What makes Huntsville stand out?
Huntsville has a unique balance that’s hard to find—it’s a city driven by innovation in tech, aerospace, and automotive industry. Yet it still feels friendly and approachable. You can spend the morning hiking on Monte Sano and the evening enjoying local restaurants or live music downtown. The cost of living makes it easy to enjoy life here, and the community has a welcoming vibe that quickly makes it feel like home.
Although known as the Rocket City since the 60s, the older nickname “Cave City” is a nod to just one of the natural wonders that helped put Huntsville on a list of top 10 places to live in the country.
Articles
Huntsville’s identity is very diverse. See what news sources say about it.
The city of Huntsville had over 227,000 residents in 2022. It is 226 square miles and 145,000 acres. The metropolitan statistical area has over a half million residents. Home ownership rate is 56.7%. There are over 85,000 households with an average household income of $87,475, while the median household income sits at $60,959 per year. Huntsville is the state’s largest city, though Birmingham’s metropolitan area is still much larger with more than 1 million residents.
General Information
Weather, cost of living, where to vote, and more can be found here.
When Huntsville was first incorported it was dubbed “Twickenham.” Twickenham now applies to the historic district that contains the largest concentration of antebellum homes in the state.
Schools
Information on public and private schools is located here. Check out the handy address look-ups to find yours.
You may hear the area being referred to as “the Tennessee Valley.” IT is due to the fact that the Tennessee River flows all the way across the northernmost part of the state, meeting Huntsville about midway.
Redstone Arsenal is the name of the Army Base attached to Huntsville that is also home to the headquarters of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Aviation and Missile Command, Space and Missile Defense Command, Missile Defense Agency, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the ATF, and the FBI’s “second headquarters.”
Being new to the area will make you fit right in. Since NASA was born here so many years ago, Huntsville has been a melting pot of people from all over the country and the world. It started when Werner Von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists made Huntsville their home after World War II.
Cities and Towns
Explore the surrounding suburbs and communities.
(Photo: Downtown Madison, Huntsville’s largest suburb)
Huntsville’s reputation as Rocket City goes far beyond space exploration. Along with aerospace and defense, the city is a hub for advanced technologies like satellite development, geospatial mapping, cyber security, and missile defense systems. Many of these industries operate quietly but play a vital role in national security and global innovation, making Huntsville one of the most diverse and forward-thinking technology centers in the country.
The Great Outdoors
You came for the economic opportunity. But who knew North Alabama had so much natural beauty?
(Photo: Blevins Gap Overlook)
Huntsville is set in the foothills of the Appalachains. With 132,000 miles of rivers and streams, a disproportionate share of the fresh water resources in the continental U.S. flow through or originate in Alabama. Most of the major rivers contain one or more hydroelectric dams, creating numerous RESERVOIRS for recreation. Seven of these lakes are within a two-hour drive.
Little River Canyon is one of many enjoyable possibilities for day trips.
Huntsville is located within a geological area called “TAG.” there are over 240 mapped caves within its city limits and it is home to the National Speleological Society headquarters.
Huntsville, AL is home to family fun!
Located in northern Alabama, Huntsville—proudly known as Rocket City—is the perfect place for anyone who loves the outdoors, with scenic parks, hiking trails, and year-round natural beauty. Affordable living is one of the top reasons people choose to make Huntsville their home, and the area is filled with attractions and events like the Alabama Jubilee Balloon Festival and Panoply Arts Festival. Whether you’re exploring North Alabama Land Trust trails, visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, or enjoying classical music and opera downtown, there’s always something new to experience. Families will find plenty of fun things to do every weekend, from outdoor adventures to kid-friendly museums and entertainment. If you’re considering moving to Rocket City, you’ll discover a unique mix of career opportunities, cultural experiences, and southern charm that makes Huntsville, AL one of the best places to live in the Southeast.