Hamilton, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Hamilton, Alabama
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =
image_



imagesize =
image_caption =
image_

---

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


mapsize1 =
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 = 93.5
area_total_sq_mi = 36.1
area_land_km2 = 93.5
area_land_sq_mi = 36.1
area_water_km2 = 0
area_water_sq_mi = 0
elevation_ft = 489
elevation_m = 149
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 6786
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 72.6
population_density_sq_mi = 188
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 34 |latm = 8 |lats = 7 |latNS = N
longd = 87 |longm = 59 |longs = 20 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 35570
area_code = 205
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-32848
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0119627
footnotes =
website = [http://www.cityofhamilton.org City of Hamilton]

Hamilton is a city in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat of Marion County.

Geography

Hamilton is located at coor dms|34|8|7|N|87|59|20|W|city (34.135305, -87.988980)GR|1. It is situated along the Buttahatchee River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.6 km²), of which, 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,786 people, 2,695 households, and 1,800 families residing in the city. The population density was 188.0 people per square mile (72.6/km²). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 84.9/sq mi (32.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.41% White, 7.59% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,695 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,489, and the median income for a family was $34,485. Males had a median income of $26,362 versus $18,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,505. About 12.0% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Hamilton is home to the Jerry Brown Arts Festival, held annually the first weekend in March. This juried, fine arts festival is named in honor of Hamilton resident and ninth-generation potter Jerry Brown. The festival, created in 2003, was established to promote artists from the local area but has now grown to be one of the most prestigious arts events in Alabama, with artists making the trek to Hamilton from throughout the Southeastern United States to participate in the festival each March.

Hamilton is the largest town in the United States that has never had a railroad.Fact|date=April 2007

Hamilton was famous for performing "quickie" divorces.Fact|date=April 2007 Couples seeking a divorce would come from all over to receive a guaranteed, one day, no hassle divorce.Fact|date=April 2007 This practice was of course illegal and landed several prominent lawyers in hot water.Fact|date=April 2007 The quickie divorces helped boost the economy.Fact|date=April 2007 Local residents believe that celebrities such as Barbara Walters and Lucille Ball are among those to have received a divorce in Hamilton.Fact|date=April 2007

Education

Hamilton is a part of the Marion County School District.

Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Hamilton High School serve the Hamilton area. Hamilton High School is currently a class 3A school.

The Hamilton Aggies have won state championships in:
*Girls Basketball (5-A, 1990; runners up 5A, 1991)
*Boys Cross Country (4A/5A 1987-1991)
*Boys Power Lifting (1A/4A eight-time champs 2000-2007)

In 2007 Hamilton High School was ranked among a list of ten high schools in America with the highest drop out rate.Fact|date=February 2008

Media

Hamilton is the community of license for three radio stations: WERH (970 AM), WERH-FM (92.1 FM), and WFBH-LP (96.7 FM)

Hamilton is also home to a local area television station:WMTY, Antenna Channels: 24/46, Cable Channels (West Alabama Television Cable): 5

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofhamilton.org City of Hamilton]
* [http://www.mchsal.org Marion County Historical Socitey]
* [http://www.cdfal.org Community Development Foundation]
* [http://www.nwaarts.org Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.]
* [http://www.jbaf.org Jerry Brown Arts Festival]
* [http://49countynews.camstreams.com Downtown Hamilton Webcam]
* [http://www.49countynews.net 49 County News.Net]
* [http://www.wmty.net WMTY]
* [http://hhs.mcbe.net Hamilton High School]
* [http://hms.mcbe.net Hamilton Middle School]
* [http://hes.mcbe.net Hamilton Elementary School]
* [http://www.mcbe.net Marion County Schools]