Harvest, Alabama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harvest, Alabama
Census-designated place
Post office and water tower in Harvest
Location in Madison County, Alabama
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Madison
Area
• Total	12.40 sq mi (32.11 km2)
• Land	12.33 sq mi (31.94 km2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Elevation	820 ft (250 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,893
• Density	477.82/sq mi (184.49/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35749
Area code(s)	256
FIPS code	01-33472
GNIS feature ID	2402570

Harvest is a community in Madison County, Alabama, United States. It's known as a census-designated place, which means it's a specific area counted by the census bureau. Harvest is part of the larger Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. In 2020, about 5,893 people lived in Harvest.

A Look at Harvest's Past

Harvest grew a lot in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This growth was thanks to a new railroad line that connected the community to Fayetteville, Tennessee. The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis (NC&StL) Railway later took over this line.

For many years, Harvest was a busy center along this railroad. It was located between the communities of Capshaw and Toney. Many of the first families in Harvest came from the Fayetteville area.

In 1929, the railroad line was closed. The tracks were removed, and the land was given to the Madison County Highway Department. Today, this old railroad path is a two-lane road called "Old Railroad Bed Road." It's still an important road for people traveling in the area.

Facing Strong Storms

Harvest has faced some very powerful tornadoes over the years. These storms caused a lot of damage, but the community has always worked hard to rebuild.

In April 1974, during a huge tornado outbreak, two very strong tornadoes hit Harvest within 30 minutes. Much of the community, especially near Old Railroad Bed Road, was severely damaged. Many homes and buildings were destroyed, and the community faced a big challenge to recover.

Another strong tornado hit Harvest in May 1995. This storm caused major damage to the Anderson Hills neighborhood. The community once again had to focus on rebuilding after the storm.

In April 2011, during another large tornado outbreak, Harvest suffered significant damage. A very powerful tornado, which also destroyed other towns, hit Harvest hard. Areas north of Nick Davis Road, between Old Railroad Bed Road and Wall Triana Highway, were especially affected. The Anderson Hills neighborhood was damaged again. It was a difficult time for the community, but people came together to help each other recover.

Just a year later, in March 2012, Harvest was hit by another damaging tornado. This storm affected the same area as the 2011 tornado. Some houses that were being rebuilt from the previous storm were damaged again. Despite these challenges, the community continued to show its strength and resilience.

Where is Harvest Located?

Harvest is located in northern Alabama. It sits at coordinates 34°51′10″N 86°44′53″W / 34.85278°N 86.74806°W / 34.85278; -86.74806.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Harvest covers about 12.4 square miles (32.1 square kilometers) of land.

Capshaw Mountain

The most noticeable natural feature in the Harvest area is Capshaw Mountain. It stands about 1,250 feet (381 meters) above sea level. This is about 800 feet (244 meters) higher than the land around it.

The top of Capshaw Mountain is home to several large communication towers. These towers are used by local radio stations. Capshaw Mountain also plays a role in providing water for the community.

Who Lives in Harvest?

The number of people living in Harvest has grown over the years.

In 2020, there were 5,893 people living in Harvest. The population was estimated to be around 6,934 in 2024.

Community Makeup

In 2020, the people living in Harvest came from many different backgrounds. About 52.3% of residents were White (non-Hispanic), and 32.5% were Black or African American (non-Hispanic). Other groups included Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races. About 6.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

There were 2,043 households in Harvest, with 1,642 of them being families.

Public Services for Residents

Harvest has several important public services that help the community run smoothly.

Water and Sewer

The Harvest-Monrovia Water and Sewer Authority provides water and sewer services to the community. They manage several large water storage tanks and have a modern water treatment facility.

Law Enforcement

The Madison County Sheriff's Department is in charge of keeping law and order in Harvest. They work to ensure the safety of all residents.

Fire Department

The Harvest Volunteer Fire Department is made up of about 40 dedicated volunteers. They serve the residents of West Central Madison County. The fire department has three stations with five fire engines and other rescue vehicles. They also get help from the Toney Volunteer Fire Department to the north and Monrovia Volunteer Fire/Rescue to the south.

Education in Harvest

The Madison County School System operates several schools in the Harvest area.

Sparkman High School is a large high school with many students in grades 10-12. A separate Sparkman Ninth Grade School was built in 2007 right across the street. Together, these two schools form one of the biggest high schools in North Alabama.

Middle school students in Harvest attend either Monrovia Middle School or Sparkman Middle School. There are also four elementary schools in the Harvest/Monrovia area: Harvest, Monrovia, Endeavor, and Legacy.

The Huntsville Madison County Public Library has a branch called the Monrovia Public Library. It's located in the Monrovia Community Center and is part of a well-supported library system in Madison County.

Harvest's Economy

The economy in Harvest relies a lot on building new homes. In 2003, more than 650 new houses were built in Harvest and the nearby Monrovia community.

Harvest is also home to many small and medium-sized businesses. Most people who live in Harvest work in the nearby cities of Madison and Huntsville.

The area's retail businesses are growing quickly, with new stores and restaurants opening. These businesses serve a wide area, including much of northwest Madison County and parts of nearby Limestone County.

A big boost to the local economy came in 2021 with the opening of the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant nearby. This plant is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Famous People from Harvest

• Bruce Maxwell – A professional baseball catcher who played for the Oakland As.
• Steve Raby – A political figure who was a Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative for Alabama's 5th congressional district in 2010.
• Derrick Stroup – A stand-up comedian who has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

See also

In Spanish: Harvest (Alabama) para niños