Daphne, Alabama
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| Daphne, Alabama | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Baldwin |
| Area | |
| - Total | 14.1 sq mi (36.5 km²) |
| - Land | 13.5 sq mi (34.9 km²) |
| - Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 16,581 |
| - Density | 1,176/sq mi (454.3/km²) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 36526 |
| Area code(s) | 251 |
| FIPS code | 01-19648 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0157933 |
Daphne is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, USA on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay. The city is located just off I-10, 11 miles east of Mobile, Alabama and 150 miles southwest of Montgomery the State Capital. The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 16,581[1] making Daphne the most populous city in Baldwin County.[2]
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[edit] Geography
Daphne is located at 30°37'52.640" North, 87°53'11.184" West (30.631289, -87.886440)[3]. It is one of three cities that are collectively known as Eastern Shore by locals. They are Spanish Fort to the north, Daphne in the center and Fairhope to the south.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.1 square miles (36.5 km²), of which, 13.5 square miles (34.9 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (4.47%) is water.
Nearby communities include: Spanish Fort, Mobile, Fairhope, Loxley, Point Clear, Silverhill, Robertsdale, Summerdale, and Foley.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 16,581 people, 6,563 households, and 4,670 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,230.5 people per square mile (475.3/km²). There were 7,222 housing units at an average density of 536.0/sq mi (207.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.33% White, 12.35% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,563 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,603, and the median income for a family was $61,563. Males had a median income of $46,576 versus $29,052 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,597. About 2.6% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
The city of Daphne likely dates to the middle of the 16th century with some historical evidence dating to 1557 and the period of Spanish Exploration. Prior to that time the region was populated by a variety of Native American tribes. In 1763, the community of Daphne was established and was most often known simply as "the Village." The town of Daphne was officially established in April of 1874 when the Post Office for Daphne was opened. It was the county seat of Baldwin County, Alabama from 1868 until 1900.
Local historians record that Daphne was once the county seat of Baldwin County until 1900 when all of the county records were stolen during the middle of the night and moved to Bay Minette, Alabama. The Alabama Legislature affirmed this action and Bay Minette, Alabama remains today as the county's seat of government.
Daphne is also known to the locals as the "Jubilee City". To the locals, a Jubilee in Mobile Bay is when, most frequently during the summer months, unusual occurrences of a phenomenon where crabs, shrimp, and fish from the waters of Mobile Bay are scattered along its coastline due to the possible loss of oxygen in the water.
Explosive population growth rates during the 1990s and 2000's caused Daphne's citizens to reign in the sprawl. Only until recently has the city's government been able to wrest control of the growth in an orderly way.
Daphne is one of the few municipalities in the county that has not yet enacted a smoking ban in public areas. In January 2008, the City Council was actively discussing such a prohibition. [2]
[edit] Government
Daphne is an incorporated city in Baldwin County, Alabama. It is governed by a mayor and city council, both of which are elected by popular vote every four years. In February, 2008, Daphne became the last of the large cities in Baldwin County to enact a public smoking ban. After contentious council meetings, the ban was passed while exempting bars, private clubs and up to 30% of rooms in a hotel. [5]
[edit] Mayor
Daphne’s current mayor is Fred Small, who is presently in his first term. Small was elected over long-time incumbent Harry Brown. Small, who serves as a full-time mayor, is also a businessman who operates a local convenience store.
[edit] City Council
A seven member city council serves the city of Daphne. Council Members include the following:
Bailey Yelding, Jr., District One
Cathy Barnette, District Two
John L. Lake, District Three
Greg W. Burnam, District Four
Ron Scott, District Five
Open, District Six
August Palumbo, District Seven
[edit] Education
Public school in Daphne are part of the Baldwin County Public Schools system. Three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school serve the Daphne area.
[edit] Public schools
[edit] Secondary schools
[edit] High schools
- Daphne High School (9-12)
[edit] Middle schools
- Daphne Middle School (6-8)
[edit] Primary schools
- Daphne East Elementary School (K-6)
- Daphne Elementary North Campus (K-3)
- Daphne Elementary South Campus (4-6)
[edit] Private schools
- Bayside Academy (K-12)
- Christ the King Catholic School (K-8)
[edit] Higher education
- The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, special mission school of sport offering sport-specific residential and online distance learning programs to students, teachers, and administrators around the world. In addition, it houses the American Sport Art Museum and Archives.
- Huntingdon College has a comprehensive graduate school in Daphne that focuses in business and professional graduate programs.
[edit] Recreation
Daphne is served by six public parks, the largest of which are:
- Trione Park is a large multifield sports complex.
- Lott Park is an older, multi-field baseball and tennis park.
- Centennial Park is a small children's play park.
- May Day Park includes a large playground for young children, a boat launch into Mobile Bay and a pier.
- Bayfront Park is a small drive up park that fronts on the bay and includes an elevated hall for parties and receptions, business meetings, etc. Gator Alley Boardwalk winds through the estuary and ends at a small pier. Also located on this park is the Richard Scardimalia Pavilion where weddings are also performed.
- Village Point Park Preserve is the largest park in Daphne and was once referred to as Jackson Oak Park. It is an estuary for wildlife. A historic cemetery is also located on the property.
[edit] References
- ^ "Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights" (for Daphne, AL), US Census Bureau, 2007, webpage: US-Census-DaphneAL.
- ^ a b Folks fired up over city wide smoking ban (english). AL.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Henderson, Russ (2008-02-19). Daphne council approves smoking ban (english). al.com. Press-Register. Retrieved on February 19, 2008.
[edit] External links
- Daphne, Alabama is at coordinates Coordinates:
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