The rate of population growth in Alabama last year increased slightly, but the state is being held back in terms of growth by one of the nation’s highest death rates and one of the lowest rates of migration from other countries.
A new analysis from the Alabama Public Affairs Research Council shows that Alabama’s growth rate is faster this year but remains slow compared to other Southeastern states.
There are some bright spots, according to the same analysis. Alabama saw more individuals moving in from other states last year. For the first time in years, more people moved to Alabama than left for other states.
PARCA’s report is an in-depth analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
While more individuals are moving in to Alabama than leaving, the state still has the second-highest death rate in the U.S. Alabama residents are dying faster and earlier, according to the analysis.
Only West Virginia has a higher death rate.
In 2016, Alabama had the fourth-highest death rate from heart disease and ranked No. 7 from cancer and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease deaths. The state also has the highest infant mortality rate in the country and the second-highest rate of death from firearms.
Overall, though, Alabama is in the middle in terms of birth rate. It ranked 30th with 12 per 1,000. Alabama saw a natural increase in the population of about 6,000.
International migration is often a leading factor in terms of population growth, but relatively few migrants from other countries are moving to Alabama — which ranked No. 46 among states for international immigration from July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2017.
Alabama remains ahead of some states in terms of growth. According to the PARCA report, Alabama’s population increase ranked as No. 33 among U.S. states. Since 2010, the population has grown by 94,612, or 2 percent, ranking 38th during that period.
