Wedowee, Alabama

Coordinates: 33°18′31″N 85°29′08″W / 33.308603°N 85.485447°W / 33.308603; -85.485447
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Wedowee, Alabama
FIPS code
01-80496
GNIS feature ID0153913

Wedowee is a town in Randolph County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 823, up from 818 in 2000. The small town is the county seat of Randolph County.[2] It was initially incorporated in 1836, but its charter lapsed by the late 19th century. It was reincorporated in 1901.[3]

Randolph County High School is located in Wedowee.

History

Wedowee, which means "old water" in the

Muscogee Creek people
.

Following

Indian Removal of the Creek in the 1830s to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River by the US government, this area was settled by European Americans. The town of Wedowee was designated as the county seat of Randolph County
in 1835. The county was developed for the cultivation of cotton as a commodity crop, with labor primarily done by enslaved African Americans, many of whom had been sold to the Deep South from the Upper South in the domestic slave trade.

Since the late 20th century, Lake Wedowee was created by the impoundment of the Tallapoosa River. This has enhanced the tourist drawing power of the town. Also known as the R. L. Harris Reservoir, the lake draws thousands of visitors to Wedowee every year. [4]

Geography

Wedowee is located on the Piedmont plateau at 33°18′31″N 85°29′8″W / 33.30861°N 85.48556°W / 33.30861; -85.48556 (33.308603, -85.485447).[5] It is also located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

The city is located in the central part of Randolph County along U.S. Route 431, which is the main route through the city. U.S. 431 leads northwest 34 mi (55 km) to Oxford and southeast 13 mi (21 km) to Roanoke. Alabama State Route 48 also runs through the city, leading northeast 9 mi (14 km) to Woodland and west 16 mi (26 km) to Lineville.

According to the

U.S. Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), of which 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.85%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870130—
1910435—
192051017.2%
1930396−22.4%
194052532.6%
19505596.5%
196091764.0%
1970842−8.2%
19809087.8%
1990796−12.3%
20008182.8%
20108230.6%
2020737−10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
2013 Estimate[7]

As of the

Latino
of any race.

There were 337 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,136, and the median income for a family was $37,292. Males had a median income of $24,250 versus $22,250 for females. The

poverty line
, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people


Gallery

  • Downtown Wedowee
    Downtown Wedowee
  • Wedowee City Hall
    Wedowee City Hall
  • The Randolph County Courthouse is located in Wedowee.
    The Randolph County Courthouse is located in Wedowee.
  • A historic marker which describes the early history of Randolph County is located on the grounds of the Randolph County Courthouse in Wedowee.
    A historic marker which describes the early history of Randolph County is located on the grounds of the Randolph County Courthouse in Wedowee.
  • This historic marker marks the site of the home of William Hugh Smith, 21st Governor of Alabama (1868–1870).
    This historic marker marks the site of the home of
    21st Governor of Alabama
    (1868–1870).

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Supplement for Alabama" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  4. ^ Small Town Historic Markers, Alabama Tourism Department, archived from the original on February 3, 2011, retrieved February 2, 2011
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ^ Alabama Governors -- William Hugh Smith, Alabama Department of Archives and History, archived from the original on May 7, 2016, retrieved March 24, 2011
  10. ^ "Jordan Scales". Clay Lacy Aviation. Retrieved August 30, 2023.

External links

33°18′31″N 85°29′08″W / 33.308603°N 85.485447°W / 33.308603; -85.485447

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