Rainsville, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rainsville
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Rainsville post office
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Location of Rainsville in DeKalb County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | DeKalb |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.71 sq mi (53.63 km2) |
| • Land | 20.69 sq mi (53.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,296 ft (395 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,505 |
| • Density | 266.03/sq mi (102.72/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
35986
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| Area code(s) | 256 |
| FIPS code | 01-63336 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404589 |
Rainsville is a city located in DeKalb County, Alabama, in the United States. It sits on top of Sand Mountain, which is part of the larger Cumberland Plateau. According to the 2020 census, about 5,505 people live in Rainsville.
Contents
History of Rainsville
Rainsville officially became a city in October 1956.
A very powerful storm, an EF5 tornado, hit the city on April 27, 2011. This tornado caused a lot of damage and resulted in 25 deaths. It started about 10 miles southwest of Rainsville. As it moved, it grew wider and stronger, reaching Rainsville and the nearby community of Sylvania. The storm was so strong that some houses were completely swept away.
Geography and Location
Rainsville is found in the northwest part of DeKalb County. It is bordered by several other towns: Sylvania to the northeast, Powell to the northwest, Shiloh to the southwest, and Pine Ridge to the southeast.
Main Roads in Rainsville
Two important roads, Alabama State Routes 35 and 75, meet in the middle of Rainsville.
- AL 35 goes northwest about 19 miles to Scottsboro. It also goes southeast about 9 miles to Fort Payne, which is the main city of DeKalb County.
- AL 75 heads northeast about 10 miles to Henagar. It also goes southwest about 26 miles to Albertville.
Area of the City
Rainsville covers a total area of about 20.7 square miles (53.3 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area, about 0.01 square miles (0.04 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 568 | — | |
| 1970 | 2,099 | 269.5% | |
| 1980 | 3,907 | 86.1% | |
| 1990 | 3,875 | −0.8% | |
| 2000 | 4,499 | 16.1% | |
| 2010 | 4,948 | 10.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,505 | 11.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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Rainsville first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1960. The population has grown quite a bit since then.
Who Lives in Rainsville?
The 2020 United States census showed that 5,505 people live in Rainsville. Most residents are White (about 88%). There are also people who identify as Native American, Black or African American, Asian, and those of two or more races. About 4.7% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Rainsville
Rainsville is home to several schools and educational centers.
Plainview High School
Plainview High School is located in Rainsville. It is known as the home of the Bears. The DeKalb County School System offices are also here. Plainview High School was classified as a 4A school for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
Other Schools
- Cornerstone Christian Academy is another school in Rainsville.
- DeKalb County Technology Center (DCTC) offers career and technical education. DCTC is recognized as one of the best centers for this type of education in the Southeastern United States. It has won awards for its excellent programs. DCTC has also won many state championships in SkillsUSA and HOSA competitions.
Notable People from Rainsville
Some well-known people have come from Rainsville:
- Lowell Barron was a member of the Alabama Senate for many years.
- Jeremy Pruitt was a head coach for the University of Tennessee football team.
- Nathaniel Ledbetter is the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.
See also
In Spanish: Rainsville (Alabama) para niños
