|
[[Magod:ALMap-doton-Florence.png|thumb|right|175px|Topam in tat: Alabama.]]
[[Magod:{{Cleanup|date=March 2007}}
'''Florence''' binon zif in komot: Lauderdale, in tat: [[Alabama]], in [[Lamerikän]].
[[Image:Florence 043.jpg|thumb|Florence]]
'''Florence''' city is the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale County]] which is situated in the northwest corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]].
According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,480.<ref name=popest2>{{cite web | year = [[June 21]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama | format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 9 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>
Sürfat ela Florence binon 64,8 km².
Florence is the largest and principal city of the Florence - Muscle Shoals [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] known as "[[The Shoals]]" (which includes [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama|Muscle Shoals]], [[Sheffield, Alabama|Sheffield]], and [[Tuscumbia, Alabama|Tuscumbia]] metropolitan areas and [[Colbert County, Alabama|Colbert]] and Lauderdale counties). It is considered the primary economic hub of northwestern Alabama.
Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] Ferdinand Sannoner who named it after [[Florence]], the capital of [[Tuscany]]. Florence, Alabama, was incorporated in 1826.
Florence labon belödanis 36 264 (2000)
Florence is the birthplace of [[W. C. Handy|W.C. Handy]], the "Father of the Blues," as well as of pioneering [[record producer]] [[Sam Phillips]], who discovered [[Elvis Presley]]. [[T.S. Stribling]], a 20th century author and Florence resident, wrote a prose trilogy about the city consisting of ''The Forge'', ''The Store'' (which won the [[Pulitzer Prize]]), and ''Unfinished Cathedral.'' [[Dred Scott]] also once resided in Florence, where as a slave, he worked as a [[hostler]] at the Peter Blow Inn on Tennessee street. A plaque at the former site commemorates his time there. [[Bobby W. Miller]] who marched with Dr. M.L. King in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 and later was credited with ending segregated locker rooms at the Ford Motor Company Die Cast Plant in Sheffield, Alabama, where he was employed from 1962-1974. Miller was shot down twice in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. [http://www.alabamabound.org/AuthorPages/YorkTom.htm Tom York] lived in Florence and is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and spent eight years in radio in Florence (WLAY). In 1957, he joined WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as their sports director. He also originated the Tom York Morning Show (one of America's longest running one hour local talk shows) on the air for 32 years. He was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1995.[http://www.nostalgiaville.com/travel/Alabama/florence/florence%20al.htm]
Florence is renown for its annual tourism events, including [http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/index.htm W.C. Handy Music Festival] in the summer, and the [http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/formatsite.cgi?Alabama_Renaissance_Faire Renaissance Faire] in the autumn. Florencian landmarks include the [[Rosenbaum House]], the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]-designed home located in the Southeast.
The type of municipal government is mayor-council.
==Geography==
[[Image:ALMap-doton-Florence.PNG|right|Location of Florence, Alabama]]
Florence is located at {{coor dms|34|49|13|N|87|39|46|W|city}} (34.820287, -87.662860).{{GR|1}}
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Florence has a total area of 64.8 [[km²]] (25.0 [[square mile|mi²]]). 64.6 km² (24.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.40%) is water. Florence is located on [[Wilson Lake]] and [[Pickwick Lake]], bodies of water on the [[Tennessee River]] dammed by [[Wheeler Dam|Wheeler]] and [[Wilson Dam]]s. [[Wheeler Lake]] was created by the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] (TVA), one of several [[alphabet agencies]] of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's]] [[New Deal]]. Wilson Dam, authorized by [[Woodrow Wilson|President Woodrow Wilson]] in 1918, was the first dam constructed on the Tennessee River.
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 36,264 people, 15,820 households, and 9,555 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 561.6/km² (1,454.6/mi²). There were 17,707 housing units at an average density of 274.2/km² (710.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.39% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.54% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 15,820 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,330, and the median income for a family was $40,577. Males had a median income of $34,398 versus $21,385 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,464. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
==Education==
Situated in Florence, and founded in 1830 as LaGrange College, the [[University of North Alabama]], a public, co-educational, higher education institution, is Alabama's oldest state certified university.
[[Florence City Schools]] is the K-12 public school system. Florence High School (grades 10-12) is the main high school, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. It was created by a merge between the previous Coffee High School and Henry A. Bradshaw High School. The merger also led to the creation of Florence Middle School (grades 7-8) and the Florence Freshman Center (grade 9).
There are three prominent private schools in Florence: Mars Hill Bible School, Shoals Christian School, and Florence Christian Academy. These are multi-denominational, private K-12 schools.
