Alexander City, known to locals as "Alex City", is the largest city in
Tallapoosa County,
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, with a population of 14,843 as of the
2020 census. It has been the largest community in Tallapoosa County since 1910. It is known for
Lake Martin
Lake Martin is located in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties in Alabama. It is a 39,000-acre (178 km²) reservoir with over 750 miles (1,200 km) of wooded shoreline. Lake Martin is a reservoir, enlarged by the construction of Mar ...
with its of wooded shoreline and of water. Lake Martin stands on the
Tallapoosa River
The Tallapoosa River runs U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed April 27, 2011 from the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, United States, southward and wes ...
and offers boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and camping. Many neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on the lake.
The city's economy was traditionally based on the textile industry, but in recent times its economic base has become more diversified as textile jobs have gone to India.
History
Alexander City was incorporated in 1872 as Youngsville, after its founder James Young. In 1873, the
Savannah and Memphis Railroad
The Savannah and Memphis Railroad is a historic railroad that operated in Alabama.
It was founded as the Opelika and Talladega Railroad in 1854. Before any track was built, the railroad became the Opelika and Tuscumbia Railroad in 1861.
No track ...
came to the city. The city was renamed in honor of the railroad's President
Edward Porter Alexander
Edward Porter Alexander (May 26, 1835 – April 28, 1910) was an American military engineer, railroad executive, planter, and author. He served first as an officer in the United States Army and later, during the American Civil War (1861–1865) ...
, hero of the
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg () was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. In the battle, Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Po ...
for the Confederate States. On July 20, 1897, George Richardson got
lynched
Lynching is an extrajudicial killing by a group. It is most often used to characterize informal public executions by a mob in order to punish an alleged transgressor, punish a convicted transgressor, or intimidate people. It can also be an ex ...
.
On June 13, 1902, at 1 pm, a fire broke out in the Alexander City Machine shop and destroyed much of the town. At the time, Alexander City did not have a water system and all buildings, including the telegraph office, post office and three banks were burned.
In 2015, plaintiffs represented by the
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal advocacy organization specializing in civil rights and public interest litigation. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, it is known for its legal cases against white s ...
sued the City of Alexander and its Chief of Police Willie Robinson in federal court, alleging that they had from 2013 to 2015 operated "a modern-day debtors' prison" that unconstitutionally used its police force to arrest and detain at least 190 poor defendants who were unable to pay Municipal Court-imposed fines and costs. In 2017, the city reached a settlement, in which the city and its insurer agreed to pay $680,000 to persons illegally jailed.
Geography
Alexander City is located at (32.933157, -85.936008).
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.44%) is water.
Alexander City is located on
U.S. Route 280.
Birmingham
Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1. ...
is to the north,
Auburn is southeast and
Montgomery is south-southwest of Alexander City.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
system, Alexander City has a
humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
Alexander City first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an incorporated city. At that time, it was the largest community in the county (though would lose the distinction to
Dadeville for 1890–1900, reclaiming the title and holding it since 1910).
Alexander City was the principal city of the former
Alexander City Micropolitan Statistical Area, a
micropolitan area that covered
Coosa and Tallapoosa counties and had a combined population of 53,677 at the
2000 census.
The micropolitan statistical area was removed in 2013 by the United States
Office of Management and Budget
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the largest office within the Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP). OMB's most prominent function is to produce the president's budget, but it also examines agency programs, pol ...
.
[OMB BULLETIN NO. 13-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas](_blank)
. Office of Management and Budget. February 28, 2013.
2010 census
At the
2010 census there were 14,875 people in 6,064 households, including 4,050 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 6,834 housing units at an average density of 176.1 per square mile (68/km). The
racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the city was 62.2% White, 32.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 4.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 6,064 households 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 29.7% of households were one person and 13.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.
The age distribution was 23.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% 65 or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 90.9 men.
The median household income was $34,782 and the median family income was $44,455. Males had a median income of $34,515 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,097. About 17.0% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
As of the
2020 United States Census
The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...
, there were 14,843 people, 5,710 households, and 3,872 families residing in the city.
Youngville/Alexander City Precinct/Division (1870-)
The beat (precinct) containing Alexander City first appeared on the 1870 U.S. Census as "Youngville" (2nd beat of Tallapoosa County), which was the prior name of Alexander City. In 1880, the 2nd beat of Youngville and the 1st beat of Gold Branch reported a combined population, as neither was returned separately. Beginning in 1890, the name was changed to the Alexander (2nd) Precinct (not "Alexander City"). The precinct name would not change until 1950 when it reported as Alexander City. In 1960, Alexander City precinct was changed to census division as part of a general reorganization of counties.
Government
Alexander City uses a mayor-council government. The government consists of a mayor who is elected at large. The city council consists of six members who are elected from one of six districts.
The city has a police department.
In 2016, Mayor Charles Shaw and his wife were charged with assault following a council meeting brawl with a member of the city council. Following a
bench trial
A bench trial is a trial by judge, as opposed to a trial by jury. The term applies most appropriately to any administrative hearing in relation to a summary offense to distinguish the type of trial. Many legal systems (Roman, Islamic) use bench ...
