Beneath the gentle Southern sun where azaleas bloom, Mobile, Alabama, presents a fascinating portrait of change and resilience, a city where a rich cultural tapestry meets a dynamic and evolving economic landscape.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 United States Census recorded Mobile's population at 187,041 residents, reflecting a 14.5% decline from the 200,811 residents counted in the 2010 Census.
- Mobile's population density in 2020 was 726.2 people per square mile, calculated over its total land area of 257.52 square miles including water.
- As of 2020, 51.4% of Mobile's population identified as Black or African American, making it the largest racial group in the city.
- Mobile's unemployment rate averaged 4.2% in 2023.
- The Port of Mobile handled 56.7 million tons of cargo in fiscal year 2023.
- Airbus delivered over 200 aircraft components from its Mobile facility in 2023.
- Mobile's land area is 117.02 square miles with 47.50 square miles of water.
- The city of Mobile sits at an elevation of 23 feet above sea level on average.
- Mobile lies at coordinates 30°41′ N 88°06′ W in Mobile Bay.
- Mobile was founded by the French in 1702 as Fort Louis de la Mobile.
- The first Mardi Gras in the United States was celebrated in Mobile on February 3, 1703.
- Mobile served as the capital of French Louisiana from 1702 to 1763.
- The University of South Alabama has 14,000 students enrolled in 2023.
- Spring Hill College enrollment stands at 1,121 undergraduates in 2023.
- Bishop State Community College serves 2,869 students annually.
Mobile's population declined, but its diverse economy remains anchored by the port.
Demographics
1The 2020 United States Census recorded Mobile's population at 187,041 residents, reflecting a 14.5% decline from the 200,811 residents counted in the 2010 Census.
Verified2Mobile's population density in 2020 was 726.2 people per square mile, calculated over its total land area of 257.52 square miles including water.
Verified3As of 2020, 51.4% of Mobile's population identified as Black or African American, making it the largest racial group in the city.
Verified4In 2020, 40.9% of Mobile residents identified as White alone, excluding those identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Directional5Hispanic or Latino residents comprised 2.9% of Mobile's population in the 2020 Census.
Single source6The median age in Mobile was 35.9 years as of the 2020 Census data.
Verified724.5% of Mobile's population was under 18 years old according to 2020 Census figures.
Verified813.7% of residents were 65 years and over in Mobile per the 2020 Census.
Verified9Females made up 52.6% of Mobile's population in 2020.
Directional10The average household size in Mobile was 2.38 persons in 2020.
Single source1178.3% of Mobile households were owner-occupied as of recent American Community Survey data.
Verified12The poverty rate in Mobile stood at 22.4% in 2022 estimates.
Verified13Median household income in Mobile was $48,869 in 2022.
Verified1488.2% of Mobile residents were U.S. citizens at birth per 2022 ACS data.
Directional15Foreign-born residents accounted for 4.5% of Mobile's population in 2022.
Single source16Veterans comprised 6.8% of the civilian population aged 18 and over in Mobile.
Verified17The percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher was 27.5% for those 25 and older in 2022.
Verified18High school graduate or higher rate was 89.4% for persons aged 25 and older in Mobile.
Verified19Asian residents made up 2.1% of Mobile's population in 2020.
Directional20American Indian and Alaska Native residents were 0.3% of the population per 2020 Census.
Single source21Two or more races identified by 2.4% of residents in 2020.
Verified22Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander residents were 0.1% in Mobile's 2020 Census.
Verified23Non-Hispanic White residents were 38.5% of the population in 2020.
Verified24The city’s population grew by 0.2% from 2021 to 2022, reaching an estimated 184,385.
Directional25Mobile's metro area population was 428,571 in 2023 estimates.
Single source2615.2% of households spoke a language other than English at home in 2022.
Verified27Disability rate among civilians 5 years and older was 13.1% in Mobile.
Verified28Married couple families represented 42.1% of family households in 2022 ACS.
Verified29Female householders with no spouse present were 18.4% of family households.
Directional30Male householders with no spouse present made up 5.3% of family households in Mobile.