==Culture and events==
Florence's McFarland Park is a resting point for riders in the annual [http://www.al-tn-trailoftears.org/ Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride] which terminates in nearby Waterloo. The ride commemorates the final point at which area Cherokee Native Americans were shipped off to Oklahoma and the mid west by the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
The [http://www.flo-tour.org/indianmound.html Florence Indian Mound] is the largest of its type in the Tennessee Valley Region. The mound, which measures 310Hx230Wx42D (feet) and named "Wawmanona" was built circa 500 A.D. and is thought to be locale for tribal ceremony and ritual. A museum is adjacent the base.
[http://www.flo-tour.org/popes.html Pope's Tavern], is a renown historical stop, and served as a hospital along the way of many skirmishing Civil War soldiers from the North and South, and is one of Florence's oldest standing structures.
The [http://www.marriottshoals.com/ Mariott Shoals Hotel & Spa], formerly the Florence Conference Center, also features a revolving restaurant atop the Renaissance Tower, both which are nearby the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and overlook the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam.
[http://www.florenceharbor.com/ Florence Harbor Marina] is situated on Pickwick lake adjacent McFarland Park.
[http://www.florenceal.org/cultural/artsandmuseums.html The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts] is the center for numerous cultural activities, exhibits and events, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and provides administrative offices for Florence's six museums.
Florence also has a [http://www.shoalschildrensmuseum.org/ Children's Museum].
Florence is home to one of the oldest [[Disc Golf]] courses in the State. It is at Veterans Park, and was established in 1983.
The recently completed and redesigned [http://flpl.lib.al.us/ Florence/Lauderdale Public Library] opened its doors in 2002.
The [[George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]] has been ongoing for nine years, and is named in honor of [[George Lindsey]], an actor who is most famous for his character portrayal of "Goober Pyle" on The Andy Griffith Show. Mr. Lindsey is a UNA (then known as Florence State College) graduate.
Florence is also the current host of the [http://www.d2championship.com/ NCAA Division II National Football Championship Game], an event operated by the Shoals National Championship Committee, the University of North Alabama, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The [[Rosenbaum House]] on Riverview Drive is the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] building in the state.
{{See also|List of Registered Historic Places in Lauderdale County, Alabama}}
==Media==
Florence is served by the [[TimesDaily]] newspaper, among others.
==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>
==External links==
*[http://www.florenceal.org/ City of Florence, Alabama]
*[http://www.flo-tour.org Florence Tourism Board]
*[http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/ WC Handy Music Festival Official Website]
*[http://www.lindseyfilmfest.com/ George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]
*[http://flpl.lib.al.us/ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]
*[http://travel.nostalgiaville.com/Alabama/florence/florence%20al.htm Historical and Current Photographs of Florence]
*[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/hh:@field(SUBJ+@od1(ALABAMA--Lauderdale+County--Florence)) American Memory's Built in America Collection] which has drawings, photographs, and descriptions of old homes and buildings.
{{geolinks-US-cityscale|34.820287|-87.66286}}
{{Florence-Muscle Shoals Radio}}
{{Alabama}}
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Lauderdale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Florence, Alabama]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[de:Florence (Alabama)]]
[[ga:Florence, Alabama]]
[[io:Florence, Alabama]]
[[it:Florence (Alabama)]]
[[pt:Florence (Alabama)]]
[[sv:Florence, Alabama]]
[[uk:Флоренс|175px|thumb|right|Topam in tat: Arizona.]]
'''Florence''' binon zif in komot: date=March 2007}}
[[Image:Florence 043.jpg|thumb|Florence, in tat: [[Alabama]], in [[Lamerikän]].
Sürfat ela Florence binon {{Cleanup|date=March 2007}}
[[Image:Florence 043,jpg|thumb|Florence]]
'''Florence''' city is the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale County]] which is situated in the northwest corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]].
According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,480.<ref name=popest2>{{cite web | year = [[June 21]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama | format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 9 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>
Florence is the largest and principal city of the Florence - Muscle Shoals [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] known as "[[The Shoals]]" (which includes [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama|Muscle Shoals]], [[Sheffield, Alabama|Sheffield]], and [[Tuscumbia, Alabama|Tuscumbia]] metropolitan areas and [[Colbert County, Alabama|Colbert]] and Lauderdale counties). It is considered the primary economic hub of northwestern Alabama.
Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] Ferdinand Sannoner who named it after [[Florence]], the capital of [[Tuscany]]. Florence, Alabama, was incorporated in 1826.
