New Brockton, Alabama
Encyclopedia
New Brockton is a town in Coffee County
, Alabama
, United States
. At the 2000 census the population was 1,250. The community was named for Huey E. Brock, settler.
New Brockton is part of the Enterprise
–Ozark
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8 square miles (20.7 km²), of which, 8 square miles (20.7 km²) of it is land and 0.12% is water.
of 2000, there were 1,250 people, 465 households, and 336 families residing in the town. The population density
was 156.5 people per square mile (60.4/km²). There were 555 housing units at an average density of 69.5 per square mile (26.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 67.36% White
, 26.64% Black
or African American
, 2.80% Native American
, 0.24% from other races
, and 2.96% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. There were 465 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples
living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $24,032, and the median income for a family was $26,914. Males had a median income of $26,711 versus $20,417 for females.
TN.
Bio: Don is a legendary steel guitar player. He has recorded with many legends in Country Music, including Lefty Frizzell, Jim Reeves, Ray Price and Hank Williams. While in New Brockton he formed a band called the Alabama Rhythm Boys that was made up of two cousins and two friends (Of which one was Sammy Pruett). His musical relationship with Hank & The Cowboys was off and on. He first became a member of the Cowboys in 1944, but left in 1945 when he was Drafted. Don rejoined the band in 1947/48, but only remained a few months. In 1949 he joined the most famous version of the band. In 1952 he left the band once again.
After leaving Hank, Don became a member of Ray Price's band. In 1957 he joined the Wilburn Brothers' band and became partners with them in Wil-Helm Talent Agency. Don left the band in 1967. In January 1968 Don became a member of Hank Williams Jr's band (The Cheating Hearts). Don stayed with Hank Jr. until 1972. In 1974 Don started a short stint with the great Ernest Tubb. In 1977 Don joined a reformed Drifting Cowboys along with Bob McNett, Hillous Butrum, & Jerry Rivers. In '77 he also appeared in the movie "That's Country" along with the other Cowboys. In 1989 Don and the Drifting Cowboys, minus McNett and Butrum, became the touring band for Jett Williams.
He was voted to The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1984. In Nov. 2004 he was honored with a monument and "Don Helms Day" in his hometime of New Brockton, AL. Don continued to play his steel guitar up until his death in 2008.
Coffee County, Alabama
Coffee County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General John Coffee. As of 2010 the population was 49,948. Its county seats are Elba and Enterprise....
, 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 1,250. The community was named for Huey E. Brock, settler.
New Brockton is part of the Enterprise
Enterprise, Alabama
Enterprise is a city in the southeastern part of Coffee and Dale Counties in the southeastern part of Alabama in the Southern United States. The population was estimated to be 25,909 in the year 2009....
–Ozark
Ozark, Alabama
Ozark is a city in and the county seat of Dale County, Alabama, United States. In 1990 the city population was 12,922. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 15,119....
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Enterprise-Ozark micropolitan area
The Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in southeastern Alabama, anchored by the cities of Enterprise and Ozark...
.
Geography
New Brockton is located at 31°22′52"N 85°55′28"W (31.381138, -85.924339).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8 square miles (20.7 km²), of which, 8 square miles (20.7 km²) of it is land and 0.12% 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 1,250 people, 465 households, and 336 families residing in the town. 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 156.5 people per square mile (60.4/km²). There were 555 housing units at an average density of 69.5 per square mile (26.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 67.36% 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...
, 26.64% 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...
, 2.80% 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...
, 0.24% 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 2.96% from two or more races. 0.72% 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 465 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% 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, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $24,032, and the median income for a family was $26,914. Males had a median income of $26,711 versus $20,417 for females.
Notable residents
- Tyler Simmons - New Brockton High School All-Purpose Yards Leader (over 5000), working to achieve PhD in Chemistry at Florida State University
- Donald "Shag" Hugh "Don" Helms (Steel Guitar): Born: 2/28/27 New Brockton, AL. Died: 8/11/08
TN.
Bio: Don is a legendary steel guitar player. He has recorded with many legends in Country Music, including Lefty Frizzell, Jim Reeves, Ray Price and Hank Williams. While in New Brockton he formed a band called the Alabama Rhythm Boys that was made up of two cousins and two friends (Of which one was Sammy Pruett). His musical relationship with Hank & The Cowboys was off and on. He first became a member of the Cowboys in 1944, but left in 1945 when he was Drafted. Don rejoined the band in 1947/48, but only remained a few months. In 1949 he joined the most famous version of the band. In 1952 he left the band once again.
After leaving Hank, Don became a member of Ray Price's band. In 1957 he joined the Wilburn Brothers' band and became partners with them in Wil-Helm Talent Agency. Don left the band in 1967. In January 1968 Don became a member of Hank Williams Jr's band (The Cheating Hearts). Don stayed with Hank Jr. until 1972. In 1974 Don started a short stint with the great Ernest Tubb. In 1977 Don joined a reformed Drifting Cowboys along with Bob McNett, Hillous Butrum, & Jerry Rivers. In '77 he also appeared in the movie "That's Country" along with the other Cowboys. In 1989 Don and the Drifting Cowboys, minus McNett and Butrum, became the touring band for Jett Williams.
He was voted to The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1984. In Nov. 2004 he was honored with a monument and "Don Helms Day" in his hometime of New Brockton, AL. Don continued to play his steel guitar up until his death in 2008.