| Piedmont | |
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| — City — | |
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Piedmont
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| Counties | Calhoun, Cherokee |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council (7 members) |
| • Mayor | Brian Young |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.8 sq mi (25.3 km2) |
| • Land | 9.8 sq mi (25.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 702 ft (214 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 5,120 |
| • Density | 522.4/sq mi (202.4/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 36272 |
| Area code(s) | 256 |
| FIPS code | 01-59640 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0160373 |
| Website | City of Piedmont |
Piedmont is a city in Calhoun and Cherokee counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 5,120 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. Many surrounding communities utilize the 36272 ZIP code, including Spring Garden, Rock Run, Knighten's Crossroads, and Nance's Creek. The current mayor Brian Young, who is serving his first term, was elected in 2008.
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The area now known as Piedmont is a community that began in the early 1840's, located at the crossroads of two early post roads. Major Jacob Forney Dailey of North Carolina came to Alabama in 1848 and bought land in present-day Piedmont. Major Dailey named the area Cross Plains, and an official post-office was named Cross Plains on September 22, 1851. On July 30, 1888, the Postal Department renamed the office Piedmont, which means "Foot of the Mountains".
An F4 tornado struck the community on Palm Sunday 1994, killing twenty people at Goshen United Methodist Church, destroying two other area churches mid-service as well as many homes in the town and neighboring communities.
Piedmont is located at 33°55'33.618" North, 85°36'47.293" West (33.926005, -85.613137).[1] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25 km2). Many streams flow through the local forests.
The Piedmont City School athletic teams are known as the Bulldogs. Piedmont High School is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, and participates in Class 3A Football, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling, Golf, Volleyball, and Track.
On December 3, 2009, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL, Head Coach Steve Smith led Piedmont to a 35-28 overtime win over the Cordova Blue Devils in the AHSAA 3A State Championship Game. Quarterback Chase Childers earned Most Valuable Player honors.
On February 6, 2009, under head coach Harley Lamey, the Piedmont High School Wrestling Team won the first state championship in school history. At the AHSAA 1A-4A State Wrestling Championship, the bulldogs had two individual champions, two runners-up, and nine wrestlers that placed. The bulldogs were 14-0 in dual meets.
Piedmont is home to the Chief Ladiga Trail. The Seaboard/CSX Railroad was converted into a recreational bike and walking trail as non-motorized way to travel, exercise, and relax while enjoying the outdoors. The Chief Ladiga Trail and the Silver Comet Trail stretch nearly 100 miles from Anniston, AL to Atlanta, GA making it the longest paved trail in the United States.
Hundreds of cyclists from more than 20 states participate in the Cheaha Challenge every year. The "Toughest Ride in the South" is a recreational bicycle ride that starts at Piedmont's Civic Center following the Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway and ending at the top of Cheaha Mountain, Alabama's highest point. The Cheaha Challenge was selected as a Top 10 Event in the State of Alabama by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 5,120 people, 2,221 households, and 1,481 families residing in the city. The population density was 524.9 people per square mile (202.8/km²). There were 2,495 housing units at an average density of 255.8 per square mile (98.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.77% White, 9.38% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.
There were 2,221 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,893, and the median income for a family was $32,163. Males had a median income of $27,274 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,220. About 17.8% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
The Piedmont City School District consists of three schools: Piedmont Elementary School, Piedmont Middle School, and Piedmont High School. The Piedmont athletic teams are known as the Bulldogs and the marching band is known as The Piedmont Blue Knights. Piedmont High School competes in the Alabama High School Athletic Association in Class 3A.
Piedmont City Schools implemented the very first One-to-One laptop program in the state of Alabama, giving every student and teacher in grades 4-12 a laptop computer to use at school and home.
The Piedmont City Schools system formed a partnership with Jacksonville State University and Apple Inc. to develop a pilot program that will be used as a national model for other school systems. [3]
America's Most Connected Schools - U.S. News & World Report
America's Best Schools [4] - U.S. News & World Report
Manufacturer of truck seats for heavy-duty trucks such as Freightliner and Mack Trucks.
Manufacturer of display showcases for retailers such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch.
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