Florence is the birthplace of [[W. C. Handy|W.C. Handy]], the "Father of the Blues," as well as of pioneering [[record producer]] [[Sam Phillips]], who discovered [[Elvis Presley]]. [[T.S. Stribling]], a 20th century author and Florence resident, wrote a prose trilogy about the city consisting of ''The Forge'', ''The Store'' (which won the [[Pulitzer Prize]]), and ''Unfinished Cathedral.'' [[Dred Scott]] also once resided in Florence, where as a slave, he worked as a [[hostler]] at the Peter Blow Inn on Tennessee street. A plaque at the former site commemorates his time there. [[Bobby W. Miller]] who marched with Dr. M.L. King in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 and later was credited with ending segregated locker rooms at the Ford Motor Company Die Cast Plant in Sheffield, Alabama, where he was employed from 1962-1974. Miller was shot down twice in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. [http://www.alabamabound.org/AuthorPages/YorkTom.htm Tom York] lived in Florence and is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and spent eight years in radio in Florence (WLAY). In 1957, he joined WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as their sports director. He also originated the Tom York Morning Show (one of America's longest running one hour local talk shows) on the air for 32 years. He was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1995.[http://www.nostalgiaville.com/travel/Alabama/florence/florence%20al.htm]
Florence is renown for its annual tourism events, including [http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/index.htm W.C. Handy Music Festival] in the summer, and the [http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/formatsite.cgi?Alabama_Renaissance_Faire Renaissance Faire] in the autumn. Florencian landmarks include the [[Rosenbaum House]], the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]-designed home located in the Southeast.
The type of municipal government is mayor-council.
==Geography==
[[Image:ALMap-doton-Florence.PNG|right|Location of Florence, Alabama]]
Florence is located at {{coor dms|34|49|13|N|87|39|46|W|city}} (34.820287, -87.662860).{{GR|1}}
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Florence has a total area of 64.8 [[km²]] (25.0 [[square mile|mi²]]). 64.6 km² (24.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.40%) is water. Florence is located on [[Wilson Lake]] and [[Pickwick Lake]], bodies of water on the [[Tennessee River]] dammed by [[Wheeler Dam|Wheeler]] and [[Wilson Dam]]s. [[Wheeler Lake]] was created by the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] (TVA), one of several [[alphabet agencies]] of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's]] [[New Deal]]. Wilson Dam, authorized by [[Woodrow Wilson|President Woodrow Wilson]] in 1918, was the first dam constructed on the Tennessee River.
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 36,264 people, 15,820 households, and 9,555 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 561.6/km² (1,454.6/mi²). There were 17,707 housing units at an average density of 274.2/km² (710.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.39% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.54% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 15,820 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,330, and the median income for a family was $40,577. Males had a median income of $34,398 versus $21,385 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,464. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
==Education==
Situated in Florence, and founded in 1830 as LaGrange College, the [[University of North Alabama]], a public, co-educational, higher education institution, is Alabama's oldest state certified university.
[[Florence City Schools]] is the K-12 public school system. Florence High School (grades 10-12) is the main high school, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. It was created by a merge between the previous Coffee High School and Henry A. Bradshaw High School. The merger also led to the creation of Florence Middle School (grades 7-8) and the Florence Freshman Center (grade 9).
There are three prominent private schools in Florence: Mars Hill Bible School, Shoals Christian School, and Florence Christian Academy. These are multi-denominational, private K-12 schools.
==Culture and events==
Florence's McFarland Park is a resting point for riders in the annual [http://www.al-tn-trailoftears.org/ Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride] which terminates in nearby Waterloo. The ride commemorates the final point at which area Cherokee Native Americans were shipped off to Oklahoma and the mid west by the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
The [http://www.flo-tour.org/indianmound.html Florence Indian Mound] is the largest of its type in the Tennessee Valley Region. The mound, which measures 310Hx230Wx42D (feet) and named "Wawmanona" was built circa 500 A.D. and is thought to be locale for tribal ceremony and ritual. A museum is adjacent the base.
[http://www.flo-tour.org/popes.html Pope's Tavern], is a renown historical stop, and served as a hospital along the way of many skirmishing Civil War soldiers from the North and South, and is one of Florence's oldest standing structures.
The [http://www.marriottshoals.com/ Mariott Shoals Hotel & Spa], formerly the Florence Conference Center, also features a revolving restaurant atop the Renaissance Tower, both which are nearby the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and overlook the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam.
[http://www.florenceharbor.com/ Florence Harbor Marina] is situated on Pickwick lake adjacent McFarland Park.
[http://www.florenceal.org/cultural/artsandmuseums.html The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts] is the center for numerous cultural activities, exhibits and events, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and provides administrative offices for Florence's six museums.
Florence also has a [http://www.shoalschildrensmuseum.org/ Children's Museum].
