Samson, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Samson is a city in Geneva County
, Alabama
, United States
. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. At the 2000 census the population was 2,071.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 0.28% is water.
of 2000, there were 2,071 people, 894 households, and 575 families residing in the city. The population density
was 572.1 people per square mile (220.9/km²). There were 1,016 housing units at an average density of 280.7 per square mile (108.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.11% White
, 20.42% Black
or African American
, 0.97% Native American
, 0.63% from other races
, and 0.87% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 894 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,594, and the median income for a family was $25,188. Males had a median income of $25,767 versus $16,719 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,834. About 29.2% of families and 33.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.1% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.
, Samson and Geneva
, Michael McLendon killed several people before committing suicide. In response, troops from nearby Fort Rucker
were deployed to the streets of Samson where they manned barricades and guarded a makeshift morgue. This was later determined to be in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act
, which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions.
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
Dothan metropolitan area
The Dothan Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in southeastern Alabama, anchored by the city of Dothan...
. At the 2000 census the population was 2,071.
Geography
Samson is located at 31°6′45"N 86°2′52"W (31.112574, -86.047865).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 0.28% 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 2,071 people, 894 households, and 575 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 572.1 people per square mile (220.9/km²). There were 1,016 housing units at an average density of 280.7 per square mile (108.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.11% 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...
, 20.42% 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...
, 0.97% 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...
, 0.63% 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. 2.46% 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 894 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% 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, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,594, and the median income for a family was $25,188. Males had a median income of $25,767 versus $16,719 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 $12,834. About 29.2% of families and 33.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.1% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Samson was home to guitarist Roy BrooksRoy BrooksRoy Brooks was an American hard bop jazz drummer.-Biography:Brooks was born in Detroit and drummed since childhood. He was an outstanding varsity basketball player as a teenager and was offered a scholarship to the Detroit Institute of Technology; he attended the school for three semesters and...
from 1971 to 1983. - Bill YatesBill YatesFloyd Buford Yates , better known as Bill Yates, was a cartoonist who drew gag cartoons and comic strips before assuming the position of comic strip editor for King Features Syndicate in 1978.Yates learned to cartoon by taking the W. L...
, cartoonist, was born in Samson. - James "J.T." Thomas, Jr., winner of Survivor: Tocantins, is from Samson.
2009 massacre
On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of KinstonKinston, Alabama
Kinston is a town in Coffee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 602. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Kinston is located at .According to the U.S...
, Samson and Geneva
Geneva, Alabama
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....
, Michael McLendon killed several people before committing suicide. In response, troops from nearby Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker is a U.S. Army post located mostly in Dale County, Alabama, United States. It was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker. The post is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and...
were deployed to the streets of Samson where they manned barricades and guarded a makeshift morgue. This was later determined to be in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act
Posse Comitatus Act
The Posse Comitatus Act is an often misunderstood and misquoted United States federal law passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction. Its intent was to limit the powers of local governments and law enforcement agencies from using federal military personnel to enforce the laws of...
, which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions.