Greenville, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Greenville is a city in Butler County
, Alabama
, United States
. At the 2000 census, the population was 7,228. The city is the county seat
of Butler County
and is known as the Camellia
City. The movement to change the Official Alabama State Flower from the goldenrod
to the camellia
originated in Greenville.
. Greenville's original name was Buttsville.
After becoming the county seat in 1822, its name was changed to Greenville, in remembrance of the former locale in South Carolina of many of the original settlers. The first county seat was at Fort Dale, a fortification that was named for Sam Dale, who fought to defend the area during the Creek Indian War. The site of Fort Dale lies on the north of the city near the Fort Dale Cemetery, along what is now Alabama Highway 185.
The namesake of the county, Captain William Butler, was killed during the Creek Indian War. He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery, which is across from the oldest church in Butler County, the First United Methodist Church of Greenville.
During World War II
, a satellite camp for German prisoners
was based in Greenville.
, is the closest city to Greenville with a population above 50,000.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.3 square miles (55.2 km²). of which 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (0.84%) is water.
of 2000, there were 7,228 people, 2,919 households, and 1,929 families residing in the city. The population density
was 341.7 PD/sqmi. There were 3,324 housing units at an average density of 157.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 50.69% White
, 48.31% Black
or African American
, 0.28% Native American
, 0.36% Asian
, 0.06% from other races
, and 0.30% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
In the city, 26.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.9% were 18 to 24, 24.2% were 25 to 44, 21.9% were 45 to 64, and 18.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38. For every 100 females, there were 80.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.6 males.
There were 2,919 households. Of those, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02. The average home value was $67,500.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,106, and the median income for a family was $27,167. Males had a median income of $29,236 versus $20,125 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,439. About 24.8% of families and 30.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.4% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.
For the population of Greenville residents age 25 and older, 66.9% were high school graduates or higher and 14.6% had a Bachelor's degree or higher. Also of that group, 2.9% spoke a language other than English at home.
Private schools in Greenville include Fort Dale Academy http://www.fortdale.com and Camellia City Christian School.
were constructed, making the county a major trading center. Greenville was a railroad town and became the center of commerce between Montgomery
and south Alabama. During the late nineteenth century, the construction of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
through Greenville contributed further to the town's success. At the turn of the century, Gulf Red Cedar Company and Factory in Greenville became a noted bucket manufacturing enterprise.
Today, Greenville has a diverse industrial manufacturing base of companies in the textile, wood products, automobile, and other industries. Major employers include Hwashin American Corporation, Hysco America Corporation, CorStone Industry,and Connector Manufacturing.
WGYV has applied to relocate its license to Aurora, Indiana
.
.
The city's residents were featured on the premiere episode of the ABC
reality
/game show
series My Kind of Town
, on Sunday, August 14, 2005.
The 2007 movie Honeydripper was shot in locations around Greenville in late summer and fall of 2006. The film featured sites located on Main Street in the city's historic downtown. Local residents were selected as principal characters and extras for the movie. New Beginnings Ministry's church choir was featured in the film.
Greenville is the location of a Robert Trent Jones
-designed golf course, Cambrian Ridge. The clubhouse for the golf course was built on the highest point in Butler County.
Greenville is home to Sherling Lake Park and Campground which has 41 campsites and surrounds two lakes.
Greenville is also the home of the Watermelon Jubilee, a local arts and crafts exposition held each year in the month of August. Every year in September, the city hosts the Butler County Fair. Also, during the fall, Greenville hosts Old Time Farm Day which features activities such as tractor races, blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations.
Butler County, Alabama
Butler County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Captain William Butler, who was born in Virginia and fought in the Creek War, and who was killed in May 1818. As of 2010 the population was 20,947...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. At the 2000 census, the population was 7,228. The city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Butler County
Butler County, Alabama
Butler County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Captain William Butler, who was born in Virginia and fought in the Creek War, and who was killed in May 1818. As of 2010 the population was 20,947...
and is known as the Camellia
Camellia
Camellia, the camellias, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. They are found in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. There are 100–250 described species, with some controversy over the exact number...
City. The movement to change the Official Alabama State Flower from the goldenrod
Goldenrod
Solidago, commonly called goldenrods, is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Most are herbaceous perennial species found in the meadows and pastures, along roads, ditches and waste areas in North America. There are also a few species native to Mexico, South...
to the camellia
Camellia
Camellia, the camellias, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. They are found in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. There are 100–250 described species, with some controversy over the exact number...
originated in Greenville.
History
Greenville was first settled in 1819. Immigrants named it Greenville due to the forests of oak trees that reminded them of their former home in Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. Greenville's original name was Buttsville.
After becoming the county seat in 1822, its name was changed to Greenville, in remembrance of the former locale in South Carolina of many of the original settlers. The first county seat was at Fort Dale, a fortification that was named for Sam Dale, who fought to defend the area during the Creek Indian War. The site of Fort Dale lies on the north of the city near the Fort Dale Cemetery, along what is now Alabama Highway 185.
The namesake of the county, Captain William Butler, was killed during the Creek Indian War. He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery, which is across from the oldest church in Butler County, the First United Methodist Church of Greenville.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a satellite camp for German prisoners
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
was based in Greenville.
Geography
Greenville is located at 31°49'52.583" North, 86°37'39.241" West (31.831273, -86.627567). Approximately 30 minutes north by car, Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
, is the closest city to Greenville with a population above 50,000.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.3 square miles (55.2 km²). of which 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (0.84%) is water.
