Is being in an area of Alabama that’s growing quickly a good thing or a bad thing?
Depends on who you ask.
Some want bigger, more exciting cities like Huntsville and Mobile, while others want peace and quiet like in Midfield and Springville, thank you very much.
But today, we’re going to put opinions aside and look at the cold, hard facts — since 2010, which cities in Alabama have grown the fastest.
After getting knee-deep in the Census’s American Community Survey using Saturday Night Science, we emerged with this set of cities in the Heart Of Dixie that have people climbing over each other to get in.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In Alabama For 2026
What’s the fastest growing city in Alabama for 2026? Based on the most recent ACS data, Gulf Shores ranks as the fastest-growing city in Alabama. If you happen to be a resident of Gulf Shores, you’re probably not surprised to find it on our list.
If you’re surprised — and you’re wondering why these places are a big deal — keep reading. We’ll tell you what makes each of these 10 places in Alabama grow like weeds.
For more Alabama state reading:
- Best Places To Live In The United States
- Fastest Growing States In The United States
- Best Places To Live In Alabama
- Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama
- Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama
The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In Alabama For 2026
1. Gulf Shores
/10
Population: 16,401
Population 2010: 9,035
Percent Growth 81.5%
Absolute Growth: 7,366
More on Gulf Shores: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
2. Foley
/10
Population: 24,026
Population 2010: 13,570
Percent Growth 77.1%
Absolute Growth: 10,456
More on Foley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
3. Chelsea
/10
Population: 16,260
Population 2010: 9,202
Percent Growth 76.7%
Absolute Growth: 7,058
More on Chelsea: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
4. Calera
/10
Population: 17,714
Population 2010: 10,374
Percent Growth 70.8%
Absolute Growth: 7,340
More on Calera: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
5. Orange Beach
/10
Population: 8,407
Population 2010: 5,185
Percent Growth 62.1%
Absolute Growth: 3,222
More on Orange Beach: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
6. Fairhope
/10
Population: 24,190
Population 2010: 14,927
Percent Growth 62.1%
Absolute Growth: 9,263
More on Fairhope: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
7. Spanish Fort
/10
Population: 10,662
Population 2010: 6,624
Percent Growth 61.0%
Absolute Growth: 4,038
More on Spanish Fort: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
8. Auburn
/10
Population: 80,594
Population 2010: 51,057
Percent Growth 57.9%
Absolute Growth: 29,537
More on Auburn: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
9. Madison
/10
Population: 60,106
Population 2010: 40,293
Percent Growth 49.2%
Absolute Growth: 19,813
More on Madison: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
10. Trussville
/10
Population: 26,673
Population 2010: 18,609
Percent Growth 43.3%
Absolute Growth: 8,064
More on Trussville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How We Measured The Fastest Growing Cities In the Heart Of Dixie for 2026
To figure out which cities are growing the most, we used Saturday Night Science to look at the growth rates for cities since the beginning of the decade, according to the American Community Survey put out by the census every year. Specifically:
- Current Population
- Population in 2010
- Growth rate from 2010 to Current (The latest available data which came out in Dec 2024)
We ranked all 104 Alabama cities with a population over 5,000 people from highest growth rate to lowest.
The city with the highest growth rate during this time was crowned the fastest-growing city in the Heart Of Dixie.
And for those of you who are a little rusty with their statistics, you can calculate the growth rate by the following formula:
[Current Population – Population 2010] / [Population 2010]
The data has been updated for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the fastest growing cities in Alabama.
Here’s a graph of the cities in Alabama with the most significant percent increase in population:
Summary: These Places Grew Up So Fast In Alabama, You Know?
So there you have it, the fastest growing cities in Alabama are led by Gulf Shores which has been growing at a blistering pace this decade relative to other cities and towns around the state.
The fastest-growing cities in Alabama are Gulf Shores, Foley, Chelsea, Calera, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Auburn, Madison, and Trussville.
It’ll be interesting to see if these places can keep growing at the same rate over the next couple of years. We’ll be here to let you know!
These places have been growing (or shrinking) the slowest (fastest):
- Prichard
- Selma
- Atmore
For more Alabama reading, check out:
Fastest Growing Places In Alabama For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | Population 2010 | Growth | Absolute Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gulf Shores | 16,401 | 9,035 | 81.5% | 7,366 |
| 2 | Foley | 24,026 | 13,570 | 77.1% | 10,456 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 16,260 | 9,202 | 76.7% | 7,058 |
| 4 | Calera | 17,714 | 10,374 | 70.8% | 7,340 |
| 5 | Orange Beach | 8,407 | 5,185 | 62.1% | 3,222 |
| 6 | Fairhope | 24,190 | 14,927 | 62.1% | 9,263 |
| 7 | Spanish Fort | 10,662 | 6,624 | 61.0% | 4,038 |
| 8 | Auburn | 80,594 | 51,057 | 57.9% | 29,537 |
| 9 | Madison | 60,106 | 40,293 | 49.2% | 19,813 |
| 10 | Trussville | 26,673 | 18,609 | 43.3% | 8,064 |