, the mayor was convicted of
misdemeanor third-degree assault, but his wife was
acquitted
In common law jurisdictions, an acquittal certifies that the accused is free from the charge of an offense, as far as criminal law is concerned. The finality of an acquittal is dependent on the jurisdiction. In some countries, such as the ...
. The mayor was given a
suspended sentence of 30 days in jail and one year of unsupervised probation.
Education
Alexander City Public Schools are part of the
Alexander City Schools
Alexander City Schools is the public school district of Alexander City, Alabama, established in 1879. Alexander City Schools serves 2,948 students and employs 170 teachers and 67 staff as of the 2020-2021 school year. The district includes two ...
district.
Schools in the district include Jim Pearson Elementary School, Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School, William L. Radney Elementary School, Alexander City Middle School and Benjamin Russell High School.
Dr. J. Darrell Cooper is the Superintendent of Schools.
Economy
Russell Corporation
Russell Brands, LLC was an American corporation that manufactured sports equipment, marketing its products under many brands and subsidiaries, such as Russell Athletic (its flagship brand) and Spalding. Formerly a publicly traded company, Rus ...
, maker of Russell Athletic, Cross Creek, Jerzees, and Country Cottons apparel, was founded in 1902 and was the largest employer in the city until around 2012. On April 17, 2006, Russell Corporation was bought by
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. () is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Its main business and source of capital is insurance, from which it invests the float (the retained premiu ...
/
Fruit of the Loom for an estimated $600 million. Since about 1998, the number of workers employed by Russell Corporation in Alex City has been steadily declining. More than 6,500 jobs have been lost as most operations have moved offshore and management is now headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky. , most of the manufacturing has been closed in Alex City and the majority of buildings are empty.
Transportation
T.C. Russell Field Airport (KALX), off U.S. Highway 280 adjacent to the Airport Industrial Park, is owned and maintained by the City of Alexander City.
KALX does not provide scheduled passenger services. The nearest major airports are
Birmingham
Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1. ...
and
Montgomery.
Alexander City has no railway station. The nearest rail passenger services are provided at
Anniston, which is served daily by Amtrak's ''
The Crescent'' to Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.
Alexander City has no scheduled intercity bus service. There is a service provided by Arise Transportation that schedules one stop rides with a 24-hour advance notice.
Gallery
File:Alexander City, Alabama City Hall.JPG, City Hall in Alexander City
File:Alexander City Post Office 35010.JPG, Alexander City Post Office ( ZIP code: 35010)
File:Adelia M. Russell Library Alexander City, Alabama.JP
Adelia M. Russell Library
File:Central Alabama Community College George C. Wallace Administration Building.JPG, The George C. Wallace
George Corley Wallace Jr. (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Alabama for four terms. A member of the Democratic Party, he is best remembered for his staunch segregationist and ...
Administration Building located on the campus of Central Alabama Community College
Central Alabama Community College (CACC) is a Public college, public community college in Alexander City, Alabama. The college enrolls over 1,500 students and has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleg ...
.
File:Benjamin Russell High School; Alexander City, AL.JP
Benjamin Russell High School
File:Old City Hall Alexander City, Alabama.JPG, The old city hall building is now used as the Police Department and Municipal Court.
File:Charles T. Porch Center Alexander City, Alabama.JPG, Originally built as the city post office, the Charles T. Porch Center is now used as a city community center.
File:Avondale Historic District (Alexander City, Alabama).JPG, The Avondale Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
on August 9, 2005.
File:Reuben Herzfeld House Alexander City, Alabama.JPG, Built in 1890, the Reuben Herzfeld House was added to the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
on August 22, 1995.
File:Alexander City First Baptist Church (1872).JP
Alexander City First Baptist Church
(Established in 1872)
File:Alexander City First Methodist Church (1872).JP
Alexander City First United Methodist Church
(Established in 1872)
File:Robert and Adelia Russell House, Russell Family Historic District, Alexander City, Alabama.jpg, Robert & Adelia Russell House, Alexander City
File:Benjamin and Roberta M. Russell House, Russell Family Historic District, Alexander City, Alabama.jpg, Benjamin & Roberta M. Russell House, Alexander City
File:Thomas Commander Russell House, Russell Family Historic District, Alexander City, Alabama.jpg, Thomas Commander Russell House, Alexander City
File:Thomas D. Russell House, Russell Family Historic District, Alexander City, Alabama.jpg, Thomas D. Russell House, Alexander City
File:Thomas C. Russell Field.jpg, Thomas C. Russell Air Field, Alexander City
File:A.J. and Emma E. Thomas Coley House (Alexander City, AL).JPG, A.J. & Emma E. Thomas Coley House, Alexander City
References
External links
City of Alexander Cityofficial site
Alexander City Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control
Cities in Alabama
Populated places established in 1872
Alexander City micropolitan area
Cities in Tallapoosa County, Alabama
1872 establishments in Alabama