Editing Cullman, Alabama

{{Short description|City in and county seat of Cullman County, Alabama}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Cullman, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "A City of Character"
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Cullman-aerial-real-estate-photography (21 of 21).1.jpg
|imagesize                = 275px
|image_caption            = Hwy 278 & Hwy 31
|image_flag               = Flag of Cullman, Alabama.png
|image_seal               = 
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Cullman, Alabama.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Cullman County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cullman Highlighted 0118976.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Cullman in Cullman County, Alabama
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = Mayor-Council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Woody Jacobs
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1873
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        = March 6, 1875<ref>{{cite web |title=Municipalities of Alabama Incorporation Dates |publisher=Alabama League of Municipalities |url=https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/AboutUs/Alabama_Municipalities_Incorporation_Dates.pdf |access-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225202142/https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/AboutUs/Alabama_Municipalities_Incorporation_Dates.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|named_for                = Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullmann
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 6, 2024|archive-date=November 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115051525/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_01.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 62.279
|area_land_km2            = 58.802
|area_water_km2           = 3.477
|area_total_sq_mi         = 24.046
|area_land_sq_mi          = 22.704
|area_water_sq_mi         = 1.342
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 19913
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 18213
|population_density_km2   = 328.6
|population_density_sq_mi = 851
|population_urban         = 21165
|population_density_urban_km2 = 380.2
|population_density_urban_sq_mi = 985
|population_metro         = 90,665
|population_density_metro_km2 = 47.64
|population_density_metro_sq_mi = 123.4
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 248
|elevation_ft             = 814
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|10|35|N|86|50|25|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 35055, 35056, 35057, 35058
|area_code                = [[Area codes 256 and 938|256 and 938]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-18976
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2404166<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404166}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://cullmanal.gov/|cullmanal.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Cullman''' is the largest city and [[county seat]] of [[Cullman County, Alabama]], United States. It is located along [[Interstate 65]], about {{convert|50|mi}} north of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and about {{convert|55|mi}} south of [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] it had a population of 18,213,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Cullman_city,_Alabama?g=160XX00US0118976 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831073623/https://data.census.gov/profile/Cullman_city,_Alabama?g=160XX00US0118976 |url-status=live }}</ref> with an estimated population of 19,913 in 2023.<ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>

==History==
Before the arrival of American settlers, the area that today includes Cullman was originally in the territory of the [[Cherokee Nation]]. The region was traversed by a trail known as the Black Warrior's Path, which led from the [[Tennessee River]] near the present location of [[Florence, Alabama]], to a point on the [[Black Warrior River]] south of Cullman. This trail figured significantly in Cherokee history, and it featured prominently in the [[American Indian Wars]] prior to the establishment of the state of Alabama and the relocation of several American Indian tribes, including the [[Muscogee|Creek people]] westward along the [[Trail of Tears]]. During the [[Creek War]] in 1813, General [[Andrew Jackson]] of the U.S. Army dispatched a contingent of troops down the trail, one of which included the frontiersman [[Davy Crockett]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fulenwider |first=Dan |title=Cullman County, Alabama History: The Black Warrior's Path |url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history3.htm#blackwarrior |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927024240/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history3.htm#blackwarrior |archive-date=September 27, 2009 |access-date=January 28, 2010 |website=Cullman County, Alabama |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In the 1820s and the 1830s, two toll roads were built linking the Tennessee Valley to present-day [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]. In 1822, Abraham Stout was given a charter by the [[Alabama Legislature]] to open and turnpike a road beginning from Gandy's Cove in [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] to the ghost town of Baltimore on the [[Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River|Mulberry Fork]] near [[Colony, Alabama|Colony]]. The road passed near present-day [[Vinemont, Alabama|Vinemont]] through Cullman, [[Good Hope, Alabama|Good Hope]], and down the current [[Interstate 65]] corridor to the Mulberry Fork. The road was later extended to [[Elyton, Alabama|Elyton]] (Birmingham) in 1827. It then became known as Stout's Road. Mace Thomas Payne Brindley was given a charter in 1833 to turnpike two roads, one running between [[Blount Springs, Alabama|Blount Springs]] to [[Somerville, Alabama|Somerville]] by way of his homestead in present-day [[Simcoe, Alabama|Simcoe]], and the second road passing west of [[Hanceville, Alabama|Hanceville]] and east of Downtown Cullman to join Stout's Road north of the city. What later became the Brindley Turnpike became an extension of Stout's Road to [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]]. Cullman later became located between the juncture of the two roads, and they predated the corridor of [[U.S. Route 31]].

