Valley Grande, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Valley Grande is a city in Dallas County
, Alabama
, United States
, just north of Selma
. Incorporated in early 2003, Valley Grande is governed by a mayor-council form of government. The population was 4,020 at the time of the 2010 United States Census.
. Established in 1819 as Valley Creek, the town was renamed Summerfield in 1845 to honor the famous Methodist preacher John Summerfield. In 1829, the first academy in Dallas County was chartered in Valley Creek. In 1842, the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church opened the Methodist Centenary Institute, a coeducational institution chartered by the Alabama Legislature on January 2, 1841. At its peak, Summerfield was a very prosperous community of planters, doctors, merchants, ministers, and educators. The historical core of Summerfield has survived intact and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places with a historic district encompassing 56.12 acres (227,109.8 m²).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 33.8 square miles (87.5 km2) of which 33.5 square miles (86.8 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) is water.
of 2010, there were 4,020 people, 1,559 households, and 1,173 families residing in the city. The population density
was 118.9 people per square mile (45.6/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 75.2% White
, 23% Black
or African American
, 0.4% Native American
, 0.4% Asian
, 0.2% from other races
, and 0.8% from two or more races.
. Valley Grande Elementary School and Martin Middle School, within the city, serve the county. Most area high school aged residents attend Dallas County High School, located in Plantersville
, a nearby unincorporated area
.
Dallas County, Alabama
Dallas County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander J. Dallas. The county seat is Selma.- History :...
, 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...
, just north of Selma
Selma, Alabama
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. The population was 20,512 at the 2000 census....
. Incorporated in early 2003, Valley Grande is governed by a mayor-council form of government. The population was 4,020 at the time of the 2010 United States Census.
History
Valley Grande encompasses the historic community of SummerfieldSummerfield, Alabama
Summerfield is an unincorporated community in Dallas County, Alabama. Summerfield has one historic district included on the National Register of Historic Places, the Summerfield District. Most of the community was annexed into Valley Grande following its incorporation as a city in...
. Established in 1819 as Valley Creek, the town was renamed Summerfield in 1845 to honor the famous Methodist preacher John Summerfield. In 1829, the first academy in Dallas County was chartered in Valley Creek. In 1842, the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church opened the Methodist Centenary Institute, a coeducational institution chartered by the Alabama Legislature on January 2, 1841. At its peak, Summerfield was a very prosperous community of planters, doctors, merchants, ministers, and educators. The historical core of Summerfield has survived intact and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places with a historic district encompassing 56.12 acres (227,109.8 m²).
Geography
Valley Grande is located at 32.486872, -87.032773.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 33.8 square miles (87.5 km2) of which 33.5 square miles (86.8 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) is water.
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 2010, there were 4,020 people, 1,559 households, and 1,173 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 118.9 people per square mile (45.6/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 75.2% 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...
, 23% 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...
, 0.4% 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...
, 0.4% 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...
, 0.2% 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 0.8% from two or more races.
Education
Residents are zoned to schools in Dallas County SchoolsDallas County Schools (Alabama)
Dallas County Schools is a school district headquartered in Selma, Alabama, United States. The district serves unincorporated areas in Dallas County, Alabama and most municipalities; residents of the City of Selma are zoned to Selma City Schools.-High schools:...
. Valley Grande Elementary School and Martin Middle School, within the city, serve the county. Most area high school aged residents attend Dallas County High School, located in Plantersville
Plantersville, Alabama
Plantersville is an unincorporated community in Dallas County, Alabama. It lies near the county's border with Autauga and Chilton Counties. Plantersville was named for the local cotton planters and plantations. The town is home to Dallas County High School and J. E. Terry Elementary...
, a nearby unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
.