Lipscomb, Alabama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lipscomb is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,458.

[edit] Geography

Lipscomb is located at 33°25′38″N, 86°55′21″W (33.427308, -86.922475)^GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,458 people, 901 households, and 634 families residing in the city. The population density was 832.5/km² (2,163.6/mi²). There were 1,108 housing units at an average density of 375.3/km² (975.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 32.55% White, 65.58% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 2.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 901 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,865, and the median income for a family was $35,556. Males had a median income of $26,908 versus $21,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,582. About 15.9% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

With the large number of retired older people on fixed incomes and many others without jobs there have been quite a few occasions when the city has become financially unstable. At least twice the city has been forced into bankruptcy. A few years ago the city put in a new sewer system which was badly needed. However, many homes are still using septic tanks. The new sewer system placed an unneeded heavy burden on the residents, who are paying the cost on their already high monthly water bill. With the high cost of Homeowner's insurance and fire insurance, many homes are not insured at all or are woefully underinsured. As a result, when most homes burn down they are not rebuilt due to the high cost of replacement. Many vacant lots can be seen in every area of the city.

The city does not have their own U.S. Post Office or ZIP code. They share the Bessemer, Alabama ZIP code(35020) which causes the casual observer to believe the city is part of Bessemer. This is not true, although the residents pay their water and sewer bill to the City of Bessemer.

With very few businesses within the city limits, the city derives little from state sales taxes. Most residents buy their groceries and other needs in surrounding cities. To try and add to the city income, the city attempts to keep several police cars operating, so as to produce revenue from speeding tickets and other traffic violations. The pay for police officers isn't really adequate, so there is a big turnover within the police force.