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the future location of Cullman was the site of the minor [[Battle of Day's Gap]]. On April 30, 1863, [[Union Army|Union]] forces under the command of Colonel [[Abel Streight]] won a victory over forces under [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] General [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]]. This battle was part of a campaign and chase known collectively as Streight's Raid. Although Streight got the upper hand in this battle, Forrest would have the last laugh. In one of the more humorous moments of the war, Streight sought a truce and negotiations with Forrest in present-day [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee County]] near present-day [[Gaylesville, Alabama|Gaylesville]]. Although Streight's force was larger than Forrest's, while the two were negotiating, Forrest had his troops march repeatedly in a circuitous route past the site of the talks. Thinking himself to be badly outnumbered, Streight surrendered to Forrest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partain |first=Rich |title=Streight's Raid |url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927022749/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history2.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2009 |access-date=January 28, 2010 |website=co.cullman.al.us |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Col. John Cullmann.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Colonel John G. Cullmann, founder of Cullman (1823–1895)]]
Cullman itself was founded in 1873 by Colonel [[John G. Cullmann]], a German immigrant.<ref>Although some sources state that Cullmann had earlier Americanized his name from "Kullmann," Stanley Johnson, his only surviving American descendant, told ''[[The Cullman Times]]'' in 1998 that there are no German records indicating the name "Kullmann", and that "Cullmann" had always been the correct spelling. {{Cite news |year=1998 |title=Cullman: Moving Forward while Treasuring the Past |newspaper=[[The Cullman Times]]}}</ref> Cullmann had been an advocate of democratic reforms in his native [[Bavaria]], having fought and acquired his honorific title "Colonel" during the [[German revolutions of 1848–49|Revolutions of 1848–49]]. After the failure of the revolution, Cullmann found himself in financial ruin. In the years to follow, he would try to re-establish himself in business, but after several setbacks, including a great financial loss in the [[First Schleswig War]], he would remain unsuccessful. As time went on and [[Prussia]], under [[William I, German Emperor|King Wilhelm I]] and his Minister President [[Otto von Bismarck]], began to exert more influence in the German region (eventually [[Unification of Germany|unifying Germany under Prussian rule]] in 1871), Cullmann began to believe that his political ideals were fundamentally incompatible with those of the German Government. As a result, he decided to emigrate from his homeland. Settling first in London due to fears that he would be forced to join in the ongoing [[American Civil War]], Cullmann eventually came to America in 1865. He moved to Alabama in 1871 and, in 1873, negotiated an agreement to act as agent for a tract of land {{convert|349000|acre|km2}} in size, owned by the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] Company, on which he established a colony for German immigrants.<ref name="founding">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Stanley |title=Founding of Cullman |url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428001839/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history1.htm |archive-date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=January 28, 2010 |website=co.cullman.al.us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/northernalabamah00birm |title=Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical |publisher=Smith & Deland |year=1888 |location=Birmingham}}</ref>

Five German families moved to the area in March 1873; in 1874, the town was incorporated and named after Colonel Cullmann (with the town name being Americanized to 'Cullman' with one 'n'). Over the next 20 years, Cullmann encouraged around 100,000 Germans to immigrate to the United States, with many settling in the Cullman area. Cullmann drew on his military engineering training in laying out and planning the town. During this period, Cullman underwent considerable growth. [[German language|German]] continued to be widely spoken, and Cullmann himself was the publisher of a German-language newspaper. When Cullmann died in 1895, at the age of 72, his funeral was marked by the attendance of Governor [[William C. Oates]].<ref name="founding" /> The site Cullmann selected for his headquarters is now his gravesite.

