Andalusia, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Andalusia is a city in and the county seat
of Covington County
, Alabama
, United States
. At the 2000 census the population was 8,794.
According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 8,705. It is also the home of the World Championship Domino Tournament.
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 was incorporated as a town in 1884.
Andalusia is served by the Andalusia-Opp Airport, located approximately five miles east of the central business district.
of 2000, there were 8,794 people, 3,707 households, and 2,376 families residing in the city. The population density
was 465.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,279 housing units at an average density of 226.7 /sqmi. 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.
.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Covington County
Covington County, Alabama
Covington County, Alabama, is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Brigadier General Leonard Covington of Maryland. As of 2010 the population was 37,765...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. At the 2000 census the population was 8,794.
According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 8,705. It is also the home of the World Championship Domino Tournament.
History
Andalusia was first settled in 1841 after flooding of the Conecuh RiverConecuh River
The Conecuh River and Escambia River constitute a single river in Alabama and Florida in the United States.The Conecuh River rises near Union Springs in the state and flows in a general southwesterly direction into Florida near Century. The river's name changes from the Conecuh to the Escambia at...
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 was incorporated as a town in 1884.
Geography
Andalusia is located at 31°18′29"N 86°28′57"W (31.309321, -86.479468). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19 square miles (49.2 km²) of which 18.9 square miles (49 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.47%) is water.Andalusia is served by the Andalusia-Opp Airport, located approximately five miles east of the central business district.
2000 Census data
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,794 people, 3,707 households, and 2,376 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 465.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,279 housing units at an average density of 226.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 73.93% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 24.47% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.36% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.27% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.18% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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
- Radio stations
- WAAO-FMWAAO-FMWAAO-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Andalusia, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by Three Notch Communications, LLC.WAAO-FM broadcasts a country music format. In addition to its usual music programming, the station also broadcasts Auburn University football games...
103.7 (CountryCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
) - WSTF 91.5 FM (ReligiousReligious broadcastingReligious broadcasting refers to broadcasting by religious organizations, usually with a religious message. Many religious organizations have long recorded content such as sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their Internet websites.While this article emphasises...
)
- WAAO-FM
- Newspaper
- Andalusia Star-News (daily)
Education
Public education is provided by Andalusia City School System. which consists of Andalusia Elementary School, Andalusia Middle School, and Andalusia High SchoolAndalusia High School
The Andalusia High School is a high school in Andalusia, Alabama, founded in 1899. The school colors are cardinal and white and the school mascot is the bulldog.-Extracurricular and service activities:Among the extracurricular activities offered are:...
.
Notable natives
- Charles BrooksCharles Brooks (cartoonist)Charles G. Brooks was a former editorial cartoonist for The Birmingham News in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.-Early life:Brooks was born in Hopewell, near Andalusia in Covington County, Alabama...
, editorial cartoonistEditorial cartoonistAn editorial cartoonist, also known as a political cartoonist, is an artist who draws editorial cartoons that contain some level of political or social commentary.... - Robert HorryRobert HorryRobert Keith Horry Jr. is a retired American basketball player and current sports commentator. He played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association , winning seven championships, the most of any player not to have played on the 1960s Boston Celtics...
, NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
player - Alexa Jones, Miss AlabamaMiss AlabamaThe Miss Alabama competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of Alabama in the Miss America pageant.Miss Alabamas have performed strongly at the Miss America pageant, particularly in the early 21st century, when the state produced their third Miss America, a first...
2005 and Miss America 2006Miss America 2006Miss America 2006, the 85th Miss America, pageant, was held on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada on January 21, 2006.The pageant was broadcast live on CMT from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Aladdin Resort and Casino, the first time that the pageant was held outside Atlantic City...
second runner-up - Frank Tipler, cosmologist
- "Bubba", the police officer from Hamish and Andy's Caravan of Courage USA with their supporting veichle Abravan Lincon