Alexander City, Alabama
| Alexander City | ||
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| — City — | ||
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| Nickname(s): Alex City, A-Town, AC | ||
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| Coordinates: 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.93306°N 85.93611°W | ||
| Country | United States | |
| State | Alabama | |
| County | Tallapoosa | |
| Founded | 1872 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Charles Shaw | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 39.0 sq mi (101 km2) | |
| • Land | 38.8 sq mi (100.5 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2) | |
| Elevation | 705 ft (215 m) | |
| Population (2010)[1] | ||
| • Total | 14,875 | |
| • Density | 386.6/sq mi (149.3/km2) | |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | |
| ZIP code | 35010-35011 | |
| Area code(s) | 256 | |
| FIPS code | 01-01132 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0112981 | |
| Website | http://www.alexandercityonline.com | |
Alexander City, known to locals as "Alex City", is a city in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, United States, with a population of some 14,875. It is known for Lake Martin with its 750 miles (1,210 km) of wooded shoreline and 44,000 acres (180 km2) of crystal clear water. Lake Martin stands on the Tallapoosa River and offers boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and camping. Many neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on the lake.
The city was traditionally based around the textile industry, but in recent times its economic base has become more diversified as textile jobs have gone elsewhere.
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History [edit]
Alexander City was incorporated in 1872 as Youngstown, after its founder James Young. In 1873 the Savannah and Memphis Railroad came to the city. The city was renamed in honor of the railroad's President Edward Porter Alexander, hero of the Battle of Gettysburg for the Confederate States.[2]
On June 13, 1902, at 1 pm, a fire broke out in the Alexander City Machine shop and destroyed much of the town. At the time, Alexander City did not have a water system and all buildings, including the telegraph office, post office and three banks were burned.[3]
Geography [edit]
Alexander City is located at 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.93306°N 85.93611°W (32.933157, -85.936008)[4].
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.0 square miles (101.0 km2), of which 38.8 square miles (100.5 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2) (0.44%) is water.
Alexander City is located on U.S. Route 280. Birmingham is 60 miles (97 km) to the north, Auburn is 40 miles (64 km) southeast and Montgomery is 50 miles (80 km) south-southwest of Alexander City.
Demographics [edit]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 796 |
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| 1890 | 679 | −14.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,061 | 56.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,710 | 61.2% | |
| 1920 | 2,293 | 34.1% | |
| 1930 | 4,519 | 97.1% | |
| 1940 | 6,640 | 46.9% | |
| 1950 | 6,430 | −3.2% | |
| 1960 | 13,140 | 104.4% | |
| 1970 | 12,358 | −6.0% | |
| 1980 | 13,807 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 14,917 | 8.0% | |
| 2000 | 15,008 | 0.6% | |
| 2010 | 14,875 | −0.9% | |
| Est. 2011 | 14,876 | 0% | |
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2011 estimate |
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Alexander City is the principal city of the Alexander City Micropolitan Statistical Area, a micropolitan area that covers Coosa and Tallapoosa counties[5] and had a combined population of 53,677 at the 2000 census.[6]
2000 Census data [edit]
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 15,008 people, 6,152 households, and 4,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 386.6 people per square mile (149.3/km²). There were 6,855 housing units at an average density of 176.6 per square mile (68.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.56% White, 28.37% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,152 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,309, and the median income for a family was $38,881. Males had a median income of $30,392 versus $20,705 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,305. About 15.0% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government [edit]
Alexander City uses a mayor-council government. The government consists of a mayor who is elected at large. The city council consists of six members who are elected from one of six districts.
Education [edit]
Alexander City Public Schools are part of the Alexander City Schools district.
Schools in the district include Jim Pearson Elementary School, Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School, William L. Radney Elementary School, Alexander City Middle School and Benjamin Russell High School.
Lou Ann Wagoner is the Superintendent of Schools.[7]
Economy [edit]
Russell Corporation, maker of Russell Athletic, Cross Creek, Jerzees, and Country Cottons apparel, was founded in 1902 and is a large employer in the city. The company is headquartered in the city, but has also had an office in Atlanta since 1998. Recently, the number of workers employed by Russell Corporation in Alex City has been steadily declining as more and more production is moved overseas. On April 17, 2006, Russell Corporation was bought by Berkshire Hathaway for an estimated $600 million. The company continues to operate as Russell Corporation, but its workers and CEO report to Fruit of the Loom. As of 2012, most of the manufacturing has been closed in Alex City and the majority of buildings are empty.
Transportation [edit]
T.C. Russell Field Airport (KALX), off U.S. Highway 280 adjacent to the Airport Industrial Park, is owned and maintained by the City of Alexander City.[8] KALX does not provide scheduled passenger services. The nearest major airports are Birmingham and Montgomery.
Alexander City has no railway station. The nearest rail passenger services are provided at Anniston, which is served daily by Amtrak's The Crescent to Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, and in the other direction to New Orleans.
Alexander City has no scheduled bus service. The nearest point for Greyhound passenger service is Opelika, which has three buses per day to Atlanta.[9]
Media [edit]
Alexander City is served by the Montgomery-Selma Designated Market Area (DMA). Charter Communications provides cable television service. DirecTV and Dish Network provide direct broadcast satellite television including both local and national channels to area residents. Local Radio station: WKGA "Kowaliga Country" 97.5 Local Television station: WAXC-TV Channel 2 on charter
Notable natives [edit]
- Roberta Alison - tennis player
- Joe Forehand - former Chairman of the Board of Accenture
- Eltoro Freeman – former Auburn University and current professional linebacker
- George Hardy - actor in the cult classic Troll 2.
- Terrell Owens - wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.
- Jim Phillips - All-American at Auburn University and NFL All-Pro.
- Nathan Poole, former NFL running back
Gallery [edit]
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City Hall in Alexander City
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Alexander City Post Office (ZIP code: 35010)
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The George C. Wallace Administration Building located on the campus of Central Alabama Community College.
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The old city hall building is now used as the Police Department and Municipal Court.
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Originally built as the city post office, the Charles T. Porch Center is now used as a city community center.
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The Avondale Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 9, 2005.
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Built in 1890, the Reuben Herzfeld House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 1995.
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Alexander City First Baptist Church (Established in 1872)
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Alexander City First United Methodist Church (Established in 1872)
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References [edit]
- ^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ^ History, City of Alexander City.
- ^ "Fire Destroys Alabama Town" (PDF). The New York Times. June 14, 1902.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Components, Office of Management and Budget, May 11, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Alexander City Schools". Alexander City Schools. Retrieved 2012-20-06.
- ^ "Airport". The City of Alexander City. Archived from the original on 30 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ "Locations in Alabama". Greyhound Lines. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
External links [edit]
- City of Alexander City official site
- Alexander City Chamber of Commerce
Coordinates: 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.933157°N 85.936008°W
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