Hamilton, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Hamilton is a city in Marion County
, Alabama
, United States
. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat
of Marion County
.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²), of which 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²) is land and 0.03% is water.
of 2000, there were 6,786 people, 2,695 households, and 1,800 families residing in the city. The population density
was 188.0 people per square mile (72.6/km²). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 84.9 per square mile (32.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.41% White
, 7.59% Black
or African American
, 0.32% Native American
, 0.49% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.49% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,695 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,489, and the median income for a family was $34,485. Males had a median income of $26,362 versus $18,681 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,505. About 12.0% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.
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 High School is currently a class 3A school. Hamilton also has a community college known as Bevil State Community College.
The Hamilton Aggies have won state championships in:
The Hamilton Aggie Football team is ranked eleventh in the state for overall wins (543-328-36), and has a winning percentage of 62.3%. The Aggies have had nine region championship seasons, and six undefeated regular seasons (in bold). Hamilton appeared in the 2010 3A State Championship Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, where the Aggies fell to the Leeds Greenwave, 42-32.
(970 AM), WERH-FM
(92.1 FM), and WFBH-LP
(96.7 FM)
Hamilton is also home to two local television stations, WMTY TV 46, Cable Channel 5 and TV8-WATVC. WMTY, an evangelical ministry and Public-access television
cable TV station, originated in Jasper, Alabama
, but began broadcasting in Hamilton in 1995 on TV antenna digital channel 46, and is owned and operated by William E. "Pete" Nichols. TV8-WATVC does not broadcast a TV channel over the air.
In 2009, WMTY made the switch from an analog signal to digital.
WMTY-TV is the only TV station in northwest Alabama to feature a complete news program with Brian Davis who is a Degreed and Seal Certified Meteorologist. Chief Meteorologist Brian Davis has been with WMTY since early 2009 and worked at with WMTY's previous owners at UBN Network prior to coming to WMTY. Brian recently earned the honorable AMS and NWA Seals of Approval.
Marion County, Alabama
Marion County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Marion County was created by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 13, 1818. The county is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the state of Mississippi. It encompasses . Marion County...
, 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 6,786. The city is the county seat
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 Marion County
Marion County, Alabama
Marion County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Marion County was created by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 13, 1818. The county is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the state of Mississippi. It encompasses . Marion County...
.
Geography
Hamilton is located at 34°8′7"N 87°59′20"W (34.135305, -87.988980), along the Buttahatchee RiverButtahatchee River
The Buttahatchee River is a tributary of the Tombigbee River, about long, in northwestern Alabama and northeastern Mississippi in the United States...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²), of which 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²) is land and 0.03% 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 6,786 people, 2,695 households, and 1,800 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 188.0 people per square mile (72.6/km²). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 84.9 per square mile (32.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.41% 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...
, 7.59% 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...
, 0.49% 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...
, 0.03% 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...
, 0.49% 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 0.68% from two or more races. 1.71% 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 2,695 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% 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, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,489, and the median income for a family was $34,485. Males had a median income of $26,362 versus $18,681 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 $17,505. About 12.0% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
- Hamilton is home to a branch of North Mississippi Medical Center, the largest non-metropolitan hospital in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which is headquartered in Tupelo, MississippiTupelo, MississippiTupelo is the largest city in and the county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States. It is the seventh largest city in the state of Mississippi, smaller than Meridian, and larger than Greenville. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city's population was 34,211...
. In 2005, the hospital underwent a $7.5 million dollar expansion and renovation project, which added new admissions, business, radiology and rehabilitation facilities. The Hamilton campus is also home to a nursing homeNursing homeA nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
, home health agency, and wellness center. - Hamilton is home to two industrial parks. The second industrial park, located in the Fulton Bridge area, is currently under construction.
Education
Hamilton is a part of the Marion County School District. Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Hamilton High School
Hamilton High School (Hamilton, Alabama)
Hamilton High School is a high school located in Hamilton, Alabama, United States. The school is a part of the district. Hamilton was started in 1895 as West Alabama Agricultural School. Hamilton is in the Marion County School District...
serve the Hamilton area. Hamilton High School is currently a class 3A school. Hamilton also has a community college known as Bevil State Community College.
Athletics
Hamilton High School is very competitive in its athletic teams.The Hamilton Aggies have won state championships in:
- Girls Basketball (5A, 1990; runners up 5A, 1991)
- Boys Cross Country (4A/5A 1987-1991)
- Boys Power Lifting (1A/4A 9-time champs 2000-2010)
The Hamilton Aggie Football team is ranked eleventh in the state for overall wins (543-328-36), and has a winning percentage of 62.3%. The Aggies have had nine region championship seasons, and six undefeated regular seasons (in bold). Hamilton appeared in the 2010 3A State Championship Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, where the Aggies fell to the Leeds Greenwave, 42-32.
