Piedmont, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Piedmont is a city in Calhoun
and Cherokee
counties in the U.S. state
of Alabama
. The population was 5,120 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Anniston
-Oxford, Alabama
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Many surrounding communities utilize the 36272 ZIP code, including Spring Garden, Rock Run, Knighten's Crossroads, and Nance's Creek. The current mayor Brian Young, who is serving his first term, was elected in 2008.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²).
Many streams flow through the local forests.
of 2000, there were 5,120 people, 2,221 households, and 1,481 families residing in the city. The population density
was 524.9 people per square mile (202.8/km²). There were 2,495 housing units at an average density of 255.8 per square mile (98.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.77% White
, 9.38% Black
or African American
, 0.10% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.43% from other races
, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 1.00% of the population.
There were 2,221 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,893, and the median income for a family was $32,163. Males had a median income of $27,274 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,220. About 17.8% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
in the state of Alabama, giving every student and teacher in grades 4-12 a laptop computer to use at school and home.
and Apple Inc. to develop a pilot program that will be used as a national model for other school systems.
America's Best Schools - U.S. News & World Report
Manufacturer of truck seats for heavy-duty trucks such as Freightliner and Mack Trucks.
Manufacturer of display showcases for retailers such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Calhoun County, Alabama
Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina. As of 2010 the population was 118,572. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Cherokee
Cherokee County, Alabama
Cherokee County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named for the Cherokee tribe. As of 2010 the population was 25,989. Its county seat is Centre and it is a prohibition or dry county.- History :...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The population was 5,120 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Anniston
Anniston, Alabama
Anniston is a city in Calhoun County in the state of Alabama, United States.As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 24,276. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 23,741...
-Oxford, Alabama
Oxford, Alabama
Oxford is a city in Calhoun and Talladega counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 14,592 at the 2000 census. Oxford is one of two principal cities of and included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Many surrounding communities utilize the 36272 ZIP code, including Spring Garden, Rock Run, Knighten's Crossroads, and Nance's Creek. The current mayor Brian Young, who is serving his first term, was elected in 2008.
Founding and Early Growth
The area now known as Piedmont is a community that began in the early 1840's, located at the crossroads of two early post roads. Major Jacob Forney Dailey of North Carolina came to Alabama in 1848 and bought land in present-day Piedmont. Major Dailey named the area Cross Plains, and an official post-office was named Cross Plains on September 22, 1851. On July 30, 1888, the Postal Department renamed the office Piedmont, which means "Foot of the Mountains".Recent History
An F4 tornado struck the community on Palm Sunday 1994, killing twenty people at Goshen United Methodist Church, destroying two other area churches mid-service as well as many homes in the town and neighboring communities.Geography
Piedmont is located at 33°55'33.618" North, 85°36'47.293" West (33.926005, -85.613137).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 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²).
Many streams flow through the local forests.
School Sports
The Piedmont City School athletic teams are known as the Bulldogs. Piedmont High School is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, and participates in Class 3A Football, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling, Golf, Volleyball, and Track.Football
On December 3, 2009, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL, Head Coach Steve Smith led Piedmont to a 35-28 overtime win over the Cordova Blue Devils in the AHSAA 3A State Championship Game. Quarterback Chase Childers earned Most Valuable Player honors.Wrestling
On February 6, 2009, under head coach Harley Lamey, the Piedmont High School Wrestling Team won the first state championship in school history. At the AHSAA 1A-4A State Wrestling Championship, the bulldogs had two individual champions, two runners-up, and nine wrestlers that placed. The bulldogs were 14-0 in dual meets.Radio
- WPID 1280 AM
- WJCK 88.3 FM (Christian)
- WRHY 105.9 FM (Rock) - Broadcasts Piedmont High School Football Games
Chief Ladiga Trail
Piedmont is home to the Chief Ladiga Trail. The Seaboard/CSX Railroad was converted into a recreational bike and walking trail as non-motorized way to travel, exercise, and relax while enjoying the outdoors. The Chief Ladiga Trail and the Silver Comet Trail stretch nearly 100 miles from Anniston, AL to Atlanta, GA making it the longest paved trail in the United States.Cheaha Challenge
Hundreds of cyclists from more than 20 states participate in the Cheaha Challenge every year. The "Toughest Ride in the South" is a recreational bicycle ride that starts at Piedmont's Civic Center following the Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway and ending at the top of Cheaha Mountain, Alabama's highest point. The Cheaha Challenge was selected as a Top 10 Event in the State of Alabama by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel.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 5,120 people, 2,221 households, and 1,481 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 524.9 people per square mile (202.8/km²). There were 2,495 housing units at an average density of 255.8 per square mile (98.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.77% 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...
, 9.38% 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...
, 0.10% 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...
, 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...
, 0.43% 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 1.23% from two or more races. 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 were 1.00% of the population.
There were 2,221 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% 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, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,893, and the median income for a family was $32,163. Males had a median income of $27,274 versus $20,000 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 $14,220. About 17.8% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
The Piedmont City School District consists of three schools: Piedmont Elementary School, Piedmont Middle School, and Piedmont High School. The Piedmont athletic teams are known as the Bulldogs and the marching band is known as The Piedmont Blue Knights. Piedmont High School competes in the Alabama High School Athletic Association in Class 3A.One-to-One Laptop Program
Piedmont City Schools implemented the very first One-to-One laptop programOne to one computing
One to One Computing in education refers to a computer for every student which is an initiative created by many companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Dell, HP, and Intel. One-to-one computing means that every student or teacher is given a computer, the internet and software anytime and anywhere...
in the state of Alabama, giving every student and teacher in grades 4-12 a laptop computer to use at school and home.
Apple Inc. Partnership
The Piedmont City Schools system formed a partnership with Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University is a regional public coeducational university located in Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in four academic units leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist degrees, in addition to continuing and...
and Apple Inc. to develop a pilot program that will be used as a national model for other school systems.
School System Awards
America's Most Connected Schools - U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
- 2011
America's Best Schools - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
Top Employers in the City of Piedmont
- Bostrom
Manufacturer of truck seats for heavy-duty trucks such as Freightliner and Mack Trucks.
- Garcy
Manufacturer of display showcases for retailers such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Notable natives and residents
- Desmond DossDesmond DossDesmond Thomas Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor and one of only three so honored . He was a Corporal in the U.S...
, World War II conscientious objector and Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient - Rick BraggRick BraggRick Bragg is an American author and journalist known for his non-fiction books, especially those on his family in Alabama...
, Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning journalist - Borris Powell, Fashion designer and winner of the 2011 Oscar Designer Challenge