Gadsden, AL

Gadsden, Alabama

Introduction to Gadsden, Alabama

Gadsden, Alabama, in Etowah county, is 57 miles NE of Birmingham, Alabama (center to center) and 94 miles W of Atlanta, Georgia. The city has a population of 38,978.

Gadsden History

Gadsden was first settled by John Riley in 1825. At that time, the settlement was known as Double Springs and was a stagecoach stop on the Huntsville-Rome route. The first steamboat that came to the area was piloted by Captain James Lafferty. It arrived on July 4, 1845. Originally, it was proposed that the city's name be changed to Lafferty's Landing. However, when Lafferty declined the city was named after Colonel James D. Gadsden, who became famous for the Gadsden Purchase.

Gadsden and nearby Attractions

• Noccalula Falls Park
• Gadsden Museum of Fine Arts
• James D. Martin Wildlife Park
• Imagination Place Children's Museum
• Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
• Huntsville - Madison County Botanical Garden

Things To Do In Gadsden

There are many parks and open spaces in Gadsden including Gadsden Kiwanis Park, North Gadsden Park, Central Recreation Area, Sequoyah Park, and Gadsden Moragne Park. You can also visit Noccalula Falls Park, James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Coosa River, Lookout Mountain, and Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge. Shopping can be enjoyed at the Gadsden Mall Shopping Center, Agricola Shopping Center, and Genie Drew Village Shopping Center.

Gadsden Transportation

Flights are available from Talladega Municipal Airport.

Gadsden Higher Education

Gadsden State Community College is the local college. George C Wallace State Community Coll-Hanceville, Jacksonville State University, Jefferson State Community College, and many other colleges and universities also offer higher educational facilities.

High Points

Gadsden strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Alabama):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 5%
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 14%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. State)	Top 14%

Comparative Profile of Gadsden, AL

Comparing Gadsden to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Alabama (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Female Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
Male Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
People Living Alone
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Gadsden Almanac

Gadsden Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Gadsden Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Gadsden, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Gadsden Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Gadsden Hospitals

RIVERVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
(Proprietary)
600 SOUTH THIRD STREET
(256) 543-5200
Emergency Service: Yes

GADSDEN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
(Proprietary)
1007 GOODYEAR AVENUE
(256) 494-4000
Emergency Service: Yes

Gadsden High Schools (2004)

SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
2150 HIGHWAY 77
256-442-2172
Serves 710 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.1

GASTON HIGH SCHOOL
4550 US HIGHWAY 411
256-547-8828
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 640 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 14.2

GADSDEN HIGH SCHOOL
607 S 12TH ST
256-547-5446
Serves 593 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 14.5

EMMA SANSOM HIGH SCHOOL
2210 W MEIGHAN BLVD
256-546-3316
Serves 502 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

LITCHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
1109 HOKE ST
256-492-3061
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 350 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.9

C I T Y PROGRAM
125 ROBIN CIR
256-543-2489
A Non-traditional School
Serves 30 students.

JK WEAVER TECHNICAL CENTER
1515 CAMPBELL AVE
256-492-6441
A Vocational School

Gadsden Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Gadsden State Community College

(List of All Alabama Colleges)

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