334: Future is bright for River Region
Steeped in history and going places is the best way to describe the cites and towns that make up the River Region. The area was settled long before Alabama became a state in 1819, with many of the communities tracing their roots back to pre-statehood and even colonial times. Early on it was the rivers and creeks that guided development. Now it’s an expanding network of state and federal highways that are roads to the future. History lives in the region and the future is bright.
Montgomery
The state’s capital city and second largest city in Alabama behind Birmingham, Montgomery is the economic engine that drives the River Region.
Montgomery County was formed in 1816, and the city of Montgomery became the county seat in 1822. In 1861 it became the first capital of the Confederate States of America, and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as the Confederacy’s first president on the Capitol steps.
The city touts itself as the Cradle of the Confederacy and birthplace of the civil rights movement, straddling the crossroads of two major periods in American history.
In 1955 a local seamstress named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus to a white passenger. Her arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and to a pivotal victory in the civil rights struggle.
Montgomery is a military town, home to Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. And it has evolved into a shopping and entertainment destination for Central Alabama.
Population, 2015 estimate: 226,519.
Population, 2010: 229,363.
Persons under 5: 7 percent.
Persons under 18: 24.5 percent.
Person 65 and older: 12.4 percent.
Female: 52.5 percent.
White: 40.2 percent.
Black: 55.8 percent.
American Indian of Native Alaskan: 0.3 percent
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.1 percent
Asian: 2.3 percent.
Hispanic or Latino: 3.5 percent
Citizens who have received a high school diploma or better: 85.3 percent.
Citizens who have received a bachelor’s degree or better: 30.9 percent
Home ownership rate, 2008-2012: 62.1 percent.
Median household income: $44,401.
Persons below poverty level, 2008-2012: 20.4 percent.
More: 334: A history of Montgomery
Millbrook
Millbrook was incorporated in 1977. The area before then was known as the Tri-Communities of Robinson Springs, Coosada and Elmore. In the antebellum days, the area was known for prosperous farms.
In the 1920s and 1930s the Tri-Communities were a summer retreat for wealthy Montgomery residents, who traveled the few miles north to get away from the heat and the hustle and bustle of the city. Like other cities in the region, Millbrook has seen its population steadily rise. Lately the city has made strides in adding retail and entertainment options to its offerings.
Recently the city took the top spot as the most business friendly city in the state.
Population, 2015 estimate: 15,169.
Population, 2010: 14,640.
Persons under 5: 7.08 percent.
Persons under 18: 20.68 percent
Person 65 and older: 9.28 percent.
Female: 51.62 percent.
White: 74.20 percent.
Black: 21.55 percent.
American Indian of Native Alaskan: 0.36 percent
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.05 percent.
Asian: 0.82 percent.
Hispanic or Latino : 2.81. percent
Citizens who have received a high school diploma or better: 91.8 percent.
Citizens who have received a bachelor degree or better: 23.5 percent.
Home ownership rate, 2008-2012: 75.1 percent.
Median household income: $60,060.
Persons below poverty level, 2008-2012: 10 percent.
More: 334: Maxwell's Cyber College is next step in cyber warfare
Prattville
Just a few miles north of Montgomery, Prattville was founded in 1839 by the state’s first industrialist, Daniel Pratt. He built his industrial empire along the banks of Autauga Creek that provided the water power for his many mills and factories.
Prattville, also known as the Fountain City for its many artesian wells, is the county seat of Autauga County. Through the 1970s Prattville was a sleepy little farm town, where everyone just about knew everyone else. The growth boom took off in the late 1970s. It has been near the top of the list for the state’s fastest-growing cities since then. A retail boom that kicked off in 2007 has made the city the shopping hub north of the Alabama River.
Prattville is Autauga County seat.
Population, 2015 estimate: 34,873
Population, 2010: 33,960
Persons under 5: 6.5 percent.
Persons under 18: 27.1 percent.
Person 65 and older: 11.9 percent.
Female: 52.3 percent.
White: 78.5 percent.
Black: 16.7 percent.
American Indian of Native Alaskan: 0.4 percent.
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.1 percent
Asian: 1.4 percent.
Hispanic or Latino : 3.1 percent.
Citizens who have received a high school diploma or better: 90.4 percent.
Citizens who have received a bachelor degree or better: 28.6 percent.
Home ownership rate, 2008-2012: 71.3 percent.
Median household income: $58,773
Persons below poverty level, 2008-2012: 9.4 percent.
Pike Road
The new kid on the block, Pike Road was incorporated in 1997. Located just east of Montgomery, the community has roots going back more than 175 years. It relished its quiet, rural way of life, which lead to incorporation moves in the 1970s.
Residents were concerned that the natural growth of Montgomery would one day absorb their happy hamlet.
Several unsuccessful incorporation attempts were made. The vote on Oct. 10, 1997, changed all that. Some 151 voters went to the polls that day and 147 cast ballots to form a town. In August of 2010, the new town hall was opened for business.
Population, 2015 estimate: 7,933.
Population, 2010: 5,406
Persons under 5: 6.3 percent.
Persons under 18: 26.5 percent.
Person 65 and older: 10.1 percent
Female: 50.1 percent.
White: 68.5 percent.
Black: 28.7 percent
American Indian of Native Alaskan: 0.01 percent.
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: zero
Asian: 1.4 percent.
Hispanic or Latino : 1.3 percent.
Citizens who have received a high school diploma or better: 95 percent.
Citizens who have received a bachelor degree or better: 48.6 percent
Home ownership rate, 2008-2012: 90.5 percent.
Median household income: $87,212.
Persons below poverty level, 2008-2012: 4.4 percent.
Wetumpka
Wetumpka is the birthplace of the mighty Alabama River, sitting at the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers. Its history goes back to French colonial days when Fort Toulouse was founded in 1714 as the farthest north trading point from Mobile.
Wetumpka was incorporated in 1834 and has always remained true to its wilderness roots. It’s a popular spot for rafters and kayackers from around the nation who want to test their skills against the rapids of the Coosa. The city has invested millions of dollars lately in expanding its youth sports facilities, drawing tournaments and meets attended by people from throughout the state.
Wetumpka serves as Elmore County seat.
Population, 2015 estimate: 6,528
Population, 2010: 6,528
Persons under 5: 5.79 percent.
Persons under 18: 14.54 percent.
Person 65 and older: 13.42 percent.
Female: 61.52 percent.
White: 67.94 percent.
Black: 26.06 percent.
American Indian of Native Alaskan: 1.15 percent.
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.08 percent.
Asian: 1.15 percent.
Hispanic or Latino : 3.77 percent.
Citizens who have received a high school diploma or better: 76.5 percent.
Citizens who have received a bachelor degree or better:14 percent.
Home ownership rate, 2008-2012: 62.9 percent.
Median household income: $45,841.
Persons below poverty level, 2008-2012:11.1 percent.
Alabama
Population, 2013 estimate: 4.83 million
Population, 2010: 4.77 million
Persons under 5: 6.3 percent.
Persons under 18: 23.3 percent.
Person 65 and older: 14.5 percent.
Female: 51.5 percent.
White: 70.0 percent.
Black: 26.5 percent
American Indian of Native Alaskan: 0.7 percent.
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.1 percent.
Asian: 1.2 percent.
Hispanic or Latino : 4.1 percent.
Citizens who have received a high school diploma or better: 82.6 percent
Citizens who have received a bachelor degree or better: 22.3 percent
Home ownership rate, 2008-2012: 70.2 percent
Median household income: $43,160
Persons below poverty level, 2008-2012: 18.1 percent.