Geneva, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Geneva is a city in and the county seat
of Geneva County
, Alabama
, United States
. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama
Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the largest city of Geneva County, and has a population of 4,388 according to the 2000 census.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²), of which, 14.9 square miles (38.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.20%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,388 people, 1,801 households, and 1,197 families residing in the city. The population density
was 295.1 people per square mile (113.9/km²). There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 141.0 per square mile (54.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.12% White
, 14.18% Black
or African American
, 0.32% Native American
, 0.05% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.46% from other races
, and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,801 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% 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 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,096, and the median income for a family was $30,543. Males had a median income of $25,824 versus $17,639 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,877. About 18.8% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.7% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.
Geneva is settled on the junction of the Choctawhatchee River
and Pea River
. The Choctawhatchee River runs all the way to the Choctawhatchee Bay
at Freeport, Florida
, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico
. Because of this, Geneva was a busy trading center for steam-powered riverboats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Geneva is often compared by locals to New Orleans, Louisiana
because, like New Orleans, parts of the town are near or below sea level and a levee is built around the town. The levee protects the town from being flooded by the two rivers.
, usually country music
. Though a rather small town in terms of population, throughout the years Geneva has attracted big stars to play, such as Ronnie Milsap
, Randy Travis
, George Jones
, and Aaron Tippin
.
located within its city limits.
in Geneva. She was captured by a group of Union
troops from the 91st New York Volunteers led by E.D. Bruner. The Bloomer was then taken to Pensacola, Florida
.
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 Geneva County
Geneva County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.3% White*9.5% Black*0.8% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*3.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, 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 Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the largest city of Geneva County, and has a population of 4,388 according to the 2000 census.
Geography
Geneva is located at 31°2′17"N 85°52′36"W (31.038181, -85.876677).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²), of which, 14.9 square miles (38.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.20%) is water.
Demographics
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 4,388 people, 1,801 households, and 1,197 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 295.1 people per square mile (113.9/km²). There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 141.0 per square mile (54.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.12% 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...
, 14.18% 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...
, 0.32% 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...
, 0.05% 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...
, 0.46% 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 0.87% from two or more races. 1.09% 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 1,801 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% 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, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% 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 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,096, and the median income for a family was $30,543. Males had a median income of $25,824 versus $17,639 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 $14,877. About 18.8% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.7% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.
Landscape
Choctawhatchee River
The Choctawhatchee River is a river in the southern United States, flowing through southeast Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida before emptying into Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa and Walton counties...
and Pea River
Pea River
The Pea River is a tributary of the Choctawhatchee River near Geneva, Alabama. It is a popular destination for those with canoes and other small boats, as well as fishermen seeking bass, sunfish, or mullet....
. The Choctawhatchee River runs all the way to the Choctawhatchee Bay
Choctawhatchee Bay
Choctawhatchee Bay is a bay in the Emerald Coast region of the Florida Panhandle. The bay, located within Okaloosa and Walton counties, has a surface area of 129 mi2...
at Freeport, Florida
Freeport, Florida
Freeport is a city in Walton County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,190 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,427.-Geography:Freeport is located at ....
, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Because of this, Geneva was a busy trading center for steam-powered riverboats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Geneva is often compared by locals to New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
because, like New Orleans, parts of the town are near or below sea level and a levee is built around the town. The levee protects the town from being flooded by the two rivers.
Culture
Every year in April, Geneva holds a River Festival, which brings in hundreds of people from all over the country to the small town. The River Festival is held on the junction of the two rivers, and has many competitive events, such as a five-mile (8 km) road race, greasy pole climb, canoe race, and tug-of-war. The Festival concludes with a concertConcert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
, usually country music
Country music
Country 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...
. Though a rather small town in terms of population, throughout the years Geneva has attracted big stars to play, such as Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s...
, Randy Travis
Randy Travis
Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
, George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
, and Aaron Tippin
Aaron Tippin
Aaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
.
Education
Geneva has the James A. Mulkey Elementary School, Geneva Middle School, and Geneva High SchoolGeneva High School (Alabama)
Geneva High School is a public secondary school located in Geneva, Alabama.The school serves about 390 students in grades 9-12 and is a part of the Geneva City School District.Geneva Middle School is located inside the Geneva High School campus....
located within its city limits.
Historical Footnotes
In late December 1862 the Union steamship USS Bloomer was in port on the Choctawhatchee RiverChoctawhatchee River
The Choctawhatchee River is a river in the southern United States, flowing through southeast Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida before emptying into Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa and Walton counties...
in Geneva. She was captured by a group of Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
troops from the 91st New York Volunteers led by E.D. Bruner. The Bloomer was then taken to Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
.