German immigrants also founded St. Bernard's Monastery, on the grounds of which is the [[Ave Maria Grotto]], containing 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world. It is Cullman's principal tourist attraction.<ref name="Ave Maria Grotto">{{Cite web |title=The Ave Maria Grotto |url=http://www.minorsights.com/2015/01/usa-ave-maria-grotto.html |access-date=March 22, 2015 |website=MinorSights.com |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131554/http://www.minorsights.com/2015/01/usa-ave-maria-grotto.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

From the 1890s until the 1950s, Cullman was a [[sundown town]], where African Americans were not allowed to live.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 8, 1898 |title=The Race Problem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29070171/ |work=The Free Press |location=Ozark, Alabama |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=It is our recollection that it was once 'against the law' for a negro to live in Cullman in this state. |access-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831073623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-press/29070171/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Z. B. |title=No title |work=Scottsboro Progressive Age |location=Scottsboro, Alabama}} Reprinted in {{cite news |title=A Bit of Gossip About Things Away from Home |work=The Tribune-Gazette |location=Cullman, Alabama |date=March 2, 1899 |page=7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29070198/ |via=Newspapers.com |quote=In Cullman there are many handsome homes kept up in the best city style, and the people are so hospitable and social that visitors cannot help but fall in love with the place. Many of the older people speak no English at all, and will not allow it spoken in their families, and negroes are not allowed to live there at all. It seems very strange to find such a town in Alabama. |access-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831073624/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-gazette/29070198/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rawls |first=Phillip |date=February 9, 2011 |title=Senator Defends Call to 'Empty the Clip' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29386059/ |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |location=Montgomery, Alabama |page=4C |via=Newspapers.com |quote=She said the remarks were especially troubling because [[Scott Beason|[Scott] Beason]] chose to make them in Cullman, an overwhelmingly white city that once was known as a 'sundown town' because blacks feared being there after sunset. |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831073624/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser/29386059/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Tom Drake (wrestler)|Tom Drake]], a former Alabama state legislator and [[Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives]], stated that "there used to be signs on the railroad track, at the county line and all that. 'Nigger, don't let the sun set on your head in Cullman County.'"<ref name="Windham">{{Cite news |last=Windham |first=Ben |date=March 5, 2006 |title=Cullman's 'Sundown Town' Image Worthy of Study |url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20060305/News/606110354/TL/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102014713/https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20060305/News/606110354/TL/ |archive-date=2019-11-02 |access-date=2024-08-31 |agency=Tuscaloosa News}}</ref> The need for Black day laborers in Cullman subsequently led to a rise in population of [[Colony, Alabama]], a safe haven for the discriminated.<ref name="Windham" />

For many years Cullman was a college town, with [[Saint Bernard College]] serving as the home of several hundred students. In the mid-1970s, St. Bernard briefly merged with Sacred Heart College (a two-year Benedictine women's college), to become Southern Benedictine College. That college closed in 1979, and it now operates as [[St. Bernard Preparatory School]], serving grades 9–12. The former site of Sacred Heart College is now the Sacred Heart Monastery, which serves as a retreat center operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of St Bernard Prep |url=http://www.stbernardprep.com/node/65 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716133752/http://www.stbernardprep.com/node/65 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=January 28, 2010 |website=stbernardprep.com}}</ref>

During the 20th century, Cullman developed a more diverse economy, including several manufacturing and distribution facilities. The City of Cullman regularly ranks as a top 'micropolitan' city in the nation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bullard |first=Benjamin |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Cullman Makes Best Micropolitan Rankings List |url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/cullman-makes-best-micropolitan-rankings-list/article_f474e732-999a-11ec-8220-9bb7b5696023.html |work=[[The Cullman Times]] |access-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327231618/https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/cullman-makes-best-micropolitan-rankings-list/article_f474e732-999a-11ec-8220-9bb7b5696023.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cullman gained national attention in early 2008, when a special election was held to fill a vacancy in the [[Alabama House of Representatives]]. The district that included Cullman elected [[James C. Fields]], an African American, in that special election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nossiter |first=Adam |date=February 21, 2008 |title=Race Matters Less in Politics of South |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21race.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Cullman%20election&st=cse&oref=slogin |access-date=January 28, 2010 |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=A1 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829205229/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21race.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Cullman%20election&st=cse&oref=slogin |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cullman's German heritage was repressed during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], while the United States was fighting Germany. This was reversed in the 1970s, with renewed interest in the city's history and heritage. Today, Cullman holds an annual [[Oktoberfest]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oktoberfest History Oktoberfest |url=http://www.cullmanoktoberfest.com/history.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212904/http://www.cullmanoktoberfest.com/history.cfm |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=November 29, 2010 |website=Cullman, Alabama Oktoberfest |df=mdy-all}}</ref> An honorary "[[Bürgermeister]]" is elected for each Oktoberfest. For many years the Oktoberfest did not include alcohol because Cullman was [[dry county|dry]], but starting in 2011 the Oktoberfest was able to offer beer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 4, 2010 |title=Cheers: Home of Dry Oktoberfest Goes Wet |url=http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101104/NEWS02/11040314/1009/rss04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717190536/http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101104/NEWS02/11040314/1009/rss04 |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=November 29, 2010 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Geography==
Cullman is located on top of the [[Brindley Mountain]] plateau at {{Coord|34|10|35|N|86|50|25|W|type:city}} (34.1764162, -86.8403857).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This is a close offshoot of the long geographic ridge called [[Sand Mountain (Alabama)|Sand Mountain]], a southmost extension of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The elevation is {{convert|814|ft|m}}, close to the watershed between the [[Tennessee River]] and the [[Black Warrior River]]. Cullman provides its own town water supply from a city-owned lake within the city limits, Lake Catoma.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cullmancity.org/departments/water%20treatment.htm|title=City of Cullman|website=www.cullmancity.org|access-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702214722/http://www.cullmancity.org/departments/water%20treatment.htm|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|24.046|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|22.704|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|1.342|sqmi|km2}}, is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

New zoning laws and alcohol ordinances have allowed for greater expansion and growth in the downtown Cullman area.<ref name="About - Downtown Cullman">{{Cite news|url=https://downtowncullman.com/about-cullman|title=About - Downtown Cullman|work=Downtown Cullman|access-date=May 15, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Cullman has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref name="Weatherbase">{{Cite web |title=Culman, Alabama |url=https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=70837&cityname=Cullman%2C+Alabama%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |access-date=May 21, 2023 |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521191301/https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=70837&cityname=Cullman%2C%20Alabama%2C%20United%20States%20of%20America&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Cullman, Alabama (Saint Bernard) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 85
|Mar record high F = 89
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 107
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 89
|Dec record high F = 80
|Jan avg record high F = 70.4
|Feb avg record high F = 75.4
|Mar avg record high F = 81.2
|Apr avg record high F = 86.0
|May avg record high F = 90.1
|Jun avg record high F = 94.8
|Jul avg record high F = 97.1
|Aug avg record high F = 96.9
|Sep avg record high F = 94.4
|Oct avg record high F = 87.1
|Nov avg record high F = 79.4
|Dec avg record high F = 71.8
|year avg record high F = 98.9
|Jan high F = 52.3
|Feb high F = 57.2
|Mar high F = 65.2
|Apr high F = 73.7
|May high F = 80.5
|Jun high F = 86.7
|Jul high F = 89.7
|Aug high F = 89.6
|Sep high F = 84.7
|Oct high F = 74.6
|Nov high F = 63.3
|Dec high F = 55.1
|year high F = 
|Jan mean F = 41.9
|Feb mean F = 46.1
|Mar mean F = 53.4
|Apr mean F = 61.5
|May mean F = 69.1
|Jun mean F = 76.0
|Jul mean F = 79.4
|Aug mean F = 79.4
|Sep mean F = 73.4
|Oct mean F = 62.1
|Nov mean F = 51.1
|Dec mean F = 44.4
|year mean F = 
|Jan low F = 31.5
|Feb low F = 34.9
|Mar low F = 41.6
|Apr low F = 49.4
|May low F = 57.8
|Jun low F = 65.3
|Jul low F = 69.2
|Aug low F = 69.2
|Sep low F = 62.1
|Oct low F = 49.7
|Nov low F = 38.9
|Dec low F = 33.7
|year low F = 
|Jan avg record low F = 11.1
|Feb avg record low F = 15.6
|Mar avg record low F = 21.2
|Apr avg record low F = 30.2
|May avg record low F = 40.4
|Jun avg record low F = 52.3
|Jul avg record low F = 59.0
|Aug avg record low F = 57.7
|Sep avg record low F = 46.0
|Oct avg record low F = 31.2
|Nov avg record low F = 20.9
|Dec avg record low F = 16.7
|year avg record low F = 8.9
|Jan record low F = -17
|Feb record low F = -7
|Mar record low F = 5
|Apr record low F = 21
|May record low F = 30
|Jun record low F = 40
|Jul record low F = 48
|Aug record low F = 48
|Sep record low F = 34
|Oct record low F = 19
|Nov record low F = 2
|Dec record low F = -5
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.72
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.86
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.68
|Apr precipitation inch = 5.43
|May precipitation inch = 4.93
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.86
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.58
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.93
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.61
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.91
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.94
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.87
|year precipitation inch = 
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.4
|Feb precipitation days = 9.7
|Mar precipitation days = 10.4
|Apr precipitation days = 8.2
|May precipitation days = 9.2
|Jun precipitation days = 9.7
|Jul precipitation days = 9.8
|Aug precipitation days = 8.4
|Sep precipitation days = 6.4
|Oct precipitation days = 6.6
|Nov precipitation days = 7.5
|Dec precipitation days = 9.8
|Jan snow inch = 0.3
|Feb snow inch = 0.3
|Mar snow inch = 0.3
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.1
|year snow inch = 1.1
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.2
|Feb snow days = 0.2
|Mar snow days = 0.1
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.0
|year snow days = 0.6
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name="NOAA">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Saint Bernard, AL |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00017157&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |access-date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025214501/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00017157&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=xmACIS2 |url=https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815183401/http://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

