Leeds, Alabama
Encyclopedia : L : LE : LEE : Leeds, Alabama
Leeds is a city located mostly in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. Portions of the city are also located in St. Clair County and Shelby County. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 10,455.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 58.3 km² (22.5 mi²). 57.9 km² (22.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.67%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 10,455 people, 4,301 households, and 2,989 families residing in the city. The population density was 180.6/km² (467.9/mi²). There were 4,585 housing units at an average density of 79.2/km² (205.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.98% White, 15.91% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 4,301 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,420, and the median income for a family was $46,127. Males had a median income of $32,090 versus $23,448 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,573. About 10.5% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
Named for Leeds, England, which also has a neighbouring city named Birmingham, Leeds was incorporated on April 27, 1887. Its success as a young city came about through three major factors: the incorporation of nearby Birmingham and the beginning of iron ore production there; the building of the Georgia Pacific Railway from Birmingham to Atlanta; and the construction of a Standard Portland Cement manufacturing plant in 1906. The city recently broke away from the Jefferson County school system and initiated its own Leeds City school system. Leeds is poised to make a leap forward in development and population as the eastward population shift continues into Jefferson and St. Clair counties. Leeds has also benefited from the recent addition of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Racetrack and a highly anticipated Bass Pro Shops Outlet that is expected to be completed by summer 2007. Both of these developments are expected to become magnets for visitors and sources of income, as well as significantly increasing the profile for the city.Famous natives
- Charles Barkley, basketball player
External links
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