West Blocton, Alabama

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West Blocton, Alabama
Flag of West Blocton, Alabama.png
Bibb County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas West Blocton Highlighted 0180928.svg
Location of West Blocton in Bibb County, Alabama
Coordinates: 33°07′05″N87°07′30″W / 33.11806°N 87.12500°W / 33.11806; -87.12500
CountryUnited States
State Alabama
County Bibb
FoundedAugust 28, 1883 [1]
Incorporated 1901
Government
   Mayor Daniel Sims
Area
[2]
  Total4.822 sq mi (12.489 km2)
  Land4.798 sq mi (12.427 km2)
  Water0.024 sq mi (0.063 km2)
Elevation
[3]
495 ft (151 m)
Population
 (2020) [4]
  Total1,217
  Estimate 
(2023) [5]
1,189
  Density247.8/sq mi (95.68/km2)
Time zone UTC–6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
35184
Area code(s) 205 and 659
FIPS code 01-80928
GNIS feature ID0153935 [3]
Sales tax 10.0% [6]

West Blocton is a town in Bibb County, Alabama, United States. The population was 1,217 at the 2020 census. [4]

Contents

History

It was built on land once owned by Uriah Smith, near the company town Blocton. Many of its non-native residents were immigrants from various European countries, with Italians being the largest, as they came to do mining in the area. West Blocton has a neighborhood previously named "Dago Hollow" and now called Little Italy. [7]

Geography

Since 1883, West Blocton has been an essential part of Alabama's history and industrial development. It is a celebrated city with natural beauty on the Cahaba River. West Blocton Historical Marker.jpg
Since 1883, West Blocton has been an essential part of Alabama's history and industrial development. It is a celebrated city with natural beauty on the Cahaba River.

West Blocton is located in northern Bibb County at 33°07′05″N87°07′30″W / 33.11806°N 87.12500°W / 33.11806; -87.12500 (33.1181748, -87.1249954), [3] at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Mountains.

It is on a midway point between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. [7]

Alabama State Route 5 passes through the town, west of the town center, leading north 7 miles (11 km) to Woodstock and south 12 miles (19 km) to Brent and Centreville, the county seat.

The community is 7 miles (11 km) south of Interstate 20 and Interstate 59. [7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.822 square miles (12.49 km2), of which, 4.798 square miles (12.43 km2) is land and 0.024 square miles (0.06 km2), or 0.52%, is water. [2]

West Blocton Coke Ovens Park blends history with nature, providing a place to relax and learn about the history of the industrial era of Alabama and how the Coke Ovens supplied the steel of the South.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1910 892
1920 1,02314.7%
1930 1,0704.6%
1940 1,31723.1%
1950 1,280−2.8%
1960 1,156−9.7%
1970 1,1721.4%
1980 1,147−2.1%
1990 1,46828.0%
2000 1,372−6.5%
2010 1,240−9.6%
2020 1,217−1.9%
2023 (est.)1,189 [5] −2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
2020 Census [4]

2020 census

West Blocton, Alabama – Racial Composition [9]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
RaceNumberPercentage
White (NH)96779.46%
Black or African American (NH)16213.31%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)10.08%
Asian (NH)50.41%
Pacific Islander (NH)10.08%
Some Other Race (NH)30.20%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)342.80%
Hispanic or Latino 443.62%
Total1,217100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,217 people, 506 households, and 334 families residing in the town. [10]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,240 people, 494 households, and 341 families residing in the town. The population density was 271 inhabitants per square mile (105/km2). There were 576 housing units at an average density of 125.2 per square mile (48.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 85.6% White, 13.2% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. 0.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 494 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,844, and the median income for a family was $59,875. Males had a median income of $37,384 versus $31,167 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,224. About 11.3% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The community's original economy was coal. By 2002 industry left the town. Robert Dewitt of the Tuscaloosa News stated that the community remained active despite the lack of jobs, and that "While downtown West Blocton is a shell of its former self, the place isn’t a ghost town." [7]

Notable people

Education

Bibb County School District operates West Blocton High School.

Trivia

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, West Blocton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bibb County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Bibb County is a county in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. The county is included in the ARC's definition of Appalachia. As of the 24th decennial 2020 census, its population was 22,293. The county seat is Centreville. The county is named in honor of William W. Bibb (1781–1820), the Governor of Alabama Territory (1817–1819) and the first Governor of Alabama. He is also the namesake for Bibb County, Georgia, where he began his political career. It is a "prohibition" or dry county; however, a few towns have become "wet" by allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages: Woodstock, West Blocton, Centreville, and Brent. The Bibb County Courthouse is located in the county seat of Centreville.

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References

  1. "Municipalities of Alabama Incorporation Dates" (PDF). Alabama League of Municipalities. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Blocton, Alabama
  4. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023". United States Census Bureau. July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  6. "West Blocton (AL) sales tax rate" . Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Dewitt, Robert (March 10, 2002). "West Blocton may not be thriving, but residents' ties are strong". Tuscaloosa News . Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – West Blocton town, Alabama".
  10. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  11. "CENTREVILLE PRESS - Bibblogger: West Blocton Man's Unique Story leads to Sought After Inventions". February 16, 2021.
  12. Climate Summary for West Blocton, Alabama

33°07′07″N87°07′22″W / 33.118733°N 87.122875°W / 33.118733; -87.122875