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Located in the USA's lower southern tier Alabama is known as the "Heart of Dixie" which remains the state's unofficial nickname.

It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. The state was 22nd admitted to the Union in 1819, but seceded from the union in 1861 during the Civil War. Alabama was later readmitted to the union in 1868.

Following World War II, Alabama turned from an agricultural economy to more modern industry and is today heavily invested in manufacturing, mining, hi-tech, aerospace, health care, banking and education.

• Demographics : (Alabama Census Data)
  Major cities: Montgomery (capital), Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile
  Population : 4,599,030
  White : 3,153,627
  Black, African American : 1,144,330
  Hispanic : 99,040
  High school graduates : 80%
  Bachelor's degree or higher : 21.4%
  In labor force : 2,149,804
  
  
• Crime : see Crime in the United States - Alabama
  
  
• Cost of Living: Average sale prices for homes are approximately 38 percent less than the national average. Electric rates in Alabama are also considerably lower than the national average, and among the lowest in the Southeast.
  
  
• Property Taxes : The Tax Foundation - Alabama's Tax Climate - per capita collection of $367, lowest property taxes in the U.S.
  
  
• Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Alabama Real Estate
  Home ownership rate : 72.5%
  Average home price: $285,000
  Average travel time to work : 24 minutes
  
  
• Schools : see Alabama State Department of Education
  
  
• Weather : As throughout the rest of the South, Alabama climate conditions include summers that are hot and humid and winters that are cool and mild. Alabama has a long growing season, with plentiful amounts of rain throughout the year. Driest month: October; wettest month: March.

More about relocating to Alabama around the Web:

Moving to Alabama - Facts and helpful advice on employment, how to's for obtaining a drivers license, health statistics, state income taxes and related information, from the official Web site of the State of Alabama.

Moving to Alabama (Birmingham, Talladega, Cullman: real estate, travel, work) - Alabama City Data forum, with free registration for an online exchange of ideas & advice on the best places to live, where to find the best schools, jobs, cost of living information.

Alabama Economy at a Glance - Overview of major industry, employment & layoff statistics statewide with more detailed information on selected major cities including Birmingham - Hoover, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa.

Alabama Advantage - Major portal to state, regional and community Web sites that provide information about relocating or retiring to Alabama.

Alabama Schools - GreatSchools.net guide to top K-12 schools searchable by city, zip code, school district.

also see -> Alabama Beaches | Alabama Eviction Laws

Alabama Fall Foliage | Alabama Taxes | Alabama Tourist Attractions

Alabama Wineries | Christmas in Alabama