Geneva, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Geneva, Alabama
settlement_type = City


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Geneva County and the state of Alabama


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Alabama
subdivision_name2 = Geneva
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 39
area_total_sq_mi = 15.1
area_land_km2 = 38.5
area_land_sq_mi = 14.9
area_water_km2 = 0.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
elevation_ft = 95
elevation_m = 29
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 4388
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 112.5
population_density_sq_mi = 290.6
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 31 |latm = 2 |lats = 17 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 52 |longs = 36 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 36340
area_code = 334
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-29464
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0118889
footnotes =
website =

Geneva is a city in and the county seat of Geneva County, Alabama, United States.GR|6 It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the largest city of Geneva County.

Geography

Geneva is located at coor dms|31|2|17|N|85|52|36|W|city (31.038181, -85.876677)GR|1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.1 square miles (39.0 km²), of which, 14.9 square miles (38.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.20%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (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.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,096, and the median income for a family was $30,543. Males had a median income of $25,824 versus $17,639 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,877. About 18.8% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.7% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

Landscape

Geneva is settled on the junction of the Choctawhatchee River and Pea River. The Choctawhatchee River runs all the way to the Choctawhatchee Bay in Freeport, Florida, which connects to 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.

Geneva is often compared by locals to New Orleans, Louisiana because, like New Orleans, parts of the town are near or below sea level and a levee is built around the town. The levee protects the town from being flooded by the two rivers.

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, and has many competitive events, such as a five-mile (8 km) road race, greasy pole climb, canoe race, and tug-of-war. The Festival concludes with a concert, usually country music. Though a rather small town in terms of population, throughout the years Geneva has attracted big stars to play, such as Ronnie Milsap, Randy Travis, George Jones, and Aaron Tippin.

Education

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

Historical Footnotes

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 lead by E.D. Bruner. The "Bloomer" was then taken to Pensacola, Florida.

References

External links

* [http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/browse.monographs/ofre.html Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion]