text:
Woodville, Alabama

Woodville is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. It was officially established by an act of the Alabama State Legislature on December 13, 1819, one day before Alabama became a state. It was later incorporated on May 12, 1890, but lost its charter in 1897. It reincorporated in 1912. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town is 746, down from 761 in 2000.

History
Woodville was settled about 1815 by Henry Derrick and is the oldest town in Jackson County. It was named for early residents Richard and Annie Wood. Woodville became the seat of Decatur County, Alabama in December 1821, but was attached to Jackson County when Decatur County was abolished the following year. The surrounding area was the site of considerable guerrilla warfare and small actions during the American Civil War, including the Skirmish at Paint Rock Bridge.

Geography
Woodville is located at 34.62667°N, -86.27472°W (34.626775, -86.274832). The town is situated along State Route 35, with an older section of town lying a few blocks west of SR 35 along County Road 8, facing the railroad tracks. U.S. Route 72, which intersects SR 35 in the southern part of Woodville, connects the town with Scottsboro to the east and Huntsville to the west. The Cumberland Plateau rises just north of Woodville, and the Paint Rock River passes just to the west. The Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge lies to the northwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 761 people, 301 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density was 113.7 PD/sqmi. There were 322 housing units at an average density of 48.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.98% White, 1.71% Native American, 0.13% Asian, and 1.18% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 301 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $37,426. Males had a median income of $27,946 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,796. About 9.7% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Woodville, Alabama


text:
Adamsville, Alabama

Adamsville is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama. It is north from the Birmingham suburb of Pleasant Grove. It initially incorporated in 1901 (although the 1910 U.S. Census stated 1900), but disincorporated in 1915. It later reincorporated in 1953. According to the 2010 census, this town had a population of 4,522, down from its peak population of 4,965 in 2000.

Geography
Adamsville is located at 33.59028°N, -86.94917°W (33.590411, -86.949166).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.6 sqmi, of which 19.6 sqmi is land and 0.05% is water.

Adamsville
Adamsville first appeared on the 1910 U.S. Census as an incorporated town. It disincorporated in 1915 and did not appear on the census again until 1950, when it reported as an unincorporated village. It reincorporated in 1953 as town and has appeared on every successive census to date. In the 1960s, it upgraded from town to city status.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,366 people, 1,471 households, and 1,032 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 4,522 people, 1,752 households and 1,253 families living in the town. The population density was 230.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,990 housing units at an average density of 101.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 52.3% White, 44.9% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. 2.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,752 households, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.08.

23.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median household income was $52,167 and the median family income was $56,551. Males had a median income of $41,176 compared with $31,349 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,461. About 7.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 4,965 people, 1,930 households and 1,464 families living in the town. The population density was 253.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,042 housing units at an average density of 104.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 75.79% White, 22.82% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,930 households, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median household income was $39,563 and the median family income was $46,270. Males had a median income of $36,188 compared with $22,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,496. About 5.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Adamsville Census Division (1960-70)
The Jefferson County Census Division of Adamsville was created in 1960 as part of a general reorganization of counties, which included the town of Adamsville and the surrounding areas. From 1910-1960, Adamsville had been in the unnamed 39th precinct of Jefferson County. In 1980, Adamsville became a part of the Graysville-Adamsville Census Division.

Notable people

 * Henry E. Erwin, Medal of Honor recipient during World War II
 * Brandon Johnson, former NFL linebacker and 2001 Minor High School graduate
 * Jim King, head football coach of the University of West Alabama from 1973 to 1976
 * Bryan Thomas, former linebacker and defensive end for the New York Jets and 1996 graduate of Minor High School
 * Chris Williams, professional basketball player and 1998 graduate of Minor High School
 * Nick Williams, NFL defensive end and 2008 graduate of Minor High School

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Adamsville, Alabama


text:
Argo, Alabama

Argo is a city in Jefferson and St. Clair counties, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1987. At the 2020 census, the population was 4,368.

Geography
Argo is located at 33.70028°N, -86.51222°W (33.700210, -86.512357).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 sqmi, of which 12.2 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.81%) is water.

Demographics
Argo first appeared on the 1990 U.S. Census as an incorporated city.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,368 people, 1,348 households, and 1,146 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 4,071 people, 1,393 households, and 583 families living in the city. The population density is 333.7 /mi2. There were 1,492 housing units at an average density of 122.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 94.1% White, 3.6% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.3% from two or more races. 0.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,393 households 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 14.0% of households were one person and 4.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.22.

The age distribution was 29.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% 65 or older. The median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

The median household income was $53,917 and the median family income was $60,313. Males had a median income of $39,000 versus $35,072 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,409. About 8.2% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census data
At the 2000 census, there were 1,780 people, 664 households, and 501 families living in the city. The population density is 146.3 /mi2. There were 726 housing units at an average density of 59.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 98.82% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 664 households 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 21.4% of households were one person and 7.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.14.

The age distribution was 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.8 males.

The median household income was $41,167 and the median family income was $53,088. Males had a median income of $33,875 versus $28,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,226. About 7.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Argo, Alabama


text:
Bessemer, Alabama

Bessemer is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States and a southwestern suburb of Birmingham. The population was 26,019 at the 2020 census. It is within the Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, of which Jefferson County is the center. It developed rapidly as an industrial city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History
The town was founded in the Reconstruction Era by the Bessemer Land and Improvement Company, named after Henry Bessemer and owned by coal magnate Henry F. DeBardeleben. He had inherited Daniel Pratt's investments. The mayor and councilmen voted to incorporate the city of Bessemer on September 9, 1887. Located 16 miles southwest of Birmingham, Bessemer grew rapidly and its promoters believed that it might overtake the other city in economic power.