Florence is home to one of the oldest [[Disc Golf]] courses in the State. It is at Veterans Park, and was established in 1983.
The recently completed and redesigned [http://flpl.lib.al.us/ Florence/Lauderdale Public Library] opened its doors in 2002.
The [[George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]] has been ongoing for nine years, and is named in honor of [[George Lindsey]], an actor who is most famous for his character portrayal of "Goober Pyle" on The Andy Griffith Show. Mr. Lindsey is a UNA (then known as Florence State College) graduate.
Florence is also the current host of the [http://www.d2championship.com/ NCAA Division II National Football Championship Game], an event operated by the Shoals National Championship Committee, the University of North Alabama, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The [[Rosenbaum House]] on Riverview Drive is the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] building in the state.
{{See also|List of Registered Historic Places in Lauderdale County, Alabama}}
==Media==
Florence is served by the [[TimesDaily]] newspaper, among others.
==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>
==External links==
*[http://www.florenceal.org/ City of Florence, Alabama]
*[http://www.flo-tour.org Florence Tourism Board]
*[http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/ WC Handy Music Festival Official Website]
*[http://www.lindseyfilmfest.com/ George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]
*[http://flpl.lib.al.us/ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]
*[http://travel.nostalgiaville.com/Alabama/florence/florence%20al.htm Historical and Current Photographs of Florence]
*[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/hh:@field(SUBJ+@od1(ALABAMA--Lauderdale+County--Florence)) American Memory's Built in America Collection] which has drawings, photographs, and descriptions of old homes and buildings.
{{geolinks-US-cityscale|34.820287|-87.66286}}
{{Florence-Muscle Shoals Radio}}
{{Alabama}}
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Lauderdale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Florence, Alabama]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[de:Florence (Alabama)]]
[[ga:Florence, Alabama]]
[[io:Florence, Alabama]]
[[it:Florence (Alabama)]]
[[pt:Florence (Alabama)]]
[[sv:Florence, Alabama]]
[[uk:Флоренс km².
Florence labon belödanis {{Cleanup|date=March 2007}}
[[Image:Florence 043.jpg|thumb|Florence]]
'''Florence''' city is the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale County]] which is situated in the northwest corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]].
According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,480.<ref name=popest2>{{cite web | year = [[June 21]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama | format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 9 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>
Florence is the largest and principal city of the Florence - Muscle Shoals [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] known as "[[The Shoals]]" (which includes [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama|Muscle Shoals]], [[Sheffield, Alabama|Sheffield]], and [[Tuscumbia, Alabama|Tuscumbia]] metropolitan areas and [[Colbert County, Alabama|Colbert]] and Lauderdale counties). It is considered the primary economic hub of northwestern Alabama.
Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] Ferdinand Sannoner who named it after [[Florence]], the capital of [[Tuscany]]. Florence, Alabama, was incorporated in 1826.
Florence is the birthplace of [[W. C. Handy|W.C. Handy]], the "Father of the Blues," as well as of pioneering [[record producer]] [[Sam Phillips]], who discovered [[Elvis Presley]]. [[T.S. Stribling]], a 20th century author and Florence resident, wrote a prose trilogy about the city consisting of ''The Forge'', ''The Store'' (which won the [[Pulitzer Prize]]), and ''Unfinished Cathedral.'' [[Dred Scott]] also once resided in Florence, where as a slave, he worked as a [[hostler]] at the Peter Blow Inn on Tennessee street. A plaque at the former site commemorates his time there. [[Bobby W. Miller]] who marched with Dr. M.L. King in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 and later was credited with ending segregated locker rooms at the Ford Motor Company Die Cast Plant in Sheffield, Alabama, where he was employed from 1962-1974. Miller was shot down twice in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. [http://www.alabamabound.org/AuthorPages/YorkTom.htm Tom York] lived in Florence and is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and spent eight years in radio in Florence (WLAY). In 1957, he joined WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as their sports director. He also originated the Tom York Morning Show (one of America's longest running one hour local talk shows) on the air for 32 years. He was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1995.[http://www.nostalgiaville.com/travel/Alabama/florence/florence%20al.htm]
Florence is renown for its annual tourism events, including [http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/index.htm W.C. Handy Music Festival] in the summer, and the [http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/formatsite.cgi?Alabama_Renaissance_Faire Renaissance Faire] in the autumn. Florencian landmarks include the [[Rosenbaum House]], the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]-designed home located in the Southeast.
The type of municipal government is mayor-council.
