Falkville, Alabama

Falkville, Alabama
Town
Railroad Street
Location in Morgan County, Alabama
Coordinates: 34°22′18″N86°54′30″W / 34.37167°N 86.90833°W / 34.37167; -86.90833
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Morgan
Area [1]
• Total	3.80 sq mi (9.83 km2)
• Land	3.78 sq mi (9.79 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation [2]	600 ft (200 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	1,197
• Density	316.75/sq mi (122.31/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35622
Area code	256
FIPS code	01-25648
GNIS feature ID	2406488 [2]
Website	www.falkville.org

Falkville is a town in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area and Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 1,197. ^[3]

Falkville incorporated three times: first in 1876, again on June 19, 1886, and lastly on December 13, 1898. ^[4]

History

Falkville was named for Louis M. Falk, a Prussian merchant who emigrated to the area in the late 1850s. Falk opened a general store in what is now Falkville in 1859 ^[5] and later became the town's first postmaster. ^[4] The L&N Railroad was constructed through Falkville in the early 1870s, and a rail station opened in 1872. ^[4]

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration constructed a town hall for Falkville. This building now serves as the town's library. ^[6]

1950s tornadoes

Two destructive tornadoes hit the town in the 1950s. On April 24, 1955, an F4 tornado tore directly through the town, killing five and injuring 20. ^[7] Two years later, on April 8, 1957, a long-tracked F3 tornado hit the southern part of town. That storm killed two and injured 90. ^[8]

Geography

Falkville is located in southern Morgan County at 34°22′19″N86°54′30″W / 34.37194°N 86.90833°W / 34.37194; -86.90833 (34.371919, -86.908381). ^[9] The town is concentrated along U.S. Route 31, 5 miles (8 km) south of Hartselle. Interstate 65 forms the eastern edge of the town, with access from Exit 322. Decatur, the Morgan county seat, is 18 miles (29 km) to the north, Huntsville is 40 miles (64 km) to the northeast, and Cullman is 14 miles (23 km) to the south.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Falkville has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²), or 0.47%, are water. ^[1] The town is drained by Robinson Creek and Painter Branch, west-flowing tributaries of Flint Creek, a north-flowing tributary of the Tennessee River.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	105		—
1900	343		—
1910	335		−2.3%
1920	362		8.1%
1930	543		50.0%
1940	567		4.4%
1950	613		8.1%
1960	682		11.3%
1970	946		38.7%
1980	1,310		38.5%
1990	1,337		2.1%
2000	1,202		−10.1%
2010	1,279		6.4%
2020	1,197		−6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 2013 Estimate [11]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,202 people, 365 households, and 254 families in the town. The population density was 326.3 inhabitants per square mile (126.0/km²). There were 390 housing units at an average density of 105.9 per square mile (40.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.26% White, 5.91% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.08% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[12] Of the 365 households 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.8% of households were one person and 12.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 16.6% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% 65 or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males.

The median household income was $34,583 and the median family income was $40,759. Males had a median income of $29,231 versus $23,365 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,510. About 5.5% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 31.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 1,279 people, 387 households, and 274 families in the town. The population density was 345.7 inhabitants per square mile (133.5/km²). There were 437 housing units at an average density of 118.1 per square mile (46/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.1% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 2.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[13] Of the 387 households 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 25.6% of households were one person and 10.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.

The age distribution was 18.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 32.6% 65 or older. The median age was 48.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 68.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median household income was $36,848 and the median family income was $44,150. Males had a median income of $35,450 versus $21,635 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,850. About 7.9% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Falkville racial composition ^[14]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	1,096	91.56%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	25	2.09%
Native American	7	0.58%
Asian	1	0.08%
Other/Mixed	42	3.51%
Hispanic or Latino	26	2.17%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,197 people, 392 households, and 260 families residing in the town.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Falkville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[15]

Notable people

• Tom Drake, attorney, former professional wrestler, politician, and former member of the athletic staff of football coach Bear Bryant
• Roy Drinkard, businessman
• Rodney Jones, poet

References

1. "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Falkville, Alabama
3. "Falkville town, Alabama: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
4. Christopher Maloney, "Falkville," Encyclopedia of Alabama, May 14, 2013.
5. History, Town of Falkville official site
6. Alabama Tourism Department marker in Falkville, Alabama. Information accessed September 16, 2018.
7. "Alabama F4". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
8. "Alabama F3". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
11. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 5, 2015.
14. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
15. Climate Summary for Falkville, Alabama

External links

• Media related to Falkville, Alabama at Wikimedia Commons