Given the iron ore, coal and limestone deposits in the area, the city became a center of steelmaking from about 1890 through the 20th century. It attracted rural migrants from across the South, as well as European immigrants. By the 1950s, the city was majority African American in population.

The industry went through considerable restructuring in the late 20th century, and jobs moved out of the area. Steel is no longer made there.

In 2019, it was named Alabama's "Worst City to Live in" by 24/7 Wall Street.

Geography
Bessemer is located approximately 16 mi southwest of Birmingham.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.74 sqmi, of which 40.53 sqmi is land and 0.55 sqmi (0.55%) is water.

Bessemer is situated in the midst of the iron ore and limestone district of Alabama, in the southern part of Jones Valley (about 3 mi wide). Iron ore was mined on the hills on the city's southeast side, coal was, and still is mined to the north and west, and limestone deposits were also nearby. All three ingredients were necessary for steelmaking, which led to the area becoming a major steel center from about 1890 through the twentieth century. Steel is no longer made within the city limits but is still manufactured in the neighboring city of Fairfield.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Bessemer has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps, within the Köppen Climate Classification system.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 26,019 people, 10,492 households, and 6,378 families residing in the city.

2013 ACS
In the 2013 American Community Survey, there were 27,336 people living in the city. 72.0% were African American, 24.0% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from some other race and 0.4% from two or more races. 3.2% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 29,672 people, 11,537 households, and 7,868 families living in the city. The population density was 729.0 PD/sqmi. There were 12,790 housing units, with an average density of 314.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 69.6% Black or African American, 28.9% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. 1.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,537 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,066, and the median income for a family was $28,230. Males had a median income of $29,413 versus $21,552 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,232. About 24.2% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.8% of those under age 18 and 24.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
In 1900, Bessemer ranked eighth in the population in Alabama, second in the amount of capital invested in manufacturing, and fourth in the value of its manufactured product for the year. By 1911, ore mining, iron smelting, and the manufacture of iron and coke were the chief industries of Bessemer. Truck farming was an important industry, dating from the area's agricultural past.

Both blacks and whites from rural areas were attracted to the city for its new work opportunities. Gradually African Americans moved into industrial jobs and became part of integrated unions. Such jobs enabled many working-class families to enjoy middle-class incomes.

Today, ore mining has ended, as supplies were exhausted. Manufacturing remains a factor, with the U.S. Pipe and Foundry ductile pipe plant on the city's north side. In May 2007, U.S. Pipe announced that it would be building a new $45-million foundry near the current plant. The site was selected, among other reasons, for having available space for potential future expansions. U.S. Pipe is the largest domestic producer of Ductile Iron pipe in sizes 4 inch through 64 inch.

Bessemer was once home to a large railroad car manufacturing factory, operated by Pullman Standard for many decades and later by Trinity Industries. With railroad restructuring in the late 20th century and other manufacturing moving offshore, this plant ceased most production in the 1990s. In 2012, BLOX LLC (bloxbuilt.com) a manufacturer of modular components for healthcare facilities moved into this facility.

The decline of mining and exodus of the steelmaking and railcar manufacturing industries resulted in extensive loss of jobs. Bessemer has lost population since a peak population in 1970. It faced an economic crisis in the early to mid-1980s, as unemployed workers constituted more than one-third of the workforce. Since that time the city has been successful in diversifying its economy, through the efforts of the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bessemer Industrial Development Board. It is recognized for its business growth. In June 2018, Amazon announced that it would build a new 800000 sqft, $325 million fulfillment center in Bessemer, which will initially create 1,500 new jobs.

Crime
According to the Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2022, there were 469 violent crimes and 2,057 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Of these, the violent crimes consisted of 10 murders, 17 forcible rapes, 76 robberies and 366 aggravated assaults, while 221 burglaries, 1,542 larceny-thefts, 286 motor vehicle thefts and 8 acts of arson defined the property offenses.

According to NeighborhoodScout, Bessemer ranks first in terms of violent crimes for U.S. cities with 25,000 or more people as of 2019.

Arts and culture
The performance center Bessemer Civic Center provides multiple performance spaces for music and theatre.

Government
Bessemer uses the mayor–city council form of government. The council has seven members, elected from single-member districts. As of 2016, Kenneth Gulley is mayor, a position elected at-large. He was first elected in 2010 and reelected to a second term in 2014.

A satellite Jefferson County Courthouse is located in downtown Bessemer. There is a special county government district, known as the "Bessemer Cutoff", which was established in the middle of the 20th century when Bessemer was a major city in its own right. A separate county government was considered a possibility, but there was not sufficient land area to meet legislative requirements for a county. The "Cutoff" had a separate series of Alabama license plates, with a different numeric prefix than the rest of the county.

Bessemer has since been surpassed in size by Birmingham suburbs such as Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood. But Bessemer retains the branch county courthouse to this day. The term "Bessemer Cutoff" continues to be used regularly by area residents.

The United States Postal Service operates the Bessemer Post Office.

The state Alabama Department of Corrections operates the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, a prison for men, in unincorporated Jefferson County, Alabama, near Bessemer. The prison includes one of the two Alabama death rows for men.

Public schools
Bessemer has its own school system independent of Jefferson County schools, Bessemer City School District. The system includes:
 * Hard Elementary
 * Jonesboro Elementary
 * Greenwood Elementary
 * Abrams Elementary
 * Westhills Elementary
 * Bessemer City Middle
 * Bessemer City High School (formally Jess Lanier)

The Board of Education also operates the Quitman Mitchell Opportunity Center, which includes an adult learning center, Even Start child care center, and New Horizon Alternative School.

Private schools
K–12 private schools in the Bessemer include Rock Christian School and Bessemer Academy, which was founded as a segregation academy.

Community college
Lawson State Community College operates the former Bessemer Technical College campus. The two schools merged in 2005 as a cost-saving measure.

