Editing Ashford, Alabama

{{More citations needed|date=December 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Ashford, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_seal               = Seal of Ashford, Alabama.png
|image_map                = File:Houston County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Ashford Highlighted 0102836.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Ashford in Houston County, Alabama.
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Houston County, Alabama|Houston]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_date         = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 16.12
|area_total_sq_mi         = 6.22
|area_land_km2            = 16.06
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.20
|area_water_km2           = 0.06
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|elevation_ft             = 279
|elevation_m              = 85
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2246
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 139.81
|population_density_sq_mi = 362.14
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|31|11|2|N|85|14|7|W|region:US-AL|display=inline}}
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 36312
|area_code                = [[Area code 334|334]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-02836
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0113251
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|website = {{URL|http://www.cityofashford.com/}}
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''Ashford''' is a town<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/boundary_changes/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806133317/http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/boundary_changes/index.html|url-status=dead|title=U.S. Census change list|archivedate=August 6, 2010}}</ref> in [[Houston County, Alabama|Houston County]], [[Alabama]], [[United States]]. It is part of the [[Dothan, Alabama]] [[Dothan, Alabama metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The town was incorporated in June 1891.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3073|title=Ashford|website=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}</ref> For most of its history, it was a center for [[naval stores]] production, [[pulpwood]] harvesting, and [[cotton]] agriculture. The population was 2,148 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0102836| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ashford town, Alabama| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| accessdate=April 12, 2017}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> up from 1,853 at the 2000 census.

==Geography==
Ashford is located slightly northeast of the center of Houston County at {{Coord|31|11|3|N|85|14|7|W|type:city}} (31.184032, -85.235286).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> [[U.S. Route 84]] passes through the southern part of the town, leading west {{Convert|9|mi|0}} to [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan]] and southeast {{convert|24|mi}} to [[Donalsonville, Georgia]]. The [[Chattahoochee River]], which forms the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] state line, is {{Convert|12|mi}} southeast of Ashford on US 84.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|16.4|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.06|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 0.34%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

==History==
[[File:Ashford-depot.jpg|thumb|left|Ashford Depot 1920's]]
In March 1888, the Alabama Midland Railway built a small [[train station|depot]] of Victorian railroad architecture in Ashford to be a waystation along the [[Bainbridge, Georgia|Bainbridge]]-to-[[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]] route. The depot was the only building to survive the 1915 fire that destroyed the rest of the town. The original depot received additions at least twice—an enclosed warehouse and open loading dock were added to the east, followed by racially segregated passenger waiting rooms on the west side. The depot faced two sidings that served for loading [[turpentine]] from the Adams Company [[still]] one block away, and [[pulpwood]]. Cotton bales, fertilizer, and a single [[sweet potato]] crop were loaded from both sidings.

[[File:8c10277r.jpg|thumb|left|Old Planters Cotton Warehouse 1930's]]
The depot changed hands as railroads consolidated. The Alabama Midland was absorbed by the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad|Atlantic Coast Line]], which merged in the 1980s with the [[Seaboard Air Line]] to form the [[Seaboard Coast Line]]. [[CSX Transportation]] later bought the Seaboard Coast Line. Ashford Depot had fallen into disrepair after it closed in 1978. In the 1980s, concerned citizens founded a [[historic preservation|preservation]] committee, led by Jimmy Burgess, and received a grant to add a new roof to the building. This committee also placed the depot on the Alabama Register of Historical Places. It remained active into the 1990s. Former Mayor Bryan Alloway revived the depot preservation committee after his 2000 election. This committee planned to incorporate and seek tax-exempt status in 2005. It received two US Department of Transportation grants ($850,000), two Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grants ($290,000), and one Alabama Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) grant ($7500) to thoroughly renovate the depot. Construction began in fall 2004. The committee and Ashford City officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 17, 2005, to mark the end of Phase I of the reconstruction. Now the depot can be used for reunions, birthdays, and social events that the city might sponsor.

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael's western eye wall passed thru the City of Ashford causing major damage and left 100% of the city without power.  No injuries or fatalities were associated with the storm.

==Government==
[[File:Carol Barfield 2019.jpg|thumb|Mayor Carol Barfield. Her tenure started January 1, 2018.]]
The current mayor is Carole Barfield, and City Council members are Place 1 - John Wayne Massey, Place 2 - Ronnie L. Whitehead, Place 3 - Jash Johnson, Place 4 - Blake Rosenkoetter, Place 5 - James Edward Smith.  The City Clerk is Janet Rumley.

The police chief is Malvin Anderson, who supervises four full-time police officers; the fire chief is Jimmy Posey. The fire department and rescue squad are all volunteers.

