Smiths Station, Alabama

Smiths Station
City
Location of Smiths Station in Lee County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 32°32′21″N 85°05′55″W / 32.53917°N 85.09861°W / 32.53917; -85.09861Coordinates: 32°32′21″N 85°05′55″W / 32.53917°N 85.09861°W / 32.53917; -85.09861
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Counties	Lee
Government
• Mayor	Fred Copeland[1]
Area[2]
• City	6.95 sq mi (17.99 km2)
• Land	6.92 sq mi (17.92 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation	370 ft (113 m)
Population (2010)[3]
• City	4,926
• Estimate (2016)[4]	5,341
• Density	772.04/sq mi (298.10/km2)
• Metro	150,933
Time zone	Eastern (EST)
ZIP codes	36877
Area code(s)	334
FIPS code	01-71190
Website	Official website

Smiths Station is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States.

The city is a part of the Columbus, Georgia-Phenix City, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is also known by locals as "Smiths", although the official name is "Smiths Station". At the time of the 2000 census, it was still a census-designated place (CDP), and its population was 21,756. The area that incorporated as Smiths Station in 2001 was much smaller than the CDP, and contained a population of 4,926 according to the 2010 census. Smiths Station is a bedroom community of Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama. Smiths Station High School has an enrollment of 1,800+ students and is the 11th largest high school in the state.

History

Smiths Station was first settled in 1826. The Central of Georgia Railway was extended through the community from Columbus, Georgia to Opelika, Alabama in 1845. The depot was named for Mr. Broadus Smith, a prominent early settler who lived near the city's current location.^[5]

According to the local legend, a postmaster around 1960 grew tired of writing Smiths Station, so he took it upon himself to drop "Station" from the name of the community.

Smiths Station was officially incorporated on June 22, 2001, and is as of 2004 Alabama's second newest city next to Center Point.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 6.740 square miles (17.46 km²), of which 6.713 square miles (17.39 km²) is land and 0.027 square miles (0.070 km²) is water.^[6]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Smiths Station has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[7]

Demographics

Note from 1990-2001, community was listed as Smiths CDP on the U.S. Census. Precipitous drop in population from 2000-2010 was due to just a segment of the CDP being incorporated into city of Smiths Station. The remainder of the former CDP was disbanded as a separate entity for the 2010 census.^[10]

Lowther House in Smiths Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,756 people, 7,806 households, and 6,252 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 305.7 people per square mile (118.0/km²). There were 8,437 housing units at an average density of 118.6 per square mile (45.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.79% White, 12.67% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 2.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,806 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,977, and the median income for a family was $47,765. Males had a median income of $32,246 versus $23,707 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,608. About 7.2% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,926 people, 1,913 households, and 1,407 families residing in the city. There were 8,437 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 80.3% White, 15.9% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 2.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,913 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,969, and the median income for a family was $54,698. Males had a median income of $38,294 versus $25,394 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,678. About 7.5% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Smiths Station is a part of the Lee County Schools.

There is one high school in Smiths, Smiths Station High School. The school colors are black and white with a secondary use of silver. The sports teams are called "The Panthers." The school's "cheer squads" are award-winning and appear at all football and basketball games. In years past the football team had more success, being the state's third most school to appear in state championship games. The "Panther Spirit Marching Band" has been invited to march for the Queen of the United Kingdom and has performed in the Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA. The band holds three Grand Championship awards and numerous best-in-class awards. The track and field team has been nationally ranked several times and has numerous alumni throughout the nation competing at the DI, DII, and professional levels.

Notable people

• Michael Kenneth Finney, a professional welterweight boxer, was born in Smiths Station.^[11]
• Conway Twitty attended Smiths Station High School, where he played high school baseball.^[12]

References

External links

• Official website