Phenix City, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Phenix City, Alabama
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =
image_

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


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Alabama
subdivision_name2 = Russell, Lee
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Jeff Hardin
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 64.1
area_total_sq_mi = 24.8
area_land_km2 = 63.7
area_land_sq_mi = 24.6
area_water_km2 = 0.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
elevation_ft = 243
elevation_m = 74
population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =cite web | date = June 28 2007 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alabama, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 | format = CSV | work = 2007 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessmonthday = June 28 | accessyear = 2007]
population_total = 30067
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 469.06
population_density_sq_mi = 1139.7
timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
latd = 32 |latm = 28 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 1 |longs = 12 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 36867-36869
area_code = 334
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-59472
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0155193
footnotes =
website = http://www.phenixcityal.us

Phenix City is a city in Lee County and Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama, although primarily in Russell County. As of 2006, the population of the city was 30,067, according to Census Bureau estimates. Most of Phenix City lies in the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Lee County part is in the Auburn Metropolitan Area. The city is the county seat of Russell CountyGR|6. It is also a suburb immediately west of downtown Columbus, Georgia, just across the Chattahoochee River.

Phenix City was notorious during the 1940s and 1950s as being a haven for organized crime, prostitution, and gambling. As a result, the city had a negative reputation, and many people still associate this legacy with Phenix City. "The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama" by Margaret Ann Barnes chronicles these events. Which led to the small town to be known as "Sin City, USA".

In 1955, it won the All-America City Award from the National Municipal League.

In 2007, "BusinessWeek" named Phenix City the nation's #1 Best Affordable Suburb to raise a family. [cite web | date = December 13 2007 | url = http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/12/1213_bestaffordable_subs/index_01.htm?chan=rss_topSlideShows_ssi_5 | title = Best Affordable Suburbs 2007 | publisher = BusinessWeek | accessmonthday = February 11 | accessyear = 2008]

Geography

Phenix City is located at coor dms|32|28|22|N|85|1|12|W|city (32.472822, -85.020121)GR|1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.8 square miles (64.1 km²), of which, 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (0.61%) is water.

History

In the late 19th century, Girard made up most of current downtown Phenix City, while Phenix City was mostly in Lee County. In the early 20th century, the two towns consolidated into the present Phenix City. a large section of what is now Phenix City in Russell County was in Lee County into the 20th century.

Demographics and Time Zone (official and observed)

USCensusPop
1880=2224
1890=3700
1900=4153
1910=4555
1920=5432
1930=13852
1940=15351
1950=23305
1960=27630
1970=25281
1980=26928
1990=25312
2000=28265
estyear=2007
estimate=30663As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 28,265 people, 11,517 households, and 7,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,149.1 people per square mile (443.6/km²). There were 13,250 housing units at an average density of 538.7/sq mi (208.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.94% White, 44.97% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,517 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,720, and the median income for a family was $33,740. Males had a median income of $28,906 versus $21,348 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,619. About 18.8% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 20.6% of those age 65 or over.

Located in the Central Time Zone on the eastern boundary, the city informally observes Eastern Time. (Many residents refer to the Central Time Zone as "slow time" and the Eastern Time Zone as "fast time.")

Media

There are three radio stations licensed to serve Phenix City: WURY-LP (97.1 FM), WGSY (100.1 FM), and WHAL (1460 AM).

In popular culture

*The character "Maggot" from E.M. Nathanson's novel "The Dirty Dozen" was from Phenix City.
*The 1955 film "The Phenix City Story" (directed by Phil Karlson) is a biopic film noir focusing on the rampant crime and corruption in the city (then called "the wickedest city in the United States") and the 1954 murder of newly-elected Alabama Attorney General Albert Patterson.
*Ska saxophonist Rolando Alphonso of the Skatalites had a 1960s hit titled "Phenix City"
* The late recording artist Jimmie Spheeris was born in Phenix City in 1949.
*The town gained attention in 1999 when Phenix City National Little League advanced to the final of the Little League World Series.

References

External links