Clanton, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Clanton is a city in Chilton County
, Alabama
, United States
. It is part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area
. At the 2000 census the population was 7,800. The city is the county seat
of Chilton County
.
, a brigadier in the Confederate States Army
, and was incorporated on April 23, 1873. Baker was also elected first mayor of the town.
Early Civil Rights
activist Ida B. Wells
reproduced a photographic postcard depicting an 1891 lynching
in Clanton to educate the white public of the atrocities committed against blacks.
During World War II
, a small German
Prisoner of War
camp was located in Clanton.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.4 square miles (52.8 km²) of which 20.3 square miles (52.6 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.15%) is water.
of 2000, there were 7,800 people, 3,168 households, and 2,128 families residing in the city. The population density
was 383.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,510 housing units at an average density of 172.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 77.31% White
, 20.01% Black
or African American
, 0.29% Native American
, 0.33% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 1.29% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. 2.64% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,168 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples
living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,394, and the median income for a family was $37,568. Males had a median income of $32,484 versus $20,344 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,299. About 15.1% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
High Schools
Chilton County High School
(Grades 9 through 12)
LeCroy Technical Center (Grades 10 through 12)
Middle School
Clanton Middle School (Grades 6 through 8)
Elementary Schools
Clanton Intermediate School (Grades 3 through 5)
Clanton Elementary School (Grades K through 2)
Chilton County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*84.1% White*9.7% Black*0.4% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.2% Two or more races*7.8% 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 Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area
Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area
The Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, AL CSA sometimes known as Greater Birmingham, is made up of 8 counties in Central Alabama....
. At the 2000 census the population was 7,800. The city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Chilton County
Chilton County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*84.1% White*9.7% Black*0.4% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.2% Two or more races*7.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
.
History
The town was founded by Alfred Baker in 1868, when Chilton County was formed. Clanton was named in honor of General James H. ClantonJames Holt Clanton
James Holt Clanton was an American soldier, lawyer, and legislator. He enlisted in the United States Army for service during the Mexican–American War, and later was a Confederate Army general during the American Civil War...
, a brigadier in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
, and was incorporated on April 23, 1873. Baker was also elected first mayor of the town.
Early Civil Rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
activist Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells
Ida Bell Wells-Barnett was an African American journalist, newspaper editor and, with her husband, newspaper owner Ferdinand L. Barnett, an early leader in the civil rights movement. She documented lynching in the United States, showing how it was often a way to control or punish blacks who...
reproduced a photographic postcard depicting an 1891 lynching
Lynching
Lynching is an extrajudicial execution carried out by a mob, often by hanging, but also by burning at the stake or shooting, in order to punish an alleged transgressor, or to intimidate, control, or otherwise manipulate a population of people. It is related to other means of social control that...
in Clanton to educate the white public of the atrocities committed against blacks.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a small German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
Prisoner of War
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
camp was located in Clanton.
Geography
Clanton is located at 32°50'23.316" North, 86°37'41.477" West (32.839810, -86.628188).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.4 square miles (52.8 km²) of which 20.3 square miles (52.6 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.15%) 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 7,800 people, 3,168 households, and 2,128 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 383.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,510 housing units at an average density of 172.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 77.31% 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...
, 20.01% 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...
, 0.29% 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...
, 0.33% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 1.29% 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 0.74% from two or more races. 2.64% 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 3,168 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% 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, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,394, and the median income for a family was $37,568. Males had a median income of $32,484 versus $20,344 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 $15,299. About 15.1% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Clanton is governed via the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of five members elected from one of five wards.Education
The Chilton County School System provides public education for Clanton. Students in Clanton may attend any public school in Chilton County.High Schools
Chilton County High School
Chilton County High School
Chilton County High School is a secondary school located in Clanton, Alabama, which educates grades 9-12.As of 2008, the school principal is Mr. Gregory DeJarnett. The school mascot is the Tiger.-Notable alumni:...
(Grades 9 through 12)
LeCroy Technical Center (Grades 10 through 12)
Middle School
Clanton Middle School (Grades 6 through 8)
Elementary Schools
Clanton Intermediate School (Grades 3 through 5)
Clanton Elementary School (Grades K through 2)
Notable residents
- Randall AtchesonRandall Atcheson-Life and career:Randall Atcheson, the son of a Southern Baptist minister, was raised in Maplesville, Alabama and Clanton, Alabama. He began studying piano at the age of six and added the organ at the age of nine. By the time he was 12 years old, he was enrolled in the Samford University School of...
, Concert PianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:... - Clay CarrollClay CarrollClay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
, Major League baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Jackie HayesJackie Hayes (second baseman)Minter Carney "Jackie" Hayes was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball player for the Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox .-Early life and career:...
, major league baseball player - Jackson W. MooreJackson W. MooreJackson W. Moore is an American attorney and retired Executive Chairman of Union Planters Bank and Regions Financial Corporation.-Early career:...
, former CEO of Union Planters Bank and Regions Financial Corporation - Jarrod PattersonJarrod PattersonJarrod Lane Patterson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman. He is a graduate of Chilton County High School in Clanton, Alabama. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 20th round of...
, major league baseball player - Drew RoyDrew RoyDrew Roy is an American actor. Roy was raised in Clanton, Alabama. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.Roy appeared in mostly independent film projects from 2006 to 2008, although he scored an uncredited recurring role in Greek in 2007. In 2009, he landed a role on the television...
, actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity... - Grayson RussellGrayson RussellGrayson Russell is an American film and television child actor best known for playing Texas Ranger Bobby, son of the title character in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Fregley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies....
, Child actorChild actorThe term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor... - Steve Miller, musician/>