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Jacksonville, Alabama

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Jacksonville, Alabama
City
City of Jacksonville
Downtown Jacksonville Historic District
Downtown Jacksonville Historic District
Official seal of Jacksonville, Alabama
Seal
Motto: 
"Education – Commerce – Heritage"
Location in Calhoun County and Alabama
Location in Calhoun County and Alabama
Jacksonville is located in the United States
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°48′57″N 85°45′38″W / 33.81583°N 85.76056°W / 33.81583; -85.76056
CountryUnited States
State Alabama
CountyCalhoun
FoundedJuly 20, 1833
(191 years ago) (1833-07-20)
Named forAndrew Jackson
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
 • MayorJohnny L. Smith
 • CouncilJacksonville City Council
Area
[1]
 • Total
10.92 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
 (2020)
 • Total
14,385
 • Density1,318.76/sq mi (509.19/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

Jacksonville is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 14,385,[2] which is a 14.6% increase since 2010 and a 71.2% increase since 2000. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to Jacksonville State University, which is a center of commerce and one of the largest employers in the area.

History

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Jacksonville was founded in July 20, 1833, on land purchased from Creek Indian Chief "Du-Hoag" Ladiga. First called Drayton,[3] the town was renamed to honor President Andrew Jackson in 1834. There are several 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 the county seat moved to Anniston. Jacksonville State University was founded in the city in 1883.

An EF3 tornado hit Jacksonville on March 19, 2018, causing extensive damage to the city and the university of almost $42 million.[4] The relatively low number of casualties – 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

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Jacksonville is located at 33°48'56.758" North, 85°45'37.681" West (33.815766, -85.760467), in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.[8] It lies in a valley between Choccolocco Mountain to the east and smaller ridges to the west.

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.

Climate

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Climate data for Jacksonville, Alabama (2004-2022 Precipitation only)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.69
(119) 		5.33
(135) 		5.61
(142) 		4.77
(121) 		4.54
(115) 		4.63
(118) 		4.36
(111) 		4.12
(105) 		3.00
(76) 		3.07
(78) 		3.85
(98) 		5.35
(136) 		53.32
(1,354)
Source: NOAA(National Weather Service)[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
202014,38514.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2020 census

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Jacksonville racial composition[2]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 7,826 54.4%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,085 35.35%
Native American 24 0.17%
Asian 334 2.32%
Pacific Islander 17 0.12%
Other/Mixed 646 4.49%
Hispanic or Latino 453 3.15%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,385 people, 4,518 households, and 2,472 families residing in the city.

2010 census

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As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 12,548 people, 4,917 households, and 2,466 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,275 inhabitants per square mile (492/km2). There were 5,382 housing units at an average density of 546.4 per square mile (211.0/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

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Two Alabama state routes pass through Jacksonville:

Education

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Jacksonville is the home of Jacksonville State University, a public 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 private school, Jacksonville Christian Academy, located within the city.

The Calhoun County Center for the Arts offers classes through the Community Center.[12]

Media

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Newspaper

  • The Jacksonville News - Weekly, locally owned newspaper
  • The Chanticleer - Student-run newspaper of Jacksonville State University

Magazine

Television

  • WJXS TV 24 - Local news, sports and programming

AM Radio

  • WCHA Alabama 810 - Local news, sports and Classic Country music

FM Radio

Notable people

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971. NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls. Records of the Post Office Department, Record Group Number 28, Washington, D.C.: National Archives
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "Climate". weather.gov. National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  12. ^ Calhoun County Center for the Arts Archived May 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "WLJS 91.9 Live Stream has moved - The Friendliest Campus in the South". www.jsu.edu. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  14. ^ "Sallie Curb Arnold". Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  15. ^ "Hindman, Thomas Carmichael - Biographical Information". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved May 31, 2007.
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