Phil Campbell, Alabama

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Phil Campbell is a town in Franklin County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,091.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Local Features
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Phil Campbell is located at 34°21′5″N, 87°42′27″W (34.351505, -87.707414)^GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.6 km² (4.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,091 people, 458 households, and 317 families residing in the town. The population density was 103.2/km² (267.4/mi²). There were 535 housing units at an average density of 50.6/km² (131.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.99% White, 0.27% Native American, 0.18% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 458 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,598, and the median income for a family was $30,221. Males had a median income of $24,219 versus $17,316 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,053. About 14.2% of families and 20.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Local Features

The town was founded in 1857. The town continues to flourish this very day. Highlights of the downtown district include the Chat 'n' Chew and Mrs D's. Other businesses include Piggly Wiggly, H&R Block, and Dollar General. The town has three traffic lights. Prominent local figures include former mayor Frieda Eubanks, Brett Borden, Tommy "Hutty" Hutcheson, Nelda Moss, Bill Moss, James Ergle (2006 Alabama governor candidate), Harold Dean, Seth Stalcup (former Postmaster) and Jerry "CT" Thomas. Prominant local annoyances include Andrew Harris.

The high school's mascot is the bobcat. The baseball team went to the state finals in 2005 and 2006.

Every summer Phil Campbell hosts their annual celebration, The Downtown Hoedown (formerly Phil Campbell Day). During this celebration there are carnival rides, car shows, and high-priced homecrafts for sale. Local bands and singers perform in the bank parking lot during the evening.

The town is home to a campus of Northwest-Shoals Community College (the state's first junior college). Before Christmas every year, students from NWSCC perform The Legend of Toyland. This is a live coreographed performance set to pre-recorded narration. Schools from surrounding counties bring students to watch the entertaining performance that has been running for 25+ years. Lanny McAlister (music director at NWSCC) is credited for the creation of the production as well as directing it all these years.

Phil Campbell is also home to Dismals Canyon. A privately owned, natural conservatory that has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. Dismals Canyon features a natural swimming pool, natural shelters used by various aboriginal tribes for over 10,000 years, nature trails, rare luminous insects, and natural rock formations.