Geneva, Alabama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geneva is a city in Geneva County, Alabama, the county seat of that county. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the largest city of Geneva County.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Landscape
4 Culture
5 Education
6 Historical Footnotes
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Geneva is located at 31°2′17″N, 85°52′36″W (31.038181, -85.876677)^GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.0 km² (15.1 mi²). 38.5 km² (14.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.20%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,388 people, 1,801 households, and 1,197 families residing in the city. The population density was 113.9/km² (295.1/mi²). There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 54.4/km² (141.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.12% White, 14.18% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,801 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,096, and the median income for a family was $30,543. Males had a median income of $25,824 versus $17,639 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,877. About 18.8% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.7% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Landscape

Geneva is settled on the junction of the Choctawhatchee River and Pea River. The Choctawhatchee River runs all the way to the Choctawhatchee Bay in Freeport, Florida, which connects to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of this, Geneva was a busy trading center for steam-powered riverboats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geneva is often compared by locals to New Orleans, Louisiana because, like New Orleans, parts of the town are near or below sea level and a levee is built around the town. The levee protects the town from being flooded by the two rivers.

Live oak at the river junction in Geneva.

[edit] Culture

Many Genevans find their passion in football, supporting the hometown Geneva High School Panthers.

Every year in April, Geneva holds a River Festival, which brings in tens of thousands of people from all over the country to the small town. The River Festival is held on the junction of the two rivers, and has many competitive events, such as a five-mile road race, greasy pole climb, canoe race, and tug-of-war. The Festival concludes with a concert, usually country music. Though a rather small town in terms of population, throughout the years Geneva has attracted big stars to play, such as Ronnie Milsap, Randy Travis, George Jones, and Aaron Tippin.

[edit] Education

Geneva has three schools: James A. Mulkey Elementary School, Geneva Middle School, and Geneva High School. All of them are public, so virtually all children who live in Geneva will attend those three schools during their pre-college academic years. These are also the only three schools that make up the Geneva City Schools System. The three schools all share a common mascot and nickname, the Panthers.

[edit] Historical Footnotes

In late December 1862 the Union steamship USS Bloomer was in port on the Choctawhatchee River in Geneva. She was captured by a group of Union troops from the 91st New York Volunteers lead by E.D. Bruner. The Bloomer was then taken to Pensacola, Florida.