Andalusia is a city in and the
county seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...
of
Covington County,
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...
, United States. At the
2020 census, the population was 8,805.
History
Andalusia was first settled in 1841 after flooding of the
Conecuh River
The Conecuh River and Escambia River constitute a single river in Alabama and Florida in the United States.
The Conecuh River rises near Union Springs in the state and flows in a general southwesterly direction into Florida near Century. The r ...
and the surrounding lowlands forced citizens to move to higher ground. The county seat was moved from Montezuma to Andalusia in 1844. Andalusia likely got its name from Spanish explorers or settlers since the land where the town is located was part of
Spanish Florida
Spanish Florida ( es, La Florida) was the first major European land claim and attempted settlement in North America during the European Age of Discovery. ''La Florida'' formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, ...
until
Pinckney's Treaty
Pinckney's Treaty, also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo or the Treaty of Madrid, was signed on October 27, 1795 by the United States and Spain.
It defined the border between the United States and Spanish Florida, and guaranteed the United S ...
in 1795. Andalusia shares its name with the
autonomous community
eu, autonomia erkidegoa
ca, comunitat autònoma
gl, comunidade autónoma
oc, comunautat autonòma
an, comunidat autonoma
ast, comunidá autónoma
, alt_name =
, map =
, category = Autonomous administra ...
of
Andalusia
Andalusia (, ; es, Andalucía ) is the southernmost Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Peninsular Spain. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomous community in the country. It is officially recognised as a ...
in southern
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. The new town was originally called "New Site" but was known as Andalusia by the time a post office was established in 1846.
Andalusia was incorporated as a town in 1884.
In 1899, two railroad lines arrived in Andalusia, the
Central of Georgia
The Central of Georgia Railway started as the Central Rail Road and Canal Company in 1833. As a way to better attract investment capital, the railroad changed its name to Central Rail Road and Banking Company of Georgia. This railroad was cons ...
and the
L & N Railroad, and the town began to grow.
The
Avant House is one of seven sites in Andalusia listed on 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 v ...
.
Geography
Andalusia is located slightly northwest of the center of Covington County at (31.309, -86.479).
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 , or 0.79%, is water.
Andalusia is served by the
South Alabama Regional Airport, formerly known as the Andalusia-Opp Airport, located approximately east of the central business district.
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, Andalusia has a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° ...
, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
Andalusia
Andalusia first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It formally incorporated in 1884. See Andalusia Precinct/Division below.
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 8,805 people, 3,490 households, and 2,147 families residing in the city.
2010 census
At the
2010 census there were 9,015 people in 3,694 households, including 2,359 families, in the city. 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 70.5% White, 25.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 3,694 households 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.3% of households were one person and 14.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
The age distribution was 23.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% 65 or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median household income was $28,049 and the median family income was $37,059. Males had a median income of $27,228 versus $25,855 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,544. About 20.2% of families and 22.8% 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 35.4% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
2000 Census data
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 8,794 people in 3,707 households, including 2,376 families, in the city.
The population density was . There were 4,279 housing units at an average density of .
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 73.93% White, 24.47% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
[
Of the 3,707 households 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.3% of households were one person and 17.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.][
The age distribution was 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.][
The median household income was $26,856 and the median family income was $37,091. Males had a median income of $29,406 versus $20,410 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,292. About 15.7% of families and 20.6% 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 28.6% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.[
]
Andalusia Precinct/Division (1880-)
Andalusia Beat (Precinct) (Covington County 1st Beat) first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census. In 1890, "beat" was changed to "precinct." In 1960, the precinct was changed to "census division" as part of a general reorganization of counties. In 1980, three additional census divisions were consolidated into Andalusia, including Andalusia East, Andalusia West and Red Level.
Andalusia East Census Division (1960-70)
Andalusia East Census Division was created in 1960 and contained the towns of Babbie, Heath
A heath () is a shrubland habitat found mainly on free-draining infertile, acidic soils and characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation. Moorland is generally related to high-ground heaths with—especially in Great Britain—a cooler ...
, Libertyville and Sanford. In 1980, it was consolidated into Andalusia Census Division.
Andalusia West Census Division (1960-70)
Andalusia West Census Division was created in 1960. It did not contain any incorporated communities, and included the rural area west of the city of Andalusia to the Conecuh County line. In 1980, it was consolidated into Andalusia Census Division.
Media
*Cable TV Station
WKNI 25
community interests
*Radio stations
**WAAO-FM
WAAO-FM (93.7 MHz, "New Hit Country 93.7") is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Andalusia, the county seat of Covington County, Alabama. The station, established in 1987, is owned by Three Notch Communications, LLC.
Pr ...
93.7 FM (Country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...
)
** WSTF 91.5 FM (Religious
Religion is usually defined as a social system, social-cultural system of designated religious behaviour, behaviors and practices, morality, morals, beliefs, worldviews, religious text, texts, sacred site, sanctified places, prophecy, prophecie ...
