File photo.
Homes on River Street in the Stockton neighborhood of Trussville.
Two years ago, Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat said it was realistic that Trussville could reach a population of 30,000 to 35,000 by 2040.
At the time, that statement seemed farfetched. If the recently released United States census data is any indication, that population range may be reached by 2030.
Trussville’s population grew from 19,933 in 2010 to 26,123 in 2020, according to the 2020 U.S. census, a 31% increase.
In terms of demographics, the city is 53% female and is 89% white. The city is 6% Black and 3.7% of residents are two or more races. The median value of owner-occupied housing is $255,100, with an ownership rate of 90%. The median household income is $97,226, with a poverty rate of 5.2%.
“The numbers that were released were a little higher than I thought they would be but not surprising,” Choat said. “We all realize that Trussville has been and continues to be a destination choice for a lot of people and businesses. Our investment in public safety, quality of life, schools, and infrastructure makes Trussville appealing for people to live, work, and raise their families. As we continue to plan for the future, we have to recognize the fact that we now have an expectation to live up to, and I know myself and our (City Council) realize it.”
Trussville is now the 22nd largest city in Alabama. Of the largest 22 cities in Alabama, only Auburn (43%), Madison (33%) and Northport (33%) had greater percentage increases in population from 2010 to 2020.
“The kind of population growth that Trussville has experienced means our city leaders are getting things right,” said Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director June Mathews. “If we didn’t have access to good jobs, schools, housing, etc., people wouldn’t move here. It’s as simple as that. Add to those factors our strong sense of community and overall exceptional quality of life, and growth like we’ve had over the past 10 years really isn’t all that surprising.”
Trussville’s census population in 2000 was 12,924 and 8,266 in 1990. In 1980, 3,507 people were reported as Trussville residents in the census. That number was 2,985 in 1970, 2,510 in 1960 and 1,575 in 1950.
The census will affect Trussville’s funding in a big way for the next decade. Gasoline tax funds, including the state’s 10-cent gas tax, are based on Trussville’s census count for the next 10 years. Internet sales tax is distributed on a population basis from the census count. Capital improvement funds and other funds from the state are allocated by census population. Businesses use census data to determine where to build offices, stores and industrial facilities.
Census statistics are the basis for federal dollars and grant funding, including programs such as Medicaid; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; the National School Lunch Program; and Head Start. Each person counted generates nearly $1,600 in federal funding for Alabama and its communities.
Kevin Sargent, the director of business development for RealtySouth and co-owner of the Sargent McDonald Team in Trussville, said Trussville has seen rapid growth, specifically over the last 20 years, as a result of strong municipal leadership, one of the top educational systems in the state and the city’s convenient location to downtown Birmingham.
“For years and years we were the best kept secret of Birmingham, now everyone in Birmingham knows Trussville is a major player in the future of the metropolitan Birmingham area,” Sargent said. “We’ve seen a substantial increase in residents moving in from out of state, specifically the Northeast as well as quite a few families moving to us from Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Homewood. Our property values in relation to our schools’ state ranking and status are still well below those in comparable markets. Your dollar still goes further in Trussville without compromising your children’s education. Plus, now, we have an entertainment district that’s thriving while still growing, that’s second to no one as far as Birmingham suburbs are concerned. Why wouldn’t someone want to live here?”
Choat is proud of the direction Trussville is headed.
“Let’s not forget that a lot of people have made a difference for all of us by volunteering their time and energy, without pay, to serve the city on the various boards and committees that we have,” he said. “When we serve as one, we serve better. I look forward to the challenge of keeping Trussville the Gateway to Happy Living.”
