Huntsville is one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, per the City of Huntsville. NASA designed the moon-reaching Saturn V rocket there, and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the world’s largest spaceflight museum. Redstone Arsenal is a major employer, and it’s the home for various military entities and federal agencies. The Cummings Research Park is one of the largest of its type, with thousands upon thousands of employees and students. Toyota and Mazda have Huntsville facilities, as well as countless Fortune 500 companies.
According to Neighborhood Scout, Huntsville’s crime numbers are higher in most metrics compared to national averages. However, there is almost a 50% less chance of being victimized by violent crime versus the rest of Alabama. Niche ranks Huntsville as the sixth-best city in the U.S. for buying a house and #35 for raising a family.
Educational opportunities abound; colleges include the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Samford University. Community colleges are tuition-free, and K through 12 public schools are keeping pace with the rapid population growth while trying to accommodate an influx of diverse students. However, as the Huntsville Business Journal points out, the educational system was held back by the region’s segregated history. A 2014 court order addressed some of the disparities between the quality of Huntsville’s secondary schools with mostly Black students and those with white students.
