Phenix City, Alabama

Phenix City, Alabama
City

Aerial view of Phenix City

Location in Russell County and the state of Alabama
Phenix City, Alabama

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 32°28′15″N 85°00′10″W / 32.47083°N 85.00278°W / 32.47083; -85.00278Coordinates: 32°28′15″N 85°00′10″W / 32.47083°N 85.00278°W / 32.47083; -85.00278
Country United States
State Alabama
Counties Russell, Lee
Government
 • Mayor Eddie N. Lowe
Area
 • Total 24.8 sq mi (64.1 km2)
 • Land 24.6 sq mi (63.7 km2)
 • Water 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation 243 ft (74 m)
Population (2013)[1]
 • Total 37,498
 • Density 1,139.7/sq mi (469.06/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 36867-36870
Area code(s) 334
FIPS code 01-59472
GNIS feature ID 0155193
Website http://www.phenixcityal.us

Phenix City is a city in Lee and Russell counties in the State of Alabama, and the county seat of Russell County.[2] As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 32,822.

Phenix City lies immediately west across the Chattahoochee River from much larger Columbus, Georgia. Sometimes called Hub City, Phenix City is included in the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, but a section is located in Lee County, and is, therefore, in the Auburn, Alabama metropolitan area.

In 2007, BusinessWeek named Phenix City the nation's #1 Best Affordable Suburb to raise a family.[3]

Currently, the mayor is Eddie N. Lowe, the city's first black mayor elected by the public. The city manager, who holds the task of organizational matters, is Wallace Hunter.

Geography

Phenix City is located at 32°28′22″N 85°1′12″W / 32.47278°N 85.02000°W / 32.47278; -85.02000 (32.472822, -85.020121).[4] It is the easternmost settlement in the state of Alabama as well as the Central Time Zone, but it uses the Eastern Time Zone, due to the city's proximity to the state of Georgia.[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.8 square miles (64 km2), of which 24.6 square miles (64 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.61%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Phenix City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[6]

Climate data for Phenix City, Alabama
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 57
(14)		 61
(16)		 69
(21)		 77
(25)		 84
(29)		 90
(32)		 92
(33)		 91
(33)		 86
(30)		 77
(25)		 68
(20)		 59
(15)		 76
(24)
Average low °F (°C) 36
(2)		 39
(4)		 45
(7)		 52
(11)		 61
(16)		 69
(21)		 72
(22)		 71
(22)		 66
(19)		 54
(12)		 44
(7)		 38
(3)		 54
(12)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.1
(104)		 4.5
(114)		 5.7
(145)		 4.1
(104)		 3.8
(97)		 3.9
(99)		 5.3
(135)		 4
(100)		 3.3
(84)		 2.3
(58)		 3.6
(91)		 4.5
(114)		 49.1
(1,247)
Source: Weatherbase [7]

History

Russell County Courthouse in Phenix City

What some claim was last battle of the Civil War took place in Phenix City, then known as Girard.[8]

What is Phenix City today initially began as two towns bordering each other on the north and south. On the south side was Girard, in Russell County, and the town of Brownville, on the north side, which was entirely within Lee County. Because a community in Tuscaloosa County already claimed the name of Brownville, the post office insisted on the name of "Lively." To compound the confusion, the nearby railroad depot was called Knight's Station. Because residents preferred Brownville, on the 1880 U.S. Census, it was listed as both Brownville and Lively. It was formally incorporated by the legislature on February 23, 1883.[9]

Within the decade, the name would be changed to Phenix (or Phenix City), although some misspellings had it as "Phoenix." It was not clear if it was named for Phenix Mills in adjacent Columbus, Georgia, or for the fabled bird. It appeared as Phenix City on the 1890 U.S. Census and was incorporated as such on February 19, 1897 by the state legislature.

On August 9, 1923, Russell County's neighboring Girard (which made up most of current downtown Phenix City) and Lee County's Phenix City formally merged, keeping the name of Phenix City. Because the consolidated city still remained divided into two counties, in 1932, the Lee County portion was moved entirely into Russell County (also cited for the redraw was to account for population shifts involved in the Auburn University opening and expansion). Lee County received the rural segment centered on Marvyn as compensation, which was formerly in Russell County's northwest corner.

In 1926, the Russell County portion of Phenix City was designated the second county seat (the seat from 1868 had been at rural Seale). In 1934/35, Phenix City then became sole county seat.

Phenix City was notorious during the 1940s and 1950s for being a haven for organized crime, prostitution, and gambling. Many of its customers came from the United States Army training center at Fort Benning, Georgia. The leaders of the crime syndicate in Phenix City were Jimmie Matthews and Hoyt Sheppard. Albert Patterson, from Phenix City, was elected to become attorney general of Alabama on a platform of reforming the city, but was brutally shot down outside his office on 5th Ave, N of 14th Street. As a result, the city had a negative reputation, and many people still associate this legacy with Phenix City. The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama by Margaret Ann Barnes chronicles these events, which led the small town to be known as "Sin City, USA". The bordertown was the subject of an acclaimed film, The Phenix City Story, made in 1955.

In 1955, it won the All-America City Award from the National Municipal League.

Curiously, despite the city having been entirely annexed into Russell County in 1932, the growth of the city has spread northward back into Lee County, where it first appeared on 1980 U.S. Census records. As of 2010, nearly 4,200 residents (out of almost 33,000) reside in the Lee County portion, almost exactly the same number that lived in Phenix City in 1910 (which was then entirely in Lee County).[10]

Religion

Phenix City is home to many Christian churches. The denominations include:[11]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18802,224—
18903,70066.4%
19004,16312.5%
19104,5559.4%
19205,43219.3%
193013,862155.2%
194015,35110.7%
195023,30551.8%
196027,63018.6%
197025,281−8.5%
198026,9286.5%
199025,312−6.0%
200028,26511.7%
201032,82216.1%
Est. 201537,570[13]14.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
2013 Estimate[15]
Phenix City Municipal building

As of the census of 2000, there were 28,265 people, 11,517 households, and 7,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,149.1 people per square mile (443.6/km²). There were 13,250 housing units at an average density of 538.7 per square mile (208.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.94% White, 44.97% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,517 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% 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 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,720, and the median income for a family was $33,740. Males had a median income of $28,906 versus $21,348 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,619. About 18.8% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 20.6% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 32,822 people, 13,243 households, and 8,623 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,334.2 people per square mile (515.3/km²). There were 15,198 housing units at an average density of 617.8 per square mile (238.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.7% White, 46.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 4.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,243 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.1 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,120, and the median income for a family was $39,417. Males had a median income of $36,827 versus $27,001 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,883. About 20.3% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.7% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Time zone

Although Alabama is legally in the Central Time Zone, Phenix City's proximity to the larger city of Columbus, Georgia causes Phenix City (including its municipal government) and areas within a 10-15 mile radius (such as Smiths Station) to observe Eastern Time on a de facto basis.[16][17][18][19]

Media

Phenix City also receives all major television networks and radio stations from nearby Columbus, Georgia. There are, however, three radio stations licensed in Phenix City: WURY-LP (97.1 FM), WGSY (100.1 FM), and WHAL (1460 AM).

Sister cities

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Best Affordable Suburbs 2007". BusinessWeek. December 13, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ↑ "EXTREME SETTLEMENTS: A COMPREHENSIVE LIST". Weekend Roady. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  6. ↑ Climate Summary for Phenix City, Alabama
  7. ↑ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on September 28, 2013.
  8. ↑ The Last True Battle
  9. ↑ http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2133
  10. ↑ 1880-2010 U.S. Censuses research on Brownville and Phenix City, Alabama
  11. ↑ Churches in Phenix City, Alabama
  12. ↑ Adventist Church Connect - Phenix City
  13. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  16. ↑ "northamerica". tzdata. IANA. 2012c. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
  17. ↑ "A time zone can be a state of mind". The Huntsville Times. 2005-08-26. p. 2A.
  18. ↑ Grubman, Cathy (1994-10-27). "What Time Is It Anyway? It Depends on Your Location & the Season". The Washington Post.
  19. ↑ "Exceptions, Oddities, and Notes". OnTimeZone.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
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