===Severe weather===
{{Main|2011 Cullman tornado}}
[[File:Cullman Alabama First Methodist Church Damage.jpg|thumbnail|2011 tornado damage]]
Downtown was significantly damaged by an [[Enhanced Fujita scale|EF4]] tornado during the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. Hitting on April 27, it destroyed many buildings in downtown and in an east-side residential area, but caused no fatalities. The twister moved northeast towards [[Arab, Alabama|Arab]] and [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]], killing two Cullman County residents and at least four others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=4272011_cullman_county |title=National Weather Service Huntsville, AL - Cullman County Survey Information |publisher=Srh.noaa.gov |date=March 17, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2013 |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106031025/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=4272011_cullman_county |url-status=live }}</ref> Cullman has since rebuilt and revitalized the downtown area.

==Education==
The [[Cullman City School System]], which includes almost all of the city,<ref name=USCensusSDMap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01043_cullman/DC20SD_C01043.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cullman County, AL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|pages=8-10, 15 (PDF pp. 9-11, 16/31)|access-date=2024-09-26}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01043_cullman/DC20SD_C01043_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> operates five schools:

*Cullman Primary School (pre-K – second grade)
*East Elementary (third – fifth grade)
*West Elementary (third – sixth grade)
*John G. Cullman Middle School (sixth and eighth grades)
*[[Cullman High School]] (ninth – twelfth grade)

Small portions of Cullman City are in the [[Cullman County School District]].<ref name=USCensusSDMap2020/>

Other schools in Cullman include:

*[[Saint Bernard Preparatory School]],  [[Benedictine]] boarding and day school (ninth – twelfth grade)
*Saint Bernard Middle School (seventh and eighth grade)
*Sacred Heart Elementary School (pre-K – sixth grade)
*Saint Paul's Lutheran School (Pre-K – sixth grade)
*Cullman Christian School (pre-K – twelfth grade)

Cullman is also the home of  [[Wallace State Community College]] in [[Hanceville, Alabama|Hanceville]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 426
|1890= 1017
|1900= 1255
|1910= 2130
|1920= 2467
|1930= 2786
|1940= 5074
|1950= 7523
|1960= 10883
|1970= 12601
|1980= 13084
|1990= 13367
|2000= 13995
|2010= 14775
|2020= 18213
|estyear=2023
|estimate=19913
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=March 6, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 6, 2024|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Cullman racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0118976&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=data.census.gov|archive-date=August 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831073626/https://data.census.gov/akam/13/pixel_6c19af28|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Race
!Number
!Percent
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|15,883
|87.21%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|236
|1.3%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|29
|0.16%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|291
|1.6%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|4
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|731
|4.01%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,039
|5.7%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 18,213 people, 7,445 households, and 4,614 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cullman%20city,%20Alabama%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831073730/https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cullman%20city,%20Alabama%20p16&y=2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> There were 8,023 housing units.

===2010 census===
The population density was {{convert|765.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 6,957 housing units at an average density of {{convert|365.1|/sqmi}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial]] makeup of the city was 95% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 14,775 people and 6,957 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,164, and the median income for a family was $41,313. Males had a median income of $32,863 versus $21,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,484. About 9.4% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

Cullman was ranked among ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 50 Best Places to Raise Your Kids in 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20111115/the-best-places-to-raise-your-kids-2012#slide2|title=The Best Places to Raise Your Kids 2012|access-date=July 15, 2013|archive-date=July 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726023038/http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20111115/the-best-places-to-raise-your-kids-2012#slide2|url-status=dead}}</ref> based on the city's educational and economic factors, crime level, air quality, amenities, and ethnic diversity.

