Atmore, Alabama

"Atmore" redirects here. For the Canadian hamlet, see Atmore, Alberta.

Atmore
—  City  —
Atmore Location in Alabama.
Coordinates: 31°1′23″N 87°29′31″W
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Escambia
Area
• Total	8.3 sq mi (21.7 km2)
• Land	8.3 sq mi (21.6 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation	282 ft (86 m)
Population (2007)
• Total	7,427
• Density	924.8/sq mi (353.7/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	36502-36504
Area code(s)	251
FIPS code	01-03004
GNIS feature ID	0113272

Atmore is a city in Escambia County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 7,676. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 7,530. The city was named for Mr. C.P. Atmore.

The federally recognized Poarch Band of Creek Indians is headquartered here.

Geography

Atmore is located at 31°1′23″N 87°29′31″W (31.023183, -87.492067).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (22 km²), of which, 8.3 square miles (21 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (0.36%) is water.

Demographics

2000 Census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,676 people, 3,148 households, and 2,071 families residing in the city. The population density was 922.5 people per square mile (356.2/km²). There were 3,535 housing units at an average density of 424.9 per square mile (164.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 49.48% White, 46.31% Black or African American, 2.41% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,148 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 79.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,867, and the median income for a family was $29,813. Males had a median income of $28,114 versus $19,594 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,734. About 20.0% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Holman Correctional Facility of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is in unincorporated southwestern Escambia County, 9 miles (14 km) north of Atmore. Holman has a male death row and the State of Alabama execution chamber. In addition Fountain Correctional Facility is about 7 miles (11 km) north of Atmore, in an unincorporated area.

Community Information

Atmore was first recorded as a stop on the Mobile and Great Northern Railroad. The town was named after Mr. C.P. Atmore, General Passenger Agent of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, who was a friend of Mr. Carney. Mr. Carney owned a sawmill in town and was a very prominent citizen. The town was originally going to be named Carney, but Mr. Carney had a brother who had already established a town and named it Carney nearby. The town then decided to let Mr. Carney name the town. He named it after his close friend Mr.Atmore, who never visited Atmore. Since the early 1990s, the city has held an Arts and Crafts festival in honor of this event.

For most of the 20th century, the Atmore area was primarily a farming, timber, and light industry community. A major commercial industry has been Swift Supply Lumber Company. For many years, the "Vanity Fair" lingerie company operated a manufacturing sewing plant in Atmore, offering employment to the citizens of Atmore and surrounding communities. Its closing created a short-term employment crisis.

In the last 20 years, telecommunications have had a greater role in the economy, first with Southland Systems, a long distance and fiber optics corporation, which sold out to Worldcom (later MCI-Worldcom). Later, its offices were incorporated into Touch #1, another long distance corporation, which was then bought out by Z-Tel.

With federal recognition and the founding of gaming casinos, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians reservation near I-65 has increased its economic contributions to the region. The tribe now operates the Creek Casino, as well the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, which provide for tourism and conferences.

Community Events

Mayfest

On the first Saturday in May at Tom Byrne Park, Atmore celebrates Mayfest with sports events, arts and crafts and a variety of food. There are many different forms of entertainment on the Gazebo Stage throughout the day. It’s an event for the entire family.

Williams Station Day

Held the 4th Saturday of October, Williams Station Day celebrates Atmore’s history beginning in 1866 as Williams Station, a supply stop along the railroad and later grew into a thriving municipality of two hotels and a few stores. The all day event includes an arts and crafts show, storytelling tent, old time fiddler's tent, professional entertainment, a model train show, sugar cane mill and delicious food.

Poarch Creek Indian Pow-Wow

For an authentic Thanksgiving, celebrate this holiday with the Poarch Creek Indians. Enjoy turkey, dressing, and roasted corn as dancers from many tribes gather to compete. Over 100 booths will display arts and crafts, quilts and other keepsakes of the Creek Indian culture. For more information, call (251) 368-9136 ext. 2216.

Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention

Musicians from across the state come to Atmore the third Saturday in July to compete for prizes in the fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bands and vocals division. This event funds the Rotary Club's Academic All-Star Scholarship Program for academic excellence.

A Taste of the South

Held at Heritage Park in August, A Taste of the South is an evening of entertainment and food from Atmore’s best cooks. This annual event is coordinated by the Leadership Atmore Class of 2004.

Famous residents

• Evander Holyfield, four-time World Heavyweight boxing champion, was born in Atmore.
• Paul Birch, American actor and the original "Marlboro Man"[1], was born in Atmore.
• Don McNeal, star defensive back for Alabama and the Miami Dolphins, was born and raised in Atmore.
• William C. Maxwell, namesake of Maxwell Air Force Base.

External links

• Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce
• City of Atmore
• Atmore, Alabama
• Escambia County Industrial Development Authority
• Atmore Public Library
• Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance
• Zumba Atmore with Ashley Krasinski is reshaping the women of Atmore
• Pintoli's Italian Restaurant in Historic Downtown Atmore
• Atmore Advance (weekly newspaper)
• Atmore News (weekly newspaper and monthly atmore magazine)
• Poarch Creek Indians