Media
The Western Star is a weekly newspaper which covers Bessemer and nearby communities.

The Birmingham News is published three days per week, and also publishes a weekly section devoted to news from Bessemer and nearby communities.

One radio station, WZGX (1450 AM), operates within the city; it broadcasts some Spanish-language programming and music to appeal to the growing Mexican-American population of Jefferson County. It also continues a tradition of broadcasting high school football games on Friday nights. All of metro Birmingham's stations are heard in Bessemer, as well as several stations broadcasting from Tuscaloosa.

Television station WDBB (channel 17) is licensed to Bessemer, but broadcasts from studios in Birmingham, simulcasting with WTTO (channel 21). All of Birmingham's television stations may be viewed in Bessemer, and some have established news bureaus there.

Transportation
In 1911, the town was served by five railroad lines: Alabama Great Southern (Queen & Crescent route), the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham (St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad system), the Birmingham Southern Railroad, and the Atlanta, Birmingham & Atlantic railways. Passenger service decreased after people started choosing to travel by automobiles, increasingly so after World War II. In addition, there was widespread restructuring in the railroad industry that also applied to freight lines.

By 2006, the companies listed above had consolidated into CSX Transportation, which has lines to Birmingham and Brookwood, and the Norfolk Southern Railway, with lines to Birmingham, Mobile and New Orleans. Birmingham Southern continues in service. A major railroad feature is the "High Line", constructed by Tennessee Coal & Iron (predecessor to U.S. Steel) to ship iron ore from the mines on the city's south side to the steel works in nearby Fairfield. This elevated line traverses the eastern side of the city. Though tracks were removed over much of the High Line when the mines closed, part of the line is still used by the Birmingham Southern. All of the roadbed and bridges remain in place.

Bessemer is served by the small Bessemer Airport to the southeast of the city. Commercial service in the region is provided by the much larger Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, located 5 mi north of downtown Birmingham, about 21 miles away in total.

Major highways in Bessemer include I-20/59, I-459, U.S. Route 11, and State Route 150, which connects Bessemer with Hoover.

Notable people

 * David Bonnett, NASCAR driver
 * Neil Bonnett, NASCAR driver
 * McKinley Boykin, professional football player
 * Alex Bradford, composer, singer, arranger, and choir director
 * Mildred Brown, journalist
 * David L. DeJarnette, archaeologist, generally considered the "Father of Alabama Archaeology"
 * Thornton Dial, African-American folk artist
 * Nelsan Ellis, actor and playwright
 * Anthony Henton, former NFL linebacker
 * Mike Hill, Broadcaster, ESPN/Fox Sports and other national outlets
 * Virginia Hill, actress, mob courier and girlfriend of Bugsy Siegel
 * Andre Holland, actor
 * Frank House, born in Bessemer, major league baseball player
 * Bo Jackson, Heisman Trophy winner, NFL and MLB player
 * Lamar Johnson, former MLB first baseman
 * Eddie LeVert, singer
 * Gucci Mane, rapper
 * Reese McCall, former NFL tight end
 * David McCampbell, naval aviator, Medal of Honor recipient, and the US Navy's all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II.
 * Edward McClain, Alabama state legislator
 * Deborah E. McDowell, English professor and author of a 1997 memoir of life in Bessemer, Leaving Pipe Shop
 * Elijah Nevett, NFL player
 * Kerry Rhodes, NFL player
 * Curtis Rowe, professional basketball player
 * DeMeco Ryans, NFL player and head coach
 * Glenn Shadix, born in Bessemer, actor
 * John Paul Thomas, artist, educator and scholar; born in Bessemer
 * Ontario Tillman, member of the Alabama House of Representatives born in Bessemer and resident
 * Olanda Truitt, NFL player
 * Larry Watkins, former NFL running back
 * Jack Whitten, abstract painter
 * Andre Williams, singer and producer
 * Gran Wilson, opera singer
 * Rod Windsor, NFL player
 * Jameis Winston, Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints

Notable animal

 * Matilda (chicken), Guinness World Record holder

title: Bessemer, Alabama


text:
Brighton, Alabama

Brighton is a city near Birmingham, Alabama, United States and located just east of Hueytown. At the 2020 census, the population was 2,337. It is part of the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in 2010 had a population of about 1,128,047, approximately one-quarter of Alabama's population.

It is one of four cities in Jefferson County named after cities in Great Britain. Many of the city's early settlers were of English descent; they named the town after the English tourist and resort city of Brighton, which is located on the English Channel.

Geography
Brighton is located at 33.43955°N, -86.9454°W.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land.

History
Brighton was not settled by European Americans until the late 19th century. Brighton was officially founded in 1892, when developer G.B. Edwards subdivided a tract of land and sold lots. It was named after Brighton, East Sussex in England UK. It was situated along a dummy railroad line built in 1889 by the Bessemer & Birmingham Railroad Company to connect those two growing industrial cities.

The Old Huntsville Road was renamed as Main Street and the city was incorporated in 1901. By that year, at least 100 families were living in Brighton. The town had a population of 1,502 by the 1910 census, with seventeen commercial establishments, including eight grocery stores.

The city's fortunes have been closely linked to those of Woodward Iron Company. Together with coal mining in this area, the iron company was integral to the industrial development in this part of Alabama, which is based on the much larger cities of Birmingham, Bessemer, and Gadsden. After industrial restructuring in the late 1970s and when the iron company moved out, the town has declined in population since its peak in 1980.

Brighton Cemetery, which is still operating, contains the graves of persons of Scottish, English and German descent who came to work at Woodward.

In August 1908, coal miner and union leader William Miller, who was black, was accused of blowing up the home of a white mine operator Finley Fuller. It was during a period of labor unrest as mine workers tried to organize unions. Miller was lynched by a white mob that dragged him out of the Brighton jail. They hanged and killed him not far from Brighton City Hall. Later, it was found that whites opposed to unionization had bombed Fuller's home; by linking the crime to a black man, they intended to increase general opposition to the union's drive for better wages.

