Andalusia, Alabama

History

Andalusia was first settled in 1841 after flooding of the Conecuh River and the surrounding lowlands forced citizens to move to higher ground. The county seat was moved from Montezuma to Andalusia in 1844. The new town was originally called "New Site" but was known as Andalusia by the time a post office was established in 1846.

Andalusia, likely got its name from Spanish explorers or settlers since the land where the town is located was part of Spanish Florida until Pinckney's Treaty in 1795. Prior to this treaty, Spain claimed all land up to 32.22 degrees north, which would include present day Andalusia which is at 31.31 degrees north. Andalusia shares the name of a large southern autonomous community of Spain which includes the cities of Granada, Malaga and Seville.

Andalusia was incorporated as a town in 1884.

In 1899, two railroad lines arrived, the Central of Georgia and the L & N Railroad, and the town began to grow.

Jess Dixon, an inventor from Andalusia, received widespread attention in 1941 after building a helicopter-car (see photo).

In 1944, country singers Hank Williams and Audrey Sheppard were married in a Texaco station in Andalusia by a justice of the peace. The marriage was declared illegal, since Sheppard's divorce from her previous husband did not comply with the legally required sixty-day trial reconciliation.

Sgt. Charles "Bubba" Bailey of the Andalusia Police Department was featured on the Australian TV show Hamish & Andy in 2009. The comedy duo drove across the United States in the "Abravan Lincoln" during their "Caravan of Courage" tour, performing a skit with Sgt. Bailey in Andalusia.

The Avant House is one of seven sites in Andalusia listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Andalusia is the location of the annual World Championship Domino Tournament.

Geography

Andalusia is located slightly northwest of the center of Covington County at 31°18′N 86°29′W (31.309, -86.479). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.8 square miles (51.3 km²), of which 19.7 square miles (50.9 km²) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km²), or 0.79%, is water.

Andalusia is served by the South Alabama Regional Airport, formerly known as the Andalusia-Opp Airport, located approximately 5 miles (8 km) east of the central business district.

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, Andalusia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,015 people, 3,694 households, and 2,359 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 70.5% White, 25.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,694 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,049, and the median income for a family was $37,059. Males had a median income of $27,228 versus $25,855 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,544. About 20.2% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.4% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,794 people, 3,707 households, and 2,376 families residing in the city. The population density was 465.9 inhabitants per square mile (179.9/km²). There were 4,279 housing units at an average density of 226.7 per square mile (87.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.93% White, 24.47% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,707 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,856, and the median income for a family was $37,091. Males had a median income of $29,406 versus $20,410 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,292. About 15.7% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Education

Primary and secondary public education is provided by Andalusia City Schools, which consists of Andalusia Elementary School, Andalusia Middle School, and Andalusia High School. Students can continue their studies at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Transportation

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.

Sites on the National Register of Historic Places

Notable people