Fultondale, Alabama
Fultondale, Alabama | |
|---|---|
 Location in Jefferson County and the state of Alabama | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Jefferson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.3 sq mi (31.7 km2) |
| • Land | 12.3 sq mi (31.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 610 ft (186 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 6,595 |
| • Density | 536.2/sq mi (208/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 35068 |
| Area code | 205 |
| FIPS code | 01-28552 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0118760 |
Fultondale is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama and a northern suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 6,595 and, as of 2006, was estimated to be 6,905. Fultondale was a relatively stagnant community until the last decade. Growth has occurred in residential areas mainly west of Interstate 65, while retail development has focused along and near the I-65/Walkers Chapel Road exit.
Government
The current mayor is Jim Lowery, who is serving his third four-year term. Members of the City Council are Greg Morris (mayor pro tem), Joe Bolton, William Howell, Darrell Hubbert and Tommy Loden. The mayor and council were all re-elected in 2004, with the exception of Howell. Long-time councilman W.J. Alexander died shortly after being re-elected in 2004, and Howell was appointed to take his place. The next election for mayor and council will be in 2008.
Geography
Fultondale is located at 33°36′55″N 86°48′5″W / 33.61528°N 86.80139°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (33.615202, -86.801293)Template:GR.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.7 km² (12.2 mi²), all land. Fultondale is located along one of the many ridgelines that comprise the southern end of the Appalachian Mountain chain. The area has been thoroughly mined for coal and other minerals in the past 100 years. The city is served by two major north/south highways, Interstate 65 and US Highway 31. The new Interstate 22 encroaches on the city's western edge and by the year 2011 will intersect with I-65 just south of Fultondale. I-22 will provide direct interstate access to Memphis, Tennessee. The only east/west thoroughfare of note is Walkers Chapel Road (west of US 31) and New Castle Road (east of US 31). Rail lines run north/south along the city's eastern edge from Boyles Yard in Tarrant to points north and east. Air travel is available from nearby Birmingham International Airport.
Media
Fultondale is located in the Birmingham TV and Radio market. Newspapers include The Birmingham News (daily) and The North Jefferson News (twice weekly).
Education
Fultondale has a new elementary school located along US 31 in the southern part of the city. Fultondale High School is located on Carson Road on the northeast side of the city. The school nickname is Wildcats and the school colors are orange and blue.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,595 people, 2,722 households, and 1,927 families residing in the city. The population density was 207.9/km² (538.3/mi²). There were 2,871 housing units at an average density of 90.5/km² (234.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.60% White, 5.34% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 1.00% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. 1.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,722 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,006, and the median income for a family was $44,073. Males had a median income of $33,447 versus $25,700 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,656. About 7.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.
The development is a project of Colonial Properties and a portion opened in the fall of 2007. Target is the anchor tenant in the development along with Books-A-Million and Best Buy. Target features a Starbucks and Books-A-Million a Joe Muggs. Ashley Furniture is located at the southern end of the shopping complex.
Retail & Commercial
Due to difficult topography, for many years Fultondale was limited in its ability to grow. However, as technology improved, the ability to convert what had been difficult to unusable land for retail and commercial purposes improved. Besides the retail development of Colonial Promenade, other retail development nearby includes Lowe's and various chain restaurants such as O'Charley's & Outback Steakhouse. Other older, more mature business establishments line US 31 in the center of the community including supermarkets, casual fast food, banks, a bowling alley and skating rink.
History
The area was once known as Fulton Springs. Prior to the building of Interstate 65, US 31 was the main route for travelers northbound from Birmingham towards Nashville, Tennessee. As a result, hotels such as the Keystone Lodge and Buchmann Motor Inn prospered. On the city's southern edge was located one of the few drive-in theatres in the Birmingham area. This was torn down when I-65 was built in the late 60's and early 70's. The Pine Bowl bowling alley is still a long time fixture in the city. The city once operated its own city pool and recreation center. The pool was the only municipally operated public pool in northern Jefferson county. Traces of the old routing of US 31 are still noticeable in the city. From just south of the city hall to an old bridge on the city's northern side, most of this old routing is known as Stouts Road or in some case simply "old US 31."