Cherokee, Alabama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cherokee is a town in Colbert County, Alabama. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,237.
[edit] Geography
Cherokee is located at (34.758297, -87.968549).GR1
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 1,237 people, 510 households, and 370 families residing in the town. The population density was 213.2/km² (552.5/mi²). There were 557 housing units at an average density of 96.0/km² (248.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 78.33% White, 20.21% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 510 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $24,597, and the median income for a family was $28,839. Males had a median income of $26,667 versus $20,096 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,431. About 18.6% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Prominent Local Figures
Notable local figures include Jimmy Payne, Homer Jean Kimbrough, L. O. Bishop, former mayor of Cherokee Billy Hamilton, the late Jack Strickland, and Mark Wallace. Of particular prominence is life-long resident, philosopher, and civic leader Darryl T. Wallace -- a truly great American -- who was a part of the dazzling 1985 Cherokee Indians varsity football team; ball carriers for opposing teams describe Wallace as a fierce defensive player who would "knock your jock off" when they crossed the line. Cherokee is also the adopted home-town of former resident Michael Patrick McClung. It is also a well-known fact that Elvis Presley spent quite a bit of time in Cherokee due to the fact that he had a lake view house on the Tennessee River.
Notable local figures include Molly Wilson, Jimmy Payne, Homer Jean Kimbrough, L. O. Bishop, former mayor of Cherokee Billy Hamilton, the late Jack Strickland, and Mark Wallace. Of particular prominence is life-long resident, philosopher, and civic leader Darryl T. Wallace -- a truly great American -- who was a part of the dazzling 1985 Cherokee Indians varsity football team; ball carriers for opposing teams describe Wallace as a fierce defensive player who would "knock your jock off" when they crossed the line. Cherokee is also the adopted home-town of former resident Michael Patrick McClung. It is also a well-known fact that Elvis Presley spent quite a bit of time in Cherokee due to the fact that he had a lake view house on the Tennessee River.
