Owens Cross Roads, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owens Cross Roads, Alabama
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Location of Owens Cross Roads in Madison County, Alabama
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Alabama | ||
| County | Madison | ||
| Incorporated | October 9, 1967 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 7.970 sq mi (20.642 km2) | ||
| • Land | 7.852 sq mi (20.338 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.118 sq mi (0.306 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,594 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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2,917 | ||
| • Density | 334/sq mi (129.1/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP Code |
35763
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| Area code(s) | 256 and 938 | ||
| FIPS code | 01-57504 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2407060 | ||
Owens Cross Roads is a small town in Madison County, Alabama, United States. It's part of the larger Huntsville-Decatur area. The town officially became a town on October 9, 1967. In 2020, about 2,594 people lived there. The town is also home to Brazelton Cemetery.
Contents
History of Owens Cross Roads
The history of Owens Cross Roads goes back to the early 1800s. Pioneers from states like Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia moved into the area. Families with names like Wood, Parker, and Craig settled here.
A man named Thomas J. Owens came from Virginia. He built his family home near where two roads crossed. Because of his home at "the cross roads," the community was named Owens Cross Roads.
The community grew steadily over the years. A large business building was built near the intersection. It had a post office (started in 1861), a general store, and a blacksmith shop. Owens Cross Roads first appeared on maps in 1850.
After the Civil War, more people moved to the area. New businesses opened, and a new school was built. It replaced an older school made of logs. In the early 1900s, nearby cities like Huntsville and Guntersville grew. This made Owens Cross Roads a popular stop for travelers between these larger towns. For a long time, the town mostly grew cotton. Later, in the 1920s and 1930s, farmers started growing other crops too.
Becoming an Official Town
Owens Cross Roads officially became a town in 1967. The town hall is located on Highway 431 South, which is a busy road today. The town is proud of its achievements. It has the first "Blue Ribbon School" in Madison County. This means the school is recognized for being excellent. The town also has a highly praised Volunteer Fire Department. Its Police Department works hard to keep the citizens safe.
Geography and Location
Owens Cross Roads is located at 34°35′10″N 86°27′31″W / 34.58611°N 86.45861°W. The town sits in a wide valley. This valley was formed by the Flint River. The town is surrounded by rugged hills and mountains. To the west is Green Mountain, and to the east is Keel Mountain.
Huntsville is to the northwest, across Green Mountain. New Hope is just southeast of the town. Paint Rock is northeast, across Keel Mountain. U.S. Route 431 goes through Owens Cross Roads. This highway connects the town to Huntsville and Guntersville.
In 2020, the population of Owens Cross Roads grew to over 2,000 people. This means it met the requirements to be considered a city under Alabama law.
The town covers about 7.97 square miles (20.64 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 7.85 square miles (20.34 square kilometers). A small part, about 0.12 square miles (0.31 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 767 | — | |
| 1980 | 804 | 4.8% | |
| 1990 | 695 | −13.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,124 | 61.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,521 | 35.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,594 | 70.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,917 | 91.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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The population of Owens Cross Roads has changed over the years. In 1970, there were 767 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 2,594. In 2023, it was estimated to be around 2,917 people.
Who Lives in Owens Cross Roads?
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,992 | 76.79% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 201 | 7.75% |
| Native American | 35 | 1.35% |
| Asian | 29 | 1.12% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.15% |
| Other/Mixed | 212 | 8.17% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 121 | 4.66% |
According to the 2020 census, there were 2,594 people living in Owens Cross Roads. These people lived in 978 households, and 718 of these were families. There were also 1,032 housing units in the town.
In 2010, there were 1,521 people. About 91.5% of the people were White. About 3.6% were Black or African American. Other groups included Native American, Asian, and people of two or more races. About 2.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In 2010, about 30.4% of households had children under 18. Most households (53.3%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.41 people. The average family had 2.91 people.
The median age in 2010 was 38.1 years old. This means half the people were younger than 38.1 and half were older.
Education in Owens Cross Roads
The local schools in Owens Cross Roads are part of the Madison County Schools district.
Notable People from Owens Cross Roads
- Edward Troye, a famous painter.
See also
In Spanish: Owens Cross Roads para niños
