Atmore, Alabama

Atmore
—  City  —
Atmore Location in Alabama.
Coordinates: 31°1′23″N 87°29′31″W
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Escambia
Area
• Total	8.3 sq mi (21.7 km2)
• Land	8.3 sq mi (21.6 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation	282 ft (86 m)
Population (2007)
• Total	7,427
• Density	924.8/sq mi (353.7/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	36502-36504
Area code(s)	251
FIPS code	01-03004
GNIS feature ID	0113272

Atmore is a city in Escambia County, Alabama, United States. The city possesses a culture similar to its neighboring metropolitan of Mobile, Alabama. Atmore is in the planning stages to increase its economic base with additions in its new Rivercane development along the I-65 corridor.

Atmore has completed requirements to be recognized as an Alabama Community of Excellence at the upcoming Alabama League of Municipalities Convention. City officials are also working with Alabama Historical Commission to have the downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

On May 23, 2007, Atmore turned 100 years old.

The federally recognized Poarch Band of Creek Indians is also headquartered in Atmore.

Geography

Atmore is located at 31°1′23″N 87°29′31″W (31.023183, -87.492067).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (22 km²), of which, 8.3 square miles (21 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (0.36%) is water.

Demographics

2000 Census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,676 people, 3,148 households, and 2,071 families residing in the city. The population density was 922.5 people per square mile (356.2/km²). There were 3,535 housing units at an average density of 424.9 per square mile (164.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 49.48% White, 46.31% Black or African American, 2.41% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,148 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% 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 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 79.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,867, and the median income for a family was $29,813. Males had a median income of $28,114 versus $19,594 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,734. About 20.0% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Atmore is home to various local schools within the Escambia County Public School System, including: Rachel Patterson Elementary School, A. C. Moore Elementary School, Escambia County Middle School (the largest school in the system), and Escambia County High School (the first public high school in the state of Alabama). It is also home to Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School as well as several other private schools.

Higher Education

Atmore is home to an adjunct campus of Jefferson Davis Community College based in Brewton, which offers associates degrees and technical school training.

Government and infrastructure

The Holman Correctional Facility of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is in unincorporated southwestern Escambia County, 9 miles (14 km) north of Atmore. Holman has a male death row and the State of Alabama execution chamber. In addition Fountain Correctional Facility is about 7 miles (11 km) north of Atmore, in an unincorporated area. Atmore is governed by a mayor and members of a city council elected from five districts within the city.

History

Atmore was first recorded as a stop on the Mobile and Great Northern Railroad. The town was named after Mr. C.P. Atmore, General Passenger Agent of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, who was a friend of Mr. Carney. Mr. Carney owned a sawmill in town and was a very prominent citizen. The town was originally going to be named Carney, but Mr. Carney had a brother who had already established a town and named it Carney nearby. The town then decided to let Mr. Carney name the town. He named it after his close friend Mr. Atmore, who never visited Atmore.

Local Economy

For most of the 20th century, the Atmore area was primarily a farming, timber, and light industry community. Major commercial industries have been Masland Carpets, Alto, and a local lumber company. For many years, the Vanity Fair lingerie company operated a manufacturing sewing plant in Atmore, offering employment to local citiznes and surrounding communities.

With federal recognition and the founding of gaming casinos, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians near I-65 has increased its relative economic contributions to the region. The tribe operates The Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, which provides for tourism and conferences. Wind Creek is home to Fire Steakhouse specializing in world class cuisine. Wind Creek is one of few four diamond hotels in the state.

Traffic

The City of Atmore is close by the Interstates 65 and 10. Highway 31 runs through the city. The city has one of only two AMTRAK stops in southern Alabama. It is also home for major coast to coast freight haulers, like Alabama & Gulf Coast and CSX. In addition, Atmore has a city municipal airport.

Health Care

Atmore Community Hospital, an affiliate of Baptist Health Care of Pensacola, Florida offers full service acute care in a two-story, 51-bed facility.

Recreation Facilities

Atmore has several recreational and sportsfacilities. Besides the usual sportfacilities, the main facilities are the Atmore Heritage Park and Claude D. Kelley State Park.

Local Events

Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention Musicians from across the state come to Atmore the third Saturday in July to compete for prizes in the fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bands and vocals division.

Poarch Creek Indian Pow-wow The local Poarch Creek Indians host an authentic Thanksgiving annually. Visitors enjoy turkey, dressing, and roasted corn as dancers from many tribes gather to compete. Over 100 booths display arts and crafts, quilts and other keepsakes of the Creek Indian culture.

Mayfest On the first Saturday in May at Tom Byrne Park, Atmore celebrates Mayfest with sports events, arts and crafts and a variety of food. There are many different forms of entertainment, including a Beautiful Baby Contest and a Pooch Parade.

William Station Day Held the 4th Saturday of October, Williams Station Day celebrates Atmore’s history beginning in 1866 as Williams Station. The event includes an arts and crafts show, an old time fiddler's tent, professional entertainment, a model train show, and sugar cane mill.

Notable people

• Evander Holyfield, four-time World Heavyweight boxing champion, was born in Atmore.
• Paul Birch, American actor and the original "Marlboro Man"[1], was born in Atmore.
• Bobby Brantley, 13th Lieutenant Governor of Florida
• Don McNeal, star defensive back for Alabama and the Miami Dolphins, was born and raised in Atmore.
• Ron Middleton, former Auburn University and NFL tight end
• William C. Maxwell, namesake of Maxwell Air Force Base.

External links

• Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce
• City of Atmore
• Poarch Creek Indians