)
**WFXX
WFXX (107.7 FM, "Fox 107.7") is a radio station licensed to serve Georgiana, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Fox Broadcasting Corp., LLC, through licensee Fox Broadcasting Corporation, LLC. It airs an adult contemporary music f ...
FOX 107.7 FM (Adult Contemporary)
*Newspaper
**''Andalusia Star-News'' (daily)
Education
Primary and secondary public education is provided by Andalusia City Schools, which consists of Andalusia Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th Grade), Andalusia Jr. High School (7th and 8th Grade), and Andalusia High School (9th through 12th Grade). Students can continue their studies at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBWCC) is a public community college with campuses in Andalusia, Alabama, Andalusia, Greenville, Alabama, Greenville, and Opp, Alabama, Opp, Alabama. As of the fall 2010 semester, the college has an enrollme ...
.
Transportation
Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc. (commonly known as simply Greyhound) operates the largest intercity bus service in North America, including Greyhound Mexico. It also operates charter bus services, Amtrak Thruway services, commuter bus services, and pac ...
.
Sites on the National Register of Historic Places
* The Bank of Andalusia
* Avant House
* Central of Georgia Depot, now converted into the Three Notch Museum
* Covington County Courthouse and Jail
* First National Bank Building
Notable people
* Harold Albritton, U.S. district court judge
* Dempsey J. Barron, President of the Florida Senate from 1975 to 1976
* Charles Brooks, editorial cartoonist
* James U. Cross, retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and chief Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control designated call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. In common parlance, the term is used to denote U.S. Air Force aircraft modified and used ...
pilot under president Lyndon B. Johnson
* Cecil O. De Loach, Jr., California grape-grower and winemaker
* Quinton Dial, defensive tackle for the Alabama Crimson Tide
* Irwin Gunsalus, biochemist; assistant secretary general at the United Nations
* Seth Hammett, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
* Robert Horry
Robert Keith Horry (; born August 25, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player and current sports commentator. He played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning seven championships, the most of any pla ...
, basketball player, one of only two players to have won the National Basketball Association championship with three different teams
* Nico Johnson
Nico Johnson (born June 19, 1990) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama, where he was a member of National Championshi ...
, one of two members of the University of Alabama's football team to start in their National Championship victories in 2009, 2011 and 2012
* Alexa Jones, Miss Alabama
The Miss Alabama competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alabama in the annual Miss America Competition.
Alabama has won three Miss America titles: Deidre Downs in 2005, Heather Whitestone (the first deaf ...
2005 and Miss America 2006
Miss America 2006, the 79th Miss America pageant, was held on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada on Saturday, January 21, 2006.
The pageant was broadcast live on CMT from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Aladdin Resort and Casin ...
(second runner-up)
* T. D. Little, member of Alabama Senate and House of Representatives
* Lamar Morris
Lamar Morris (September 30, 1938 – June 1, 2023) was an American country music singer and musician. Between 1966 and 1973, he was a solo artist on the MGM Records label, charting in the Top 40 of Hot Country Songs with "If You Love Me", which ...
, country music singer
* Frank J. Tipler, mathematical physicist and cosmologist; author of books and papers about a mechanism for the resurrection of the dead
Gallery
File:Andalusia Public Library Oct 2014.jpg, Andalusia Public Library, 2014
File:115 Sixth Avenue Andalusia Oct 2014.jpg, 115 Sixth Avenue, Andalusia
File:208 S. Cotton Street Andalusia Oct 2014.jpg, 208 S. Cotton Street, Andalusia
File:Clark Theatre Andalusia Oct 2014.jpg, Clark Theatre, Andalusia
File:8-14 Court Square Andalusia Oct 2014.jpg, 8-14 Court Square, Andalusia
File:201 South Three Notch Street Andalusia Oct 2014.jpg, 201 South Three Notch Street, Andalusia
File:First United Methodist Andalusia Oct 2014 1.jpg, First United Methodist, Andalusia
File:121 Central Street Andalusia Oct 2014.jpg, 121 Central Street, Andalusia
File:Andalusia High School.jpg, Andalusia High School
File:Church Street School Andalusia Oct 2014 1.jpg, Andalusia Ballet School (formerly Church Street School), Andalusia
File:Andalusia Junior High School.jpg, Andalusia Junior High School
File:Andalusia City Hall Oct 2014 3.jpg, Andalusia City Hall
File:Old L&N Depot Andalusia Oct 2014 3.jpg, Old L&N Depot, Andalusia
File:Bank of Andalusia Oct 2014 2.jpg, Bank of Andalusia
File:Covington County Alabama Courthouse Oct 2014 3.jpg, Covington County Alabama Courthouse
File:Covington County Alabama Jail Oct 2014 1.jpg, Covington County Alabama Jail
File:Covington County Alabama Courthouse Oct 2014 2.jpg, Covington County Alabama Courthouse
File:Three Notch Museum Oct 2014 3.jpg, Three Notch Museum
References
External links
City of Andalusia official website
Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce
{{authority control
Cities in Alabama
Cities in Covington County, Alabama
County seats in Alabama
Populated places established in 1841
1841 establishments in Alabama