Union Springs, Alabama

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Union Springs, Alabama
City
Union Springs at sundown
Nickname(s): Bird Dog Field Trial Capital of the World;
The Serendipity Center of the South
Location in Bullock County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 32°8′24″N 85°42′46″W / 32.14000°N 85.71278°W / 32.14000; -85.71278Coordinates: 32°8′24″N 85°42′46″W / 32.14000°N 85.71278°W / 32.14000; -85.71278
Country United States
State Alabama
County Bullock
Settled 1835
Incorporated 1844
Government
 • Type Mayor/Council
 • Mayor John McGowan
Area
 • Total 6.7 sq mi (17.3 km2)
 • Land 6.6 sq mi (17.2 km2)
 • Water 0.08 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation 522 ft (159 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 3,980
 • Density 601/sq mi (231.9/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 36089
Area code 334
FIPS code 01-77880
GNIS feature ID 0128349

Union Springs is a city in Bullock County, Alabama, United States.[1] The population was 3,980 at the 2010 census.[2]

History

The area that became Union Springs was first settled by white men after the Creek Indian removal of the 1830s. Twenty-seven springs watered the land, giving rise to the name of Union Springs. The city was incorporated on January 13, 1844. When Bullock County was formed in 1866, voters selected Union Springs as the county seat.[3]

Geography

Union Springs is located in southeastern Alabama near the center of Bullock County at 32°8'24.407" North, 85°42'46.094" West (32.140113, -85.712804)[4]. The source of the Conecuh River is within the city limits.

The city is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 82 and U.S. Route 29. Route 82 leads east 40 miles (64 km) to Eufaula and northwest 46 miles (74 km) to Montgomery, the state capital. Route 29 leads north 23 miles (37 km) to Tuskegee and southwest 40 miles (64 km) to Troy.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Union Springs has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.3 km2), of which 6.6 square miles (17.2 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.93%, is water.[2]

Demographics

Aerial view of Union Springs

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,670 people, 1,393 households, and 909 families residing in the city.[6] The population density was 535.2 inhabitants per square mile (206.6 /km2). There were 1,617 housing units at an average density of 235.8 per square mile (91.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.41% Black or African American, 22.81% White, 0.33% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.84% of the population.[6]

There were 1,393 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.5% were married couples living together, 32.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.15.[6]

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 30.4% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.[6]

The median income for a household in the city was $18,520, and the median income for a family was $20,645. Males had a median income of $17,059 versus $15,966 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,666. About 38.7% of families and 40.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 55.8% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over. Please note the different between the median average and mean average.[6]

Education

Union Springs is served by the Bullock County School District. There are two highs schools in the city: Bullock County High School and Bullock County Career Technical Center. There is one middle school, South Highlands Middle School, and one elementary school, Union Springs Elementary.

Conecuh Springs Christian School is a private school for grades K through 12.

Media

Radio

  • WQSI 93.9 FM (Modern Rock)

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service operates the Union Springs Post Office.[7]

Alabama Department of Corrections operates the Bullock Correctional Facility in an Unincorporated community in Bullock County, east of Union Springs.[8][9]

Economy

Originally the center of a cotton growing region, the arrival of the railroad spurred new economic growth after the Civil War. By the early 1900s, many of the old cotton plantations had become hunting preserves, attracting tourists. The city remains the economic hub of the surrounding agricultural counties.[3]

Recreation and culture

Union Springs hosts annual field trials for hunting dogs. These trials take place between October and March and attract participants from around the country.[10]

Notable natives

Gallery

  • The Bullock County Courthouse in Union Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Union Springs at sundown

  • Sardis Baptist Church, located just outside of Union Springs, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 29, 2001.

  • A historical marker near Union Springs shows the Indian Territory boundary line created by the Treaty of Fort Jackson.

  • Foster House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Union Springs has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Union Springs city, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved September 18, 2013. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Schmidt, Greg. "Union Springs". Encyclopedia Alabama. Retrieved 7 January 2010. 
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  5. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Fact Sheet- Union Springs city, Alabama". American Fact Finder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 7 January 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Post Office™ Location - UNION SPRINGS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on July 4, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Bullock Correctional Facility." Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on July 1, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Union Springs city, Alabama." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on July 4, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Field Trials". City of Union Springs, Alabama. Retrieved 7 January 2010. 
  11. ↑ Climate Summary for Union Springs, Alabama

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union Springs, Alabama.
Municipalities and communities of Bullock County, Alabama, United States
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