The City of Ashford's website is [http://cityofashford.com/ City of Ashford, Official Website]

Previous mayors of the City of Ashford:
Jonathon Grecu,
Rusty Burgess,
Bryan Alloway

2020 Election:

Mayor - Carole Barfield 257 votes (57%)   Gary Gibson 194 votes  (43%)

Place 1 -  John Wayne Massey (unopposed)

Place 2 - Ronnie L. Whitehead 257 votes  (58%)   Benji McWaters 186  (42%)

Place 3 - Josh Johnson replaced Alan Anderson.  Mr. Anderson resigned in 2022.

Place 4 - Blake Rosenkoetter 258 votes  (59%)   Terry A. Smith 176 votes  (41%)

Place 5 - James Edward Smith 213 votes  (50%)   Richard Bolden 145 votes  (34%)   Jimmy R. Weems 65 votes  (15%)

==Education==
[[File:AES Sign.png|thumb|Ashford Elementary School]] [[File:AHS Sign.jpg|thumb|Ashford High School]]

Ashford schools are part of the Houston County Board of Education. Ashford has one elementary school for grades K-5 and a high school for grades 6-12. The schools mascot is known as the yellow jackets named Buzz.  The current principal of Ashford Elementary School is Sharon LeRoy and the principal of Ashford High School is Dr. Donnie Chambers.

[[File:2019 Ashford High School Band.jpg|thumb|2019 Ashford High School Band at the 2019 Alabama State High School Marching Band Championships]]

Ashford Academy was once a private school that closed its doors at the end of the 2014–2015 school year.

==Recreation==
The City of Ashford offers recreation activities throughout the year, including baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball.  Football and cheerleading is organized through the Ashford Youth Sports Association. The recreation ball fields are located behind Ashford High School on 8th Avenue.  The recreation park includes T-Ball, softball, and baseball fields.  Basketball is played at Watermark Church of Ashford.  In 2015, Ashford hosted the 2015 Alabama State Class "A" Baseball Tournament.  In 2021, the Ashford recreation boys 8u all-star team won the state championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and then went on to Laurel, Mississippi to play in the 2021 Dixie Youth World Series where they finished 3rd in the class AA division.

==Demographics==
===Town of Ashford===
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1900= 286
|1910= 479
|1920= 754
|1930= 920
|1940= 1224
|1950= 1400
|1960= 1511
|1970= 1980
|1980= 2165
|1990= 1926
|2000= 1853
|2010= 2148
|2020= 2246
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="U.S. Decennial Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
}}
Ashford first appeared on the 1900 U.S. Census as an incorporated town, then in Henry County.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics of Population - Minor Civil Divisions - Alabama |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch05.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |pages=54{{endash}}63 |date=1900}}</ref> In 1903, Ashford was shifted into the new county of Houston. See also Ashford Precinct below.

===2000 Census data===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,853 people, 763 households, and 527 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|303.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 877 housing units at an average density of {{convert|143.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 71.45% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 27.52% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.05% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], and 0.27% from two or more races. 1.51% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 763 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% 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 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,444, and the median income for a family was $40,313. Males had a median income of $30,167 versus $22,286 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,135. About 11.3% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 27.7% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=July 25, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,148 people, 867 households, and 623 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|352.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,004 housing units at an average density of {{convert|164.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 79.0% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], and 0.7% from two or more races. .8% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 867 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 24.8% 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 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,709, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $38,654 versus $27,143 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,444. About 9.1% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ashford racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0102836&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 17, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,646
|73.29%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|458
|20.39%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|10
|0.45%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|6
|0.27%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.04%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|87
|3.87%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|38
|1.69%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,246 people, 865 households, and 635 families residing in the town.

==Ashford Precinct/Division (1900-70)==
{{US Census population|align=right
|1900= 1521
|1910= 1837
|1920= 2266
|1930= 2425
|1940= 2529
|1950= 2605
|1960= 4607
|1970= 4769
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="U.S. Decennial Census"/>
}}
Ashford Precinct was first created in 1900, then as the 19th precinct of Henry County. In 1903, Ashford was shifted into the new county of Houston and its precinct was renumbered the 10th.<ref>{{cite web |title=Supplement for Alabama - Population, Agriculture, Manufactures, Mines and Quarries |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41033935v1-8ch1.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1910}}</ref> In 1960, it was reorganized into a census division.<ref>{{cite web |title=Number of Inhabitants - Alabama |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721510v1p2ch2.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1960}}</ref> In 1980, the Ashford Census Division was merged into the Dothan Census Division.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Bureau of the Census |title=1980 Census Characteristics of the Population - Number of Inhabitants - Alabama |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_alABC-01.pdf |date=April 1982}}</ref>

==Notable person==
* [[Robert Stewart (lineman)|Robert Stewart]], former [[Arena Football League]] player

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Coord|display=title|31.184032|-85.235286}}
{{Houston County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Alabama]]
[[Category:Towns in Houston County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Dothan metropolitan area, Alabama]]