Locust Fork, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Locust Fork is a town in Blount County
, Alabama
, United States
. At the 2010 census the population was 1,186 people up from 1,016 since the 2000 census. While traveling south with his troops, General Andrew Jackson camped at the fork of the river in 1813. General Jackson carved his name in a Locust tree naming this area Locust Fork. In the early 1800’s Nick Hudson built a public inn in what is now Locust Fork. He erected barns to shelter the horses and hogs of the Tennessee farmers who drove them to the deeper South for a more profitable market. Locust Fork was incorporated January 18, 1977.
The Locust Fork area has and continues to see strong residential growth mainly due to outflow from Jefferson County as residents there seek a more rural environment as well as a lower tax structure than is found in Jefferson County. As a result of this growth, enrollment in schools has risen substantially. Also, traffic along the main highway artery Alabama State Route 79 has risen and the road has become increasingly dangerous between the termination of a divided highway four lane just north of Pinson
and Locust Fork. There has been some discussion of upgrading the road to four lane status but such work is still considered several years away. Locust Fork will also be impacted by the eventual construction of the Northern Beltline, which is slated to cross Alabama State Route 79 just north of Pinson
. This controlled access highway (officially designatged as Interstate 422) will provide much quicker access for Locust Fork residents traveling east to Trussville or westward to Gardendale, Graysville, and Tuscaloosa. However, this route is still 10–15 years away from completion.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9 square kilometres (3.5 sq mi). 9 square kilometres (3.5 sq mi) of it is land and 0.29% is water. Locust Fork is located along one of the NE to SW ridgelines that make up the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain. The area has been mined for coal over the past 100 years but no current active coal mining operations exist in the immediate area. The Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River passes the community on a Northeast to Southwest axis just north of the community. The area is generally considered rolling hill farm country.
of 2000, there were 1,016 people, 362 households, and 300 families residing in the town. The population density
was 112.7/km� (292.0/mi�). There were 385 housing units at an average density of 42.7/km� (110.6/mi�). The racial makeup of the town was 98.92% White
, 0.20% Native American
, 0.49% from other races
, and 0.39% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 362 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,454, and the median income for a family was $41,912. Males had a median income of $36,797 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,455. About 6.6% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Unemployment was at 2.4%. The average rate for the entire United States is 4.6%.
Blount County, Alabama
Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 57,322. Its county seat is Oneonta.Blount County is a dry county.-History:...
, 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...
. At the 2010 census the population was 1,186 people up from 1,016 since the 2000 census. While traveling south with his troops, General Andrew Jackson camped at the fork of the river in 1813. General Jackson carved his name in a Locust tree naming this area Locust Fork. In the early 1800’s Nick Hudson built a public inn in what is now Locust Fork. He erected barns to shelter the horses and hogs of the Tennessee farmers who drove them to the deeper South for a more profitable market. Locust Fork was incorporated January 18, 1977.
The Locust Fork area has and continues to see strong residential growth mainly due to outflow from Jefferson County as residents there seek a more rural environment as well as a lower tax structure than is found in Jefferson County. As a result of this growth, enrollment in schools has risen substantially. Also, traffic along the main highway artery Alabama State Route 79 has risen and the road has become increasingly dangerous between the termination of a divided highway four lane just north of Pinson
Pinson, Alabama
Pinson is a city in Birmingham, Alabama, United States northwest from Center Point. At the 2000 census, the population was 5,033.-Geography:This city is located at .According to the U.S...
and Locust Fork. There has been some discussion of upgrading the road to four lane status but such work is still considered several years away. Locust Fork will also be impacted by the eventual construction of the Northern Beltline, which is slated to cross Alabama State Route 79 just north of Pinson
Pinson, Alabama
Pinson is a city in Birmingham, Alabama, United States northwest from Center Point. At the 2000 census, the population was 5,033.-Geography:This city is located at .According to the U.S...
. This controlled access highway (officially designatged as Interstate 422) will provide much quicker access for Locust Fork residents traveling east to Trussville or westward to Gardendale, Graysville, and Tuscaloosa. However, this route is still 10–15 years away from completion.
Geography
Locust Fork is located at 33�53'47.494" North, 86�37'50.048" West (33.896526, -86.630569).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9 square kilometres (3.5 sq mi). 9 square kilometres (3.5 sq mi) of it is land and 0.29% is water. Locust Fork is located along one of the NE to SW ridgelines that make up the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain. The area has been mined for coal over the past 100 years but no current active coal mining operations exist in the immediate area. The Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River passes the community on a Northeast to Southwest axis just north of the community. The area is generally considered rolling hill farm country.
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 1,016 people, 362 households, and 300 families residing in the town. 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 112.7/km� (292.0/mi�). There were 385 housing units at an average density of 42.7/km� (110.6/mi�). The racial makeup of the town was 98.92% 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...
, 0.20% 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...
, 0.49% 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 0.39% from two or more races. 0.49% 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 362 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% 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, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,454, and the median income for a family was $41,912. Males had a median income of $36,797 versus $24,688 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 town was $19,455. About 6.6% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Unemployment was at 2.4%. The average rate for the entire United States is 4.6%.