Single sourceDemographics Interpretation
Despite a significant population decline over the past decade, Mobile remains a majority-Black, family-oriented city grappling with persistent economic challenges, as evidenced by its high poverty rate and modest median income.
Economy and Business
1Mobile's unemployment rate averaged 4.2% in 2023.
Verified2The Port of Mobile handled 56.7 million tons of cargo in fiscal year 2023.
Verified3Airbus delivered over 200 aircraft components from its Mobile facility in 2023.
Verified4Median household income in the Mobile metro area was $56,414 in 2022.
Directional5Manufacturing employment in Mobile county was 22,500 jobs in 2023.
Single source6The healthcare and social assistance sector employed 28,900 people in Mobile MSA in 2023.
Verified7Retail trade accounted for 15,200 jobs in the Mobile metropolitan area in 2023.
Verified8Average annual wage in Mobile MSA was $54,320 in 2023.
Verified9Construction employment in Mobile was 12,400 in 2023.
Directional10Hospitality sector (accommodation and food services) had 18,500 jobs in Mobile area.
Single source11The cost of living index in Mobile is 87.5, below the national average of 100.
Verified12Housing median home value in Mobile was $162,200 in 2023.
Verified13Sales tax rate in Mobile city is 10%, combining state, county, and city rates.
Verified14GDP per capita in Mobile MSA was $62,450 in 2022.
Directional15Wholesale trade employment was 5,800 in Mobile in 2023.
Single source16Finance and insurance sector employed 7,200 in the area.
Verified17Transportation and warehousing jobs totaled 11,300 in Mobile MSA 2023.
Verified18Professional, scientific, and technical services had 8,900 employees.
Verified19Educational services employment was 14,200 in Mobile area 2023.
Directional20Public administration jobs numbered 10,500 in Mobile MSA.
Single source21Other services employed 9,100 people in the region.
Verified22Mobile's GDP grew by 2.8% in 2022 over the previous year.
Verified23Small business ownership rate is 7.2% of adults in Mobile.
Verified24Tourism generated $1.2 billion in visitor spending in Mobile County 2022.
Directional25Shipbuilding at Austal USA contributed $500 million to local economy annually.
Single source26Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Mobile was $1,015 in 2024.
VerifiedEconomy and Business Interpretation
Mobile is humming along like a well-oiled machine, boasting a tight labor market, a surprisingly affordable cost of living, and a diverse economy that builds planes, ships, and everything in between, proving that Southern charm comes with a solid paycheck.
Education, Health, and Infrastructure
1The University of South Alabama has 14,000 students enrolled in 2023.
Verified2Spring Hill College enrollment stands at 1,121 undergraduates in 2023.
Verified3Bishop State Community College serves 2,869 students annually.
Verified4Alabama State University at Mobile branch has 1,200 students.
Directional5Mobile County Public Schools district enrolls 53,000 students.
Single source6Graduation rate in Mobile County schools is 82% for class of 2023.
Verified7Providence Hospital has 349 licensed beds in Mobile.
Verified8USA Health system includes 1,107 beds across facilities in 2023.
Verified9Mobile Infirmary operates 988 beds in the city.
Directional10Springhill Memorial Hospital has 404 beds.
Single source11Infant mortality rate in Mobile County is 8.1 per 1,000 births.
Verified12Life expectancy in Mobile is 74.5 years, below national average.
Verified13Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) handled 1.2 million passengers in 2023.
Verified14I-10 through Mobile carries 120,000 vehicles daily.
Directional15Mobile Skyland Parkway bridge spans 3.7 miles over the bay.
Single source16Public transit via Wave Transit serves 2.5 million rides yearly.
Verified1785% of Mobile households have broadband internet access.
Verified18USA Health performed 25,000 surgeries in 2023.
Verified19Mobile Public Library system circulates 1.1 million items annually.
Directional20High school ACT average score in Mobile County is 18.2.
Single source2165% of Mobile adults have some college education.
VerifiedEducation, Health, and Infrastructure Interpretation
Mobile is a city of significant scale, where over 70,000 students are educated across its universities and public schools, nearly 2,500 hospital beds serve its residents, and major infrastructure moves millions, yet it grapples with measurable challenges in health and education that its community is actively working to address.
