Hamilton, Alabama

Hamilton was founded in the early 19th century by settlers who moved to the Alabama Territory from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. It is built upon lands that once served as "hunting grounds" for the Chickasaw people. The city was first called "Toll Gate", but its name later changed in honor of one of its distinguished citizens, Captain Albert James Hamilton (known as A.J. Hamilton), who had represented Marion County in the state legislature in the sessions of 1869, 1874 and 1875. Captain Hamilton donated forty acres of his land to the town. The same forty acres were then divided into lots and sold to help defray the cost of building the courthouse.The Heritage of Marion County, Alabama, vol. 47, Clanton, Al. 2000, p. 275 {{ISBN|1-891647-28-8}} The Toll Gate community was elected in 1881 to be the next county seat, and by 1883 the Marion County courthouse in Pikeville had ceased to be functional. When the courthouse was moved from Pikeville to Toll Gate, the town's name was then changed from Toll Gate to Hamilton. On March 30, 1887, the newly built county courthouse was destroyed by fire.Marion Herald, April 5, 1887, pg 8 It was again rebuilt with wood, but replaced in 1901 with native sandstone.

During the Civil War, Union forces passed through the town in search of goods and horses. A detachment of Wilson's Cavalry destroyed by fire the plantation belonging to the Helvingstons on the Military Ford, south of Toll Gate (Hamilton).John M. Allman III (ed.), [http://www.mchsal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8:abbreviatedhist&catid=4:historicalarticles&Itemid=20 An Abbreviated History of Marion County, Ala.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407073432/http://www.mchsal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8%3Aabbreviatedhist&catid=4%3Ahistoricalarticles&Itemid=20 |date=April 7, 2014 }} - The Marion County Historical & Genealogical Societies, Alabama Tracks vol. XI #4 1992.

Hamilton is located west of the center of Marion County, in the valley of the Buttahatchee River. Interstate 22 passes around the southern and western sides of the city, with access from Exits 7, 11, 14, and 16. I-22 leads west {{convert|45|mi}} to Tupelo, Mississippi, and southeast {{convert|89|mi}} to Birmingham. U.S. Routes 43 and 278 pass through Hamilton. US 43 leads north {{convert|53|mi}} to Florence, while US 278 leads east {{convert|74|mi}} to Cullman. The two highways join at the center of Hamilton and lead south together {{convert|13|mi}} to Guin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hamilton has a total area of {{convert|38.1|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|0.01|sqmi|2}}, 0.04%, are water. The Buttahatchee River, a tributary of the Tombigbee River, flows northeast to southwest through the city, east of downtown.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hamilton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Hamilton was {{convert|109|F|C|1}} on August 16, 2007, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-19|F|C|1}} on January 30, 1966.

{{Weather box

|location = Hamilton, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1962–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 79

