Hobson City, Alabama

Hobson City, Alabama
Town

Location in Calhoun County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 33°37′7″N 85°50′36″W / 33.61861°N 85.84333°W / 33.61861; -85.84333
Country United States
State Alabama
County Calhoun
Government
 • Mayor Alberta McCrory
Area
 • Total 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km2)
 • Land 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 728 ft (222 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 771
 • Density 740/sq mi (285.6/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
FIPS code 01-35152
GNIS feature ID 0159780
Website www.hobsoncityhall.com

Hobson City is a town in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 771.[1] It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Hobson City was Alabama's first self-governed all-black municipality.[2]

History

According to Town Hall records, much of the area now included in the corporate limits of the Hobson City was once within the city of Oxford, Alabama. During the late 19th century, the area was known as "Mooree Quarter". The black vote from that area was a controlling factor during municipal elections. An account provided by an early settler of the community has been passed down through the years. In that account, a black person was elected as the Oxford justice of the peace. As a result, and in keeping with campaign promises, an Oxford mayor went to the state capitol and had the corporate boundaries of Oxford redrawn to exclude Mooree Quarter and the black vote.

The town was incorporated on August 16, 1899. Records from an Alabama newspaper, The Peoples' Journal, described the municipality as "the only municipality controlled and governed entirely by colored people anywhere in the United States." The newspaper further commented, "The whole country will doubtless be interested in the result of this experiment." Under the leadership of the first mayor, S. L. Davis, and the first police chief, James Duran, police protection was restored to the area. The town was named after Richmond P. Hobson, a white naval hero and member of Congress. More than a century has passed since incorporation. The town recently had buildings placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently in the process of qualifying other buildings as well. During November 2008, Alberta C. McCrory was sworn in as the 2008–2012 mayor.

Geography

Hobson City is located in southern Calhoun County at 33°37'6.589" North, 85°50'36.330" West (33.618497, -85.843425).[3] It is bordered by the city of Oxford to the south and the city of Anniston to the north.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.7 km2), all land.[1]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1900292—
191034417.8%
19203717.8%
19304048.9%
194050825.7%
195067232.3%
196077014.6%
19701,12446.0%
19801,26812.8%
1990794−37.4%
200087810.6%
2010771−12.2%
Est. 2015768[4]−0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
2013 Estimate[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 878 people, 363 households, and 242 families residing in the town. The population density was 802.8 people per square mile (311.0/km²). There were 415 housing units at an average density of 379.5 per square mile (147.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 6.15% White, 92.71% Black, 0.23% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 363 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.2% were married couples living together, 35.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town the age distribution of the population shows 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 76.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,589, and the median income for a family was $20,368. Males had a median income of $21,667 versus $19,583 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,992. About 30.7% of families and 30.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.7% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.

References

  1. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Hobson City town, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Alabama's oldest black city fading away". Lodi News-Sentinel. May 26, 2009. p. 12. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

Coordinates: 33°37′07″N 85°50′36″W / 33.618497°N 85.843425°W / 33.618497; -85.843425

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