Part 1: Can Muslims Impact US Elections?

Part 2: How Evangelical Christians Shape U.S. Support for Israel?

Part 3: Theological Stances on Zionism: Perspectives from Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Churches

Part 4: Evangelicals in the U.S: Population Statistics and State Rankings

Part 5: The Power Play of Zionist Influence in American Politics and the Defeat of Jamal Bowman

Part 6: Christians United for Israel: Overview and Controversies

Part 7: A Journey Through American Jewish History

Part 8: Decoding the Election Process; Key Terms You Need to Know!!

Part 9: Understanding America's Unique Presidential Selection Process

Since 2004, Republican nominees have consistently won Alabama by margins exceeding 20 points, including Donald Trump's nearly 26% victory in 2020.

The state has held nine electoral votes since 1972, a number that will remain unchanged until 2028. Of Alabama's seven congressional districts, only one is represented by a Democrat.

Alabama comprises approximately 1.51% of the U.S. population, making it the 24th-most-populated state. From 2010 to 2023, the population increased by 6.65%. The largest city, Huntsville, boasts a 2023 population of 225,476, while the capital city, Montgomery, is home to an estimated 199,055 residents. Unlike many other states, Alabama’s population is relatively evenly distributed, with the ten most populous cities spread across eight counties and five distinct regions.

Known as the "Yellowhammer State" after a woodpecker species that became a slang term for Alabama's Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, Alabama joined the Union in December 1819. It has participated in every election since 1820, except for 1864 due to secession. Historically, Alabama was a Democratic stronghold from Reconstruction through the 1950s. In the 1960 election, six of the 11 Democratic electors were unpledged and cast their votes for Harry F. Byrd.

The state is divided into 67 counties and contains 461 municipalities, including 174 cities and 287 towns, with a total population of 5,108,468. Among them, 108,000 are foreign-born (2.4% of the state’s population), with 22.2% (24,000 people) being undocumented. In 2018, the top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico, China, India, Germany, and Guatemala.

Alabama is characterized by a diverse demographic composition. About 20–23% of the population identifies as predominantly English, while the state has the 5th highest African American population in the U.S. The largest reported ancestry group in Alabama is "American."

Religious Affiliation

• Christian: 86% (Protestant 78%, Evangelical Protestant 49%, Mainline Protestant 13%, Black Church 16%, Catholic 7%, Mormon 1%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 0.1%, Eastern Orthodox 0.1%, Other Christian 0.1%)
• Unaffiliated: 12% (Nothing in particular 9%, Agnostic 1%, Atheist 1%)
• Non-Christian Faiths: 1% (Jewish 0.2%, Muslim 0.2%, Buddhist 0.2%, Hindu 0.2%, Other Non-Christian Faiths 0.2%)
• Don't Know/Refused to Answer: 1%

Located in the heart of the Bible Belt, Alabama is one of the most religious states in the U.S., with about 58% of the population attending church regularly. The majority identify as Evangelical Protestants, with the Southern Baptist Convention having the highest number of adherents.

Jewish and Muslim Communities

Jews have been present in Alabama since 1763 during the colonial era, with the oldest congregation, Sha’arai Shomayim, located in Mobile. Jewish denominations in the state include two Orthodox, four Conservative, ten Reform, and one Humanistic synagogue.

The Muslim population in Alabama has been growing, with 31 mosques built by 2011 and an estimated 25,000 Muslims in the state by 2024. The community is spread across several cities, including Huntsville and Madison. The Huntsville Islamic Center (HIC) offers various services, including a mosque, community center, educational programs, and an Islamic school for preschool through 8th grade.

Hindu and Buddhist Presence

Indian immigrants and their descendants have established several Hindu temples and cultural centers, such as the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Birmingham and the Hindu Cultural Center of North Alabama in Capshaw.

For Theravada Buddhists, there are six Dharma centers and monastic temples, mainly in southern Mobile County near Bayou La Batre. This area saw an influx of refugees from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam during the 1970s, resulting in the establishment of temples such as Chua Chanh Giac and Wat Buddharaksa.

Alabama’s unique blend of electoral, demographic, and religious profiles paints a complex and diverse picture of this Southern state, reflecting its rich history and evolving identity.