Geography and Climate
1Mobile's land area is 117.02 square miles with 47.50 square miles of water.
Verified2The city of Mobile sits at an elevation of 23 feet above sea level on average.
Verified3Mobile lies at coordinates 30°41′ N 88°06′ W in Mobile Bay.
Verified4The Mobile River delta covers 12,000 square miles of drainage basin.
Directional5Average annual precipitation in Mobile is 66.3 inches.
Single source6Mobile's average high temperature in July is 91.1°F.
Verified7January average low temperature is 40.2°F in Mobile.
Verified8Hurricane Camille remnants brought 22.25 inches of rain to Mobile in 1969.
Verified9The city experiences 215.3 days with precipitation annually on average.
Directional10Mobile's Köppen climate classification is Cfa, humid subtropical.
Single source11Snowfall averages 0.2 inches per year in Mobile.
Verified12Highest temperature recorded was 106°F on August 3, 2023.
Verified13Lowest temperature was -1°F on January 21, 1985.
Verified14Mobile Bay covers 413 square miles adjacent to the city.
Directional15The city is bordered by the Mobile River to the north and west.
Single source16Dauphin Island lies 40 miles south of Mobile across the bay.
Verified17Average humidity in Mobile is 73% annually.
Verified18Thunderstorms occur on 92 days per year on average.
Verified19Tornado risk is moderate, with 5-10 events per decade in the area.
Directional20Sea level rise projections indicate 1-2 feet by 2050 for Mobile Bay.
Single source21The urban heat island effect raises temperatures 3-5°F in city center.
Verified22Mobile's waterfront spans 42 miles along the bay and rivers.
Verified23Fault lines like the Mobile Bay Fault pose minor seismic risk.
Verified24Mangrove ecosystems cover 20,000 acres in Mobile Bay.
Directional25Average wind speed is 8.1 mph year-round in Mobile.
Single source26Hurricane Ivan made landfall nearby in 2004, causing $1.8 billion damage.
Verified27Annual sunshine hours total 2,600 in Mobile.
VerifiedGeography and Climate Interpretation
With its muggy subtropical climate, Mobile's generous 66 inches of annual rain ensures its vast delta stays lush, but it also means the city spends over 200 days a year politely reminding you to carry an umbrella while simultaneously threatening to float it away with a hurricane.
History and Culture
1Mobile was founded by the French in 1702 as Fort Louis de la Mobile.
Verified2The first Mardi Gras in the United States was celebrated in Mobile on February 3, 1703.
Verified3Mobile served as the capital of French Louisiana from 1702 to 1763.
Verified4The Battle of Mobile Bay occurred on August 5, 1864, during the Civil War.
Directional5USS Tennessee was sunk in the bay during the 1864 battle.
Single source6Mobile was occupied by Union forces from 1865 until war's end.
Verified7The city was a major cotton exporting port in the antebellum South.
Verified8Carnival Mystic, oldest Mardi Gras organization, founded 1868.
Verified9Mobile's Condé-Charlotte House dates to 1822, oldest building.
Directional10Fort Conde replica built in 1976 represents 18th-century fort.
Single source11The Mobile Theatre Guild founded in 1947, oldest community theater.
Verified12Joe Cain founded modern Mardi Gras parades in 1866.
Verified13The city hosted the America's Junior Miss pageant from 1957-2008.
Verified14Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel opened in 1852.
Directional15Mobile's Saenger Theatre built in 1927, restored 1997.
Single source16The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center opened in 1998.
Verified17Mobile's first newspaper, Mobile Gazette, published 1813.
Verified18The city celebrated its tricentennial in 2002 with festivals.
Verified19Fort Blakeley site of last major Civil War battle in 1865.
Directional20Mobile's MoonPie trademarked in 1929 by Chattanooga Bakery.
Single source21The Mobile Masked Rex founded Mardi Gras tradition in 1871.
Verified22USS Alabama battleship commissioned 1942, now museum.
Verified23The Phoenix Fire Museum houses 19th-century fire equipment.
Verified24Mobile's Jubilee phenomenon recorded since 1860s.
Directional25The University of Mobile founded as Mobile Baptist College in 1961.
Single source26Spring Hill College, America's oldest co-ed Catholic college, 1830.
