Harman Patil (Editor)

Childersburg, Alabama

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Country
  
United States

County
  
Talladega

FIPS code
  
01-14464

Elevation
  
128 m

Population
  
5,090 (2013)

Area code
  
256

State
  
Alabama

Time zone
  
Central (CST) (UTC-6)

GNIS feature ID
  
0116045

Zip code
  
35044

Local time
  
Saturday 7:18 PM

Childersburg, Alabama wwwalabamapioneerscomwpcontentuploads201409

Weather
  
12°C, Wind W at 0 km/h, 48% Humidity

Area
  
32.63 km² (32.12 km² Land / 78 ha Water)

Childersburg is a city in Talladega County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It was incorporated in 1889. At the 2010 census the population was 5,175. It claims a history dating back before 1540, when it was noted as a village of the Coosa Nation visited by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. The Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, important during World War II, was located 4 miles (6 km) north of Childersburg.

Contents

Map of Childersburg, AL, USA

Geography

Childersburg is located at 33°16′31″N 86°21′11″W (33.275187, −86.353166).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (32.6 km2), of which 12.4 square miles (32.0 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 2.00%, is water.

History

Successive indigenous peoples had lived in the area for thousands of years. In the 16th century, people identified as part of the Kymulga-phase culture (of the larger Mississippian culture) lived at Talisi, the former site of Childersburg. In the fall of 1540, the Spanish Hernando de Soto expedition rested here for about one month during its exploration of the Southeast. Childersburg calls itself "The Oldest City in America". The Abihka people (part of those who became known as the Muskogee or Creek) dominated the area by the 18th century.

The Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, a munitions plant, was established in Childersburg in 1941 and operated throughout World War II until August 1945. Operated by DuPont, the plant produced explosives, such as nitrocellulose, trinitrotoluene (TNT), and dinitrotoluene (DNT). The plant also secretly produced heavy water to support the Manhattan Project.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,927 people residing in the city, an increase over the 1990 population of 4,600. In 2000, there were 1,999 households and 1,419 families in the city. The population density was 637.2 people per square mile (246.1/km2). There were 2,149 housing units at an average density of 277.9 per square mile (107.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.87% White, 29.73% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,999 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,932, and the median income for a family was $30,524. Males had a median income of $31,892 versus $20,569 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,412. About 20.7% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,175 people, 2,090 households and 1,422 families in the city. The population density was 417.3 people per square mile (161.7/km2). There were 2,356 housing units at an average density of 190 per square mile (73.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.1% White, 36.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,090 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04

In the city, the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,310, and the median income for a family was $41,646. Males had a median income of $43,333 versus $25,450 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,221. About 14.8% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

There are ten golf courses in Childersburg and its immediate vicinity.

Childersburg is home to the Childersburg Tigers. 1967, 1977, 2002, and 2007 Alabama Baseball State Champions. Childersburg has won numerous youth baseball state championships including Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and most recently (2013) American Legion.

DeSoto Caverns is also located in Childersburg.

Notable people

  • Walton Cruise, former Major League Baseball player
  • Joshua B. Lee, represented Oklahoma as a United States Representative from 1935 to 1937 and United States Senator from 1937 to 1943
  • Robert Lee Rowe, mayor of Melbourne, Florida from 1927 to 1932
  • Gerald Wallace, Boston Celtics player; he had a cameo in the Like Mike movie (2002) as himself
  • Zelous Wheeler, New York Yankees and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and Rakuten Eagles infielder
  • Transportation

    Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.

    References

    Childersburg, Alabama Wikipedia