Harpersville, Alabama

Harpersville, Alabama
Town
Flag
Logo
Nickname: 
Big Springs
Motto(s): 
"Rich Past, Bright Future!"
Location of Harpersville in Shelby County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 33°19′06″N 86°25′43″W / 33.31833°N 86.42861°W / 33.31833; -86.42861[1]
Country United States
State Alabama
CountyShelby
Area
[2]
 • Total
21.64 sq mi (56.06 km2)
 • Land21.29 sq mi (55.15 km2)
 • Water0.35 sq mi (0.91 km2)
Elevation
[1]
430 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,614
 • Density75.8/sq mi (29.27/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
35078
Area codes205, 659
FIPS code01-33256
GNIS feature ID2406645[1]
WebsiteCity Website

Harpersville is a town in eastern Shelby County, Alabama, United States. According to the 1950 U.S. Census, it formally incorporated in 1943.[3] At the 2020 census the population was 1,614, compared to 1,637 in 2010 and 1,620 in 2000. It is located southeast of the Birmingham metro area.

History

Harpersville was settled just after the War of 1812 ended. It was originally called Big Springs.[4]

Harpersville Municipal Court has been effectively taken over by Circuit Court Judge Hub Harrington[5] as of July 13, 2012, in a case regarding Private probation.[6][7] His order characterizes the municipal court as a debtors' prison and extortion racket condoned by the elected officials of Harpersville and Judicial Correction Services.[8][9][10][11]

Harpersville has two structures which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Chancellor House and the Old Rock House.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.9 square miles (41 km2), of which 15.9 square miles (41 km2) is land and 0.06% is water.

The town is located at the intersection of US Routes 280 and 231. US 280 runs east to west through the town, leading west 12 mi (19 km) to Chelsea and 30 mi (48 km) to downtown Birmingham. US 280 and 231 run southeast together 7 mi (11 km) to Childersburg. US 231 runs northeast 21 mi (34 km) to Pell City.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880194—
1950348—
196066791.7%
1970639−4.2%
198093446.2%
1990772−17.3%
20001,620109.8%
20101,6371.0%
20201,614−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
2013 Estimate[13]

2020 census

Harpersville town, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 1,123 1,172 1,207 69.32% 71.59% 74.78%
Black or African American alone (NH) 463 384 301 28.58% 23.46% 18.65%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 8 5 5 0.49% 0.31% 0.31%
Asian alone (NH) 11 11 2 0.68% 0.67% 0.12%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 9 0.00% 0.00% 0.56%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 5 22 55 0.31% 1.34% 3.41%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10 43 35 0.62% 2.63% 2.17%
Total 1,620 1,637 1,614 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,614 people, 562 households, and 433 families residing in the town. Harpersville is growing due to the suburban spread along Highway 280; however, the most recent Census in 2020 indicates a slight decrease in population below that of the Census of 2000.

2010 Census

As of the census[17] of 2010, there were 1,637 people, 620 households, and 456 families residing in the town. The population density was 103.0 inhabitants per square mile (39.8/km2). There were 708 housing units at an average density of 44.5 per square mile (17.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 73.1% White, 23.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 620 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,768, and the median income for a family was $42,065. Males had a median income of $43,301 versus $32,434 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,170. About 23.9% of families and 28.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 55.3% of those under age 18 and 23.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 1,620 people, 610 households, and 458 families residing in the town. The population density was 102.0 inhabitants per square mile (39.4/km2). There were 685 housing units at an average density of 43.1 per square mile (16.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 69.57% White, 28.70% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 610 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,655, and the median income for a family was $34,632. Males had a median income of $28,839 versus $22,069 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,783. About 17.4% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 24.1% of those age 65 or over.

School

The town of Harpersville does not have public schools within town limits. All public matriculated students attend schools in the adjacent town of Vincent.

Coosa Valley Academy, part of the Alabama Independent School Association, serves as one of the private schools in the town of Harpersville. The doors of the school first opened in 1970 where it has served the community for 50 years. The School's mission statement says, "The vision of Coosa Valley Academy is to provide a college preparatory education in a safe and orderly Christian environment that will instill in each student the desire to fulfill his or her greatest academic potential while encouraging mutual respect among students and staff in order to prepare well-rounded individuals for success in life". Education is available for students in grades from Pre-Kindergarten through Twelfth grade. Dual enrollment programs are available for students in grades 10-12 allowing them the opportunity to take online classes at Troy University to earn college credits. A variety of clubs are available for student participation consisting of Athletics, Beta Club, Cheerleading Squad, Dance Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, History Club, Spanish Club, Student Government Association, and Ignite Club. Athletics available are baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, and volleyball.[19] The current enrollment at Coosa Valley Academy stands at 250 students under supervision of 22 teachers. The student teacher ratio stands at 11:1 which grants educators the ability to work closely with the students.[20]

See also

Main article: Morgan Creek Vineyards (Alabama)

Notable people

Landmarks

  • Klein-Wallace Home
  • Datcher Family Farm Museum[21][22]
  • Chancellor House
  • Chancellor House from rear
  • Old Rock House
  • Old Rock House from rear

References

  1. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Harpersville, Alabama
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "Census data" (PDF). www2.census.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  4. ^ Shelby County Reporter
  5. ^ Circuit Court of Shelby County, Alabama 2012.
  6. ^ Judicial Correction Services 2011.
  7. ^ Rappleye & Seville 2014.
  8. ^ Stillman 2014.
  9. ^ Bronner 2012.
  10. ^ Bronner 2012a.
  11. ^ Huffington Post 2012.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  14. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Harpersville town, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Harpersville town, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Harpersville town, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ "Home". www.coosavalleyacademy.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "Coosa Valley Academy Profile (2021-22) | Harpersville, AL".
  21. ^ "Meet The Datcher Family, Who Have Owned & Run Their Alabama Farm Since The 1800s". BOTWC. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Gray, Jeremy (November 9, 2021). "This Black Alabama farmer's family history is a legacy of slavery and love". AL. Retrieved June 20, 2025.

Sources

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