Alabama Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.alabama.gov/

Alabama is one of 51 states in the nation. Its 2002 population of 4,478,896 ranked 23rd in the nation.

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Alabama had a per capita personal income of $25,548. This per capita personal income ranked 41st in the United States and was 83 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 2.8 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Alabama was $17,327 and ranked 41st in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.0 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Alabama had a total personal income of $114,427,602. This total personal income ranked 24th in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Alabama was $71,977,381 and ranked 24th in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 3.1 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 4.7 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Alabama. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 65.3 percent of total personal income (compared with 67.3 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 16.6 percent (compared with 16.6 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 18.0 percent (compared with 16.1 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings increased 2.5 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 0.5 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 8.2 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 4.4 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 4.7 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 5.9 percent.

Area - Alabama covers 135,293 sq km (52,237 sq mi), including 2507 sq km (968 sq mi) of inland water and 1344 sq km (519 sq mi) of coastal water over which the state has jurisdiction. It is the 30th largest state in the Union. Roughly rectangular in shape, Alabama has a maximum distance north to south of 533 km (331 mi) and a maximum distance east to west of 338 km (210 mi). The mean elevation is about 150 m (about 500 ft).

Climate - Alabama has a humid subtropical climate, with short, relatively mild winters and long warm summers. Temperature differences between the coastal and inland areas, however, are small. January averages range from about 11° C (57° F) at Mobile to about 7° C (44° F) at Birmingham. July averages are in the upper 20°s C (low 80°s F) at Mobile and at Birmingham. Very low or very high temperatures are unusual. The growing season, the period between the last killing frost of spring and the first killing frost of fall, ranges from about 200 days in the north to more than 300 days in the southwest. During the summer, daytime temperatures are frequently in the upper 20°s C (mid-80°s F) or higher and afternoon thundershowers are common. In winter, mild humid air masses from the gulf alternate with cold air masses from the north. Snow occasionally falls in the north.
Rainfall is plentiful, ranging annually from about 1350 mm (about 53 in) in the north to more than 1730 mm (68 in) in the southwest. Most rainfall occurs in winter and early spring, but a second wet season occurs in July, owing primarily to thunderstorms. Tropical cyclones and, in some years, severe hurricanes are a threat to the coastal areas in summer. Winds, floods, and high tides accompanying the storms can cause considerable damage to crops and property.

State Flag

State Flower - Camellia

State Capitol - Montgomery
Alabama’s present constitution was adopted in 1901 and is the sixth constitution since 1819, the year of Alabama’s admission to the Union. To become law, a proposed amendment must receive a three- fifths majority vote in each house of the state legislature and then a majority vote of the electorate.

Famous People

Bobby Goldsboro entertainer, Dothan
Carl Lewis track athlete, Birmingham
Coretta Scott King civil rights leader, Marion
David Satcher surgeon general, Anniston
Emmy Lou Harris singer, Birmingham
George Wallace governor, Clio
Hank Williams recording artist, Georgiana
Harper Lee writer, Monroeville
Heather Whitestone Miss America, Dothan
Helen Adams Keller author, educator, Tuscumbia
Henry Louis (Hank) Aaron baseball player, Mobile
Hugo LaFayette Black jurist, Harlan
Jesse Owens athlete, Danville
Jim Nabors actor, Sylacauga
Jimmie Rodgers singer, Geiger
Joe Louis boxer, Lexington
Kate Jackson actress, Birmingham
Lionel Hampton jazz musician, Birmingham
Marva Collins educator, Monroeville
Nat "King" Cole entertainer, Montgomery
Percy Lavon Julian inventor, Montgomery
Ralph Abernathy civil rights activist, Linden
Rosa Parks civil rights activist, Tuskegee
Tallulah Brockman Bankhead actress, Huntsville
Waldo L. Semon inventor, Demopolis
William Christopher Handy composer, Florence
William Crowford Gorgas army officer, physician, Mobile
William Weatherford (Red Eagle) Creek indian leader
Willie Mays baseball player, Westfield
Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald writer, Montgomery