In 2015, after the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) published its study Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror, the city of Brighton resolved to place a historical marker to commemorate Miller for his work with the union and as a victim of lynching. They worked in cooperation with EJI and placed the marker in a ceremony near City Hall. Brighton was the first city in Alabama to install such a memorial. In a related effort, scholarships will be awarded to high school students for writing essays about Alabama's racial history.

City government
Brighton has a Mayor–council government. It operates both police and fire departments.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,337 people, 1,180 households, and 519 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 2,945 people, 1,105 households, and 696 families living in the city. The population density was 789.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,360 housing units at an average density of 971.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.0% Black or African American, 6.5% White, 1.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 13.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,105 households 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.6% were married couples living together, 31.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 32.8% of households were one person and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.39.

The age distribution was 22.8% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.1 males.

The median household income was $25,929 and the median family income was $31,472. Males had a median income of $20,838 versus $28,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,858. About 14.1% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.6% of those under age 18 and 21.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 3,640 people, 1,413 households, and 921 families living in the city. The population density was 2,599.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,636 housing units at an average density of 1,168.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 9.01% White, 89.12% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 1.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,413 households 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.9% were married couples living together, 29.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 32.5% of households were one person and 14.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.29.

The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median household income was $21,364 and the median family income was $27,926. Males had a median income of $24,018 versus $20,192 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,002. About 20.2% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.3% of those under age 18 and 20.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Charles Avery (1892–1974), blues and boogie-woogie pianist
 * Parnell Dickinson, former professional football player
 * Albert Hall, stage, TV and film actor
 * Henry Panion, music director for Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and the Winans
 * Josephus C. Vines, mayor of Brighton
 * Dennis Weatherby, inventor, scientist, and university administrator

title: Brighton, Alabama


text:
Brookside, Alabama

Brookside is a town in north-central Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 1,253. It is a former mining town.

History
The Brookside mine was opened in 1886 by the Coalburg Coal and Coke Company. It was purchased one year later by the Sloss Iron and Steel Company as a source of fuel for their blast furnaces in Birmingham. Following the practice of the time, the mined coal was processed into coke in rows of beehive ovens banked into the hillside below the mine opening. In 1897 a Robinson-Ramsey Coal Washer was installed, increasing the efficiency of coke burning and therefore the overall efficiency of the mine. Other advanced equipment was also installed at Brookside, placing it at the forefront of mining technology in the Birmingham District at the turn of the century.

Brookside served as the headquarters for four Sloss-owned mines in the immediate area (Cardiff, Coalburg, Brazil and Brookside). Because the capacity of Brookside's processing equipment exceeded the mine output, some of the slack from the Brazil mine was brought to Brookside for washing and coking.

Brookside was incorporated in 1898. The descriptive name Brookside stems from the Five-Mile creek that flows through the town.

Sloss, like other employers in the booming industrial expansion of the early 20th century, had difficulty recruiting skilled labor. Recruitment efforts extended internationally and Brookside became the home of many Czechoslovakian immigrants and their families who made their way to the mines. As Brookside became a destination for Eastern European miners in the area, the culture of the town reflected their ethnic traditions. A Russian Orthodox church was founded and served to strengthen community ties. This church was one of the first Russian Orthodox churches built south of the Mason-Dixon. Unlike other mines where skilled whites and unskilled blacks could be played against each other by the owners, the Brookside miners were tightly organized and carried out a successful (albeit violent) strike in 1906.

Between 1910 and 1920, mining operations jumped around to several seams and the number of miners fluctuated between a low of 54 in 1910 and a high of over 600 in 1914. In 1913 the mechanical coal cutters used previously were supplanted by hand picks. A new church building for St. Nicholas was completed in 1916. The 1920 Alabama coal strike, combined with a global depreciation in the coal market, led to a shutdown of the mine. When the strike was settled in 1921, Brookside mine was never re-opened.

In 1924, Brookside served as one of the settings for the Famous Players–Lasky's 1925 feature film Coming Through, which was based on Jack Bethea's novel Bed Rock. Silent film stars Thomas Meighan, Lila Lee and Wallace Beery stayed with local families during production. (Jones-2007)

Sloss removed all of the surface works and held on to the mine property. In 1952 Sloss merged with the U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company, a subsidiary of Jim Walter Industries since 1969.

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church
Brookside remains a small town with a distinct Eastern European flavor. Founded in 1894, its onion dome church was re-faced with brick in 1965 and still holds services for approximately 70 congregants. The “Annual Russian/Slavic Food Festival,” observed the first full weekend of each November, brings visitors to tour the temple, see traditional Eastern European dances, and sample time-honored ethnic plate lunches and baked goods prepared by the Sisterhood of Saint Olga.

Geography
Brookside is located at 33.63194°N, -86.91306°W (33.631867, -86.913068). It lies along the banks of Five Mile Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River, in the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.0 sqmi, of which 6.0 sqmi are land and 0.17% is water.

Police
In 2022, an investigative report by John Archibald of AL.com (the website of The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times, and the Press-Register of Mobile) uncovered a surge in Brookside Police's aggressive and arbitrary ticketing of motorists passing through the city. Brookside had an unusually high ratio of police officers to residents (nine officers in a 1,253-person town, or one officer for every 144 residents), having grown from just one officer in 2018. In 2020 its officers, who drove unmarked cars and wore uniforms without Brookside insignia, made more arrests for misdemeanors than it has residents. The town went from towing 50 vehicles in 2018 to 789 in 2020. These tickets cost motorists thousands of dollars and have become the city's largest source of revenue. In 2021, more than half of Brookside's revenues stemmed from fines and forfeitures. The town and police department are now defending several lawsuits which have accused Brookside police of fabricating charges and making up laws in order to produce more ticket revenue. One federal lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution of a pastor and his sister, who were charged with impersonating police officers, in retaliation for their having filed a complaint that a Brookside officer allegedly stopped the pastor and used a racist slur against him. The police have written over 400 fines in two years for driving in the left lane despite its not being illegal.

