Locust Fork, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Locust Fork, Alabama
settlement_type = Town


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Blount County and the state of Alabama


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map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Alabama
subdivision_name2 = Blount
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 9
area_total_sq_mi = 3.5
area_land_km2 = 9
area_land_sq_mi = 3.5
area_water_km2 = 0
area_water_sq_mi = 0
elevation_ft = 584
elevation_m = 178
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes = as of 2007, estimated population has risen to 1156, an increase of 12%
population_total = 1016
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 112.9
population_density_sq_mi = 290.3
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 33 |latm = 53 |lats = 47 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 37 |longs = 50 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 35097
area_code = 205
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-43888
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0121956
footnotes =
website =

Locust Fork is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,016 people. As of 2007, the estimated population has risen to 1156 which is an increase of 12%. The community name comes from the proximity of the town to the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. 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 (tentatively listed as Alabama State Route 959, but possibly Interstate 259) 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)GR|1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.0 km� (3.5 mi�). 9.0 km� (3.5 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 censusGR|2 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%.

Transportation

Locust Fork straddles Alabama Highway 79, which is a north-south route running from Birmingham northeastward to Scottsboro. Blount County Road 13 runs northwestward to connect to Alabama Highway 160 between the Hayden and Nectar communities. Blount County Road 15 intersects Alabama 79 just north of Locust Fork and provides a connection to the county seat located at Oneonta. Also located along County Road 15 is the acclaimed Limestone Springs Golf Course and residential development. Nearest interstate highways are Interstate 65 located some 15 miles west of Locust Fork and Interstate 59 located some 25 miles east of Locust Fork. Air travel is handled primarily from the Birmingham International Airport located some 30 miles southwest of Locust Fork. Locust Fork is located along one of the two major Alabama state highways that run northeast from Birmingham to the Sand Mountain area of Guntersville, Albertville, and Boaz. It is an alternate route from Birmingham to Huntsville and Chattanooga.

chools

Locust Fork High School and Elementary School are located in the center of the town along Alabama Highway 79. The school nickname is Hornets with school colors of green and white. Locust Fork High School is currently classified as a 4A school under the AHSAA 6 tier classification system. There is an ratio of one teacher for every 20 students. The schools draw their students from a large portion of southern and southwestern Blount County. The schools are part of the Blount County School System.

Churches

There are several churches representing several denominations located in or near Locust Fork.

Businesses

A host of small businesses and retail outlets are located in the community. Casual fast food dining is available at two chain outlets, Subway and Jacks Hamburgers. The community is served by a volunteer fire department and is patrolled by the Blount County Sheriffs Office.

Media

Locust Fork is located in the Birmingham television and radio market. Newspapers include The Birmingham News and The Blount County News.

References

External links