Hueytown, Alabama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hueytown is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 15,364.

Hueytown was the home of the legendary NASCAR Alabama Gang. It also made international headlines with the unexplainable "Hueytown Hum," a mysterious noise once believed to be related to an underground coal mine in the area.

Recently Hueytown has undergone major economic growth with the opening of a new shopping center anchored by a Publix Super Market, which opened on April 26, 2006. A Cingular store, Chic nails, And Xpress Ship is also in this strip mall.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 The Alabama Gang
4 Culture
5 Education
6 HYT
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Hueytown is located at 33°26′16″N, 86°59′51″W (33.437709, -86.997579)^GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.1 km² (11.6 mi²). 30.1 km² (11.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.17%) is water.

It is considered a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, and is included in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 15,364 people, 6,155 households, and 4,517 families residing in the city. The population density was 510.9/km² (1,323.7/mi²). There were 6,519 housing units at an average density of 216.8/km² (561.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.81% White, 15.49% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,155 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,225, and the median income for a family was $49,380. Males had a median income of $36,087 versus $26,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,735. About 5.3% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] The Alabama Gang

Hueytown was home to one of the dominant racing groups in NASCAR, the Alabama Gang. The city's main thoroughfare, Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive, takes its name from drivers Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Davey Allison, Clifford Allison and Neil Bonnett.The Alabama Gang also includes racing legend Charles "Red" Farmer.

[edit] Culture

Churches often play a supportive role in this community. In recent years several have experienced dramatic changes. Although Garywood Assembly of God may be one of metro Birmingham's best-known churches, conducting many large-scale dramatic performances, campmeetings and revivals over the past quarter-century, it announced in 2004 it will move its facilities to nearby McCalla. However, explosive growth has caused necessary expansion to Union Hill Baptist Church in the Rock Creek area, and North Highlands Baptist Church which is moving into a new facility off 15th Street Road near the Virginia Mines subdivision.

Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, located in the heart of Hueytown, has played a historic role in the life of the community. The church's chimes can be heard throughout the central district, hearkening back to the traditions of small town life. Missions such as the Jesus Pantry help feed those who are hungry, while the Master's Craftsmen have built churches all over America. With ministries for all ages, Pleasant Ridge remains committed to serving Hueytown as it has since 1875 -- as "Caring People, Sharing Christ."

[edit] Education

Hueytown's public schools are part of the Jefferson County school system. Schools serving the city include Hueytown High School, Hueytown Middle School, Hueytown Elementary School and North Highland Elementary School. Two private religious schools, Garywood Christian School and Brooklane Baptist Academy, are located in Hueytown.