Childersburg, Alabama

Childersburg, Alabama
City

Downtown Childersburg

Location in Talladega County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 33°16′30″N 86°21′11″W / 33.27500°N 86.35306°W / 33.27500; -86.35306
Country United States
State Alabama
County Talladega
Area
 • Total 12.6 sq mi (32.6 km2)
 • Land 12.4 sq mi (32.0 km2)
 • Water 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
Elevation 420 ft (128 m)
Population (2013)[1]
 • Total 5,090
 • Density 400/sq mi (160/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 35044
Area code(s) 256
FIPS code 01-14464
GNIS feature ID 0116045
Website www.childersburg.org

Childersburg is a city in Talladega County[2] in the U.S. state of Alabama. It incorporated in 1889.[3] At the 2010 census the population was 5,175.[4] It claims a history dating back before 1540, when it was noted as a village of the Coosa Nation visited by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. The Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, important during World War II, was located 4 miles (6 km) north of Childersburg.

Geography

Childersburg is located at 33°16′31″N 86°21′11″W / 33.27528°N 86.35306°W / 33.27528; -86.35306 (33.275187, −86.353166).[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (32.6 km2), of which 12.4 square miles (32.0 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 2.00%, is water.[4]

History

Successive indigenous peoples had lived in the area for thousands of years. In the 16th century, people identified as part of the Kymulga-phase culture (of the larger Mississippian culture) lived at Talisi, the former site of Childersburg.[6] In the fall of 1540, the Spanish Hernando de Soto expedition rested here for about one month during its exploration of the Southeast.[7] Childersburg calls itself "The Oldest City in America".[8] The Abihka people (part of those who became known as the Muskogee or Creek) dominated the area by the 18th century.[9]

The Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, a munitions plant, was established in Childersburg in 1941 and operated throughout World War II until August 1945.[10] Operated by DuPont, the plant produced explosives, such as nitrocellulose, trinitrotoluene (TNT), and dinitrotoluene (DNT).[10] The plant also secretly produced heavy water to support the Manhattan Project.[11]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890777—
1900372−52.1%
191044920.7%
1920418−6.9%
19304599.8%
194051512.2%
19504,023681.2%
19604,88421.4%
19704,831−1.1%
19805,0845.2%
19904,579−9.9%
20004,9277.6%
20105,1755.0%
Est. 20145,068[12]−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
2013 Estimate[14]

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,927 people residing in the city, an increase over the 1990 population of 4,600.[15] In 2000, there were 1,999 households and 1,419 families in the city. The population density was 637.2 people per square mile (246.1/km2). There were 2,149 housing units at an average density of 277.9 per square mile (107.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.87% White, 29.73% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,999 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,932, and the median income for a family was $30,524. Males had a median income of $31,892 versus $20,569 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,412. About 20.7% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,175 people, 2,090 households and 1,422 families in the city. The population density was 417.3 people per square mile (161.7/km2). There were 2,356 housing units at an average density of 190 per square mile (73.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.1% White, 36.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,090 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% 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 3.04

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,310, and the median income for a family was $41,646. Males had a median income of $43,333 versus $25,450 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,221. About 14.8% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

There are ten golf courses in Childersburg and its immediate vicinity.[16]

Childersburg is home to the Childersburg Tigers. 1967, 1977, 2002, and 2007 Alabama Baseball State Champions. Childersburg has won numerous youth baseball state championships including Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and most recently (2013) American Legion.

DeSoto Caverns is also located in Childersburg.

Notable people

Gallery

Transportation

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  2. ↑ Childersburg Chamber of Commerce
  3. ↑ http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3376
  4. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Childersburg city, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ Waselkov, Gregory A. and Marvin T. Smith. "Upper Creek Archaeology" in McEwan, Bonnie G., ed. Indians of the Greater Southeast: Historical Archaeology and Ethnohistory (Gainesville: University of Florida Press, 2000) p. 244
  7. ↑ Gentleman of Elvas (1557). "Chapter XVII, Of How the Governor went from Coca to Tastaluca". Narratives of the Career of Hernando De Soto in the Conquest of Florida as told by a Knight of Elvas. Kallman Publishing Co. (1968), Translated by Buckingham Smith. p. 81. ASIN B000J4W27Q.
  8. ↑ City of Childersburg website, accessed July 18, 2011
  9. ↑ Waselkov. "Upper Creek Archaeology" p. 247
  10. 1 2 United States Army Environmental Center Base Closure Division, Site Management Plan; Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, Talladega County, Alabama, May 10, 1995. Pages 5–6.
  11. ↑ Site Management Plan; Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, Talladega County, Alabama, May 10, 1995. Page 22.
  12. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  15. ↑ Childersburg – Hutchinson encyclopedia article about Childersburg
  16. ↑ Childersburg, Alabama Golf Courses
  17. ↑ Childersburg, AL Greyhound Station Intercity Bus Service

External links

Coordinates: 33°16′31″N 86°21′11″W / 33.275187°N 86.353166°W / 33.275187; -86.353166

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