Birmingham, Alabama
Sean Pavone | Flickr Open | Getty Images
Category Score 2013 Rank 2012 Rank
Cost of Doing Business317620
Workforce1462526
Quality of Life984547
Infrastructure & Transportation1952729
Economy189406
Education643643
Technology & Innovation1133435
Business Friendliness623730
Cost of Living381313
Access to Capital63941
Overall1228(Tie) 3338

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Governor: Robert Bentley (R) 

Population: 4,822,023

GDP growth: 1.2 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2013): 6.9 percent

Top corporate rate: 6.5 percent

Top individual tax rate: 5 percent

Gasoline tax: 20.9 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/Stable

Major private employers: Alabama Power Company, Hunstville Hospital, John Manske, University Hospital-UAB, Russell Brands, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Gulf Coast Interiors, University of South Alabama, Sears Hometown Store, DCH Regional Medical Center

Economic profile sources: American Petroleum Institute (April 2013), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2012), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2013 release), CareerOneStop, Moody's Investors Service (senior-most tax-backed ratings), National Governors Association, Tax Foundation (2013), U.S. Census Bureau (2012 estimate)