Attalla, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Attalla is a city in Etowah County
, Alabama
, United States
. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area
. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 6,474. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv
of 2000, there were 6,795 people, 2,672 households, and 1,976 families residing in the city. The population density
was 988.0 people per square mile (381.6/km2). There were 2,914 housing units at an average density of 436.7 per square mile (168.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.42% White
, 13.5% Black
or African American
, 1.5% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 1.64% from other races
, and 0.67% from two or more races. 2.22% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,620 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples
living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,444, and the median income for a family was $39,549. Males had a median income of $30,605 versus $19,693 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,727. About 16.4% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
. As of 2006 it has some 1,823 students.
The district includes the following schools:
. It was in Attalla that David Brown, a Cherokee
, assisted by the Rev. D. S. Butterick, prepared the “Cherokee Spelling Book”.
Attalla was incorporated as a city government on February 5, 1872, and was founded in 1870 on land donated for the site of the town by W. C. Hammond, a plantation owner. The town was officially named “Attalla” in 1893. “My Home” is the most generally accepted meaning for the name Attalla. Attalla was prosperous until the railroads, upon which it depended, went into bankruptcy.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), all of it land. The city is home to the site of the first working hydroelectric dam in the world.
Etowah County, Alabama
Etowah County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is from the Cherokee language, which means "edible tree". It is the center of the Gadsden Metropolitan Area which includes Etowah and Cherokee Counties. As of 2010 the population was 104,430. Its county seat is Gadsden...
, 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...
. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area
Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area
Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area covers all of Etowah County located in Northeast Alabama. As of 2000, the population was 103,459. It consists of Gadsden and its surrounding towns.-Suburbs:The Gadsden Metro area includes the following suburbs:...
. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 6,474. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv
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 6,795 people, 2,672 households, and 1,976 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 988.0 people per square mile (381.6/km2). There were 2,914 housing units at an average density of 436.7 per square mile (168.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.42% 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...
, 13.5% 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...
, 1.5% 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...
, 0.08% 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...
, 1.64% 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 0.67% from two or more races. 2.22% 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 2,620 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% 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, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,444, and the median income for a family was $39,549. Males had a median income of $30,605 versus $19,693 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 $15,727. About 16.4% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Attalla City School System is the public school districtSchool district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
. As of 2006 it has some 1,823 students.
The district includes the following schools:
- Curtiston Primary School (Grades PK–2)
- Stowers Hill Intermediate School (Grades 3–5)
- Etowah Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Etowah High SchoolEtowah High School (Alabama)Etowah High School is a public high school located in Attalla, Alabama that educates students in grades 9-12, and was founded in 1909. Its mascot is the blue devil. It is currently housed in the third building of the schools history. Etowah has a very outstanding athletic program...
(Grades 9-12)
History
The town occupies the site of an Indian village which was of considerable importance during the Creek WarCreek War
The Creek War , also known as the Red Stick War and the Creek Civil War, began as a civil war within the Creek nation...
. It was in Attalla that David Brown, a Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
, assisted by the Rev. D. S. Butterick, prepared the “Cherokee Spelling Book”.
Attalla was incorporated as a city government on February 5, 1872, and was founded in 1870 on land donated for the site of the town by W. C. Hammond, a plantation owner. The town was officially named “Attalla” in 1893. “My Home” is the most generally accepted meaning for the name Attalla. Attalla was prosperous until the railroads, upon which it depended, went into bankruptcy.
Geography
Attalla is located at 34°0′35"N 86°5′54"W (34.009818, -86.098413).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), all of it land. The city is home to the site of the first working hydroelectric dam in the world.
Notable Past Residents
- Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (born April 21, 1982), Tampa Bay Buccaneers player
- Betty Kelley (born September 16, 1944), member of Motown girl group Martha and The VandellasMartha and the VandellasMartha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967...
- Tyrone Nix (September 30, 1972), Defensive Coordinator for the Ole Miss RebelsOle Miss RebelsUniversity of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school...