| LaFayette, Alabama | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| A statue honoring boxing legend and native son, Joe Louis, stands in Chambers County Courthouse Square in LaFayette. | |
| Location in Chambers County, Alabama | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Chambers |
| Incorporated | January 7, 1835 |
| Named for | Marquis de Lafayette [1] |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Matthew K. Hurst |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.9 sq mi (22.9 km2) |
| • Land | 8.9 sq mi (22.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 843 ft (257 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 3,234 |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 36862 |
| Area code(s) | 334 |
| FIPS code | 01-40672 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0164071 |
| Website | http://www.lafayetteal.com |
LaFayette (Pronounced: /la-ˈfeɪ-ɛt/ lah-FAY-et, /la-ˈfaɪ-ɛt/ lah-FYE-et, or /ˈlə-feɪ-ɛt/ LUH-fay-et) is the county seat of Chambers County, Alabama, United States, 47 miles (76 km) northwest of Columbus, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 3,234.[2]
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Chambers County was formed in 1832. The newly elected county officials opted to locate the county seat as near as possible to the center of the county. Lots for the new town were auctioned in October 1833, with proceeds from the sale financing the construction of a courthouse and jail. The town was first called Chambersville, but by the time of incorporation on January 7, 1835, the town name had been changed to LaFayette.[1]
Scenes from the movie Mississippi Burning were filmed at the Chambers County Courthouse and in downtown LaFayette.[1]
Lafayette is the birthplace of heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis. An eight-foot bronze statue was erected in his honor in front of the Chambers County courthouse.[3] It is also the hometown of Hoyt L. Sherman, one of artist Roy Lichtenstein's principal art professor/mentors at The Ohio State University.
LaFayette is located at 32°53'54.859" North, 85°24'2.822" West (32.898572, -85.400784)[4]. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23 km2), all of it land.[5]
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 3,234 people, 1,164 households, and 779 families residing in the city.[2] The population density was 365.4 inhabitants per square mile (141.1 /km2). There were 1,305 housing units at an average density of 147.5 square miles (382 km2).[5] The racial makeup of the city was 67.29% Black or African American, 32.07% White, 0.03% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[2]
There were 1,164 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.17.[2]
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.[2]
The median income for a household in the city was $22,768, and the median income for a family was $29,167. Males had a median income of $26,081 versus $20,859 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,845. About 25.1% of families and 28.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.8% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.[2]
The Chambers County School District provides public education for LaFayette. Within the city limits are two high schools (Lafayette High School and the Chambers County Career Technical School), one middle school (JP Powell Middle School), and one elementary school (Eastside Elementary School).
Chambers Academy (grades pre-K through 12) is a private school in LaFayette.
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