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Huntsville, Alabama stands out among cities in the Southeast by being repeatedly named by publications as one of the best places to live in the region. These ratings are for both business and for quality of life, two things for which the city scores high marks. Fortune 500 companies call Huntsville home. Industries related to technology and defense are common here, such as the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and Cummings Research Park. Southern heritage mixes with high-tech entrepreneurial spirit to make a town with a high quality of life.
There is a wide variety of cultural activities and amenities in the greater Huntsville area. From festivals to museums to historical cemeteries, the city has something to offer anyone. The Panoply Festival of the Arts is one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast, according to the Southeastern Tourism Society. The event has five stages that feature dance, music, and theater performances. Activities for children are plentiful, and there is an artist choreography competition. The Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll features residents in period costumes representing notable Huntsville residents from the past. Alabama’s history can be explored at the Alabama Constitutional Village where villagers in period clothing take visitors on tours of Federal style buildings.
Huntsville offers many different types of sporting events, including AA baseball with the Huntsville Stars, the Huntsville Speedway where NASCAR racing takes place, and Southern Professional Hockey League team the Huntsville Havoc. There are also a variety of recreation centers, parks, and youth athletic leagues located throughout the city and offering something for everyone in the way of leisure activities. Tennis, golf, and aquatic programs are offered at many recreational facilities.
Located in the heart of the Tennessee River Valley, Huntsville is no stranger to natural beauty and outdoor fun. The city is surrounded by mesas and hills, and a mountain called Monte Santo is just east of the city. The Green Mountains, Rainbow Mountain, Madkin Mountain, Brindlee Mountain, and Wade Mountain are also close by. The land is karst spring country, and limestone bedrock caves are common in the area. In fact, the headquarters of the National Speleological Society are right in the middle of Huntsville. For those interested in horseback riding, 3H Stables can provide a view of the Alabama mountains from horseback. The Flint River is just 7 miles from Huntsville, and it provides excellent canoeing opportunities. Wheeler Reservoir offers 60,000 acres of outdoor fun and is camper’s paradise. Green Mountain Nature Trail is a 16-acre park with wooded paths and covered bridges.
Huntsville offers a great deal of choice when it comes to nightlife. There are a variety of dance clubs in the downtown area, and downtown on any weekend evening is bustling. There are also numerous bars and restaurants to choose from when planning an evening out with friends. Some of the most popular places include Sammy T’s and 721.
Huntsville strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Alabama):
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Well-Paid Single Men (vs. State) | Top 4% |  |
| College Educated Adults (vs. State) | Top 4% | |
| Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State) | Top 4% | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers) | Top 5% | |
| Short Commute Times (vs. Peers) | Top 6% | |
| Median Family Income (vs. State) | Top 8% | |
| Racial Diversity (vs. State) | Top 9% | |
| Walking and Biking to Work (vs. State) | Top 9% | |
| Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers) | Top 13% | |
| People in Middle Class or Better (vs. State) | Top 17% | |
Comparing Huntsville to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Alabama (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Age of the Population | |  |
| Well-Paid Single Women |  | |
| Senior Citizens | |  |
| Well-Paid Single Men |  | |
| Female Share of the Population | | |
| Male Share of the Population |  |  |
| Racial Diversity |  | |
| Children Under 5 Years Old | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married |  | |
| Average Household Size | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| College Educated Adults | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| People Above Poverty | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Violent Crime | | |
| Low Property Crime | | |
Detailed pages on related topics: Huntsville colleges • Huntsville travel • Huntsville mortgages and property.
 | Huntsville Careers Huntsville career and employment information. |
 | Huntsville Colleges Huntsville colleges and trade schools. |
 | Huntsville Hotels & Travel Huntsville hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Huntsville Mortgage Huntsville property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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