==Geography==
[[Image:ALMap-doton-Florence.PNG|right|Location of Florence, Alabama]]
Florence is located at {{coor dms|34|49|13|N|87|39|46|W|city}} (34.820287, -87.662860).{{GR|1}}
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Florence has a total area of 64.8 [[km²]] (25.0 [[square mile|mi²]]). 64.6 km² (24.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.40%) is water. Florence is located on [[Wilson Lake]] and [[Pickwick Lake]], bodies of water on the [[Tennessee River]] dammed by [[Wheeler Dam|Wheeler]] and [[Wilson Dam]]s. [[Wheeler Lake]] was created by the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] (TVA), one of several [[alphabet agencies]] of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's]] [[New Deal]]. Wilson Dam, authorized by [[Woodrow Wilson|President Woodrow Wilson]] in 1918, was the first dam constructed on the Tennessee River.
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 36,264 people, 15,820 households, and 9,555 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 561.6/km² (1,454.6/mi²). There were 17,707 housing units at an average density of 274.2/km² (710.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.39% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.54% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 15,820 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,330, and the median income for a family was $40,577. Males had a median income of $34,398 versus $21,385 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,464. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
==Education==
Situated in Florence, and founded in 1830 as LaGrange College, the [[University of North Alabama]], a public, co-educational, higher education institution, is Alabama's oldest state certified university.
[[Florence City Schools]] is the K-12 public school system. Florence High School (grades 10-12) is the main high school, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. It was created by a merge between the previous Coffee High School and Henry A. Bradshaw High School. The merger also led to the creation of Florence Middle School (grades 7-8) and the Florence Freshman Center (grade 9).
There are three prominent private schools in Florence: Mars Hill Bible School, Shoals Christian School, and Florence Christian Academy. These are multi-denominational, private K-12 schools.
==Culture and events==
Florence's McFarland Park is a resting point for riders in the annual [http://www.al-tn-trailoftears.org/ Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride] which terminates in nearby Waterloo. The ride commemorates the final point at which area Cherokee Native Americans were shipped off to Oklahoma and the mid west by the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
The [http://www.flo-tour.org/indianmound.html Florence Indian Mound] is the largest of its type in the Tennessee Valley Region. The mound, which measures 310Hx230Wx42D (feet) and named "Wawmanona" was built circa 500 A.D. and is thought to be locale for tribal ceremony and ritual. A museum is adjacent the base.
[http://www.flo-tour.org/popes.html Pope's Tavern], is a renown historical stop, and served as a hospital along the way of many skirmishing Civil War soldiers from the North and South, and is one of Florence's oldest standing structures.
The [http://www.marriottshoals.com/ Mariott Shoals Hotel & Spa], formerly the Florence Conference Center, also features a revolving restaurant atop the Renaissance Tower, both which are nearby the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and overlook the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam.
[http://www.florenceharbor.com/ Florence Harbor Marina] is situated on Pickwick lake adjacent McFarland Park.
[http://www.florenceal.org/cultural/artsandmuseums.html The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts] is the center for numerous cultural activities, exhibits and events, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and provides administrative offices for Florence's six museums.
Florence also has a [http://www.shoalschildrensmuseum.org/ Children's Museum].
Florence is home to one of the oldest [[Disc Golf]] courses in the State. It is at Veterans Park, and was established in 1983.
The recently completed and redesigned [http://flpl.lib.al.us/ Florence/Lauderdale Public Library] opened its doors in 2002.
The [[George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]] has been ongoing for nine years, and is named in honor of [[George Lindsey]], an actor who is most famous for his character portrayal of "Goober Pyle" on The Andy Griffith Show. Mr. Lindsey is a UNA (then known as Florence State College) graduate.
Florence is also the current host of the [http://www.d2championship.com/ NCAA Division II National Football Championship Game], an event operated by the Shoals National Championship Committee, the University of North Alabama, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The [[Rosenbaum House]] on Riverview Drive is the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] building in the state.
{{See also|List of Registered Historic Places in Lauderdale County, Alabama}}
==Media==
Florence is served by the [[TimesDaily]] newspaper, among others.
==References==
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==External links==
*[http://www.florenceal.org/ City of Florence, Alabama]
*[http://www.flo-tour.org Florence Tourism Board]
*[http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/ WC Handy Music Festival Official Website]
*[http://www.lindseyfilmfest.com/ George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]
*[http://flpl.lib.al.us/ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]
*[http://travel.nostalgiaville.com/Alabama/florence/florence%20al.htm Historical and Current Photographs of Florence]
*[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/hh:@field(SUBJ+@od1(ALABAMA--Lauderdale+County--Florence)) American Memory's Built in America Collection] which has drawings, photographs, and descriptions of old homes and buildings.
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[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Lauderdale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Florence, Alabama]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
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