On January 25, 2022, Brookside Police Chief Mike Jones resigned "in the wake of revelations" over the reported policing policy. Elected representatives and officials on both sides of the Alabama Legislature committed to challenging "aggressive policing and churning of often-minor traffic stops" by Brookside Police Department, including Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Democratic Party chair Chris England. A Newsweek article reiterated the accusations and reported that Brookside mayor Mike Bryan called the town's policing "a positive story," saying of the reports that "Everybody's got a story" and "99% of them are lying." Mark Levie Pettway, sheriff for the overarching Jefferson County, stated that "I wouldn’t be surprised if they (FBI) opened up an investigation. You can’t do what’s going on over there."

One person claimed that an officer wore "a Norse sign sometimes appropriated by white supremacists – on a ring and one of his gun clips." AL.com later reported that at least seven officers had left the department, and that the remainder had adopted new uniforms and vehicles to present a less-paramilitary appearance.

The Jefferson County district attorney and criminal courts have thrown out cases originating in Brookside, including traffic offenses and drug felonies, citing Brookside police officers' lack of credibility as witnesses.

The "reports of abuses" by the Brookside Police department caught the attention of the Alabama Senate, which unanimously passed a bill limiting the amount of money cities can keep from fines.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,253 people, 475 households, and 329 families residing in the town.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 1,363 people, 521 households, and 381 families living in the town. The population density was 227.2 PD/sqmi. There were 577 housing units at an average density of 96.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 79.5% White, 18.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 0.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 521 households, 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 21.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 23.2% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median household income was $41,848 and the median family income was $55,833. Males had a median income of $50,473 versus $31,208 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,486. About 13.1% of the families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those aged 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 1,393 people, 546 households, and 393 families living in the town. The population density was 232.8 PD/sqmi. There were 613 housing units at an average density of 102.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 90.52% White, 8.69% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.14% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 546 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 26.2% of households were one person and 10.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median household income was $29,792 and the median family income was $34,821. Males had a median income of $30,900 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,242. About 14.7% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Brookside, Alabama


text:
Cahaba Heights, Vestavia Hills

Cahaba Heights is a neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. Before annexation in 2002, it was a census-designated place (CDP) in 1990 and 2000; the population was 5,203 at the 2000 census.

Geography
Cahaba Heights is located at 33.45917°N, -86.73222°W (33.459256, -86.732086).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 2.0 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,203 people, 2,603 households, and 1,272 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,557.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,730 housing units at an average density of 1,341.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.94% White, 1.17% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.44% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,603 households, out of which 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.1% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.4% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 38.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,250, and the median income for a family was $61,759. Males had a median income of $41,569 versus $32,674 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,895. About 1.9% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Cahaba Heights, Vestavia Hills


text:
Cardiff, Alabama

Cardiff is a town in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States west of Gardendale. At the 2010 census the population was 55, placing it as the least-populated incorporated area in Jefferson County. It is named after the capital of Wales. It is one of four Jefferson County cities named after cities in Great Britain, the others being Birmingham, Leeds and Brighton.

Geography
Cardiff is located at 33.64528°N, -86.93306°W (33.645384, −86.932965). on Five Mile Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. It is immediately downstream of Brookside. The region is part of the Cumberland Plateau, with shallow but deeply incised stream valleys dissecting sedimentary rock, including significant seams of bituminous coal.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 82 people, 33 households, and 26 families residing in the town. The population density was 401.3 PD/sqmi. There were 38 housing units at an average density of 186.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 93.90% White and 6.10% Black or African American.

There were 33 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,107, and the median income for a family was $45,000. Males had a median income of $28,906 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,067. There were 5.6% of families and 8.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

History
Coal mining was the historical basis of the economy. The town, for years the smallest incorporated town in the State of Alabama, declined along with the decline of underground coal mining and the rise of strip mining. The epochal flood of May 2003 destroyed a number of buildings in that part of Cardiff close to Five Mile Creek. The town is now but a dent in the land; scarce of life with a scant 20–30 people and covered with kudzu. Cardiff is becoming a ghost town.

title: Cardiff, Alabama


text:
Center Point, Alabama

Center Point is a city and a former census-designated place (CDP) in northeastern Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area. At the 2020 census, the population was 16,406. However, after its incorporation in 2002, the city's boundaries are much smaller than those of the CDP. As of the 2010 census, the population of the incorporated city was 16,921. The public high school for Center Point is Center Point High School grades 9th-12th. The public middle school for Center Point is Erwin Middle School grades 6th-8th. Center Point has 2 public elementary schools, Erwin Intermediate School grades 3rd-5th and Center Point Elementary School grades K-2nd.

