Careers, Jobs and Education Resources for: Gadsden, AL
Gadsden is a city in and the county seat of Etowah County, northeastern Alabama, United States, approximately 60 miles northeast of Birmingham. It is the principal city of and is included in the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. As of the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 37,291. It was at one time the state's second most important industrial center, trailing only Mobile. The two cities were important shipping centers: Gadsden for riverboats and Mobile for international trade. Up until the 1980s, Gadsden was almost totally dependent on heavy industry, including Goodyear Tire, and Republic Steel. After virtually crumbling in the 1970s and 1980s, Gadsden decided its best course of action was to stop being dependent on indus... (from wikipedia)Alabama Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location..: Alabama is located in the southern region of America and ranks 30th in total land area.
Cities: The capital of Alabama is Montgomery, the largest city by population is Birmingham, the largest city by total land area is Huntsville and the oldest city is Mobile.
Favorite Sons and Daughters: Henry “Hank” Aaron (Baseball Player), Helen Keller (Author, Educator), Rosa Parks (Civil Rights Activist), Condoleezza Rice (U.S. Secretary of State), Jesse Owens (Olympic Athlete), Nat King Cole (Musician), Willie Mays (Baseball Player).
Behind the Name: Alabama is nicknamed the “Yellowhammer State” and the “Heart of Dixie.” The term “Alabama” means “tribal town” in the Creek Indian language. [Ed. Note: The University of Alabama football fans would prefer it meant “Title Town.”]
A Closer Look: The Confederate Constitution was formulated in Alabama.
Did You Know? Alabama ranks 2nd in the U.S. in size of inland waterways.
Alabama Careers and Employment:
Population: 4,661,900 (4.8% increase since 2000) - 51.6% Female, 48.4% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 28th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) manufacturing; (2) retail trade; (3) health care and social assistance; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) administrative and support and waste management and remediation services.
Taxes: Income Tax, 2.0% to 5.0% and Sales Tax, 4% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 92.0 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 47th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 44.29; Apr: 61.99; July: 79.87; Oct: 63.08 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 48th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Alabama Economics:
In General: While Alabama’s economy was once almost entirely supported by the cotton industry, service industries as a group, generally concentrated in the state’s urban areas, represent the largest portion of the state’s gross product.
Service Industry: At the top of the service list are community, business, and personal services (private health care, law firms, software developers, engineering companies) along with wholesale (groceries, machinery, mined products) and retail trades (auto dealerships, discount, food stores).
Agriculture: Over three-fourths of Alabama’s annual agricultural production is generated by livestock products, with the remaining portion coming from crops. In terms of revenue generated, Alabama’s top five agricultural products are broilers (young chickens), cattle and calves, chicken eggs, greenhouse and nursery products and cotton.
Manufacturing: Chemicals represent Alabama’s highest “value added” -- that is, the highest net revenue producing -- category in the manufacturing industry. Manufactured chemicals include industrial chemicals, chemical fibers for textiles, fertilizers and insecticides. Once at the forefront of Alabama’s industrial growth, the manufacture of primary metals such as iron and steel are still a part of the state’s economy.
Mining: Coal, natural gas, petroleum (oil), crushed stone and limestone are the highest net revenue producing mining products in Alabama.
A Closer Look: Alabama produces aerospace and electronic products, mostly in the Huntsville area, which is home to the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.
Did You Know? Although called the “Cotton State,” according to various reports, Alabama actually ranks only between eighth and tenth in national cotton production, with Texas, Georgia and Mississippi comprising the top three.
Alabama Education:
In General: Best known for agriculture and engineering colleges; Alabama includes 14 four-year public universities, numerous two-year community colleges and 17 private undergraduate and graduate universities.
In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: National Rankings – University of Alabama (#83), Auburn University (#96); Liberal Arts Rankings – Birmingham Southern College (#81).
Online Education: There are myriad accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Alabama.
A Closer Look: Alabama is home to approximately 50 colleges, ranging from its large universities to small colleges like Judson College for women and the historic Talladega College for black students.
Did You Know? Alabama is the home of the United States Sports Academy, where students can earn a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate in such topics as sports management or coaching.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.