19127Fae 74A8 4084 B870 D582A88D6E3C — “Montgomery, Alabama” by markcbrennan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Alabama’s cities are continuing to bring home accolades as they prove to the U.S. that the Yellowhammer State is a great place to live.

Most recently, Huntsville and Montgomery were named among 20 finalists of the 2026 All-American City Award.

Also known as the “Nobel Prize for Constructive Citizenship,” the community recognition program has been awarded to more than 500 cities since 1949 by the National Civic League. Hundreds of cities submit applications to be considered for the recognition.

Montgomery is one of a handful of Alabama cities that has been previously named an All-American City:

Anniston (1978)
Birmingham (1970, 2013)
Gadsen (1991)
Mobile (1995)
Montgomery (2014)
Phenix City (1955)
Tuscaloosa-Northport (2002)

“Montgomery’s selection as a finalist is a testament to the spirit of our people and the partnerships that fuel our progress.

“We are building a Montgomery where trust, engagement, and opportunity flow to every neighborhood; and this recognition affirms that our community-driven approach is working. I am grateful for everyone who contributed to our application and for the shared commitment to strengthening civic health across our city.”
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed

This year’s finalists are:

Bowling Green–Warren County, Kentucky
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Conway, South Carolina
Franklin, Tennessee
Grand Island, Nebraska
Harlingen, Texas
Huntsville, Alabama
Jenks, Oklahoma
Monrovia, California
Montgomery, Alabama
Morrisville, North Carolina
Norfolk, Virginia
North Charleston, South Carolina
Opa-locka, Florida
River Forest, Illinois
Riviera Beach, Florida
Roanoke, Virginia
Stow, Ohio
Wichita, Kansas
Woodburn, Oregon

Now, finalists are preparing 10-minute presentations to deliver this June at the All-America City Award Event in Denver, Colorado. Ten communities (neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and regions are eligible to apply) will walk away as winners of the competition.

Applications for the award require communities to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, challenges and progress.

“This year’s All-America City finalists remind us that the strength of democracy depends on engaged residents who are invested in shaping the future of the places they call home.

“As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, these communities are proving that civic health is improved block by block, through trust, belonging, and the collective power of people working together.”

Doug Linkhart, The National Civic League’s President

The event isn’t made up of just accolades, however. Community representatives participate in interactive discussions to learn about concrete examples of excellence and how to maintain high civic health.

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