Alabama: elevation, cities and highest point
Alabama has 5,193,088 people (2025) and 67 counties. Its highest point is Cheaha Mountain, at 2,407 ft, and its lowest, the Gulf of Mexico, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 100,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the All Map Tools Team
- Population (2025)
- 5,193,088
- The 24th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 50,651 sq mi
- The 28th largest state
- Counties
- 67
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- Sea level
- Gulf of Mexico
Map of Alabama’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Montgomery, sits at 238 ft (73 m): the 34th highest of the 50 state capitals. Alabama’s highest point, Cheaha Mountain, is 82 mi away in a straight line and 2,169 ft higher.
Between its highest point (2,407 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 2,407 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Alabama’s is the 35th highest.
Alabama has 5 cities with a page. The highest is Huntsville, at 639 ft, and the lowest is Mobile, at 9 ft: 630 ft apart.
Alabama borders 4 states. Their highest points are Britton Hill, in Florida (345 ft), Woodall Mountain, in Mississippi (806 ft), Brasstown Bald, in Georgia (4,784 ft), and Kuwohi, in Tennessee (6,643 ft): Alabama’s is the 3rd highest of the 5. Their capitals: Tallahassee (204 ft), Jackson (279 ft), Atlanta (1,050 ft), and Nashville (555 ft).
- Cheaha Mountain 2,407 ft
- Montgomery 238 ft
Cities of 100,000 to 250,000 people (4)
Population
Alabama had 5,193,088 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 3.3% more than in April 2020 (5,025,437). Across 50,651 sq mi of land, that’s 103 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Huntsville, with 233,627 people. The Census counts 593 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Alabama.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 233,627 | 225 sq mi | 639 ft |
| Mobile | 200,824 | 151 sq mi | 9 ft |
| Birmingham | 195,893 | 147 sq mi | 609 ft |
| Montgomery | 195,300 | 160 sq mi | 238 ft |
| Tuscaloosa | 114,316 | 63.0 sq mi | 225 ft |
| Hoover | 93,550 | 49.7 sq mi | — |
| Auburn | 85,113 | 64.1 sq mi | — |
| Dothan | 72,060 | 90.4 sq mi | — |
| Madison | 67,968 | 30.6 sq mi | — |
| Decatur | 58,056 | 54.6 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Alabama?
Cheaha Mountain, at 2,407 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 35th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Alabama?
The Gulf of Mexico, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Montgomery, the capital?
238 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 34th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Alabama?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 100,000 people), Huntsville, at 639 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Alabama have?
67, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know