Oxford | |
---|---|
Downtown Oxford | |
Nickname: Crossroads to the Future | |
![]() Location of Oxford in Calhoun County and Talladega County, Alabama. | |
Coordinates: 33°35′49″N85°50′19″W / 33.59694°N 85.83861°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Alabama |
Counties | Calhoun, Talladega, Cleburne |
Government | |
• Mayor | Alton Craft |
Area | |
• Total | 32.19 sq mi (83.36 km2) |
• Land | 31.82 sq mi (82.42 km2) |
• Water | 0.36 sq mi (0.94 km2) |
Elevation | 686 ft (209 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 22,069 |
• Density | 693.49/sq mi (267.76/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central) |
ZIP code | 36203, 36201, 36207, 36253 |
Area code | 256/938 |
FIPS code | 01-57576 |
GNIS feature ID | 0160330 |
Website | www |
Oxford is a city in Calhoun, Talladega, and Cleburne counties in the State of Alabama, United States. The population was 22,069 at the 2020 census,. [2] Oxford is one of two principal cities of and included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area, and it is the largest city in Calhoun County by population.
Founded in the early 1850s, Oxford was the first city in Calhoun County to be incorporated, in 1852. [3] The name "Oxford" was due to the presence of a narrow crossing of Chocolocco Creek that allowed farmers to ford cattle from one side of the creek to the other. Since 1970, Oxford has annexed large amounts of land to the south and west, including the communities of Coldwater and Bynum. In 1970, it was all in Calhoun County, but today it includes areas in Talladega County and Cleburne County. [4]
A smaller municipality, Hobson City, was once a part of Oxford. The area, then known as the Mooree Quarter, is one square mile, and is located north and west of Oxford, and south and west of Anniston. The new town became incorporated on August 16, 1899, as Hobson City, taking the name of a naval hero of the Spanish–American War. [5] Another result was the creation of only the second town in the United States (after Eatonville, Florida) with 100% black government, and an almost 100% black population (at least at first). [6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.2 square miles (83.3 km2), of which 31.72 square miles (82.15 km2) is land and 0.35 square miles (0.9 km2), or 1.07%, is water. [7]
Oxford lies among the foothills at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nearby Cheaha Mountain is Alabama's highest point and offers expansive views of the surrounding wilderness and the city below. Much of the city's southern border is shared with the Talladega National Forest.
Major bodies of water include Oxford Lake, Choccolocco Park Lake, Lake Hillabee, Snow Creek, and the Choccolocco Creek that bisects the city.
Oxford is located mainly in the southern part of Calhoun County and is located along Interstate 20, which runs through the southern part of the city, with access from exits 179, 185, 188, and 191. Via I-20, Birmingham is 62 mi (100 km) west, and Atlanta is 88 mi (142 km) east. U.S. Route 78 also runs through the city and connects it to Cleburne County, paralleling I-20. Alabama State Route 21 connects the city with the city of Talladega, which is southwest 21 mi (34 km).
According to the Köppen climate classification, Oxford has a humid subtropical climate (abbreviated Cfa).
Climate data for Oxford, 1991–2020 simulated normals (653 ft elevation) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 54.0 (12.2) | 58.1 (14.5) | 66.4 (19.1) | 74.3 (23.5) | 81.0 (27.2) | 87.1 (30.6) | 90.0 (32.2) | 89.4 (31.9) | 85.1 (29.5) | 75.6 (24.2) | 64.8 (18.2) | 56.7 (13.7) | 73.5 (23.1) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 43.2 (6.2) | 46.6 (8.1) | 54.0 (12.2) | 61.5 (16.4) | 69.4 (20.8) | 76.5 (24.7) | 79.7 (26.5) | 79.0 (26.1) | 73.9 (23.3) | 63.0 (17.2) | 52.2 (11.2) | 45.7 (7.6) | 62.1 (16.7) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 32.2 (0.1) | 35.1 (1.7) | 41.4 (5.2) | 48.7 (9.3) | 57.9 (14.4) | 65.8 (18.8) | 69.4 (20.8) | 68.5 (20.3) | 62.6 (17.0) | 50.5 (10.3) | 39.6 (4.2) | 34.7 (1.5) | 50.5 (10.3) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.27 (133.88) | 5.48 (139.26) | 5.50 (139.60) | 4.78 (121.33) | 4.27 (108.49) | 4.76 (120.98) | 4.61 (117.05) | 3.78 (96.00) | 3.11 (78.90) | 3.44 (87.38) | 4.45 (112.92) | 5.16 (131.15) | 54.61 (1,386.94) |
Average dew point °F (°C) | 33.8 (1.0) | 36.3 (2.4) | 41.9 (5.5) | 49.6 (9.8) | 59.4 (15.2) | 66.9 (19.4) | 70.2 (21.2) | 69.3 (20.7) | 63.9 (17.7) | 53.4 (11.9) | 42.4 (5.8) | 37.2 (2.9) | 52.0 (11.1) |
Source: Prism Climate Group [8] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 780 | — | |
1890 | 1,473 | 88.8% | |
1900 | 1,372 | −6.9% | |
1910 | 1,090 | −20.6% | |
1920 | 1,108 | 1.7% | |
1930 | 1,206 | 8.8% | |
1940 | 1,393 | 15.5% | |
1950 | 1,697 | 21.8% | |
1960 | 3,603 | 112.3% | |
1970 | 4,361 | 21.0% | |
1980 | 8,939 | 105.0% | |
1990 | 9,362 | 4.7% | |
2000 | 14,592 | 55.9% | |
2010 | 21,348 | 46.3% | |
2020 | 22,069 | 3.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 2018 Estimate [10] |
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 15,309 | 69.37% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,645 | 16.52% |
Native American | 69 | 0.31% |
Asian | 377 | 1.71% |
Pacific Islander | 9 | 0.04% |
Other/Mixed | 910 | 4.12% |
Hispanic or Latino | 1,750 | 7.93% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 22,069 people, 7,871 households, and 5,604 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2020, there were 22,069 people, 8,072 households, and 5,955 families residing in the city. The population density was 677 inhabitants per square mile (261/km2). There were 8,806 housing units at an average density of 284 per square mile (110/km2).
