Bear Creek, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bear Creek, Alabama
settlement_type = Town


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Marion 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 = Marion
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 35.6
area_total_sq_mi = 13.7
area_land_km2 = 35
area_land_sq_mi = 13.5
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
elevation_ft = 807
elevation_m = 246
population_as_of =2007
population_footnotes = cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-01.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alabama|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=2008-07-10|accessdate=2008-07-14]
population_total =1004
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 29.6
population_density_sq_mi = 76.9
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 34 |latm = 16 |lats = 20 |latNS = N
longd = 87 |longm = 42 |longs = 12 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 35543
area_code = 205
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-04852
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0154439
footnotes =
website =

Bear Creek is a town in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,053. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 1,021. [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv]

Geography

Bear Creek is located at coor dms|34|16|21|N|87|42|12|W|city (34.272400, -87.703374)GR|1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35.6 km²), of which, 13.5 square miles (35.0 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (1.75%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,053 people, 428 households, and 309 families residing in the town. The population density was 78.0 people per square mile (30.1/km²). There were 475 housing units at an average density of 35.2/sq mi (13.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.15% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 428 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,813, and the median income for a family was $35,341. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,917. About 14.6% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 32.7% of those age 65 or over. Economic prosperity ended over a decade ago when the manufactured housing business boom began to taper in this railroad town.

Local Features

Local high school is Phillips High School, home of the Bears. The first, wooden frame school building across the highway from the present location of Phillips School, held grades 1-9. This building caught fire around Christmas of 1925. Local churches provided temporary space for the teachers and pupils. Mrs. J. R. Phillips graciously donated land for a new school on April 16, 1926. Her husband, who died in April 1925, wanted the addition of a high school. The community pulled together with its volunteer labor and donated timber from virgin pines in Bear Creek. Members of the community sacrificed time and money in their participation with the construction of the new Phillips School. Logging was done by wagon and hauled to Veal's sawmill. Brick came by rail and was transported by wagon to the site. McKinley Campbell, assisted by his brother, was the contractor for the new facility.

The first graduation was held at Phillips High School in 1929. Agricultural and home economics (aka Family and Consumer Sciences) departments were added in 1935 and housed near the present location of the cafeteria. The football field was located behind the main building, which was later replaced in 1969.

On Saturday, September 2nd 2003, the Phillips football field (James E. Glass Stadium) was named after Coach James E. Glass in honor of the dedication he has given to the football team and school throughout the years. The football field was the first football field in the state of Alabama to be lighted. This occurred in the fall of ‘33. Astonishingly, the original lights still brighten the gridiron today. Fact|date=April 2007

References

External links