Clanton, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clanton
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Clanton City Hall
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| Motto(s):
"A good place to visit...a better place to live!"
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Location of Clanton in Chilton County, Alabama.
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| 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)
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| • Total | 14,545 | ||
| • Estimate
()
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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
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| 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.
Contents
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 | |||||||||||||
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| 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 |
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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 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
In Spanish: Clanton (Alabama) para niños
