Emelle, Alabama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emelle, Alabama
Town
Location of Emelle in Sumter County, Alabama.
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Sumter
Area
• Total	0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2)
• Land	0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	259 ft (79 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	32
• Density	151.66/sq mi (58.60/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35459
Area code(s)	205, 659
FIPS code	01-23872
GNIS feature ID	0155060

Emelle is a small town in Sumter County, Alabama, United States. It was named after the daughters of the man who gave the land for the town. Their names were Emma Dial and Ella Dial, which were combined to create "Emelle." The town began in the 1800s but officially became a town in 1981. Emelle was once known for its cotton farms.

The first mayor of Emelle was James Dailey, who served two terms. The current mayor is Roy Willingham Sr. In 2020, the town had a population of 32 people. Emelle is also known for being home to the largest hazardous waste landfill in the United States.

On January 12, 2023, a strong tornado caused a lot of damage to the community.

Town Location and Size

Emelle is located in Alabama at 32°43′48″N 88°18′52″W / 32.729882°N 88.314333°W / 32.729882; -88.314333.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town covers a total area of about 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Emelle's Population Changes

The population of Emelle has changed over the years. In 1990, there were 44 people. By 2000, the population dropped to 31. It then increased to 53 people in 2010 before decreasing to 32 people in 2020.

Who Lives in Emelle?

In 2020, there were 32 people living in Emelle. Most residents were Black or African American (81.25%). White people made up 9.38% of the population, and 9.38% were of mixed races.

In 2010, the town had 53 people. At that time, 94.3% of the residents were Black, and 5.7% were White.

Back in 2000, there were 31 people living in Emelle, making up 15 households and 10 families. The average household had about 2 people, and the average family had about 2.6 people.

The age of the population in 2000 was spread out. About 29% were under 18 years old, and 41.9% were between 45 and 64 years old. The average age was 42 years.

The Emelle Landfill

Emelle is home to a very large landfill for hazardous waste. It's sometimes called the "Cadillac of Landfills" because of its size. This landfill is owned by a company called Chemical Waste Management, Inc.

In 1978, Chemical Waste Management bought land near Emelle for the landfill. Sumter County, where Emelle is located, has many residents living below the poverty line. Most people living near the landfill are Black. This situation has led to discussions about "environmental racism." This term describes how polluting industries often end up in poorer communities, especially those with many minority residents.

The Emelle landfill became the largest hazardous waste landfill in the United States. It holds millions of tons of dangerous waste. It is built on top of the Eutaw Aquifer, which is an important source of water for a large part of Alabama.

Groups Involved in the Landfill Discussion

Many groups have been involved in discussions about the Emelle landfill:

• Chemical Waste Management: This is a very large company in the hazardous waste business. They handle waste for millions of homes and businesses.
• Regulatory Agencies: These are government groups like the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are in charge of making sure waste is handled safely and protecting the environment.
• Alabamians for a Clean Environment (ACE): This is a local group formed by citizens who wanted to close down the Chemical Waste Management landfill. They held protests and worked to get attention for their cause.

People in Emelle and other concerned citizens protested against the landfill. This protest was inspired by similar events in Warren County, North Carolina, where the idea of environmental justice first became widely known. The Emelle protest was important because it was the first time Black and White residents in Sumter County worked together publicly on a political issue.

The ACE group used methods like holding signs and getting media attention to share their message. They also got support from larger environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. Even with all their efforts, they were not able to shut down the landfill.

Economic Impact of the Landfill

Emelle is located in a part of Alabama known as the Black Belt. In the past, this area was important for cotton farming, and many people were enslaved. After the Civil Rights Act of 1964, things started to change. Black residents were elected to public office in Emelle in 1978.

The economy of the area also began to change. Sometimes, polluting industries would move into poor communities where local leaders had little say. Jobs were often offered in exchange for accepting the environmental risks. Some local leaders supported the landfill because it brought more money to the county's budget.

However, the landfill has faced problems over the years. These include fires, concerns about water pollution, and breaking environmental rules.

Notable People from Emelle

• Arthur Dial: An American painter and sculptor.
• Thornton Dial: A self-taught artist.

See also

In Spanish: Emelle para niños