Talladega

Etymology

The name Talladega is derived from the Muscogee language, a Native American language of the Muscogee. It comes from the word Tvlvtēke, from Muscogee tvlwv, meaning "town", and vtēke, meaning "border", indicating its location on the border between Muscogee and Natchez.

Geography

Talladega is located in east central Alabama. Alabama State Routes 21, 77, and 275 are the main routes through the city. AL-77 runs through the downtown area from north to south, leading north 14 mi (23 km) to Lincoln along Interstate 20 and southeast 24 mi (39 km) to Ashland. AL-21 runs from southwest to northeast through the city, leading northeast 23 mi (37 km) to Oxford and southwest 21 mi (34 km) to Sylacauga. AL-275 runs to the north and west of the city as a bypass of the downtown area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.1 square miles (62.3 km2), of which 24.0 square miles (62.1 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.30%, is water.

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, Talladega has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

The data below were accessed via the WRCC. They were compiled over the time period from 1888 to when this chart was created (July 2018).

Talladega's record high of 109 °F (42.8 °C) occurred in September 1925 (Alabama's record high of 112 °F was recorded in Centreville that same month), July 1930, June 1931, and July 1933. The record low of -10 °F (-23.3 °C) occurred in February 1899.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Talladega had a population of 15,861, with 5,717 households and 3,334 families residing in the city.

The median age was 38.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.0 males age 18 and over.

79.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 21.0% lived in rural areas.

Of Talladega households, 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 31.9% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 42.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 6,629 housing units, of which 13.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.6%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 15,676 people in 5,719 households, including 3,722 families, in the city. The population density was 653.2 inhabitants per square mile (252.2/km2). There were 6,611 housing units at an average density of 275.5 per square mile (106.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 48.7% Black or African American, 47.7% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 3.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,719 households 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.9% of households were one person and 12.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 23.2% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% 65 or older. The median age was 37.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

The median household income was $32,449 and the median family income was $38,147. Males had a median income of $31,957 versus $24,209 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,146. About 22.7% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.8% of those under age 18 and 19.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 15,143 people in 5,836 households, including 3,962 families, in the city. The population density was 634.4 inhabitants per square mile (244.9/km2). There were 6,457 housing units at an average density of 270.5 per square mile (104.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.15% White, 42.28% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,836 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 29.5% of households were one person and 13.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.

The median household income was $29,617 and the median family income was $36,296. Males had a median income of $27,951 versus $21,326 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,733. About 14.1% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

Landmarks and places of interest

Talladega includes a number of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the J. L. M. Curry House and Swayne Hall, both listed as National Historic Landmarks. The main listed historic districts are the Silk Stocking District, which includes the Dr. Samuel Welch House, Talladega College Historic District, and Talladega Courthouse Square Historic District. Also included is the Talladega Superspeedway, which is a 2.66-mile-long (4.28 km) race track. It hosts two NASCAR races annually. In 2020, the Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art opened at Talladega College.

Education

Talladega City School District is the local school district with three elementary schools and one high school in the city.

Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, the statewide boarding school for the blind and deaf, is in Talladega, being established as an educational institution in 1858.

Talladega also features the historic Talladega College and the Talladega branch of the Central Alabama Community College.

Notable people

Steadham Acker, pioneer aviator

Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor, former U.S. Congressman for the 2nd District of Alabama

Tom Bleick, former NFL player, who played college football at Georgia Tech

The original members of the gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama met in Talladega at the Alabama School for the Blind

Sydney J. Bowie, former U.S. Representative and nephew of Franklin Welsh Bowdon

Taul Bradford, former U.S. Representative

Robert Bradley attended school in Talladega at the Alabama School for the Blind.

William W. Brandon, Governor of Alabama from 1923 to 1927

Charles Brown, actor and member of the Negro Ensemble Company

Ethlyne Clair, actress

George Cruikshank, educator, newspaper editor, and historian

Marcus Henderson Cruikshank, former member of the Confederate States Congress and Mayor of Talladega

Lee de Forest spent most of his early life in Talladega.

Scottie McKenzie Frasier, teacher, author, newspaper editor, lecturer, socialite, and suffragist

Ahmad Gooden, NFL football player