There were 8,072 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $57,887, and the median income for a family was $53,612. Males had a median income of $46,008 versus $30,231 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,568. About 10.8% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
The city's growth in recent years can be attributed mainly to the presence of Interstate 20 and Oxford's central location between Atlanta and Birmingham. The Quintard Mall is the only fully enclosed shopping mall between Birmingham and Douglasville, Georgia. Several other shopping centers dot the landscape of Oxford with the most recent being the construction of the Oxford Commons which is just off exit 188 on Interstate 20.
Oxford features a mayor-council form of government, though the mayor actually dictates the daily running of the city. Alton Craft is the current mayor, having succeeded former Mayor Leon Smith, whose mayorship began in 1984 and retired from office after his eighth term in 2016. Craft previously served as the Finance Director of Oxford for over two decades. The five-member council includes Phil Gardner (Place 1), Charlotte Hubbard (Place 2), Mike Henderson (Place 3), Chris Spurlin (Place 4, Council President), and Steven Waits (Place 5, Council President Pro Tempore). The mayor and city council members are elected to four-year terms that coincided with presidential election years. In 2021, a bill was passed in the Alabama legislature that moved many municipal elections, including Oxford's, to non-presidential election years. The next election will be in 2025 and will then be held every four years.
Oxford's public schools are administered by the Oxford City School System. There are four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. A new Oxford High School building opened in August 2010, as well as a new Technical Building. [12]
Major highways passing through Oxford include:
The city maintains a 64-member police department. The agency is divided into Uniform Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Administrative Division. The agency also has several specialized units including Special Investigations Division, Emergency Services Unit, Traffic Homicide Unit, Aviation Unit, and Honor Guard. [13]
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 who was a staunch supporter of slavery.
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, albeit one of the most densely populated. Etowah County comprises the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cleburne County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,056. Its county seat is Heflin. Its name is in honor of Patrick R. Cleburne of Arkansas who rose to the rank of major general in the Confederate States Army. The eastern side of the county borders the state of Georgia.
Talladega County is one of the sixty-seven counties located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 82,149. Its county seat is Talladega.
Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County in Alabama, United States, and is one of two urban centers/principal cities of and included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 23,106. According to 2019 Census estimates, the city had a population of 21,287. Named "The Model City" by Atlanta newspaperman Henry W. Grady for its careful planning in the late 19th century, the city is situated on the slope of Blue Mountain.
Bynum is a former census-designated place in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,863. The area is now part of the city of Oxford and is included in the Anniston–Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Hobson City is a town in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 759. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hobson City became Alabama's first self-governed all-black municipality in 1899 and continues to have an African American majority.
Jacksonville is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 14,385, which is a 14.6% increase since 2010 and a 71.2% increase since 2000. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to Jacksonville State University, which is a center of commerce and one of the largest employers in the area.
Ohatchee is a town in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,157. It is included in the Anniston–Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Piedmont is a city in Calhoun and Cherokee counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 4,400 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Saks is a census-designated place (CDP) and Unincorporated community in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 9,956. The community of Saks is served by the City of Anniston police and fire coverage. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Weaver is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,339. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.
West End-Cobb Town is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,128. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Heflin is a city and the county seat of Cleburne County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,431. It is located approximately halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta along Interstate 20.
Lincoln is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. It was incorporated in 1911. At the 2020 census, the population was 6,845. It was named for Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who served in the American army during the Revolutionary War.
Talladega is the county seat of Talladega County, Alabama, United States. It was incorporated in 1835. At the 2020 census, the population was 15,861. Talladega is approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of one of the state’s largest cities, Birmingham.
The Anniston–Oxford metropolitan statistical area is the second-most populated metropolitan area in Northeast Alabama, behind Huntsville. At the 2000 census, it had a population of 112,249. The MSA is anchored by significant jobs at Jacksonville State University, the Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center, Stringfellow Hospital, the Anniston Army Depot, and the Department of Homeland Security at McClellan. McClellan has transitioned from being a closed military base, to becoming the home of hundreds of residents, new retail growth, and now more than 3,000 jobs spread out over more than 20 employers. Anniston remains strong in health care, legal, financial services and manufacturing. Oxford, with Interstate 20 running right through it, has developed a number of retail and restaurant establishments including the Oxford Exchange.
State Route 202 is a 9.1-mile-long (14.6 km) route that serves as a connection between I-20 west of the Anniston/Oxford area and Anniston in Calhoun County.
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.