Climate
The city of Greenville has an average high temperature of 77.30 degrees and an average low temperature of 53.80 degrees Fahrenheit. The city averages 4.80 inches of precipitation per month.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,228 people, 2,919 households, and 1,929 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 341.7 PD/sqmi. There were 3,324 housing units at an average density of 157.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 50.69% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 48.31% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.28% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.36% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.30% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
In the city, 26.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.9% were 18 to 24, 24.2% were 25 to 44, 21.9% were 45 to 64, and 18.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38. For every 100 females, there were 80.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.6 males.
There were 2,919 households. Of those, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02. The average home value was $67,500.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,106, and the median income for a family was $27,167. Males had a median income of $29,236 versus $20,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,439. About 24.8% of families and 30.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.4% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.
For the population of Greenville residents age 25 and older, 66.9% were high school graduates or higher and 14.6% had a Bachelor's degree or higher. Also of that group, 2.9% spoke a language other than English at home.
Primary and secondary education
Public education is provided by the Butler County Board of Education.- High School: Greenville High School
- Middle School: Greenville Middle School
- Elementary School: W.O. Parmer Elementary and Greenville Elementary School
Private schools in Greenville include Fort Dale Academy http://www.fortdale.com and Camellia City Christian School.
Post-secondary education
- Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, member of the Alabama Community College System awards two-year associate degrees and professional certificates.
Economy
Prior to the Civil War, cotton farming was the main occupation in Butler County. During the 1850s lines along the Mobile and Ohio RailroadMobile and Ohio Railroad
The Mobile and Ohio Railroad was a railroad in the Southern U.S. The M&O was chartered in January and February 1848 by the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It was planned to span the distance between the seaport of Mobile, Alabama and the Ohio River near Cairo, Illinois...
were constructed, making the county a major trading center. Greenville was a railroad town and became the center of commerce between Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
and south Alabama. During the late nineteenth century, the construction of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
through Greenville contributed further to the town's success. At the turn of the century, Gulf Red Cedar Company and Factory in Greenville became a noted bucket manufacturing enterprise.
Today, Greenville has a diverse industrial manufacturing base of companies in the textile, wood products, automobile, and other industries. Major employers include Hwashin American Corporation, Hysco America Corporation, CorStone Industry,and Connector Manufacturing.
Law and government
The local government of Greenville is run by the Mayor and City Council. The city council consists of five members each elected from single member districts. The city is located in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District and is currently represented by U.S. Congressman Bobby Bright.Radio stations
- WGYVWGYVWGYV is a radio station licensed to serve Greenville, Alabama, USA. The station, established in August 1948, is currently owned by Robert John Williamson...
1380 AM (Talk) - WKXNWKXNWKXN is a radio station licensed to the community of Greenville, Alabama, USA, and serving the Montgomery, Alabama, area. The station is owned by Autaugaville Radio, Inc. It airs an Urban Contemporary music format...
95.9 FM (Urban Contemporary) - WQZXWQZXWQZX is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Greenville, Alabama, USA. The station is currently owned by Haynes Broadcasting, Inc. and features programing from ABC Radio....
94.3 FM
WGYV has applied to relocate its license to Aurora, Indiana
Aurora, Indiana
Aurora is a city in Lawrenceburg and Center townships of Dearborn County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 3,965 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aurora is located at ....
.
Recreation and culture
Greenville was a common setting in the 2002 movie Sweet Home AlabamaSweet Home Alabama (film)
Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant and stars Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey. The film was released on September 27, 2002.-Plot:...
.
The city's residents were featured on the premiere episode of the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
reality
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
/game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
series My Kind of Town
My Kind of Town
My Kind of Town is an American television game show that premiered on August 14, 2005 on ABC. Part variety show, part game show, the series brings 200 people from a small town in the United States to New York City to compete for prizes and participate in games and assorted gags...
, on Sunday, August 14, 2005.
The 2007 movie Honeydripper was shot in locations around Greenville in late summer and fall of 2006. The film featured sites located on Main Street in the city's historic downtown. Local residents were selected as principal characters and extras for the movie. New Beginnings Ministry's church choir was featured in the film.
Greenville is the location of a Robert Trent Jones
Robert Trent Jones
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was a golf course architect who designed about 500 golf courses in at least 40 US states and 35 other countries all around the world...
-designed golf course, Cambrian Ridge. The clubhouse for the golf course was built on the highest point in Butler County.
Greenville is home to Sherling Lake Park and Campground which has 41 campsites and surrounds two lakes.
Greenville is also the home of the Watermelon Jubilee, a local arts and crafts exposition held each year in the month of August. Every year in September, the city hosts the Butler County Fair. Also, during the fall, Greenville hosts Old Time Farm Day which features activities such as tractor races, blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations.
Notable residents/natives
- Beth ChapmanBeth Chapman (politician)Beth Killough Chapman . is an American politician from Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, she is currently the state's 51st secretary of state.-Personal:...
, the incumbent Secretary of State of AlabamaSecretary of State of AlabamaThe Secretary of State of Alabama is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Alabama. The office actually predates the statehood of Alabama, dating back to the Alabama Territory. From 1819 to 1901, the Secretary of State served a two-year term until the State Constitution was... - Leon CrenshawLeon CrenshawLeon Crenshaw is a former defensive tackle in the National Football League.-Career:Crenshaw played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1968 NFL season. He played at the collegiate level at Tuskegee University.-References:...
, NFL player - Thomas H. WattsThomas H. WattsThomas Hill Watts was the 18th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1863 to 1865, during the Civil War....
, the eighteenth governor of Alabama - Hank Williams, Sr.