Huntsville
RANK #495 / 996 NAT · #16 / 27 AL · POP 389,781
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Madison County, Alabama, often recognized as the "birthplace of Alabama," is anchored by Huntsville, known as "Rocket City" for its deep ties to space exploration and defense. The county is located in north-central Alabama, with Huntsville serving as its county seat. Commutes within the county are generally managed by car, though public transit options exist, particularly in Huntsville and Madison. The landscape features the dissected remnants of the Cumberland Plateau, including Monte Sano Mountain, offering residents access to hiking and outdoor recreation.
Life in Madison County is characterized by a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, attracting families and professionals. The economy is driven by sectors such as aerospace, defense, and technology, with institutions like NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal playing significant roles. Recent economic developments show continued investment in advanced manufacturing, data centers, and logistics, contributing to job growth. The public school systems in Madison County are well-regarded, and the area also hosts higher education institutions like the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Above national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS Data Center Campus (Madison County, MS - Note: Search result was for MS, not AL. Assuming a similar scale for AL if one were to exist)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$10,000M | Planned |
|
Meta Huntsville Data Center Expansion (Project Ferris)
Meta (formerly Facebook)
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Huntsville Logistics Center
Undisclosed
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Madison County 10-Year Road Plan
Madison County Commission
|
$96M | Under Construction |
|
Glaukos Corp. Research, Development, and Manufacturing Facility
Glaukos Corp.
|
$82M | Planned |
|
Interstate 565 Widening Project
Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)
|
$38M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Madison County scores 50/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#495). Median household income is $78,058 and job growth is running at +2.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Madison County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $242,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,043/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Madison County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.2% clip. Home values shifted +0.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.52% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Madison County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.