such as Robertsdale, Priceville, Chelsea and Union Springs, also have been adding new residents. And most of the cities along Alabama Highway 59 in South Alabama - Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - as well as Fairhope and Daphne, show robust growth."

What explains this growth? It's hard to know. But with today's technology, many people can telecommute and thus be employed in Birmingham while living and working in Tuscaloosa. And it also seems likely that quality of life is an issue. Mid-sized cities often offer a slower pace and a friendlier atmosphere.

It will be interesting to see if other mid-sized cities around the country experience this same kind of growth.