Will Hoover Surpass Birmingham in Population? (Valley, Southside: crime, homes, neighborhoods)

[A&M Bulldawg]

Unfortunately, Birmingham is loosing population. However, Hoover is gaining population, rapidly approaching the 100,000 mark. As a result, will Hoover surpass Birmingham and become the largest city of the metro in the next 10-20 years?

[bhamguy]

I personally think that the cities population will soon rebound. Yeah, the city has been losing population for years, but I believe that it has surly slowed. I honestly think that the population could grow in a couple of years. Downtown/Southside are areas that are already growing, and there are many other locations that I think will grow(if they are not already). Remember that parts of Oxmoor Valley, Hwy 280(Shelby Co.), NW Jefferson Co.(where I-22 will run through when completed) are apart of the city, and those areas are destined for new growth. Schools are a major necessity for new families moving to the area, and I think with some new schools in those areas will help in the growth of them. Don't forget the Crestwood, the Forest Park/Highland, and the Roebuck neighborhoods. East Lake is apparently more appealing to artsy people right now. They are trying to encourage people(artists, gays/lesbians, etc.)to move into that area, and to help with the gentrification of the area. It should be interesting to see how that turns out. One more thing...the city still has room for annexation...Brighton/Lipscomb, unincorporated lands, etc. I am sure that Hoover will pass the 100,000 marker soon, but if Birmingham grows the way I am thinking, Birmingham could totally gain it's population back as it was in the early 90's(around 260,000). I really hope that this would happen.

[A&M Bulldawg]

I pray often that Birmingham will turn back into the city that it was it had a population of about 340,000. I hope this happen in the next 20-30 years. I think Birmingham is bound for new growth. It first starts with the declining rate of crime and the prosperity of schools.

[bhamguy]

I agree. Believe it or not, crime has decreased in the city some...let's hope that this will continue. If we develop the areas that I mentioned earlier (Oxmoor Valley, Hwy 280(Shelby Co.), NW Jefferson Co.(where I-22 will run through when completed)and include new schools, this could be a very positive thing for Birmingham. We certainly shouldn't forget about the other areas of town, but not everyone wants to live in older neighborhoods. Suburban development in a city isn't a bad thing and masterplanned towns within the city, such as Shelby County's Mt Laurel, could be a great thing. They usually come with a neighborhood elementary school, that feeds into higher learning schools(middle or high schools) to develop great higher learning schools within that area.

[PortCity]

Birmingham has been doing a sharp turn around and I believe Birmingham will be back to 260 K in 10 years. One thing that I am disapponted in and hate is that you guys are on First 48 Hours !! That is not a good look for Birmingham !!!

[A&M Bulldawg]

Where can Birmingham annex land and subdivisions to help with its population?

[PortCity]

Birmingham is surrounded by to many independent cities/cities with it`s own government. So believe it`s to late for that in birmingham unless i`m wrong the b-ham populatio will be up again !! I have been wondering are there several abandon homes or buildings in birmingham since the population went from 360 k in the 60`s to 240 k know ?

[A&M Bulldawg]

I was wondering the same city. Actually going thrugh some parts of Birmingham, it looks like there weren't any homes left. What could have replaced 40,000-50,000 homes?

[PortCity]

yeah I ? that also. Is there a lot of vacancies in B-ham ?

[kdogg817]

Birmingham I thought had a much larger population. Interesting Arlington Texas a suburb of DFW has double the population of Birmingham. Do you think alot of Atlanta growth came from Birmingham.