Attalla | |
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![]() Aerial view of Attalla | |
Motto: "Gateway to Northeast Alabama" [1] | |
![]() Location of Attalla in Etowah County, Alabama. | |
Coordinates: 34°0′35″N86°5′54″W / 34.00972°N 86.09833°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Alabama |
County | Etowah |
Area | |
• Total | 7.00 sq mi (18.13 km2) |
• Land | 7.00 sq mi (18.13 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 558 ft (170 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,827 |
• Density | 832.55/sq mi (321.46/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 35954 |
Area code | 256 |
FIPS code | 01-03028 |
GNIS feature ID | 2403130 [3] |
Website | www |
Attalla is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 6,048. [4]
The town developed on the area of a former Muscogee (Creek) village that was important during the Creek War. Most of the Creek people were forced out under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. White European migrants from the coastal areas came into this area to acquire land. The wealthier ones developed cotton plantations based on the labor of enslaved African Americans.
Cherokee people had also lived in this area, after being encroached on in Tennessee and western North Carolina. David Brown (Cherokee) was assisted by the Rev. D. S. Butterick in preparing the Cherokee Spelling Book while he lived here.
Attalla was not founded until 1870; it was established on land donated by W. C. Hammond, a plantation owner. It was incorporated as a city government on February 5, 1872. The town was officially named "Attalla" in 1893, derived from a Cherokee language word meaning "mountain". [5]
Railroads served the town and connected it to other markets. When the railroads went into bankruptcy, Attalla's prosperity declined in the late 19th century financial troubles.[ citation needed ]
Attalla is the site of the first hydroelectric dam constructed to provide electricity for a city; it was built in 1887. [6]
William Lewis Moore, a white U.S. postman and civil rights activist, was murdered here on April 23, 1963. He was walking from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi to publicize his support of civil rights with a letter for Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett. The suspected killer, Floyd Simpson, was never charged with the crime. [7]
Attalla is in Etowah County at 34°0′35″N86°5′54″W / 34.00972°N 86.09833°W (34.009818, -86.098413). [8] It is bordered to the east by the city of Gadsden, the county seat, and at its southernmost point by Rainbow City.
Interstate 59 runs along the eastern edge of the city, with access from Exits 181 and 183. U.S. Route 11 passes through the center of town as Third Street and runs generally parallel to I-59, leading northeast 36 miles (58 km) to Fort Payne and southwest 58 miles (93 km) to Birmingham. U.S. Routes 278 and 431 also pass through the center of Attalla, leading east 5 miles (8 km) to downtown Gadsden. US 431 runs north 20 miles (32 km) to Albertville, while US 278 leads west 47 miles (76 km) to Cullman. Alabama State Route 77 passes through the southern section of Attalla, leading north 3 miles (5 km) to US 431 and southeast 6 miles (10 km) to Rainbow City.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.0 square miles (18.1 km2), all of it land. [4] Big Wills Creek, a tributary of the Coosa River, flows southeasterly through the city. The southern end of Lookout Mountain rises to the east overlooking the city.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 351 | — | |
1890 | 1,254 | 257.3% | |
1900 | 1,692 | 34.9% | |
1910 | 2,513 | 48.5% | |
1920 | 3,462 | 37.8% | |
1930 | 4,585 | 32.4% | |
1940 | 4,885 | 6.5% | |
1950 | 7,537 | 54.3% | |
1960 | 8,257 | 9.6% | |
1970 | 7,510 | −9.0% | |
1980 | 7,737 | 3.0% | |
1990 | 6,859 | −11.3% | |
2000 | 6,592 | −3.9% | |
2010 | 6,048 | −8.3% | |
2020 | 5,827 | −3.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] |
At the 2000 census there were 6,795 people, 2,672 households, and 1,976 families living in the city. The population density was 988.0 inhabitants per square mile (381.5/km2). There were 2,914 housing units at an average density of 436.7 per square mile (168.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.42% White, 13.5% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 1.64% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 2.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [10] Of the 2,620 households 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 29.0% of households were one person and 13.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00.
