Gurley

 

Gurley, Alabama
—  Town  —
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Madison
Area
- Total	2.8 sq mi (7.2 km2)
- Land	2.8 sq mi (7.2 km2)
- Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	640 ft (195 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	876
- Density	312.9/sq mi (121.7/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	35748
Area code(s)	256
FIPS code	01-32440
GNIS feature ID	0119509

Gurley is a town in Madison County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 876.

History

The community takes its name from the Gurley family, who settled in the area in 1817. The town gradually formed around a water and coaling stop of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad and was originally known as Gurley's Tank. Gurley was incorporated in 1891 with 250 residents. Soon after, the population peaked at 1,000. In 1896, the post office opened, and the name was changed to Gurleysville. It was later shortened back to Gurley. The business district was nearly destroyed by fire in 1923, when a bucket brigade was able to save only two businesses. Most of the town is now included in the Gurley Historic District, which was awarded national recognition in 2003.

Geography

Gurley is located at (34.700164, -86.376469).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.2 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 876 people, 346 households, and 241 families residing in the town. The population density was 313.9 people per square mile (121.2/km²). There were 379 housing units at an average density of 135.8 per square mile (52.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 81.85% White, 15.41% Black] orAfrican American, 0.46% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.57% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 346 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,831, and the median income for a family was $26,875. Males had a median income of $31,146 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,271. About 23.4% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 31.1% of those age 65 or over.

Public Services

As an incorporated town, Gurley enjoys its own police and fire departments. The city also maintains a small sewer system. Education in Gurley, however, is run by the Madison County School System [1]. Only one K-8 school (Madison County Elementary) operates within the city limits. Gurley secondary school students are sent to Madison County High School, a school of 583 a few miles west of the city on US 72.

Fraternal

Gurley has its own Masonic Lodge—Gurley Lodge #521 F & AM, a Lions Club, a Lioness Club, and a Founders Club.

External links

• Gurley Community & Town History
• City of Gurley