Hamilton, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hamilton, Alabama
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Location in Marion County, Alabama
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Marion |
| Area | |
| • Total | 38.08 sq mi (98.6 km2) |
| • Land | 38.06 sq mi (98.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 489 ft (149 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,042 |
| • Density | 185.01/sq mi (71.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
35570
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| Area code(s) | 205, 659 |
| FIPS code | 01-32848 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0119627 |
Hamilton is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1896 and since 1980 has been the county's largest city, surpassing Winfield. It was previously the largest town in 1910. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,042.
Contents
Geography
Hamilton is located at 34°8′7″N 87°59′20″W / 34.13528°N 87.98889°W (34.135305, -87.988980), along the Buttahatchee River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93 km2), of which 36.1 square miles (93 km2) is land and 0.03% is water.
History
Hamilton was founded in the early 19th century by settlers who moved to the Alabama Territory from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. It is built upon lands that once served as “hunting grounds” for the Chickasaw Indians. The city was first called Toll Gate, but its name later changed in honor of one of its distinguished citizens, Captain Albert James Hamilton (known as A.J. Hamilton), who had represented Marion County in the state legislature in the sessions of 1869, 1874 and 1875. Captain Hamilton donated forty acres of his land to the town. The same forty acres were then divided into lots and sold to help defray the cost of building the courthouse. The Toll Gate community was elected in 1881 to be the next county seat, and by 1883 the Marion county courthouse in Pikeville had ceased to be functional. When the courthouse was moved from Pikeville to Toll Gate, the town's name was then changed from Toll Gate to Hamilton. On March 30, 1887, the newly built county courthouse was destroyed by fire. It was again rebuilt with wood, but replaced in 1901 with native sandstone quarried from the State.
During the Civil War, Union forces passed through the town in search of goods and horses. A detachment of Wilson's Cavalry destroyed by fire the plantation belonging to the Helvingstons on the Military Ford, south of Toll Gate (Hamilton).
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 235 | — | |
| 1910 | 422 | 79.6% | |
| 1920 | 487 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 695 | 42.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,002 | 44.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,623 | 62.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,934 | 19.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,088 | 59.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,093 | 64.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,787 | 13.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,786 | 17.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,885 | 1.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,042 | 2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 6,885 people, 2,717 households, and 1,793 families living in the city. The population density was 190.7 people per square mile (73.6/km2). There were 3,096 housing units at an average density of 85.8 per square mile (33.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.3% White, 7.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 3.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 2,717 households 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.9% of households were one person and 13.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83.
The age distribution was 19.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% 65 or older. The median age was 43.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.2 males.
The median household income was $31,297 and the median family income was $42,361. Males had a median income of $31,112 versus $30,542 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,442. About 12.1% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 5,907 | 83.88% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 491 | 6.97% |
| Native American | 30 | 0.43% |
| Asian | 23 | 0.33% |
| Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.1% |
| Other/Mixed | 292 | 4.15% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 292 | 4.15% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,042 people, 2,684 households, and 1,695 families residing in the city.
Education
Hamilton is a part of the Marion County School District. Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Hamilton High School serve the Hamilton area.
Hamilton has a branch campus of Bevill State Community College.
Infrastructure
Marion County – Rankin Fite Airport is located in Hamilton.
Notable people
- Bookie Bolin, former NFL player
- Jerry Brown, folk artist and traditional potter
- Roger Brown, artist
- Clay Dyer, professional bass fisherman
- Rankin Fite, Alabama State Legislature (Senate & House of Representatives)
- Rex Frederick, first head coach of the University of South Alabama men's basketball team
- John Dabney Terrell Sr., planter and legislator
- Karen Wheaton, Christian music artist, minister, founder of The Ramp
See also
In Spanish: Hamilton (Alabama) para niños