History
The city of Center Point originally started as a small farm community, founded by the Reed family of North Carolina, which was around the same time other families were coming in to settle the towns of Trussville, Springville, Clay, and Pinson. By 1924, the Rock School was built, which now stands as the Center Point City Hall, as well as several business such as a post office and blacksmith shop. Center Point remained an unincorporated and small community from the 1920s through the 1950s, but in 1947 a viable water supply was discovered enabling Center Point to become self-sufficient and set up for further development. During the 1950s, there was steady growth in the area as more people continued to move eastward from the center of Birmingham, seeing the nearby neighborhoods East Lake, Huffman, and Roebuck swell with new houses and people. However by the 1960s, Center Point began to rapidly develop, with over 80% of all homes in city limits built within a ten year span from 1960-1970. The rapid growth soon overcrowded Hewitt-Trussville High School in nearby Trussville past capacity limit, which had been the high school serving Center Point for decades. Jefferson County Schools soon elected to introduce a new high school, E.B. Erwin High School in 1965. By 1967, Center Point was recognized as the largest census-designated place (CDP) in the United States with over 67,000 people. From the 1970s through mid-1990s, Center Point was a thriving suburb of Birmingham and was one of the largest surrounding communities. By the late 1990s however, urban blight, financial decay, and violence had already plagued Birmingham's eastern neighborhoods such as Woodlawn and East Lake, which soon began to spill into still unincorporated Center Point. The decay was accelerated by the clearing/demolition of East Lake housing bordering Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which the city of Birmingham was attempting to expand, as well as the rapid annexation attempts made by the city around Center Point and other areas in the 1980s-1990s. The city paid the East Lake homeowners relocation money as reimbursement for the house and property. The decay brought about a severe socioeconomic shift, which saw the complete demographic flip of the area addition to financial and retail losses to newly growing suburbs around Birmingham. The city incorporated in 2002 in a rush for control over their own fate and to deter any further control measures/annexation by the city of Birmingham. Eventually, this decay led to the area's school quality decline and began to display the rarely-observed “suburban blight”. By 2020 according to the U.S. Census, the city had reached a point where over 1/3 of the city was below the poverty level, in addition to high crime rates, murder rates, and falling population.

On January 23, 2012, an intense EF3 tornado struck the city, which destroyed the Center Point Elementary School buildings as well as dozens of structures throughout the city.

Geography
It is located at 33.64472°N, -86.68528°W.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 8.1 sqmi, of which 8.1 sqmi was land and 0.04 sqmi (0.25%) was water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,406 people, 6,029 households, and 4,018 families residing in the city.

2010 census
According to the 2010 census, there were 16,921 people living in the City of Center Point. The racial / ethnic makeup of Center Point was 32.6% White, 62.9% Black or African-American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.02% Native Hawaiian, 2.8% other races, and 1.1% were two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 4.8% of the population.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 22,784 people, 8,826 households, and 6,434 families in the CDP. The population density was 2,830.4 PD/sqmi. There were 9,292 housing units at an average density of 1,154.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.90% White, 24.23% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 2.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 8,826 households 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 23.7% of households were one person and 8.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median household income was $40,929 and the median family income was $46,427. Males had a median income of $35,500 versus $25,544 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,160. About 7.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Dan Sartain, rock and roll musician

title: Center Point, Alabama


text:
Chalkville, Alabama

Chalkville is a former census-designated place in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,829. The area is now part of the city of Clay.

Geography
Chalkville is located at 33.66778°N, -86.64972°W (33.667902, -86.649643).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 2.9 sqmi, of which 2.9 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (1.03%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,829 people, 1,275 households, and 1,105 families residing in the community. The population density was 1,330.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,313 housing units at an average density of 456.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the community was 96.32% White, 2.32% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,275 households, out of which 49.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.3% were non-families. 10.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $55,114, and the median income for a family was $56,518. Males had a median income of $34,977 versus $29,266 for females. The per capita income for the community was $19,929. About 2.8% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
The Alabama Department of Youth Services formerly maintained the Chalkville Campus. It ended operations after a tornado in January 2012.

title: Chalkville, Alabama


text:
Clay, Alabama

Clay is a city in northeastern Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area in the north-central part of the state. Local government is run by a mayor and city council.

Before incorporation on June 6, 2000, it was a census-designated place (CDP). The population nearly doubled in the next decade, reaching 9,708 at the 2010 census, as it has attracted commuters to jobs in the urban areas.

The oldest church in Jefferson County, Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church, is located in Clay. The congregation has been meeting continually since 1806, when it was established by early Scots-American settlers.

On January 23, 2012, a total of 231 homes and businesses were either damaged or destroyed when an EF3 tornado passed through several subdivisions. Damage was heavy in downtown Center Point. Some of the homes were flattened. Trees were snapped and uprooted along the path and the Center Point Elementary School was damaged. A sixteen-year-old student from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School died before reaching cover during the tornado.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 10.3 sqmi, of which 10.3 sqmi was land and 0.04 sqmi (0.29%) was water.

Media
The local newspaper is The Trussville Tribune. The Tribune, which covers government, sports, crime, and community events in Trussville, Clay and Pinson, is published each Wednesday. It provides current news online.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,291 people, 3,555 households, and 2,674 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 9,708 people, 3,574 households, and 2,780 families living in the city. The population density was 480 PD/sqmi. There were 3,799 housing units at an average density of 368.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White, 13.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,574 households 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 20.0% of households were one person and 9.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% 65 or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median household income was $70,273 and the median family income was $82,911. Males had a median income of $52,800 versus $42,813 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,000. About 1.7% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 4,947 people, 1,636 households, and 1,421 families living in the CDP. The population density was 479.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,683 housing units at an average density of 163.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.96% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,636 households 49.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.4% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.1% were non-families. 11.2% of households were one person and 3.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.26.

The age distribution was 30.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median household income was $61,042 and the median family income was $64,798. Males had a median income of $40,092 versus $28,787 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,323. About 3.9% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Clayne Crawford, actor
 * Courtney Porter, Miss Alabama 2011
 * YBN Nahmir, rapper

title: Clay, Alabama


text:
Concord, Alabama

Concord is a census-designated place in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 1,837, up from 1,809 in 2000. It is northwest from the Birmingham suburb of Hueytown.