Verified27The University of South Alabama established in 1963.
VerifiedHistory and Culture Interpretation
Mobile’s history is a potent cocktail of French revelry, Southern cotton wealth, naval warfare, and civic pride, shaken by conflict but always stirred back to life by its enduring pageantry.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 2CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 3DATAdata.census.govVisit source
- Reference 4DATAUSAdatausa.ioVisit source
- Reference 5POINT2HOMESpoint2homes.comVisit source
- Reference 6CITY-DATAcity-data.comVisit source
- Reference 7NEILSBERGneilsberg.comVisit source
- Reference 8WORLDPOPULATIONREVIEWworldpopulationreview.comVisit source
- Reference 9MACROTRENDSmacrotrends.netVisit source
- Reference 10BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 11PORTOFMOBILEportofmobile.comVisit source
- Reference 12AIRBUSairbus.comVisit source
- Reference 13DATAdata.bls.govVisit source
- Reference 14BESTPLACESbestplaces.netVisit source
- Reference 15ZILLOWzillow.comVisit source
- Reference 16AVALARAavalara.comVisit source
- Reference 17DATAdata.bea.govVisit source
- Reference 18BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 19GULFCOASTgulfcoast.orgVisit source
- Reference 20AUSTALaustal.comVisit source
- Reference 21APARTMENTSapartments.comVisit source
- Reference 22USGSusgs.govVisit source
- Reference 23WEATHERweather.govVisit source
- Reference 24WEATHER-USweather-us.comVisit source
- Reference 25NCDCncdc.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 26MOBILEBAYMAGmobilebaymag.comVisit source
- Reference 27NOAAnoaa.govVisit source
- Reference 28EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 29EARTHQUAKEearthquake.usgs.govVisit source
- Reference 30NATUREnature.orgVisit source
- Reference 31NHCnhc.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 32WEATHER-ATLASweather-atlas.comVisit source
- Reference 33MARDIGRASmardigras.orgVisit source
- Reference 34ENCYCLOPEDIAOFALABAMAencyclopediaofalabama.orgVisit source
- Reference 35HISTORYhistory.navy.milVisit source
- Reference 36NPSnps.govVisit source
- Reference 37MOBILEmobile.orgVisit source
- Reference 38FORTCONDEfortconde.orgVisit source
- Reference 39MOBILETHEATREGUILDmobiletheatreguild.comVisit source
- Reference 40MARRIOTTmarriott.comVisit source
- Reference 41MOBILESAENGERmobilesaenger.comVisit source
- Reference 42EXPLOREUMexploreum.comVisit source
- Reference 43MOBILEPUBLICLIBRARYmobilepubliclibrary.orgVisit source
- Reference 44300MOBILE300mobile.comVisit source
- Reference 45FORTBLAKELEYfortblakeley.orgVisit source
- Reference 46MOONPIEmoonpie.comVisit source
- Reference 47USSALABAMAussalabama.comVisit source
- Reference 48PHOENIXFIREMUSEUMphoenixfiremuseum.orgVisit source
- Reference 49UMOBILEumobile.eduVisit source
- Reference 50SHCshc.eduVisit source
- Reference 51SOUTHALABAMAsouthalabama.eduVisit source
- Reference 52BISHOPbishop.eduVisit source
- Reference 53MCASmcas.eduVisit source
- Reference 54MCPSSmcpss.comVisit source
- Reference 55PROVIDENCEHOSPITALprovidencehospital.orgVisit source
- Reference 56USAHEALTHSYSTEMusahealthsystem.comVisit source
- Reference 57INFIRMARYHEALTHinfirmaryhealth.orgVisit source
- Reference 58ALABAMAPUBLICHEALTHalabamapublichealth.govVisit source
- Reference 59COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGScountyhealthrankings.orgVisit source
- Reference 60FLYMOBIflymobi.comVisit source
- Reference 61ALDOTaldot.govVisit source
- Reference 62WAVETRANSITwavetransit.comVisit source
- Reference 63BROADBANDNOWbroadbandnow.comVisit source
- Reference 64MOBILEPUBLICLIBRARYmobilepubliclibrary.infoVisit source