Foley, Alabama

Foley is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. The 2010 census lists the population of the city as 14,618.[3] Foley is a principal city of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Baldwin County.

Foley
City
Nickname(s): 
"The Forward City"
Motto(s): 
"The Heart of the American Riviera"
Location of Foley in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 30°24′20″N 87°40′53″W
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyBaldwin
Government
 • TypeCouncil/Mayor
 • MayorRalph Hellmich
Area
 • Total32.64 sq mi (84.54 km2)
 • Land32.49 sq mi (84.14 km2)
 • Water0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2)
Elevation
79 ft (24 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total14,618
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
20,391
 • Density627.69/sq mi (242.35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
36535-36536
Area code251
FIPS code01-26992
GNIS feature ID0118464
Websitehttp://www.cityoffoley.org

History

Foley was named for its founder, John B. Foley of Chicago.[4] As Foley was traveling to President McKinley's funeral in 1901, he met a railroad agent who told him of the area in South Baldwin County. Foley came down the following year, and he liked what he saw and bought up to between 40,000 acres (160 km2) and 50,000 acres (200 km2) of land. He then returned to Chicago and formed the Magnolia Springs Land Company, currently known as the Magnolia Land Company. As he began to sell off acreage, he realized the need for a better way for the people to come to Foley.

Foley used some of his own money to lay the rails so the train could come from Bay Minette. The first railroad station was built in 1905. The original station burned in 1908 and was replaced the following year by the station that is now the City's museum. John Foley donated parcels of land for a school, railroad station, park and churches. These included the current Catholic Church, Saint Margaret of Scotland, the Baptist church and the Methodist church. He also invested in a hotel, a demonstration farm, a bank and the utility company.

The first train to service Foley was a wood burner called the "Pine Knot Special." It would leave Foley in the morning and make a return trip in the afternoon. As people cleared the land, they would place lighter knots in a wood box for the engineer to use as was needed. Foley was incorporated in 1915 with G. I. Weatherly serving as its first mayor.

Geography

Foley is located at 30°24'20.138" North, 87°40'53.432" West (30.405594, -87.681509).[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.89 sq mi (67.1 km2), of which 25.76 sq mi (66.7 km2) is land and 0.4% is water.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920243—
1930791225.5%
19408649.2%
19501,30150.6%
19602,889122.1%
19703,36816.6%
19804,00318.9%
19904,93723.3%
20007,59053.7%
201014,61892.6%
2019 (est.)20,391[2]39.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,618 people, 6,165 households, and 4,124 families residing in the city. The population density was 530.8 people per square mile (205.1/km2). There were 7,359 housing units at an average density of 284.1 per square mile (198.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.1% White, 14.9% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 9.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,165 households, out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,221, and the median income for a family was $50,854. Males had a median income of $36,959 versus $26,855 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,967. About 15.4% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.9% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Foley is a part of the Baldwin County Public Schools system. An elementary school, an intermediate school, a middle school, and a high school serve the city of Foley.[8]

Post-secondary school

High school

Middle school
  • Foley Middle School (7-8)

Primary schools
  • Foley Intermediate School (5-6)
  • Foley Elementary School (K-4)
  • Magnolia Elementary Schools (K-6)

Foley Public Library

The Foley Public Library has in excess of 50,000 volumes, internet computers, children's reading programs and public meeting rooms for civic organizations.[9]

Points of interest

The City of Foley Antique Rose Trail features over five hundred varieties of fragrant roses.[10]

Notable people

Activities

The City of Foley Museum & Archives and Model Train Exhibit is located in a restored train depot from the early 1900s. It holds archives for the City of Foley as well as railroad memorabilia.[13]

The Foley Golf Course is an eighteen-hole course.

Holmes Medical Museum is located in downtown Foley and was the first hospital in Baldwin County. It has a doctor's sled on display as well as a large collection of 20th century medical equipment.[14]

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Census 2010 Demographic Profile Data" (for Foley, AL), US Census Bureau, 2010, webpage: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).
  4. "Profile for Foley, Alabama, AL". ePodunk. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. Census Gazetteer, 2010, webpage: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).
  7. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  8. "Baldwin City Public Schools". Baldwin City Public Schools. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  9. "Foley Public Library". Baldwin County Libraries. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  10. "City of Foley Antique Rose Trail". Alabama Tourism Department. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  11. Carlton, Bob (November 7, 2010). "Fannie Flagg's new book is 'a love letter' to her hometown of Birmingham". AL.com. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  12. Kazek, Kelly (May 22, 2018). "Fannie Flagg's Quirky Alabama: 7 real oddities and attractions in her books". AL.com. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  13. "City of Foley Museum & Archives and Model Train Exhibit". Alabama Tourism Department. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  14. "Foley". Alabama Tourism Department. Retrieved March 7, 2012.

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