Alabama is the third poorest state (Birmingham, Mobile: pool, metro, company)

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by Nlambert

We're still not getting anywhere with this and I don't think we will. The conversation has turned from how people deem Alabama as a poor state, and that the small towns somehow need to grow into Birmingham is better than any other city in the state (again).


Again, we get it. You want to boast that Birmingham is the best in the state. Let's throw out the high poverty rate, the high crime rate, has bankrupted once already, and the other stuff that no one wants to talk about.


Let's get back to the conversation of how those in these smaller towns are too "poor". My statement of they are no more poor than the folks in the larger cities still holds water. There is a major difference in the COL in some of those areas that allow those people to live just as comfortably as someone in a larger city. If you have lived in one of these towns, then you know this. If you have not, it is speculation.

If you want to slander Birmingham at least get your facts straight. It was Jefferson County that declared bankruptcy, NOT Birmingham.

I don't see anyone making excuses for Birmingham having crime or high poverty, you kind of brought that up yourself.

I'm really confused by your closing statement on COL, what exactly are you getting at?

[NCN]

Alabama is a beautiful state and nobody on the road tried to run over us like they did in Arkansas.

[tallydude02]

Although I live no where near Huntsville or Alabama, this caught my eye because there is a thread about New England poverty in the General forum.


It's true that Alabama ranks low on income, but when cost of living is factored in, I read that the state is ranked at 32, meaning it's the 18th poorest state. Not great, but not at the bottom either. That honor goes to Maine. The source is now expired, but I remember most of the rankings. This was in 2013.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by tallydude02

Although I live no where near Huntsville or Alabama, this caught my eye because there is a thread about New England poverty in the General forum.


It's true that Alabama ranks low on income, but when cost of living is factored in, I read that the state is ranked at 32, meaning it's the 18th poorest state. Not great, but not at the bottom either. That honor goes to Maine. The source is now expired, but I remember most of the rankings. This was in 2013.

That alone goes to show you how low the cost of living is in Alabama.

[rock90]

Originally Posted by Tourian

It is entirely possible for Birmingham to generate most of Alabama's wealth AND for other places to contribute to Alabama's wealth too.

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

Birmingham Metro accounts for 37% of the state's wealth with roughly 25% of the population.

To summarize, it's possible for Birmingham to generate most of Alabama's wealth but that's not the case right now, nor in the foreseeable future.

Still scratching my head over the beauty shot of Huntsville that Forbes used as its "poorest states" photo. Were all the trailer parks closed that day? I'm starting to think the editor was being ironic with that selection.

[Dick Ellington]

Originally Posted by NCN

Alabama is a beautiful state and nobody on the road tried to run over us like they did in Arkansas.

LOL. that is the smartest thing said on this bickering thread. I had a similar experience in Beebe Arkansas and Alabama is beautiful... especially the northeast corner from HSV to SoPitt!!

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by rock90

To summarize, it's possible for Birmingham to generate most of Alabama's wealth but that's not the case right now, nor in the foreseeable future.

That's it? No proof, no evidence to the contrary - just an opinion based on personal bias?

If they had used a shot of a trailer park, some people would've complained that the article made it appear that all of Alabama was trailer parks. Using a beauty shot was an odd and atypical choice but in the end it doesn't matter. Like or not Huntsville is in Alabama and is fair game.

[TN2HSV]

Originally Posted by rock90

To summarize, it's possible for Birmingham to generate most of Alabama's wealth but that's not the case right now, nor in the foreseeable future.

Still scratching my head over the beauty shot of Huntsville that Forbes used as its "poorest states" photo. Were all the trailer parks closed that day? I'm starting to think the editor was being ironic with that selection.

I thought the same thing. Might as well put the rocket on there.

[r x f]

Originally Posted by Tourian

But you can say that because it is the largest metro with the most people. Its GDP is greater then the other three metros combined.

Well, not exactly. Birmingham is definitely the largest metro area. However, data from Forbes shows that the next three largest metro areas have a greater MDP than Birmingham. Not necessarily unexpected, as Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery metro area populations combined exceeds Birmingham's metro area population.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by r x f

Well, not exactly. Birmingham is definitely the largest metro area. However, data from Forbes shows that the next three largest metro areas have a greater MDP than Birmingham. Not necessarily unexpected, as Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery metro area populations combined exceeds Birmingham's metro area population.

I was using this as a source.

Alabama's GDP by metro: who's growing, who's shrinking, who's contributing, who's not? | AL.com

So I am satisfied with what I said. I get that it is a few years old but a few tenths either way doesn't matter to me. It is clear what area makes up by far the largest piece of the Alabama pie and that is the only real point.