Billingsley is a village in Autauga County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 125. It is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Billingsley, Alabama
Location of Billingsley in Autauga County, Alabama.
Location of Billingsley in Autauga County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 32°39′37″N 86°42′40″W / 32.66028°N 86.71111°W / 32.66028; -86.71111
CountryUnited States United States
StateAlabama Alabama
CountyAutauga
Incorporated1901
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
Area
 • Total1.18 sq mi (3.05 km2)
 • Land1.18 sq mi (3.04 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
371 ft (113 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total125
 • Density106.38/sq mi (41.09/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
36006
Area codes205, 659
FIPS code01-06460
GNIS feature ID0151686

Education facilities edit

Geography edit

Billingsley is located at 32°39'37.498" north, 86°42'40.489" west (32.660416, -86.711247).[2]

The community is located approximately 37 mi (60 km) northwest of Montgomery, 69 mi (111 km) south of Birmingham, and 69 mi (111 km) southeast of Tuscaloosa via major roads in the area (I-65 and U.S. Route 82).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), of which 0.0012 square miles (0.003 km2), or 0.12%, is water.[3]

History edit

Billingsley was initially referred to as Cartersville after the W. W. Carter family (the first settlers in the area) established a grist mill, a lumber company, and a cotton gin in the area. By the time the settlement had grown enough to warrant an official name, however, the Carter family was no longer the largest family, having been surpassed by the Billingsley family. Therefore, the town was named in honor of Clement Billingsley, who had served in the Revolutionary War. Billingsley was one of several war veterans from Virginia who moved west to present-day Autauga County. Upon Billingsley’s death in 1844, his assets, which included land, money, and enslaved African Americans, were divided among his children, thereby increasing the family’s prominence in the county. Billingsley is buried in the Gaines Cemetery in the town.

By the 1880s, Billingsley had a mail stop on a stagecoach route. In 1898, a Montgomery, Alabama branch of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad completed a line through town, bringing with it a construction and population boom. The town expanded enough to support six general stores among other businesses, and the local sawmill tripled its output. The town incorporated in 1901.[4]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1910256
1920214−16.4%
1930189−11.7%
1940183−3.2%
1950158−13.7%
196017913.3%
1970110−38.5%
1980106−3.6%
199015041.5%
2000116−22.7%
201014424.1%
2020125−13.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 116 people, 46 households, and 33 families residing in the town. The population density was 98.6 inhabitants per square mile (38.1/km2). There were 58 housing units at an average density of 49.3 per square mile (19.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.52% White, 6.03% Black or African American, 1.72% Native American and 1.72% Pacific Islander.

There were 46 households, out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 19.6% 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 2.52 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,688, and the median income for a family was $46,000. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $15,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,713. There were 10.0% of families and 11.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 14.8% of under eighteens and 4.8% of those over 64.

Climate edit

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Billingsley has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [7]

Notable People edit

  • Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, lived in Billingsley with relatives as a child for a time after her mother died and spent summers there until she was about 20 years old.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  3. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Billingsley town, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  4. ^ "Billingsley". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  6. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ Climate Summary for Billingsley, Alabama
  8. ^ "Billingsley". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved February 10, 2024.

32°39′37″N 86°42′40″W / 32.660416°N 86.711247°W / 32.660416; -86.711247