Hartselle, Priceville lead growth

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's population has topped 13,000, making it the state's 46th largest city.
The city's population has increased to 13,080 in 2005, a 9 percent increase from 2000, the date of the last census. The 2000 population was 12,019 and the city has shown an increase in each of the last five years.
While Hartselle has shown steady growth, Priceville leads the way for population increase in Morgan County. Priceville's population has grown 27 percent since 2000. In 2000, Priceville had a population of 1,631. That increased to 2,233 in 2005.
Decatur's 2005 population of 54,909, reflects a 2 percent increase from 2000. Somerville and Eva showed small increases. Somerville reported 347 people in 2000 and 357 in 2005. Eva's population grew by three from 2000's figure of 491.
Falkville lost population, dropping from 1,185 in 2000 to 1,177 in 2005.
The population count does not include unincorporated areas such as Danville.
"For example, Tillman's Corner in Mobile County, with more than 15,600 people, would rank in the top 40 of Alabama cities, if it were incorporated," said Annette Watters, manager of the State Data Center at The University of Alabama's Center for Business and Economic Research.
"For the most part, the small towns were small when the last census was taken, and their population hasn't changed much since in the 21st century. The state's large cities are much more volatile," Watters said
Huntsville was the only one of the state's four largest cities to gain population. Birmingham remains the state's largest city but Montgomery is closing in fast on that title.
Since 2000, Birmingham has lost more than 11,000 people, or 4.6 percent of its total, according to Watters.
Huntsville has gained 6,700 people in the last six years.
There are 29 Alabama cities that, like Hartselle, have gained 1,000 or more people since 2000.