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 parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...

of Covington County,

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

, 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 (upper portion) and Escambia River (lower portion) are a single river in the southern United States, which flows from Alabama through Florida into the Gulf of Mexico. The Conecuh River rises near Union Springs, Alabama and flow ...

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 () was the first major European land-claim and attempted settlement-area in northern America during the European Age of Discovery. ''La Florida'' formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and th ...

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 The autonomous communities () are the first-level administrative divisions of Spain, created in accordance with the Spanish Constitution of 1978, with the aim of guaranteeing limited autonomy to the nationalities and regions that make up Sp ...

Andalusia Andalusia ( , ; , ) is the southernmost autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Peninsular Spain, located in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, in southwestern Europe. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomou ...

in southern

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

. 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 constr ...

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 Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

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, 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 U.S. Census Bureau is part of the U ...

, 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 divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

system, Andalusia has a

humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...

, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

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, 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 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 ...

, 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 (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

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 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

, 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 is characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation. Moorland is generally related to high-ground heaths with—especially in Great Britain—a coole ...

, 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 93.7 FM (

Country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...

) ** WSTF 91.5 FM (

Religious Religion is a range of social- cultural systems, including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relate humanity to supernatural ...

) ** WFXX FOX 107.7 FM (Adult Contemporary) *Newspaper **''Andalusia Star-News'' (daily)

City Council

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.

Transportation

Intercity bus service is provided by

Greyhound Lines Greyhound Lines, Inc. is an American operator of Intercity bus service, intercity bus services. Greyhound operates the largest intercity bus network in the United States, and also operates charter and Amtrak Thruway services, as well as interci ...

. Local

dial-a-ride Demand-responsive transport (DRT), also known as demand-responsive transit, demand-responsive service,
US National Trans ...

transit service is provided by Covington Area Transit Service.

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 On July 4, 1975, a plaque monument was placed in front of the Covington County Courthouse by the Altrusa Club, as part of the commemoration of the

United States Bicentennial The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic. It was a central event in the memo ...

. The plaque read "In memory of PHILIP NOLAN, Lieutenant in the Army of the United States. He loved his country as no other man has loved her; but no man deserved less at her hands." Nolan is the protagonist of American writer Edward Everett Hale's fictional short story " The Man Without a Country", first published in ''

The Atlantic ''The Atlantic'' is an American magazine and multi-platform publisher based in Washington, D.C. It features articles on politics, foreign affairs, business and the economy, culture and the arts, technology, and science. It was founded in 185 ...

'' in December 1863, during the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

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 Aviation call signs, call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. The term is commonly used to denote U.S. Air Force aircraft modifie ...

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, basketball player, one of only two players to have won the National Basketball Association championship with three different teams * Nico Johnson, 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 2005 and Miss America 2006 (second runner-up) * T. D. Little, member of Alabama Senate and House of Representatives * Lamar Morris, country music singer *

Mackey Sasser Mack Daniel Sasser (born August 3, 1962), nicknamed "The Hacker", is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1987 through 1995 for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets and S ...

, former MLB catcher * 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 websiteAndalusia 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