Jemison, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jemison
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| Motto(s):
Community - Government - Agriculture
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Location of Jemison in Chilton County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Alabama | |
| County | Chilton | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 11.42 sq mi (29.57 km2) | |
| • Land | 11.35 sq mi (29.38 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) | |
| Elevation | 719 ft (219 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,642 | |
| • Density | 232.88/sq mi (89.91/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
35085
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| Area code(s) | 205, 659 | |
| FIPS code | 01-38608 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0151885 | |
Jemison is a friendly city located in Chilton County, Alabama, in the United States. It's a place with a rich history and a growing community. In 2020, about 2,642 people called Jemison home. Interestingly, the exact middle point of Alabama's population is found just outside Jemison, in an area known as Jemison Division.
Contents
Geography of Jemison
Jemison is in the northern part of Chilton County. It's located at 32°57'31.792" North and 86°44'36.841" West.
The city covers a total area of about 29.2 square kilometers (about 11.3 square miles). Most of this area, about 29.0 square kilometers (11.2 square miles), is land. A small part, about 0.2 square kilometers (0.08 square miles), is water.
History of Jemison
Jemison is found where the Appalachian Mountains gently end. Long ago, the Creek Indians lived here because of the natural springs in the area.
Early Settlement and Naming
The first house in the area was built in 1869 by R.J. Langston. Stagecoach drivers traveling between North and South Alabama would often stop here to rest. They called the place Langston Station, or Langstonville. Later, it became known as "Jemison Springs" and finally, just Jemison.
The town started growing quickly around 1870. This was after the L&N Railroad completed its tracks through the area. Building the railroad had started in 1854 but was stopped and damaged during the American Civil War.
Colonel John T. Milner was in charge of building the railroad section that went through Langston Station. He suggested naming the area "Jemison." This was in honor of Colonel Robert Jemison, a successful businessman from Tuscaloosa. Colonel Jemison had a stagecoach line based in Langston Station and helped a lot with building the Alabama-Chattanooga Railroad.
Becoming an Incorporated City
In 1870, a post office was set up in Jemison. The city was officially incorporated (meaning it became a legal city) for the first time in 1907. It was then reincorporated with a new official plan in 1919.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 102 | — | |
| 1900 | 245 | — | |
| 1910 | 413 | 68.6% | |
| 1920 | 419 | 1.5% | |
| 1930 | 459 | 9.5% | |
| 1940 | 456 | −0.7% | |
| 1950 | 847 | 85.7% | |
| 1960 | 977 | 15.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,423 | 45.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,828 | 28.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,898 | 3.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,248 | 18.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,585 | 15.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,642 | 2.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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Jemison's Population in 2020
In 2020, the census counted 2,642 people living in Jemison. There were 946 households and 733 families.
| Race | Number of People | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic or Latino) | 1,929 | 73.01% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) | 401 | 15.18% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.11% |
| Asian | 6 | 0.23% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.04% |
| Other/Mixed | 90 | 3.41% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 212 | 8.02% |
Jemison's Population in 2010
According to the 2010 census, there were 2,585 people living in Jemison. The population density was about 231 people per square mile (89 people per square kilometer).
There were 997 households. About 30.5% of these households had children under 18 living with them. About 53% were married couples.
The average age of people in the city was 38.7 years. About 25.2% of the population was under 18 years old.
Schools in Jemison
Jemison has several schools that are part of the Chilton County School System, providing education from kindergarten through high school. There is also a private school option.
Jemison Elementary School
Jemison Elementary School (JES) teaches students from Kindergarten through 3rd grade. In 2006, it had over 900 students, making it the largest school in Chilton County at that time. It is known for its strong academic performance.
Jemison Intermediate School
Jemison Intermediate School (JIS) is a newer school in Jemison. It serves students in grades 4 through 6. Its goal is to create a safe and positive learning space where students can reach their full academic potential.
Jemison Middle School
Students in 7th and 8th grades attend Jemison Middle School.
Jemison High School
Jemison High School was built in 1963. It has about 800 students and teaches grades 8 through 12. The school's mascot is the black panther. Their mission is to provide a safe, positive, and encouraging place for students to learn important academic and life skills.
Chilton Christian Academy
Chilton Christian Academy is a private, faith-based school. It was started in 1977 by members of the Victory Baptist Church. This school teaches students from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. It also offers various sports and extra-curricular activities.
Transportation
Chilton County Transit offers a "dial-a-ride" bus service in Jemison. This means you can call and arrange for a bus to pick you up.
Notable People from Jemison
Jemison has been home to several interesting people who have made a name for themselves:
- Sheldon Fitts (1899–1985), a football player for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1920.
- Ruby Sales (born 1948), an African-American social activist.
- Winston M. Scott (1909–1971), an officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.
- David Wheeler (1950–2022), who served as an Alabama state representative.
- Reynolds Wolf (born 1970), a well-known meteorologist and journalist.
See also
In Spanish: Jemison (Alabama) para niños
