Hamilton, Alabama

Hamilton
City
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Marion
Area
• Total	36.1 sq mi (93.5 km2)
• Land	36.1 sq mi (93.5 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	489 ft (149 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	6,786
• Density	188/sq mi (72.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35570
Area code	205
FIPS code	01-32848
GNIS feature ID	0119627
Website	City of Hamilton

Hamilton is a city in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat of Marion County.

Geography

Hamilton is located at 34°8′7″N 87°59′20″W (34.135305, -87.988980),Template:GR along the Buttahatchee River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.6 km²), of which, 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,786 people, 2,695 households, and 1,800 families residing in the city. The population density was 188.0 people per square mile (72.6/km²). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 84.9/sq mi (32.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.41% White, 7.59% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,695 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,489, (which is over 9000) and the median income for a family was $34,485. Males had a median income of $26,362 versus $18,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,505. About 12.0% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

• Hamilton is home to a branch of North Mississippi Medical Center, the largest non-metropolitan hospital in the United States, which is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 2005, the hospital underwent a $7.5 million dollar expansion and renovation project, which added new admissions, business, radiology and rehabilitation facilities. The Hamilton campus is also home to a nursing home, home health agency, and wellness center.
• Hamilton is home to two industrial parks. The second industrial park, located in the Fulton Bridge area, is currently under construction.

Education

Hamilton is a part of the Marion County School District. Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Hamilton High School serve the Hamilton area. Hamilton High School is currently a class 3A school.

In 2007 Hamilton High School was ranked among a list of ten high schools in America with the highest drop out rate.

Athletics

In 2007 Hamilton High School was ranked among a list of ten high schools in America with the highest drop out rate. Below however it appears that sometimes the students excel in the limited sports actitivity of Hamilton High School.

The Hamilton Aggies have won state championships in:

• Girls Basketball (5A, 1990; runners up 5A, 1991)
• Boys Cross Country (4A/5A 1987-1991)
• Boys Power Lifting (1A/4A 9-time champs 2000-2010)

The Hamilton Aggie Football team is ranked eleventh in the state for overall wins (543-328-36), and has a winning percentage of 62.3%. The Aggies have had nine region championship seasons, and five undefeated regular seasons (in bold).

• 1929 (7-0-1)
• 1930 (6-0-1)
• 1978 (10-1; Class 3A R15)
• 1982 (11-1; Class 3A R15)
• 1985 (10-2; Class 5A R16)
• 1990 (10-3; Class 5A R14)
• 1991 (9-2; Class 5A R14)
• 1994 (6-5; Class 4A R14)
• 1996 (9-2; Class 4A R15)
• 2008 (12-1; Class 3A R7)
• 2009 (11-2; Class 3A R7)

Media

Hamilton is the community of license for three radio stations: WERH (970 AM), WERH-FM (92.1 FM), and WFBH-LP (96.7 FM)

Hamilton is also home to two local television stations, WMTY TV 46, Cable Channel 5 and TV8-WATVC. WMTY, an evangelical ministry and local access station, originated in Jasper, Alabama, but began broadcasting in Hamilton in 1995 on TV antenna digital channel 46, and is owned and operated by William E. "Pete" Nichols. TV8-WATVC does not broadcast a TV channel over the air. In 2009, WMTY made the switch from an analog signal to digital. WMTY-TV is the only TV station in northwest Alabama to feature a complete news program with Brian Davis who is a Degreed and Seal Certified Meteorologist. Brian Davis has been with WMTY since early 2009 and worked at with WMTY's previous owners at UBN Network prior to coming to WMTY. Brian recently earned the honorable AMS and NWA Seals of Approval.

2/26/10 Alabama Bureau of Investigations was called in to investigate allegations of sex/drug scandal at Hamilton Police Department. As to current date the two police were resigned/fired, the city secretary resigned, and Police Chief Tina Fields was also fired.

Notable natives

• Lenny Fant, basketball coach at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1957-1979
• Jerry Dolyn Brown, award winning folk artist
• John Mark Karr, former claimant to be the murderer of JonBenét Ramsey
• Dennis Lathum, father to talk show host Jessie Odell known for his womanizing and for mentally and physically abusing his son.

External links

• City website
• NMMC Hamilton
• Marion County Schools