Huntsville overtakes Mobile as 3rd-largest Alabama city

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Huntsville has overtaken Mobile to become Alabama’s third-largest city.

New population estimates released Thursday by the Census Bureau show the north Alabama city is home to 193,079 people. That surpasses Mobile’s estimated population of 192,904.

The size difference between the two cities could get wider. Al.com (https://bit.ly/2qkaAnz ) reports that Census figures show Huntsville is the only one of the state’s four largest cities that is growing.

Birmingham and Montgomery remain Alabama’s largest cities, but each is shrinking. No. 1 Birmingham is down slightly to an estimated population of 212,157 people, and No. 2 Montgomery has contracted to 200,022 residents.

Huntsville has added more than 2,100 residents over the last year, and it could gain more people. The city council recently annexed land that’s expected to become a subdivision.

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This story has been corrected to show that Montgomery’s population fell to 200,022 residents, not 192,904.