|Feb record high F = 87

|Mar record high F = 90

|Apr record high F = 95

|May record high F = 98

|Jun record high F = 103

|Jul record high F = 107

|Aug record high F = 109

|Sep record high F = 104

|Oct record high F = 102

|Nov record high F = 91

|Dec record high F = 81

|Jan avg record high F = 72.3

|Feb avg record high F = 76.8

|Mar avg record high F = 84.0

|Apr avg record high F = 88.1

|May avg record high F = 91.5

|Jun avg record high F = 95.9

|Jul avg record high F = 98.3

|Aug avg record high F = 98.7

|Sep avg record high F = 95.8

|Oct avg record high F = 88.8

|Nov avg record high F = 80.4

|Dec avg record high F = 72.8

|year avg record high F = 100.2

|Jan high F = 52.5

|Feb high F = 57.6

|Mar high F = 66.7

|Apr high F = 75.1

|May high F = 81.9

|Jun high F = 88.5

|Jul high F = 91.5

|Aug high F = 91.3

|Sep high F = 86.5

|Oct high F = 76.1

|Nov high F = 64.1

|Dec high F = 55.1

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 40.4

|Feb mean F = 44.3

|Mar mean F = 52.1

|Apr mean F = 60.1

|May mean F = 68.5

|Jun mean F = 76.3

|Jul mean F = 79.8

|Aug mean F = 79.1

|Sep mean F = 73.3

|Oct mean F = 61.6

|Nov mean F = 50.1

|Dec mean F = 43.3

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 28.3

|Feb low F = 31.1

|Mar low F = 37.5

|Apr low F = 45.1

|May low F = 55.1

|Jun low F = 64.1

|Jul low F = 68.1

|Aug low F = 66.9

|Sep low F = 60.1

|Oct low F = 47.1

|Nov low F = 36.1

|Dec low F = 31.4

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 9.5

|Feb avg record low F = 13.9

|Mar avg record low F = 19.3

|Apr avg record low F = 27.4

|May avg record low F = 38.5

|Jun avg record low F = 52.3

|Jul avg record low F = 59.1

|Aug avg record low F = 57.3

|Sep avg record low F = 43.9

|Oct avg record low F = 29.1

|Nov avg record low F = 19.5

|Dec avg record low F = 15.2

|year avg record low F = 7.5

|Jan record low F = -19

|Feb record low F = -1

|Mar record low F = 5

|Apr record low F = 21

|May record low F = 30

|Jun record low F = 37

|Jul record low F = 48

|Aug record low F = 46

|Sep record low F = 30

|Oct record low F = 21

|Nov record low F = 9

|Dec record low F = -5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 5.46

|Feb precipitation inch = 6.01

|Mar precipitation inch = 5.29

|Apr precipitation inch = 6.09

|May precipitation inch = 5.79

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.86

|Jul precipitation inch = 5.12

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.31

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.94

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.84

|Nov precipitation inch = 4.58

|Dec precipitation inch = 6.42

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.5

|Feb precipitation days = 10.2

|Mar precipitation days = 10.5

|Apr precipitation days = 8.7

|May precipitation days = 8.9

|Jun precipitation days = 9.6

|Jul precipitation days = 10.2

|Aug precipitation days = 9.1

|Sep precipitation days = 6.3

|Oct precipitation days = 6.8

|Nov precipitation days = 8.5

|Dec precipitation days = 10.0

|Jan snow inch = 0.4

|Feb snow inch = 0.4

|Mar snow inch = 0.3

|Apr snow inch = 0.0

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.0

|Dec snow inch = 0.2

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 0.4

|Feb snow days = 0.3

|Mar snow days = 0.1

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.2

|year snow days = 1.0

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00013645&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Hamilton 3 S, AL

|access-date = March 4, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=bmx

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Birmingham

|access-date = March 4, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1900= 235

|1910= 422

|1920= 487

|1930= 695

|1940= 1002

|1950= 1623

|1960= 1934

|1970= 3088

|1980= 5093

|1990= 5787

|2000= 6786

|2010= 6885

|2020= 7042

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}

}}

At the 2000 census there were 6,786 people, 2,695 households, and 1,800 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|188.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of {{convert|84.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.41% White, 7.59% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}

Of the 2,695 households 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.6% of households were one person and 14.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.

The age distribution was 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.

The median household income was $27,489 and the median family income was $34,485. Males had a median income of $26,362 versus $18,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,505. About 12.0% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

At the 2010 census there were 6,885 people, 2,717 households, and 1,793 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|190.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,096 housing units at an average density of {{convert|85.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.3% White, 7.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 3.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 2, 2015|title=U.S. Census website}}

Of the 2,717 households 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.9% of households were one person and 13.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83.

The age distribution was 19.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% 65 or older. The median age was 43.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.2 males.

The median household income was $31,297 and the median family income was $42,361. Males had a median income of $31,112 versus $30,542 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,442. About 12.1% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,042 people, 2,684 households, and 1,695 families residing in the city.

Several cemeteries in Hamilton still celebrate annual Decoration Days in the spring and summer.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

• Indian Mounds site{{cite web |title=The Hamilton Mounds Site |url=https://alabamamoundtrail.org/mound-site/hamilton-mound/ |website=Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail |publisher=The University of Alabama |access-date=December 2, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Indian Mounds |url=http://www.visithamiltonal.com/indianmounds |website=Visit Hamilton, AL |publisher=Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce |access-date=December 2, 2021}}

• Jerry Brown Arts Festival{{cite web |title=Jerry Brown Arts Festival |url=https://www.jbaf.org/ |access-date=December 2, 2021}} (held annually the first weekend in March)
• Buttahatchee River Fall Fest{{cite web |title=Buttahatchee River Fall Fest |url=https://brff.org/ |access-date=December 2, 2021}} (held annually in October)
• Hamilton's Hometown Christmas{{cite web |title=Calendar of Events |url=https://www.hamiltoncityal.org/Calendar |website=City of Hamilton, Alabama |access-date=December 2, 2021}} (held annually in December)

• Homecoming parade (sponsored by Hamilton High School each fall)
• Hamilton Christmas parade (held annually in December)

• E.T. Sims Jr. Recreation Center, park, and playground
• Key Branch Nature Trail and Aggieland Disc Golf course
• Splash Pad playground

Hamilton is a part of the Marion County School District. Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Hamilton High School serve the Hamilton area.

Hamilton has a branch campus of Bevill State Community College.

Hamilton's local newspaper, The Journal Record, has a second office in Winfield, Alabama.

Hamilton is home to two local television stations: WMTY TV 46 (cable channel 5 ), and TV8-WATVC.

Marion County – Rankin Fite Airport is located in Hamilton.{{cite web |title=Marion County-Rankin Fite Airport |url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/KHAB |website=AirNav.com |publisher=AirNav, LLC |access-date=December 2, 2021}}

There is no fixed-route transit service in Hamilton. However, the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments operates a dial-a-ride transit service known as NACOLG Transit.{{cite web|url=https://www.nacolg.org/public-transit|title=NACOLG Transit|access-date=November 10, 2024}}

• Bookie Bolin, former NFL player
• Jerry Brown, folk artist and traditional potter
• Roger Brown, artist
• Clay Dyer, professional bass fisherman
• Rankin Fite, Alabama State Legislature (Senate & House of Representatives)
• Rex Frederick, first head coach of the University of South Alabama men's basketball team
• John Dabney Terrell Sr., planter and legislator
• Karen Wheaton, Christian music artist, minister, founder of The Ramp

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|hamiltoncityal.org}}
• [https://www.hamiltonchamberofcommerce.org Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Marion County, Alabama}}

{{Alabama county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Alabama

Category:Cities in Marion County, Alabama

Category:County seats in Alabama