The age distribution was 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median household income was $27,444 and the median family income was $39,549. Males had a median income of $30,605 versus $19,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,727. About 16.4% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
At the 2010 census there were 6,048 people, 2,442 households, and 1,627 families living in the city. The population density was 983.9 inhabitants per square mile (379.9/km2). There were 2,841 housing units at an average density of 424 per square mile (164/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.5% White, 12.7% Black or African American, .4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 2.9% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 4.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [11] Of the 2,442 households 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 29.8% of households were one person and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.07.
The age distribution was 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median household income was $32,426 and the median family income was $35,934. Males had a median income of $33,428 versus $25,441 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,457. About 13.9% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 4,337 | 74.43% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 774 | 13.28% |
Native American | 13 | 0.22% |
Asian | 33 | 0.57% |
Other/Mixed | 333 | 5.71% |
Hispanic or Latino | 337 | 5.78% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,827 people, 2,151 households, and 1,364 families residing in the city.
The Attalla Beat (Etowah County 17th Beat) first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census. In 1890, "beat" was changed to "precinct." In 1960, the precinct was changed to "census division" as part of a general reorganization of counties. [13] In 1980, Attalla census division was consolidated with Gadsden census division.
The Attalla City School System is the public school district. As of 2006 it has some 1,823 students. [14]
The district includes the following schools:
The system formerly had Alma Hinson Junior High School. In 1962 the editor of The Etowah News Journal described the school as having a "nothing short of excellent" curricula and "a bright exception" to problems in other schools in the system. [15]
Calhoun County is a county in the east central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 116,441. Its county seat is Anniston. It is named in honor of John C. Calhoun, a US Senator from South Carolina.
Cherokee County, Alabama is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,971. Its county seat is Centre. The county is named for the Cherokee tribe.
Etowah County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 103,436. Its county seat is Gadsden. Its name is from a Cherokee word meaning "edible tree". In total area, it is the smallest county in Alabama, but one of the most densely populated. Etowah County comprises the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Marshall County is a county of the state of Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 97,612. Its county seat is Guntersville. A second courthouse is in Albertville. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. Marshall County is a dry county, with the exception of the five cities of Albertville, Arab, Grant, Guntersville, and Boaz. Marshall County comprises the Albertville, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area.
Cherokee County is located in the US state of Georgia. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 266,620. The county seat is Canton. The county Board of Commissioners is the governing body, with members elected to office. Cherokee County is included in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Altoona is a town in Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, the population was 948.
Snead is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,032.
Southside is a city located in Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is included in the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. It incorporated in 1957. The population was 8,412 at the time of the 2010 United States Census. Located 8 to 12 miles south of downtown Gadsden, Southside is one of the fastest-growing cities in northeast Alabama. The current Mayor, elected in 2020, is Dana Snyder.
Centre is a city in Cherokee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,587. The city is the county seat of Cherokee County.
Leesburg is a town in Cherokee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 911.
Boaz is a city in Marshall and Etowah counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The Marshall County portion of the city is part of the Albertville Micropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 10,107. Boaz was known for its outlet shops.
Gadsden is a city in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located on the Coosa River about 56 miles (90 km) northeast of Birmingham and 90 miles (140 km) southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,931. The population 33,945 at the 2020 census.
Hokes Bluff is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, its population was 4,446.
Mountainboro is a neighborhood in the city of Boaz, Alabama.
Rainbow City is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1950. The population was 9,602 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Reece City is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It was incorporated in May 1956. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, the population was 615.
Ridgeville is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1969 and is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census the population was 83, down from 158 in 2000. It is noteworthy for being the only community in Etowah County to have a black majority. Since 1970, it has also been the least populated community wholly within the county.
Sardis City is a town in Etowah and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. It originally incorporated in May 1963 under the name of "Sardis". It became Sardis City in the 1980s. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,814.
Walnut Grove is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census the population was 698. From 1880 until the 1960 U.S. Census, with the exclusion of 1890 when no figure was reported, Walnut Grove had the distinction of being the least populated community wholly within Etowah County. It lost that distinction in 1970 to newly incorporated Ridgeville which has held the title since.
St. Clair County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,103. It has two county seats: Ashville and Pell City. It is one of two counties in Alabama, and one of 33 in the United States, with more than one county seat. Its name is in honor of General Arthur St. Clair, an officer in the French and Indian War. St. Clair County is included in the Birmingham, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.