Geography
Concord is located at 33.46917°N, -87.03806°W (33.469092, -87.038163).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.4 sqmi, of which 3.4 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.59%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,690 people, 631 households, and 501 families residing in the CDP.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,837 people, 817 households, and 573 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 536.6 PD/sqmi. There were 791 housing units at an average density of 232.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.34% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. 0.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 754 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% 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 2.81.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,150, and the median income for a family was $55,129. Males had a median income of $35,825 versus $26,406 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,490. About 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Concord, Alabama


text:
Edgewater, Alabama

Edgewater is a census-designated place in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is northeast from the Birmingham suburb of Pleasant Grove. Its population was 883 at the 2010 census. This area was damaged by tornadoes on April 15, 1956 and April 8, 1998. The 1998 tornado was rated F5 on the Fujita scale.

History
Edgwater was originally built as a company town by Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company.

Geography
Edgewater is located at 33.52306°N, -86.95639°W (33.523106, -86.956525).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.2 sqmi, of which 1.2 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (1.67%) is water.

Demographics
Edgewater was initially listed on the 1950 U.S. Census as an unincorporated community. It did not appear again until 2000 when it was designated a CDP (Census Designated Place).

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 746 people, 253 households, and 214 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 730 people, 295 households, and 192 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 622.3 PD/sqmi. There were 323 housing units at an average density of 275.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 37.95% White, 61.10% Black or African American, 0.14% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 295 households, out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 24.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $21,322, and the median income for a family was $47,240. Males had a median income of $26,786 versus $20,962 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,240. About 2.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Sam Frazier Jr., blues singer, songwriter, guitar and harmonica player
 * Mule Suttles, Negro league baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame

title: Edgewater, Alabama


text:
Fairfield, Alabama

Fairfield is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area and is located southeast of Pleasant Grove. The population was 10,000 at the 2020 census.

History
This city was founded in 1910 in which the featured speaker at the dedication ceremony was former President Theodore Roosevelt. It was originally named Corey, after an executive of U.S. Steel Corporation. The name was later changed to the city in which the President of U.S. Steel lived, Fairfield, Connecticut. It was planned as a model city by the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company to house workers in their new Fairfield Works plant, now owned by U.S. Steel, similar to its northeastern city of Ensley.

It was incorporated on January 1, 1919.

In May 2020, the city entered bankruptcy. Jefferson County had declared bankruptcy in 2011.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,000 people, 4,441 households, and 2,532 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 11,117 people, 4,229 households, and 2,738 families living in the city. The population density was 3,176.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,935 housing units at an average density of 1,410 per square mile (536.4/,/km$2$). The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% Black or African American, 4.2% White, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. 1.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 4,229 households 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.3% were married couples living together, 31.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 32.7% of households were one person and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.10.

The age distribution was 23.0% under the age of 18, 14.3% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% 65 or older. The median age was 36.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median household income was $34,242 and the median family income was $41,841. Males had a median income of $34,854 versus $29,788 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,221. About 22.2% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.5% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 12,381 people, 4,600 households, and 3,141 families living in the city. The population density was 3,503.8 PD/sqmi. There were 4,960 housing units at an average density of 1,403.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 8.90% White, 90.23% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 4,600 households 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 29.2% of households were one person and 12.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.17.

The age distribution was 26.7% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.

The median household income was $27,845 and the median family income was $38,552. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $25,143 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,607. About 16.5% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 25.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Fairfield has its own school system, independent from Jefferson County. The system includes three elementary schools, Forest Hills Middle School, Fairfield High Preparatory School (formerly Fairfield High School), and an alternative all-grades school.

The city is also home to Miles College, a historically black college operated by the CME Church. The school was founded in 1898.

Industry and business

Though the United States' steel-making industry has gone through a decline through the last half of the 20th century, U.S. Steel's Fairfield Works continues to be a major employer, though not in the levels seen around the 1950s. Advances in steel-making technology have enabled the works to produce roughly the same amount of product as during that era, but with a much smaller workforce.

Portions of the works have been closed over the years, but many parts of the complex have been reopened by smaller industries, some of which are steel-related.

Fairfield is traversed by I-20/I-59. Three railroads serve the area: CSX Transportation (former Louisville and Nashville Railroad), Norfolk Southern Railway (former Southern Railway), and short-line Birmingham Southern Railroad, which is headquartered in Fairfield.

The city's downtown area features a number of small businesses, primarily service-related. Other retail businesses are concentrated along Aronov Drive, northwest of Western Hills Mall, though those strip malls have declined due to closures of Kmart, Winn-Dixie, and Sears locations. Walmart shut its doors in early 2016. All public bus transportation was terminated in July 2016 for failure to pay the bill. The water board has threatened to cut off all water to public buildings because of non payment. On May 20, 2020, the city of Fairfield filed for bankruptcy.

Western Hills Mall
Western Hills Mall is the city's major shopping mall.

Notable people

 * U. W. Clemon Federal judge who was born in Fairfield.
 * Red Cochran and Jim Tolbert former NFL players were born in Fairfield.
 * Oliver W. Dillard, Major General US Army Retired, graduated from the Fairfield Industrial High School
 * Cleveland Eaton Jazz musician with the Count Basie Orchestra was born in Fairfield.
 * Dennis Edwards, Singer with The Temptations, was born in Fairfield.
 * Walter Gilbert, member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
 * Tim Johnson, former professional football linebacker.
 * Doug Jones, lawyer, United States Attorney and Senator. Born in Fairfield.
 * Larry Langford former Fairfield Mayor, Jefferson County Commission President, and mayor of Birmingham]] resided in Fairfield.
 * George Lindsey Actor in The Andy Griffith Show) was born in Fairfield.
 * James MacKay Georgia and congressman was born in Fairfield.
 * Spider Martin Photographer was born in Fairfield.
 * Willie Mays attended school in Fairfield played baseball, football, and basketball.
 * Demetrius Newton, civil rights lawyer and member of the Alabama House of Representatives.
 * Allene Roberts Actress The Red House) was born in Fairfield.

title: Fairfield, Alabama


text:
Forestdale, Alabama

Forestdale is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is north of the Birmingham city neighborhood of Ensley. At the 2020 census, the population was 10,409.

