Montgomery Apartments and Rentals

Montgomery, Ala., is perhaps most well known for its central role in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, but this capital city also offers a number of educational, sports and entertainment options for those who choose to live there.

Those looking for Montgomery apartments for rent will encounter a humid subtropical climate in which a number of universities have been established, as well as a U.S. military base.

Of course, Montgomery is famous for its significance in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches. However, the city played an important role for the Southern United States long before the days of Martin Luther King, Jr. After being incorporated in 1819, it became the state capital in 1846 and later served as the first capital of the Confederate States of America until this designation later moved to Richmond, Va.

Today, the capital of Alabama is home to 208,182 people, many of whom attend Alabama State University, Troy State University or a handful of other institutions nearby. Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base also brings a large number of people to the area and provides a host of employment opportunities. The city has earned a reputation as a cosmopolitan Mecca with Southern charm, thanks to cultural opportunities such as the annual Alabama Shakespeare Festival and other performing arts attractions.

Montgomery's major industry is government, with about a fourth of the population employed at the local, state and federal level - perhaps unsurprising, given the fact that the city serves as the state's capital. In 2011, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base was the city's largest employer, with 12,280 workers, and the State of Alabama employed 9,500 people.

The local universities also contribute positively to the city's economy, offering outstanding educational opportunities that lead many people to look for Montgomery rentals. The eight colleges and universities that call Montgomery home have a total enrollment of about 20,000, infusing a youthful vibe in the city. The city also has 29 public elementary schools, nine middle schools and four high schools, educating 31,743 students.

Those looking for apartments in Montgomery can expect to pay about $779 per month, as this was the median gross rent according to 2012 U.S. Census Bureau data. The average family income is just over $57,000.

History buffs will be hard-pressed to become bored in this city. The Capitol Building itself is one of the few state capitols that is designated a National Historic Landmark. Residents can visit the place Jefferson Davis took the oath before becoming president of the Confederate States of America, and where Martin Luther King, Jr. stood as he delivered his speech at the end of the Selma-to-Montgomery Civil Rights March.

The Civil Rights Memorial Center will also draw those who are interested in learning more about the Civil Rights Movement and Montgomery's role in it. A plethora of other museums and monuments commemorate those who fought for rights for all Americans in the 1960s, including the Freedom Rides Museum and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and Parsonage, another National Historic Landmark where Dr. King first preached his message of hope and equality for all.

In addition, there are a number of other opportunities for entertainment and recreation that are not historical. The F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum may draw in literature fans, while the Hank Williams Museum will please music fans. Residents regularly enjoy the city's performing arts center, museum of fine arts and zoo. Montgomery is also home to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, an internationally acclaimed theater that hosts world-class productions and educational performances throughout the year.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Montgomery, Ala., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.