At a glance: Alabama Alabama is the 24th most populous state in the U.S., with 5,108,468 residents across its 52,419 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 20 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Alabama is known for its diverse economy, led by the aerospace, automotive, agricultural, and manufacturing industries. The state is home to major automotive manufacturing plants, including those for Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Honda. Energy Alabama ranks No. 14 among states for most energy production, with its leading production sources being nuclear, coal and wood/waste, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alabama ranks No. 12 for most energy consumption. The leading energy sources consumed by Alabamians is natural gas, motor gasoline and nuclear power. Alabamians’ residential electricity rate is $0.154/kWh, cheaper than the national average. Commercial electricity rate is more expensive; Alabama commercial users pay a rate of $0.132/kWh, compared to the national average commercial rate of $0.1259/kWh. Industrial users pay $0.0710/kWh, just under the national average industrial electricity rate of $0.0804/kWh. Alabamians’ residential natural gas price is $20.10 per thousand cubic feet, above the national average of $14.75, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment Annual carbon emissions increased 6.4 percent since 1970, while the state’s population soared 45 percent during the same span. The federal government lists 142 species in Alabama as threatened or endangered.
