Geneva, Alabama

Geneva
City
The Geneva County Courthouse in Geneva
Location in Geneva County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Geneva
Government
• Mayor	Philip Carter
Area
• Total	15.1 sq mi (39 km2)
• Land	14.9 sq mi (38.5 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation	95 ft (29 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	4,452
• Density	290.6/sq mi (112.5/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	36340
Area code(s)	334
FIPS code	01-29464
GNIS feature ID	0118889

Geneva is a city in and the county seat of Geneva County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the largest city of Geneva County, and has a population of 4,452 according to the 2010 census.

History

In late December 1862, the Union steamship USS Bloomer was in port on the Choctawhatchee River in Geneva. She was captured by a group of Union troops from the 91st New York Volunteers led by E.D. Bruner. The Bloomer was then taken to Pensacola, Florida.

On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of Kinston, Samson and Geneva, Michael McLendon went on a shooting rampage, killing ten people and wounding six more before committing suicide.

Geography

Geneva is located at (31.038181, -85.876677).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.1 square miles (39 km²), of which, 14.9 square miles (39 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) of it (1.20%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	637		—
1900	1,032		62.0%
1910	969		−6.1%
1920	1,581		63.2%
1930	1,593		0.8%
1940	2,803		76.0%
1950	3,579		27.7%
1960	3,840		7.3%
1970	4,398		14.5%
1980	4,866		10.6%
1990	4,681		−3.8%
2000	4,388		−6.3%
2010	4,452		1.5%
Est. 2014	4,454		0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,388 people, 1,801 households, and 1,197 families residing in the city. The population density was 295.1 people per square mile (113.9/km²). There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 141.0 per square mile (54.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.12% White, 14.18% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,801 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,452 people, 1,826 households, and 1,204 families residing in the city. The population density was 294.8 people per square mile (113/km²). There were 2,090 housing units at an average density of 141 per square mile (54/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.2% White, 14.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 1.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,826 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.3 who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

Landscape

Constitution Oak, a live oak at the river junction in Geneva. It is believed to be among the largest and oldest live oaks in the state.

Geneva is settled on the junction of the Choctawhatchee River and Pea River. The Choctawhatchee River runs all the way to the Choctawhatchee Bay at Freeport, Florida, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Because of this, Geneva was a busy trading center for steam-powered riverboats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Culture

Every year in April, Geneva holds a River Festival, which brings in hundreds of people from all over the country to the small town. The River Festival is held on the junction of the two rivers, at Robert Fowler Park, and has many competitive events, such as a five-mile (8 km) road race, greasy pole climb, canoe race, and tug-of-war.

Education

Geneva has the James A. Mulkey Elementary School, Geneva Middle School, and Geneva High School located within its city limits.

Notable native

• Elizabeth B. Andrews, former U.S. Representative, wife of congressman George William Andrews, and the first woman to represent Alabama in the United States House of Representatives
• Siran Stacy, former NFL running back

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, Geneva has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

External links

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion