Waterloo, Alabama
Waterloo, Alabama | |
---|---|
Town | |
Location in Lauderdale County and the state of Alabama | |
Coordinates: 34°55′0″N 88°3′51″W / 34.91667°N 88.06417°WCoordinates: 34°55′0″N 88°3′51″W / 34.91667°N 88.06417°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Alabama |
County | Lauderdale |
Settled | 1824 |
Incorporated[1] | 1832 |
Area | |
• Total | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2) |
• Land | 0.8 sq mi (2 km2) |
• Water | 0 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
Population (2010)[2] | |
• Total | 203 |
• Density | 253.8/sq mi (101.5/km2) |
Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
• Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
ZIP code | 35677 |
Area code(s) | 256 |
FIPS code | 01-80064 |
GNIS feature ID | 0128626 |
Waterloo is a town in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area, known as "The Shoals". As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 203, down from 208 in 2000. The town and surrounding area is served by Waterloo High School and by the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department.[3]
History
The town was incorporated in 1832[1] on the banks of the Tennessee River. The name most likely commemorates the Battle of Waterloo.[4] According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Waterloo was reincorporated in 1903.[5]
In the 1930s, the town was moved to its current location when the Tennessee Valley Authority completed the Pickwick Landing Dam, which impounds Pickwick Lake.[1] Waterloo has lost a large area of land to floods and later the construction of Pickwick Landing Dam.
In 1880, when it first appeared on the U.S. Census, and again from 1910-1940, it was the second largest community in Lauderdale County after Florence, reaching its zenith of 524 residents in 1940. It has since lost 2/3rds of its population and since 1980, and ranks 8th and smallest of Lauderdale County's communities with 203 residents.[6]
Geography
Waterloo is located at 34°55′0″N 88°3′51″W / 34.91667°N 88.06417°W (34.916795, -88.064210).[7] Waterloo is bordered by Cherokee to the south, Oakland to the southeast, Cloverdale to the east and Iuka, Mississippi to the west. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (6.17%) is water.
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 196 | — | |
1910 | 435 | — | |
1920 | 415 | −4.6% | |
1930 | 497 | 19.8% | |
1940 | 524 | 5.4% | |
1950 | 327 | −37.6% | |
1960 | 215 | −34.3% | |
1970 | 262 | 21.9% | |
1980 | 260 | −0.8% | |
1990 | 250 | −3.8% | |
2000 | 208 | −16.8% | |
2010 | 203 | −2.4% | |
Est. 2015 | 200 | [8] | −1.5% |
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 2013 Estimate[10] |
In the 2000 US census,[11] there were 208 people, 94 households, and 67 families residing in the town. The population density was 273.1 people per square mile (105.7/km²). There were 145 housing units at an average density of 190.4 per square mile (73.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.12% White, 1.44% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 94 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the town the population was spread out with 17.3% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,536, and the median income for a family was $31,000. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,167. About 11.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 19.0% of those sixty five or over.
Politics
Waterloo is in:
- Alabama's 5th congressional district
- Alabama State House of Representatives district 2
- Alabama State Senate district 1
Attractions and events
- The city of Waterloo has been the subject of several books because of its association with the Trail of Tears. One of the most distinguished stories about this city and its people was published in 2005 in the book An Angel Named Zabar.
- Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, Waterloo, Alabama is the Official End of The Trail. The ride commemorates the final point at which area Cherokee Native Americans were shipped off to Oklahoma and the Midwest by the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
- Waterloo is a stop on the North Alabama Birding Trail. The area is renowned for the nearby bald eagle population. The birding site is Site 11 at latitude and longitude: N 34.9310, W 88.0391
- The town is adjacent to the Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area.
- Two primitive campgrounds managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority are in the city limits. Waterloo is located 11 miles (18 km) west of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Waterloo has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]
Notable person
- Samuel A. Shelton, former U.S. Representative from Missouri
References
- 1 2 3 "History of Waterloo". Waterloo Alabama. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ↑ Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department
- ↑ "What's the origin of your town's name?". Times Daily. June 3, 2006. pp. 4A. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ↑ http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41033935v1-8ch1.pdf
- ↑ 1880-2010 U.S. Census records for Lauderdale County communities (Also see historic population data boxes)
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Climate Summary for Waterloo, Alabama