Arab, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arab, Alabama
|
|
|---|---|
| City of Arab | |
Main Street (SR 69)
|
|
| Motto(s):
"Proud of our past... embracing the future"
|
|
Location in Marshall and Cullman counties, Alabama
|
|
 Arab, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Arab, Alabama
Location in the United States
Arab, Alabama
Location in North America
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| Counties | Marshall, Cullman |
| Named for | Arad Thompson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.45 sq mi (34.84 km2) |
| • Land | 13.32 sq mi (34.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,089 ft (332 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 8,461 |
| • Density | 635.21/sq mi (245.25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
35016
|
| Area codes | 256, 938 |
| FIPS code | 01-02116 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0113194 |
Arab is a city in Marshall and Cullman counties in the northern part of the U.S. state of Alabama, located 10 miles (16 km) from Guntersville Lake and Guntersville Dam, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 8,461.
Contents
Etymology
The name of the town was an unintentional misspelling by the U.S. Postal Service in 1882 of the city's intended name, taken from Arad Thompson, the son of the town founder and first postmaster Stephen Tuttle Thompson. Two other names for the town were sent to the Postal Service for consideration: "Ink" and "Bird". Arab has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.
History
Arab was incorporated in 1892.
Geography
Arab is located on top of Brindlee Mountain at 34°19′40″N 86°29′55″W / 34.32778°N 86.49861°W (34.327863, -86.498613). The city is primarily in southern Marshall County; a small portion extends south into Cullman County.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.1 square miles (34.0 km2), of which 14.0 square miles (36.3 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 1.02%, is water. The town's elevation is 1,124 feet (343 m) above sea level.
Demographics
City of Arab
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 264 | — | |
| 1930 | 425 | 61.0% | |
| 1940 | 640 | 50.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,592 | 148.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,989 | 87.8% | |
| 1970 | 4,399 | 47.2% | |
| 1980 | 6,053 | 37.6% | |
| 1990 | 6,321 | 4.4% | |
| 2000 | 7,174 | 13.5% | |
| 2010 | 8,050 | 12.2% | |
| 2020 | 8,461 | 5.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Arab was incorporated as a town in 1892, but it did not first report a population on the census until the 1920 U.S. Census.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 8,050 people in 3,359 households, including 2,257 families, in the city. The population density was 620 inhabitants per square mile (240/km2). There were 3,693 housing units at an average density of 284.1 square miles (736 km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.7%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 3,359 households 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.6% of households were one person and 14.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% 65 or older. The median age was 42.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median household income was $42,435 and the median family income was $64,432. Males had a median income of $44,401 versus $40,062 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,986. About 13.3% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,630 | 90.18% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 32 | 0.38% |
| Native American | 43 | 0.51% |
| Asian | 105 | 1.24% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed | 343 | 4.05% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 304 | 3.59% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,461 people, 3,177 households, and 2,094 families residing in the city.
Arab Precinct/Division (1920-)
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 1,474 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,891 | 28.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,249 | 18.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,739 | 21.8% | |
| 1960 | 6,659 | 143.1% | |
| 1970 | 9,008 | 35.3% | |
| 1980 | 11,393 | 26.5% | |
| 1990 | 12,187 | 7.0% | |
| 2000 | 14,220 | 16.7% | |
| 2010 | 15,490 | 8.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Arab Precinct (Marshall County 26th Precinct) first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census. In 1960, it was changed to the Arab Census Division as part of a general reorganization of counties. The census division only includes the Marshall County portion of the town of Arab. The Cullman County portion is in the Baileyton-Joppa Census Division.
Infrastructure
Utilities
Electricity service in Arab is provided through Arab Electric Cooperative, which buys power through the Tennessee Valley Authority. Water service in Arab is provided through Arab Water Works, which gets water from Browns Creek in Guntersville Lake. Natural gas is also provided in Arab through Marshall County Gas District, which is based out of Guntersville.
Transportation
U.S. Highway 231
Alabama State Route 69
Notable people
- Liles C. Burke, judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- Vernon Derrick, fiddle and mandolin player
- Fred Nall Hollis, artist
- Jill King, singer/songwriter
- Jack Lively, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Wayne Mills, country music singer
See also
In Spanish: Arab para niños
