At a glance: Alabama Alabama is the 24th most populous state in the U.S., with 5,108,468 residents across its 52,419 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 20 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Alabama is known for its diverse economy, led by the aerospace, automotive, agricultural, and manufacturing industries. The state is home to major automotive manufacturing plants, including those for Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Honda. Energy Alabama ranks No. 14 among states for most energy production, with its leading production sources being nuclear, coal and wood/waste, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alabama ranks No. 12 for most energy consumption. The leading energy sources consumed by Alabamians is natural gas, motor gasoline and nuclear power. Alabamians’ residential electricity rate is $0.154/kWh, cheaper than the national average. Commercial electricity rate is more expensive; Alabama commercial users pay a rate of $0.132/kWh, compared to the national average commercial rate of $0.1259/kWh. Industrial users pay $0.0710/kWh, just under the national average industrial electricity rate of $0.0804/kWh. Alabamians’ residential natural gas price is $20.10 per thousand cubic feet, above the national average of $14.75, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment Annual carbon emissions increased 6.4 percent since 1970, while the state’s population soared 45 percent during the same span. The federal government lists 142 species in Alabama as threatened or endangered. SUGGESTED STORIES At a glance: Virginia Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the U.S., with 8,715,698 residents across its 39,500 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 1 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Virginia is home to the third-busiest port on the East Coast, and its biggest economic ind Read more At a glance: Texas Texas is the second most populous state in the U.S., with 30,503,301 residents spanning its 268,596 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 3 in business in 2024 by CNBC. Known as the energy capital of the country, Texas leads in oil, natural gas, and wind po Read more At a glance: Colorado Colorado is the 21st most populous state in the U.S., with 5,877,610 residents across its 104,094 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 16 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Colorado is a key player in the energy sector and is known for its outdoor recreation in Read more
At a glance: Virginia Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the U.S., with 8,715,698 residents across its 39,500 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 1 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Virginia is home to the third-busiest port on the East Coast, and its biggest economic ind Read more
At a glance: Texas Texas is the second most populous state in the U.S., with 30,503,301 residents spanning its 268,596 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 3 in business in 2024 by CNBC. Known as the energy capital of the country, Texas leads in oil, natural gas, and wind po Read more
At a glance: Colorado Colorado is the 21st most populous state in the U.S., with 5,877,610 residents across its 104,094 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 16 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Colorado is a key player in the energy sector and is known for its outdoor recreation in Read more
