How many immigrants are in Alabama?
About 173K in 2021. This represents roughly 3.5% of the population, or about 1 in 30 residents. Immigrants include foreign-born residents, those who have become US citizens, individuals authorized to work in the US, and undocumented residents.
Showing data for
In 2021
173K
Alabama residents were foreign-born
In 2021
1 in 30
Alabama residents were foreign-born
The number of foreign-born residents in Alabama increased from 163K in 2011 to 173K in 2021. This growth occurred alongside changes in the native-born population due to births, deaths, and migration. The foreign-born share of Alabama's total population was 3.5% in 2021, lower than the national average of 13.6%, and up from 3.4% in 2011.
Foreign-born share of the population in Alabama
Variations in immigrant populations reflect changes in both local and national demographics. The largest immigrant populations are found in major metro areas. Metro areas in California, Texas, Florida, and parts of the Northeast generally have a higher share of foreign-born residents.
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In 2021, the metro areas in the US with the highest and lowest shares of foreign-born populations were Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL at 41.2% (highest) and Beckley, WV at 0.8% (lowest). In Alabama, the highest and lowest were Auburn-Opelika, AL at 5.7% and Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL at 2% respectively.
On average, 8.2% of the population in metro areas was foreign-born in 2021
Foreign-born share of the population (2021)
| 1. | Auburn-Opelika, AL Metro Area | 5.7% |
| 2. | Huntsville, AL Metro Area | 5.2% |
| 3. | Columbus, GA-AL Metro Area | 4.8% |
| 4. | Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metro Area | 3.8% |
| 5. | Montgomery, AL Metro Area | 3.8% |
| 6. | Decatur, AL Metro Area | 3.7% |
| 7. | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL Metro Area | 3.5% |
| 8. | Tuscaloosa, AL Metro Area | 3.3% |
| 9. | Mobile, AL Metro Area | 3.1% |
| 10. | Anniston-Oxford, AL Metro Area | 2.5% |
