Oneonta, Alabama facts for kids
Oneonta is a city located in Blount County, Alabama, United States. In 2020, about 6,938 people lived there. It's the main city, or county seat, of Blount County. Oneonta is also known for its fun Covered Bridge Festival.
Quick facts for kids
Oneonta
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City
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Oneonta is home to the Easley Covered Bridge, a county-owned, 95-foot (29 m) town lattice truss bridge built in 1927. Its WGCB number is 01-05-12.
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| Motto(s):
A Small City with Big Ideas
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Location of Oneonta in Blount County, Alabama
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Alabama | ||
| County | Blount | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 15.88 sq mi (41.14 km2) | ||
| • Land | 15.83 sq mi (40.99 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.14 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 873 ft (266 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,938 | ||
| • Density | 438.36/sq mi (169.25/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
35121
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| Area code | 205, 659 | ||
| FIPS code | 01-57000 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0152813 | ||
Contents
History of Oneonta
Oneonta got its name and a post office in 1889. It was named after Oneonta, New York, because a railroad official who lived there liked the name. Also in 1889, Oneonta became the main city of Blount County, taking over from Blountsville.
During World War II, a small camp for prisoners of war was located outside of Oneonta.
Geography and Location
Oneonta is in eastern Blount County. It sits in Murphree Valley, between Red Mountain and Sand Mountain to the northwest, and Straight Mountain to the southeast.
U.S. Route 231 goes right through the middle of the city. This road leads northwest about 7 miles to Cleveland, Alabama. It also goes southeast about 14 miles to Interstate 59 in Ashville.
The city covers a total area of about 15.88 square miles (41.14 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a small part being water.
Weather in Oneonta
Oneonta has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. The city gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.
People of Oneonta
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 583 | — | |
| 1910 | 609 | 4.5% | |
| 1920 | 876 | 43.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,387 | 58.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,376 | 71.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,802 | 17.9% | |
| 1960 | 4,136 | 47.6% | |
| 1970 | 4,390 | 6.1% | |
| 1980 | 4,824 | 9.9% | |
| 1990 | 4,844 | 0.4% | |
| 2000 | 5,576 | 15.1% | |
| 2010 | 6,567 | 17.8% | |
| 2020 | 6,938 | 5.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, Oneonta had 6,938 people living in the city. There were 2,565 households and 1,551 families.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 5,012 | 72.24% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 405 | 5.84% |
| Native American | 11 | 0.16% |
| Asian | 54 | 0.78% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed | 280 | 4.04% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,175 | 16.94% |
Population in 2010
In 2010, Oneonta had 6,567 people. There were 2,502 households and 1,630 families. About 28.4% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.46 people.
The median age in the city was 40.5 years. About 23.0% of the population was under 18.
City Government
Oneonta's city government includes Mayor Richard Phillips and a city council with five members. The council members are Judy Underwood, Sherry Pierce, Donald Bradley, Lee Alexander, and Robbie McAlpine.
Other important city leaders include:
- City Clerk: Amanda Stanfield
- Police Chief: Charles Clifton
- Fire Chief: Kenny Booth
Fun Things to Do and Events
Oneonta, Alabama, is home to the historic Covered Bridge Festival. This yearly event celebrates the old covered bridges in Blount County. It also features an arts and crafts fair with lots of entertainment.
You can visit the Blount County Memorial Museum in Oneonta. It has many resources for learning about family history. Palisades Park offers hiking trails and places to camp.
The Oneonta Business Association puts on the annual June Fling festival in the summer. This event has over 100 booths, a car show, entertainment, and a special Kidz Fun Zone. They also host a singing competition called the Singing Showdown. This group also helps with other projects like "Paint the Town" and "Light the Town," and the Festival of Lights.
Education in Oneonta
Public schools in Oneonta are managed by Oneonta City Schools. There are three schools:
- Oneonta Elementary School (for grades K-5)
- Oneonta Middle School (for grades 6-8)
- Oneonta High School (for grades 9-12)
A branch of Wallace State Community College is also located in the town, offering higher education.
Radio Stations
- WCRL 1570 AM – This station plays oldies music. You can also hear it on W237DH 95.3FM.
Transportation
The Blount County Public Transportation System provides bus service in the city. It's a "dial-a-ride" service, meaning you can call to arrange a ride.
Famous People from Oneonta
- Joe Gibbs — He helped start the Golf Channel.
- Osmond Ingram — A sailor in the United States Navy during World War I. He received the Medal of Honor after he passed away.
- Steve Patton — He was the head coach for the Gardner–Webb University football team from 1997 to 2010.
- Rusty Paul — He was the second mayor of Sandy Springs, Georgia.
- Kevin Sherrer — A college football player for Alabama who became a successful football coach.
See also
In Spanish: Oneonta (Alabama) para niños