- 1929 (7-0-1)
- 1930 (6-0-1)
- 1978 (10-1; Class 3A R15)
- 1982 (11-1; Class 3A R15)
- 1985 (10-2; Class 5A R16)
- 1990 (10-3; Class 5A R14)
- 1991 (9-2; Class 5A R14)
- 1994 (6-5; Class 4A R14)
- 1996 (9-2; Class 4A R15)
- 2008 (12-1; Class 3A R7)
- 2009 (11-2; Class 3A R7)
- 2010 (14-1; Class 3A R5; State Runner-Up)
Media
Hamilton is the community of license for three radio stations: WERHWERH (AM)
WERH is a radio station licensed to serve Hamilton, Alabama. The station is owned by Kate F. Fite. It airs a Southern Gospel music format on partial weekday mornings and all-day Sunday while playing a Country music format on weekday mornings and afternoons.Although Kate F...
(970 AM), WERH-FM
WERH-FM
WERH-FM is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits music format. Licensed to Hamilton, Alabama, USA. The station is currently licensed to Kate F. Fite....
(92.1 FM), and WFBH-LP
WFBH-LP
WFBH-LP is a radio station licensed to serve Hamilton, Alabama. The station is owned by First Baptist Church Hamilton. It airs a Christian radio format...
(96.7 FM)
Hamilton is also home to two local television stations, WMTY TV 46, Cable Channel 5 and TV8-WATVC. WMTY, an evangelical ministry and Public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV station, originated in Jasper, Alabama
Jasper, Alabama
Jasper is a city in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 14,659. As of 2011 the population had was 13,857. The city is the county seat of Walker County, and once ranked among the world's leading producers of coal....
, but began broadcasting in Hamilton in 1995 on TV antenna digital channel 46, and is owned and operated by William E. "Pete" Nichols. TV8-WATVC does not broadcast a TV channel over the air.
In 2009, WMTY made the switch from an analog signal to digital.
WMTY-TV is the only TV station in northwest Alabama to feature a complete news program with Brian Davis who is a Degreed and Seal Certified Meteorologist. Chief Meteorologist Brian Davis has been with WMTY since early 2009 and worked at with WMTY's previous owners at UBN Network prior to coming to WMTY. Brian recently earned the honorable AMS and NWA Seals of Approval.
Notable natives
- Clayton Andrew Dyer, Professional Bass Angler & Motivational Speaker.
- Lenny FantLenny FantLeonard O'Neil Fant, known as Lenny Fant , was from 1957–1979 the men's basketball coach of the University of Louisiana at Monroe Indians . During his tenure, Fant compiled a ULM record of 326–221. His 326-game record was topped in 1999 by one of his understudies, ULM Coach Mickael E...
, basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach at the University of Louisiana at MonroeUniversity of Louisiana at MonroeThe University of Louisiana at Monroe is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana and part of the University of Louisiana System.-History:...
, 1957–1979 - Jerry Dolyn BrownJerry Dolyn BrownAmerican folk artist Jerry Dolyn Brown, better known as Jerry Brown , is a traditional stoneware pottery maker who lives and works in Hamilton, Alabama. He is a 1992 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship award and 2003 recipient of the Alabama Folk Heritage...
, award winning folk artist - John Mark KarrJohn Mark KarrAlexis Valoran Reich is an American male-to-female transgender person formerly known as John Mark Karr who in 2006 falsely confessed to the unsolved murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey. She has, on other occasions, faced a number of other criminal charges.-Childhood:Karr was born in Conyers,...
, former claimant to be the murderer of JonBenét RamseyJonBenét RamseyJonBenét Patricia Ramsey was an American child beauty pageant contestant who was murdered in her home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996. The six-year-old's body was found in the basement of the family home nearly eight hours after she was reported missing. She had been struck on the head and strangled... - Dennis Lathum, father to talk show host Jessie Odell known for his womanizing and for mentally and physically abusing his son.
- Gary Hollingsworth, quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1980s.
- Joel Logan, place kicker for the Mississippi State BulldogsMississippi State BulldogsThe Mississippi State Bulldogs are the athletic teams of Mississippi State University. They participate in NCAA's Division I in the competitive 12-member Southeastern Conference under the mascot Bulldogs and the school colors of maroon and white...
in 1980's. - Craig Sanderson, wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1980s.
- Rankin Fite, U.S. Senator.
- Karen WheatonKaren WheatonKaren Harris Wheaton Towe is an American Pentecostal preacher, Gospel music singer and recording artist based in Hamilton, Alabama whose career has spanned the late 1970s until the present time. She has toured throughout the U.S. performing at events that also featured preachers and Christian...