Geography
Forestdale is located at 33.57417°N, -86.90306°W (33.574305, -86.902937).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 6.9 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
At the 2020 United States census, there were 10,409 people, 3,776 households and 2,484 families residing in the CDP.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 10,162 people, 3,963 households and 2,834 families living in the community. The population density was 1,500 /sqmi. There were 4,365 housing units at an average density of632 /sqmi. The racial make-up of the community was 71.4% Black or African American, 26.2% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.9% from other races and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,963 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.5% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

23.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64 and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median household income was $52,605 and the median family income was $60,067. Males had a median income of $42,207 and females $36,417. The per capita income was $23,819. About 6.4% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 10,509 people, 4,161 households and 3,099 families living in the community. The population density was 1,523.0 /sqmi. There were 4,357 housing units at an average density of 631.4 /sqmi. The racial make-up of the community was 52.87% White, 45.92% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.17% from other races and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,161 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.5% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.97.

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64 and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median household income was $43,111 and the median family income was $51,188. Males had a median income of $36,048 and females $30,135. The per capita income was $19,954. About 4.4% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Forestdale, Alabama


text:
Fultondale, Alabama

Fultondale is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States and a northern suburb of Birmingham. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 8,380.

History
Fulton was a mining town in the 1900s. Fulton was incorporated in 1947. The town's name is derived from the combination of the names of two nearby communities, Fulton Springs and Glendale.

This 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 (the "Skyview"). This was torn down when I-65 was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Pine Bowl bowling alley is still a long time fixture in the city. 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 this city's northern side, most of this old routing is known as Stouts Road or in some cases simply "old US 31."

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.

In the early 2000s, the Chapel Hills subdivision was begun on the west side of I-65 off of Ellard Road. In the years following, other new subdivisions have been built off of US Highway 31 including Black Creek Station, Town Square, and Fulton Springs.

On January 25, 2021, an EF3 tornado impacted Fultondale causing significant structural damage to numerous homes, vehicles, and businesses with several being severely damaged or destroyed. One person was killed and 30 others were injured.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.2 sqmi, 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 on June 20, 2016, the interchange with I-65 just south of Fultondale opened. I-22 will provide direct interstate access to Memphis, Tennessee. Upon completion of Interstate 22, Fultondale will become the fourth Alabama city (after Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile) to be directly served by more than one two-digit interstate highway (I-65 & I-22). 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.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,876 people, 3,879 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 8,380 people, 3,504 households, and 2,269 families living in the city. The population density was 681.3 PD/sqmi. There were 3,758 housing units at an average density of 305.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White, 16.6% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 4.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,504 households 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 29.9% of households were one person and 9.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% 65 or older. The median age was 34.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median household income was $44,880 and the median family income was $55,565. Males had a median income of $43,109 versus $35,051 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,903. About 8.1% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.3% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The current mayor is Larry Holcomb, who is in his first term. Members of the City Council are Billy Hughes, Josh Bryant, Timothy McWilliams, Kristi Jennings and Jimmie H. Lay.

In August 2016, then-Mayor Jim Lowery narrowly won the election against candidate Larry Holcomb a former Fultondale fireman, which began Jim Lowery's sixth four-year term.

Four years later, on August 26, 2020, Larry Holcomb won the election for mayor with 983 votes to Jim Lowery's 750 votes. Three other incumbents were unseated in this election. Kristi Jennings defeated incumbent Joe Bolton with 1,096 votes to Bolton's 620 votes. Timothy McWilliams earned 986 votes in his victory against incumbent Tommy Loden, who earned 712 votes. Billy Hughes defeated incumbent Darrell Bates with 1,100 votes to Bates' 598 votes.

Media
Fultondale is located in the Birmingham TV and radio market. Newspapers include The Birmingham News (Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) and The North Jefferson News (weekly). On May 24, 2012, Advance Publications announced that its three Alabama newspapers (in Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville) would do away with their print editions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The move was a result of the continuing decline in advertising revenue and circulation for its traditional print products. The move places increased emphasis on their website, al.com, and reorganizes the Alabama properties into two companies: Alabama Media Group, the editorial side; and Advance Central Services Alabama, which will handle production, distribution and back-office services. The changes took effect on October 1, 2012, making Birmingham the second-largest city in the United States not to be served by a daily newspaper; New Orleans became the largest that same day.

Education
Fultondale is served by Jefferson County Schools. Fultondale High School is located on Carson Road on the northeast side of the city. Fultondale Elementary School serves grades PreK-6th grade and is located on the southern end of the city off of US Highway 31. In 2020, it was announced that Fultondale High School will get a new building and the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School will move to the current high school location once renovations are completed. The school is nicknamed the Wildcats (and Junior Wildcats) and both schools' colors are orange and navy blue.

Retail and 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. The Colonial Promenade Fultondale development was a project of Colonial Properties and the first portion opened in the fall of 2007. It is home to many large as well as small retailers, shops and restaurants. Besides the retail development of Colonial Promenade, other retail development nearby includes various chain restaurants and large retailers. 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.

Parks and recreation
Fultondale's Black Creek Park is situated adjacent to Black Creek and includes batting cages, the Senior Center, walking trails, the Children's Park, and the Fultondale Bark Park with separate play areas for small and large dogs. The dog park is home to the annual Barking at the Moon Festival. The nature trail along Black Creek is part of a rails-to-trails project of approximately three miles in length and crosses historic Stouts Road.

The city also maintains a park and sports complex across from Fultondale Elementary School that is home to the Fultondale Youth Football and Cheer Association games.

title: Fultondale, Alabama