Boaz, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boaz, Alabama
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City
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Boaz in 2012
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| Nickname(s):
City of Possibilities
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Location in Etowah and Marshall counties, Alabama
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Alabama |
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| Counties | Marshall, Etowah | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor and Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 14.61 sq mi (37.85 km2) | ||
| • Land | 14.55 sq mi (37.68 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 1,073 ft (327 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,107 | ||
| • Density | 694.64/sq mi (268.2/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
35957, 35956
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| Area code(s) | 256 | ||
| FIPS code | 01-07912 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2403886 | ||
Boaz is a city located in the state of Alabama in the United States. It is found in both Marshall and Etowah counties. The part of Boaz in Marshall County is near Albertville.
In 2020, about 10,107 people lived in Boaz. The city was once very famous for its many outlet shops.
Contents
History of Boaz
Boaz was first settled in the 1850s. The Sparks family from Georgia officially founded the town on November 11, 1878. A post office opened in 1887. The city got its name from the Bible, after a character named Boaz. It officially became a city in 1897.
Before World War II, Boaz mainly grew cotton. But problems like tiny insects called boll weevils and the Great Depression (a time when many people lost their jobs and money) made farmers change. They started raising animals like livestock and chickens instead.
After World War II, Boaz became known for selling cars. This business is still important in the city today.
In the early 1980s, a company called VF Corporation opened an outlet store in an old factory. This store was very successful. Soon, many other stores opened their own outlets in Boaz. By the late 1980s, Boaz was a big tourist attraction. It had about 130 outlet stores and attracted five million visitors each year!
However, over time, fewer customers came to Boaz. By the early 1990s, the number of stores dropped to 80. The Great Recession in the 2000s caused even more stores to close. In 2016, some of the old outlet buildings were even torn down.
Several important buildings in Boaz are listed on special lists because of their history. These include the Julia Street Memorial United Methodist Church, parts of Snead State Community College, the Thomas A. Snellgrove Homestead, and the Edward Fenns Whitman House. The Boaz Elementary School and the First Baptist Church are also on a list of important landmarks.
Geography of Boaz
Boaz is located in the southeastern part of Marshall County. It also stretches south into Etowah County. The city sits on top of a flat-topped mountain called Sand Mountain. It is about 1,080 feet (329 meters) above sea level.
To the north of Boaz is Albertville. To the southeast is Sardis City. A main road, U.S. Route 431, goes through the east side of Boaz. This road leads north to Guntersville (about 16 miles away) and south to Gadsden (about 20 miles away).
The city of Boaz covers an area of about 14.6 square miles (37.8 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area is water. Most of the water in Boaz flows west into creeks that eventually join the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. The eastern parts of the city drain into a different creek that flows north into the Tennessee River. This area is part of the Tennessee Valley Divide, which separates where water flows.
Population of Boaz
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 253 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,010 | 299.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,369 | 35.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,691 | 23.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,927 | 14.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,078 | 59.7% | |
| 1960 | 4,654 | 51.2% | |
| 1970 | 5,635 | 21.1% | |
| 1980 | 7,151 | 26.9% | |
| 1990 | 6,928 | −3.1% | |
| 2000 | 7,411 | 7.0% | |
| 2010 | 9,551 | 28.9% | |
| 2020 | 10,107 | 5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the city of Boaz had a population of 10,107 people. There were about 3,494 households, which are groups of people living together.
Most people in Boaz are White. There are also smaller groups of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people. About 20% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
In 2010, the average household had about 2.5 people. The average family had about 3.1 people. About 26% of the people in Boaz were under 18 years old. The median age was 36 years old.
Education in Boaz
Boaz has its own school system called the Boaz City School System. It was formed in May 2004, separating from the Marshall County School system.
Boaz is also home to Snead State Community College. This college offers many different programs for students.
Climate in Boaz
Boaz has a climate known as a "Humid Subtropical Climate." This means it has relatively high temperatures. It also gets a good amount of rain spread out throughout the year.
Notable People from Boaz
Many interesting people have come from Boaz, Alabama:
- James Fischer: An engineer who helped develop important technology for computer chips.
- Tim Hodge: A voice actor and director, known for his work with Big Idea Entertainment.
- Jody Hunt: Served as a United States Assistant Attorney General.
- Rose Maddox: A talented country music singer-songwriter and fiddle player.
- Wayne Peterson: A professional racing car driver.
- Eddie Priest: A former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- John Roberts: A brave person who received the Navy Cross award.
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