Jacksonville, Alabama

Jacksonville is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 12,548,[3] which is a 49% increase since 2000. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Jacksonville State University is located here, which is a center of commerce and one of the largest employers in the area.

Jacksonville
City
Jacksonville Square
Motto(s): 
"Education – Commerce – Heritage"
Location of Jacksonville in Calhoun County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 33°48′57″N 85°45′38″W
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyCalhoun
Government
 • MayorJohnny L. Smith
Area
 • Total10.92 sq mi (28.28 km2)
 • Land10.91 sq mi (28.25 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
709 ft (216 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,548
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
12,544
 • Density1,149.98/sq mi (444.02/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
36265
Area code256
FIPS code01-38272
GNIS feature ID0159857
Websitewww.jacksonville-al.org

History

Jacksonville was founded in 1833 on land purchased from Creek Indian Chief "Du-Hoag" Ladiga. First called Drayton, the town was renamed to honor President Andrew Jackson in 1834. There are a couple Civil War monuments in town, including a statue of Major John Pelham in the city cemetery and a statue of a Confederate soldier in the middle of the square. Jacksonville served as the county seat for Calhoun County until the 20th century when it moved to Anniston. Jacksonville State University was founded here in 1883.

An EF3 tornado hit Jacksonville on March 19, 2018, causing extensive damage to the city and Jacksonville State University, almost $42 million in damages.[4] The relatively low number of casualties, specifically just four injuries, was attributed by some to the fact that the university was on spring break at the time.[5][6] More than 1,000 volunteers assisted in the immediate tornado relief.[7] Caleb Howard, then a senior at Jacksonville State University, said that "[i]t's been amazing to see the university and the community come together." Classes resumed at the university the following month.[6] Although the university's usual site for graduation, Pete Mathews Coliseum, was damaged in the tornado along with over 20 other buildings, the first spring graduation since the tornado proceeded as scheduled on May 4 outside the football stadium. Dr. John Beeler, the university's president, said "It's a joyous event generally because you're celebrating the accomplishments of all your graduates, but it's an even more joyous event because to me it's a celebration of how far we've come in a short time in recovering from these tornadoes."[4]

Geography

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians, Jacksonville is located at 33°48'56.758" North, 85°45'37.681" West (33.815766, -85.760467).[8]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.5 km2), of which 0.008 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.10%, is water. Jacksonville is located in a valley between Choccolocco Mountain to the east and smaller ridges to the west.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1850716—
1860703−1.8%
187095836.3%
1880882−7.9%
18901,23740.2%
19001,176−4.9%
19102,23189.7%
19202,3957.4%
19302,84018.6%
19402,9955.5%
19504,75158.6%
19605,67819.5%
19707,71535.9%
19809,73526.2%
199010,2835.6%
20008,404−18.3%
201012,54849.3%
2019 (est.)12,544[2]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 12,548 people, 4,917 households, and 2,466 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,275 people per square mile (492.2/km2). There were 5,382 housing units at an average density of 546.4 per square mile (210.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.7% White, 26.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 2.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,917 households, out of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples living together, marriage 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 17.2% under the age of 18, 32.6% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,987, and the median income for a family was $50,863. Males had a median income of $35,615 versus $26,975 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,063. About 17.6% of families and 28.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.1% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Two Alabama state routes pass through Jacksonville:

Education

Jacksonville is the home of Jacksonville State University, a public, coeducational university with an enrollment of almost 10,000. It offers degrees in business, communication, education, family sciences, liberal arts and sciences, nursing and technology in addition to continuing education programs. The university's campus is located a few blocks north of the square.

Jacksonville is home to two public schools run by Jacksonville City Schools:

There are also two public schools located northwest of the city proper that serve the unincorporated communities of Pleasant Valley and Williams and are run by Calhoun County Schools:

There is also a Christian school called Jacksonville Christian Academy (JCA) located within the city.

The Calhoun County Center for the Arts offers classes through the Community Center.[11]

Media

Newspaper

Magazine

Television

AM Radio

FM Radio

  • WLJS 91.9 - College radio, limited NPR station

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Jacksonville city, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  4. Huddleston, John. "Jacksonville State holds first graduation following tornado". WTVM. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. Fritz, Angela. "Watch the horrible EF-3 tornado tear up Jacksonville State University in security cam video". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. Porter, Joel. "Classes resume at Jacksonville State University after tornado". WHNT. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. McCreless, Patrick. "More than 1,000 volunteers pour into Jacksonville for tornado relief work (updated with video)". The Anniston Star. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  11. Calhoun County Center for the Arts Archived 2013-05-26 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Hindman, Thomas Carmichael - Biographical Information". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2007-05-31.

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