West Blocton, Alabama
Encyclopedia
West Blocton is a town in Bibb County
, Alabama
, United States
. At the 2000 census the population was 1,372.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²), of which, 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.42%) is water. This community is considered the terminus of the Appalachian Mountains.
of 2000, there were 1,372 people, 532 households, and 389 families residing in the town. The population density
was 291.7 people per square mile (112.7/km²). There were 599 housing units at an average density of 127.4 per square mile (49.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 79.74% White
, 19.53% Black
or African American
, 0.15% Native American
, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.44% from two or more races. 0.22% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 532 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $38,854. Males had a median income of $31,164 versus $23,000 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,861. About 14.6% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.
Bibb County, Alabama
Bibb County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of William W. Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 22,915. The county seat is Centreville...
, 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 2000 census the population was 1,372.
Geography
West Blocton is located at 33°7′7"N 87°7′22"W (33.118733, -87.122875).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²), of which, 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.42%) is water. This community is considered the terminus of the Appalachian Mountains.
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 1,372 people, 532 households, and 389 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 291.7 people per square mile (112.7/km²). There were 599 housing units at an average density of 127.4 per square mile (49.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 79.74% 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...
, 19.53% 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...
, 0.15% 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...
, 0.15% 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 0.44% from two or more races. 0.22% 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 532 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% 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, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $38,854. Males had a median income of $31,164 versus $23,000 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 $17,861. About 14.6% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.
Trivia
- Sammie Lee HillSammie Lee HillSammie Lee Hill is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
by the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, was born in West Blocton in 1986. Sammie is a graduate of West Blocton High School and Stillman CollegeStillman College-Marching Band:The school's marching band is named the Blue Pride Marching Band.In February 2010, Stillman College dedicated the brand new facility, the Thomas Lyle Band Center, named in honor of former band director Thomas Lyle, in conjunction with the Wynn Fine Arts Center.Organizations include:...
.
- Debra MarshallDebra MarshallDebra Gale Marshall is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. Arguably best known by her ring name, Debra, she gained recognition for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1998 and 2002.She began her career in professional wrestling in...
, known from her days with the WCW and WWE, was raised in West Blocton.
- West Blocton is known for its historic beehive ovenBeehive ovenA beehive oven is an early type of oven. It gets its name from its domed shape, which resembles that of an old-fashioned beehive, and was in common use in the Americas and Europe from the Middle Ages to the advent of the gas and electric ovens. Beehive ovens were common in households used for...
s, built in the late 1880s for coke productionCoke (fuel)Coke is the solid carbonaceous material derived from destructive distillation of low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal. Cokes from coal are grey, hard, and porous. While coke can be formed naturally, the commonly used form is man-made.- History :...
.
- West Blocton Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School and was one of the first schools in the state to be trained for the Alabama Reading Initiative.