Alexander City

Alexander City, Alabama
—  City  —
Court Square
Seal
Nickname(s): Alex City, A-Town, AC
Location in Alabama
Coordinates: 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.93306°N 85.93611°W / 32.93306; -85.93611
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Tallapoosa
Founded	1872
Government
- Mayor	Barbara H. Young
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 (2007)[1]
- Total	14,950
- 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 is a city in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 15,008. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 14,957. [1] Locals refer to Alexander City as "Alex City" . Alexander City is known for Lake Martin with its 750 miles (1,210 km) of wooded shoreline and 44,000 acres (178 km²) of crystal clear water. Lake Martin is located on the Tallapoosa River and offers boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and camping. Many neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on the lake.

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 also shares this status with Atlanta, Georgia when in 1998 the need for an office in a larger city was needed. Recently, the number of workers employed by Russell Corporation in Alex City has been on a steady decline due to Russell moving more and more production overseas. On April 17, 2006, Russell Corporation was bought by Berkshire Hathaway for an estimated $600 million. Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's company, also owns such companies as Fruit of the Loom and GEICO. The company will continue to operate as Russell Corporation, but its workers and CEO will report to Fruit of the Loom.

History

Alexander City was incoporated in 1872 as Youngstown named for 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 1pm 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

Alexander City is located at 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.93306°N 85.93611°W / 32.93306; -85.93611 (32.933157, -85.936008)^[2].

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) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (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

Location of the Alexander City Micropolitan Statistical Area in the Montgomery-Alexander City CSA, highlighted in yellow

Alexander City is the principal city of the Alexander City Micropolitan Statistical Area, a micropolitan area that covers Coosa and Tallapoosa counties^[3] and had a combined population of 53,677 at the 2000 census.^[4]

As of the census^[4] 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/sq mi (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

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

• Alexander City Schools

Notable natives

• Roberta Alison - tennis player
• Joe Forehand - former Chairman of the Board of Accenture
• Terrell Owens - wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills.
• Jim Phillips (football player) - All-American at Auburn University and NFL All-Pro.
• George Hardy - actor in the cult classic Troll 2.
• Eltoro Freeman – American football linebacker

References

1. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alabama". United States Census Bureau. 2008-07-10. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-01.csv. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
2. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ MICROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS AND COMPONENTS, Office of Management and Budget, 2007-05-11. Accessed 2008-07-27.
4. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links

• City of Alexander City official site
• Alexander City Chamber of Commerce

• Alexander City, Alabama is at coordinates 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.933157°N 85.936008°W / 32.933157; -85.936008 (Alexander City, Alabama)Coordinates: 32°55′59″N 85°56′10″W / 32.933157°N 85.936008°W / 32.933157; -85.936008 (Alexander City, Alabama)

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Tallapoosa County, Alabama County seat: Dadeville Cities Alexander City | Dadeville | Tallassee‡ Towns Camp Hill | Daviston | Goldville | Jacksons' Gap | New Site Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties