Irondale, Alabama Explained

Official Name:Irondale
Settlement Type:City
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Name1:Alabama
Subdivision Name2:Jefferson
Government Type:Mayor-Council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:James D. Stewart, Jr.
Established Date:October 19, 1887
Area Total Sq Mi:17.48
Area Land Sq Mi:17.32
Area Water Sq Mi:0.17
Elevation Ft:925
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:13497
Population Density Sq Mi:779.50
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Coordinates:33.5319°N -86.6869°W
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:35210
Area Code:205 & 659
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:01-37864
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2404765
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:45.28
Area Land Km2:44.85
Area Water Km2:0.44
Population Density Km2:300.96

Irondale is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is a suburb of Birmingham, northeast of Homewood and Mountain Brook. At the 2020 census, the population was 13,497.

The city is the site of Catholic radio/television broadcaster Eternal Word Television Network, or (EWTN). The city's annual Whistle-Stop Festival attracts thousands to its eclectic mix of art, food and music.

History

On October 5, 1887, the people of Irondale petitioned for incorporation. The town incorporated as Irondale (after Irondale Furnace) on October 19, 1887, following a vote on October 17, 1887.[2] In 1891, Golden Rule Bar-B-Q, the oldest restaurant in Alabama, was founded in Irondale.[3]

The 1916 Irondale earthquake, magnitude 5.1, caused some damage in the area, and was felt in neighboring states.

In 1981, Mother Angelica founded the Eternal Word Television Network, after starting operations in a garage.

On August 25, 2020, Irondale voters elected James D. Stewart, Jr. as the first black mayor in the city's history.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9sqmi, of which 9sqmi is land and 0.11% is water.

Demographics

2020 census

Irondale racial composition[5] !Race!Num.!Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)7,18353.22%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)4,03229.87%
Native American160.12%
Asian2111.56%
Pacific Islander40.03%
Other/Mixed4863.6%
Hispanic or Latino1,56511.6%
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,497 people, 5,161 households, and 3,022 families residing in the city.

2010 census

According to the 2010 census results, the population of the area was approximately 12,349 people. From 2000 to 2010, Irondale's population growth percentage was 25.8% (or from 9,813 people to 12,349 people). 23.1% of the Irondale city residents were under 18 years of age. Census 2010 race data for Irondale city include the racial breakdown percentages of 56.33% white, 35.38% black, 1.43% Asian and 7.78% Hispanic. Also, there were 5,495 housing units in Irondale city, 92.5% of which were occupied housing units.

Education

Irondale is served by Jefferson County Board of Education and is home to Shades Valley High School, Grantswood Community School, Irondale Community School, Irondale Middle School, Shades Valley Theatre Academy, Jefferson Christian Academy, and the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School.

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 29, 2021.
  2. Web site: Irondale .
  3. Web site: McGough . Crystal . March 28, 2023 . Brian Kemp purchases Golden Rule . July 19, 2023 . The Trussville Tribune . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2020 Irondale, AL Mayor Election Results. September 5, 2020. Bama Politics. August 27, 2020 . en.
  5. Web site: Explore Census Data. December 11, 2021. data.census.gov.