Montgomery serves as the capital, second most populous city, and fourth most populous metropolitan area in the southern state of Alabama. Montgomery is also the county seat of Montgomery County. Located in the Gulf Coastal Plain, Montgomery lies southeast of the center of the state. A primary site during the American Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century, Montgomery hosted the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Montgomery also features the Maxwell Air Forces Base, Alabama State University, and Auburn University-Montgomery.
As of 2000, the city population of Montgomery was 201,568. The Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area, of which Montgomery is the primary city, had a population of 346,528 in 2000. In Montgomery, 49.63% of residents are African American, 47.67% are White, 0.25% are Native American, 1.06% are Asian, 0.04% are Pacific Islander, 0.37% are from other races, and 0.98% are from two or more races. 1.23% of residents are Hispanic of any race.
The median income for a Montgomery household is $35,627. For families, the median income is $44,297. The per capita income for Montgomery is $19,385. In Montgomery, 13.9% of families and 17.7% of the population live below the poverty line.
Montgomery suffered economic problems during the 20th century, but a recent revitalization effort has emerged. Hyundai Motor Company opened their first U.S. assembly plant in Montgomery. Montgomery is home to both a federal minimum-security prison and major supply hubs for the military. Future plans for Montgomery include a second bypass system and large residential and commercial developments throughout the city.