Leeds, Alabama

Leeds, Alabama
City
Location predominantly in Jefferson County and the state of Alabama
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Counties	Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby
Area
• Total	22.4 sq mi (58.3 km2)
• Land	22.3 sq mi (57.9 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation	627 ft (191 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	11,773
• Density	466.7/sq mi (179.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35094
Area code	205
FIPS code	01-41968
GNIS feature ID	0152018
Website	http://www.leedsalabama.gov/

Leeds is a tri-county municipality located in Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is a suburb of Birmingham. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 11,773.

History

Leeds was incorporated on April 27, 1887. Its success due to: 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 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 County and St. Clair County. Leeds has also benefited from the recent addition of the Barber Motorsports Park and the world's largest Bass Pro Shops Outlet that opened in November 2008. In November of 2010, The Outlets of Grand River shopping complex opened in proximity to the Motorsports Park and the Bass Pro Shop. These developments are expected to become magnets for visitors and sources of income, as well as significantly increasing the profile of the city.

Geography

Leeds is located at 33°32′44″N 86°33′27″W (33.545592, -86.557388)Template:GR, primarily within Jefferson County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.5 square miles (58 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) of it (0.67%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	810		—
1920	1,600		97.5%
1930	2,529		58.1%
1940	2,910		15.1%
1950	3,306		13.6%
1960	6,162		86.4%
1970	6,991		13.5%
1980	8,638		23.6%
1990	9,946		15.1%
2000	10,455		5.1%
2010	11,773		12.6%
source:

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 10,455 people, 4,301 households, and 2,989 families residing in the city. The population density was 467.9 people per square mile (180.6/km2). There were 4,585 housing units at an average density of 205.2 per square mile (79.2/km2). 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.

Education

Leeds is served by the Leeds City School District.

In 2009, the City of Leeds Board of Education authorized the construction—completed by the Wyatt Construction Company—of two new schools, Leeds Middle School and Leeds High School. They began construction in 2009 and now have completed both schools. The Leeds BOE also authorized the renovations of and additions to Leeds Elementary School, which began in 2008. These renovations were made by the Wyatt Construction Company, they include a expanded office and a new awning around the front of the school.

On December 4, 2008 the Leeds High School Green Wave Football team won the Class 3A AHSAA State Football Championship and finishing the year 15-0, beating the Cordova Blue Devils in the Super Six Tournament at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. On February 28, 2009, the Green Wave Basketball team won the 3A AHSAA State Basketball Championship by defeating Madison Academy, 72-64.

On December 6, 2010 the Green Wave Football team won the Class 3A AHSAA State Football Championship and finishing the year 15-0, beating the Hamiton raiders in the Super Six Tournament on Pat Dye Field at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

The Leeds High School Track and Field team has won several state championships.

Famous natives

• Charles Barkley, Basketball Hall of Famer
• Henry E. Erwin, Medal of Honor recipient - World War II
• Kenneth L. Farmer, Jr. MG USA (Ret), Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Medical Command
• Caitlín R. Kiernan, author and paleontologist
• William R. Lawley, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient - World War II
• Mark Martin, cartoonist
• Alford L. McLaughlin, Medal of Honor recipient - Korean War
• Paige Phillips, Miss Alabama 1980; 1st runner-up to Miss America 1981
• Dixie Walker, professional baseball player and coach
• Harry Walker, professional baseball player and manager
• Dennis E. Webb Jr., Nuclear Chemistry Technician, Best of Set Awardee

External links

• Official Website of the City of Leeds
• Leeds Herald Community Website
• Outlet Shops of Grand River
• Barber Motorsports Park