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Clanton, Alabama facts for kids

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Clanton
Clanton City Hall
Clanton City Hall
Flag of Clanton
Flag
Official seal of Clanton
Seal
Motto(s): 
"A good place to visit...a better place to live!"
Location of Clanton in Chilton County, Alabama.
Location of Clanton in Chilton County, Alabama.
Country United States
State Alabama
County Chilton
Founded 1866
Incorporated April 23, 1873
Named for General James H. Clanton
Government
 • Type Council/Mayor
Area
 • Total 23.24 sq mi (60.18 km2)
 • Land 23.10 sq mi (59.83 km2)
 • Water 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2)
Elevation
600 ft (183 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 14,545
 • Estimate 
()
14,545
 • Density 625.86/sq mi (241.692/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
35045-35046
Area code(s) 205, 659
FIPS code 01-15136
GNIS feature ID 0157918

Clanton is a city located in Chilton County, Alabama. It is part of a larger group of cities called the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. In 2020, about 14,545 people lived there. Clanton is also the main city, or county seat, of Chilton County. It is very close to the geographic center of the state of Alabama.

History of Clanton

The city of Clanton was started by Alfred Baker in 1868. This was the same year that Chilton County was formed. Clanton was named after General James Holt Clanton, who was a general in the Confederate States Army. The city officially became a town on April 23, 1873. Alfred Baker was also chosen as the first mayor of Clanton.

Nearby, the Lay Lake Dam and Mitchell Dam were built. These were the first two dams by Alabama Power in the state. They helped bring economic growth to the area. Long ago, immigrants helped start the peach industry in Chilton County. Today, growing peaches is the most important industry in the county. It brings fame to the area and millions of dollars to the local economy. In 1993, the city of Clanton built a water tower shaped like a giant peach. This peach tower became a famous landmark for people traveling along Interstate 65.

Geography and Climate

Clanton is located in the southeastern part of Chilton County. Its exact coordinates are 32°50'23.316" North and 86°37'41.477" West. Clanton is about 37 miles northwest of Montgomery, Alabama. It is also about 144 miles southwest of Atlanta, Georgia.

The United States Census Bureau says that Clanton covers a total area of about 23.24 square miles (60.18 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 23.10 square miles (59.83 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.14 square miles (0.36 square kilometers), is water.

Clanton's Weather

The weather in Clanton has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Clanton has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and plenty of rainfall throughout the year.

Climate data for Clanton, Alabama
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 57
(14)
59
(15)
67
(19)
75
(24)
83
(28)
90
(32)
91
(33)
91
(33)
87
(31)
77
(25)
66
(19)
57
(14)
75
(24)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 36
(2)
37
(3)
44
(7)
51
(11)
59
(15)
67
(19)
69
(21)
69
(21)
63
(17)
51
(11)
41
(5)
36
(2)
50
(10)
Average precipitation inches (cm) 5
(13)
5.5
(14)
6.2
(16)
5
(13)
4
(10)
4
(10)
5.4
(14)
4.3
(11)
3.1
(7.9)
2.4
(6.1)
3.4
(8.6)
5
(13)
53.3
(136.6)
Source: Weatherbase

Population of Clanton

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 623
1900 611 −1.9%
1910 1,123 83.8%
1920 1,411 25.6%
1930 1,847 30.9%
1940 3,982 115.6%
1950 4,640 16.5%
1960 5,683 22.5%
1970 5,868 3.3%
1980 5,832 −0.6%
1990 7,669 31.5%
2000 7,800 1.7%
2010 8,619 10.5%
2020 14,545 68.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
2013 Estimate 2020

2020 Census Information

In the 2020 United States census, there were 8,768 people living in Clanton. These people made up 3,423 households. About 1,989 families lived in the city.

Economy and Industry

Chilton County grows more than 80% of all the peaches in Alabama. This shows how important peaches are to the area. The peach-shaped water tower in Clanton is a famous symbol of the city's strong farming background.

Clanton is a busy place, with over 30,000 people traveling through it every day. One of the biggest yearly events in Chilton County is the annual Peach Festival. It happens every June in Clanton. During the festival, a new Peach Queen is chosen. There is also a Peach Parade and the Peach Jam Jubilee, which is a music concert and street fair.

Clanton also has a hospital with 30 beds. It offers emergency care 24 hours a day.

Education in Clanton

The Chilton County School System provides public education for students in Clanton. Students living in Clanton can attend any public school within Chilton County.

High Schools

  • Chilton County High School (for grades 9 through 12)
  • LeCroy Technical Center (for grades 10 through 12)

Middle School

  • Clanton Middle School (for grades 7 and 8)

Elementary Schools

  • Clanton Intermediate School (for grades 4 through 6)
  • Clanton Elementary School (for grades K through 3)

College

  • Jefferson State Community College - Chilton-Clanton Campus

Transportation

The Chilton County Airport (FAA LID: 02A), also known as Gragg-Wade Field, is a public airport. It is located about one nautical mile (2 kilometers) east of downtown Clanton. The Chilton County Airport Authority owns and operates it.

Chilton County Transit offers a dial-a-ride bus service. This service helps people get around the city.

Media

Newspapers

  • The Clanton Advertiser (published daily)
  • Chilton County News (published weekly)

Radio Stations

  • WKLF - Southern Gospel 95.5FM & 1000AM (5 AM to 5 PM). It also plays "The Peach" with 5 Decades Of Rock and Roll Oldies (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, & 90s) from 5 PM to 5 AM. You can find it online at wklfradio.com and thepeach.live.
  • WPJN - Praise 89.3FM, which plays Contemporary Gospel music.

Culture and Recreation

Clanton peach water tower
Clanton's famous peach water tower

Clanton has hosted the yearly Chilton County Peach Festival since 1952. This festival celebrates the area's important peach industry.

The Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center (CCPAC) is a large building next to the Jefferson State Community College–Clanton campus. The City of Clanton and Jefferson State Community College worked together to build this modern facility. It is used for trade shows, special events, and conferences.

Clanton also has several parks and recreation areas:

  • Clanton City Park & City Pool
  • Corner Park
  • E.M. Henry Skills Center & Pool
  • Goosepond Park
  • Ollie Park
  • Clanton Recreation Center

Notable People

Many interesting people have come from Clanton, including:

  • Randall Atcheson, a concert pianist
  • James Bean, a former member of the Mississippi State Senate
  • Clay Carroll, a Major League Baseball player
  • Wesley Dennis, a country music artist
  • Amariah Farrow, a former professional football player
  • Demarcus Riddick, a 4-star linebacker for Auburn University
  • Jackie Hayes, a major league baseball player
  • Jackson W. Moore, former CEO of Union Planters Bank and Regions Financial Corporation
  • Clarence H. Mullins, a judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama from 1943 to 1957
  • Melinda Mullins, an actress
  • Jarrod Patterson, a major league baseball player
  • Mac Powell, the lead singer for the Christian rock band Third Day
  • Drew Roy, an actor
  • Grayson Russell, a child actor

See also

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