Huntsville is experiencing significant growth and is excited to welcome a new neighborhood each month.

As of July 1, the estimated population of Rocket City reached 249,102, marking a 15.9% rise since the 2020 census. That breaks down to about 18 new residents daily, with 34,000 people choosing to call Huntsville home in the last five years.

According to city officials, Huntsville has ascended to being one of the top 20 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. among populations exceeding 100,000 and is now ranked among the 100 largest cities nationwide.

“We’re excited to welcome newcomers daily,” Mayor Tommy Battle stated. “However, what’s crucial isn’t just the growth itself, but how we implement a strategy to manage it. We need to ensure that both long-term residents and newcomers enjoy a high quality of life. This includes a variety of housing options at different price points and vital infrastructure investments like roads and top-notch schools.”

City officials base their estimates on housing construction activities such as occupancy permits, demolition, utility sign-ups, and demographic trends, rather than solely relying on the 2020 census data. They utilize real-time data to better anticipate the influx of residents.

The growth in housing reflects the city’s commitment to smart development. From January to June 2025, Huntsville added 1,945 housing units, raising the total to 120,904. While the pace has been slightly slower than a record-breaking year, the city remains on track to add over 4,000 new housing units by the end of 2025.