Ashland is a town[2] in Clay County, Alabama, United States. The population was 1,965 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a city; according to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,885. [1] The town is the county seat of Clay County.
History
Ashland draws its name from the plantation home of Henry Clay, a nineteenth-century American statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Fifteen Clay counties in the United States are named for "The Great Compromiser," known for his ability to bring others to agreement during a most contentious era of American politics.
The century-old Clay County Courthouse on the town square was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 1976.[3]
Geography
Ashland is located at 33°16′20″N 85°50′13″W / 33.27222°N 85.83694°W / 33.27222; -85.83694 (33.272206, -85.836925)[4].
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 7.3 square miles (18.8 km²), of which, 7.2 square miles (18.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.41%) is water.
At 1,130 feet (340 m), Ashland is Alabama's highest elevated county seat[5].
Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,965 people, 854 households, and 519 families residing in the city. The population density was 271.5 people per square mile (104.8/km²). There were 975 housing units at an average density of 134.7/sq mi (52.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.74% White, 25.29% Black or African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 2.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 854 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,469, and the median income for a family was $33,583. Males had a median income of $24,715 versus $18,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,927. About 12.2% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 23.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives
- Hugo Black, born in Harlan in Clay County, served as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1937 until 1971. His first law office was on the square in Ashland.
- Bob Riley, Alabama's 52nd governor, is a native of Ashland.
Education
Public schools are:
Ashland Elementary School with an average daily attendance of 624 in 2006.
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Clay County High School with an average daily attendance of 508 in 2006.
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*Source: Alabama Board of Education School Report Card for 2005-2006
*Football 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2005
*Boys basketball 1991, 1992
*And, 1-A State Football Champions in 2002
Interesting facts
- The 2003 movie Big Fish (based on a book by Daniel Wallace of the same title) features the character Edward Bloom, who grew up in Ashland.
References
External links