==Media==

===Radio stations===
*[[WFMH (AM)|WFMH]] 1340 AM ([[Sports radio|Sports/Talk]])
*[[WKUL]] 92.1 FM ([[Country music|Country]]/[[Talk radio|Talk]])
* WRJM-LP 95.5 FM  (CHR/AAA/Variety)
*[[WMCJ]] 1460 AM ([[Southern Gospel]])
*[[WXJC-FM (2018-present)|WXJC-FM]] 101.1 FM (Gospel/Talk)

===Newspapers===
*''The Tribune-Gazette'' (1898–1903)
*''[[The Cullman Times]]'' (daily)
*''The Cullman Tribune'' (daily)

===Television===
Cullman is in the TV broadcasting areas of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and [[Huntsville, Alabama]].

There are two low-power broadcasting stations in Cullman: [[WCQT-LD]] TV-27 and [https://web.archive.org/web/20150109041357/http://www.channel2cullman.com/ CATV-2]. Cullman also has a [[Public, Educational, and Government Access Television|PEG]] station, CCTV55, which is run by students at [[Cullman High School]]. CCTV55 was known as CATS-55 at one time.

==Health care==
* Cullman Regional Medical Center<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cullmanregional.com/|title=Cullman Regional Medical Center &#124; Cullman, Alabama|website=Cullman Regional Medical Center|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117002424/https://cullmanregional.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> – a 115-bed hospital

==Transportation==
*[[Image:I-65.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 65 (Alabama)|Interstate 65]]
*[[Image:US 31.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 31 in Alabama|U.S. Highway 31]]
*[[Image:US 278.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Highway 278 (Alabama)|U.S. Highway 278]]
*[[Image:Alabama 69.svg|25px]] [[State Route 69 (Alabama)|State Route 69]]
*[[Image:Alabama 157.svg|25px]] [[State Route 157 (Alabama)|State Route 157]]
*[[CSX Transportation]] (railroad)
*[[Folsom Field (Alabama)|Folsom Field]] municipal airport

==Notable people==
*[[JoJo Billingsley]], singer/songwriter
*[[Wesley Britt]], former NFL player
*[[Paul Burnum]], former basketball and baseball coach
*[[Paul Bussman]], member of the Alabama Senate
*[[Caleb Clay]], former MLB pitcher
*[[Melinda Dillon]], actress<ref>Wahls, Robert (October 28, 1962). [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97826888/daily-news/ "90-Day Wonder: An Unknown Only Three Months Ago, 23-year-old Actress Melinda Dillon Shot to Stardom in Broadway Debut"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328124937/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97826888/daily-news/ |date=March 28, 2023 }}. ''New York Daily News''. Sec. 2, pg. 16. Retrieved March 18, 2022.</ref>
*[[Jamelle Folsom]], First Lady of Alabama 1948–1951 and 1955–1959<ref name=ma>{{cite news|title=Former Ala. first lady Jamelle Folsom dies at 85 |url=http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/viewart/20121202/NEWS02/312020015/Former-Ala-first-lady-Jamelle-Folsom-dies-85 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=December 30, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
*[[Jim Folsom|James E. "Big Jim" Folsom]], [[List of governors of Alabama|Governor of Alabama]] 1947–1951 and 1955–1959
*[[Jim Folsom Jr.|James E. "Little Jim" Folsom Jr.]], [[List of governors of Alabama|Governor of Alabama]] 1993–1995, [[List of lieutenant governors of Alabama|Lieutenant Governor of Alabama]] 1987–1993 and 2007–2011
*[[Morgan Smith Goodwin]], actress
*[[Roger Hallmark]], country musician
*[[Kurt Heinecke]], composer and voice actor
*[[Brett Hestla]], former touring bass player for [[Creed (band)|Creed]]
*[[Charles Kleibacker]], fashion designer
*[[Jordan Lee (fisherman)|Jordan Lee]], bass fisherman 
*[[Harold E. Martin]], journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner
*[[William Clyde Martin (physicist)|William C. Martin]], physicist
*[[Julian L. McPhillips]], candidate for [[Attorney General of Alabama]] in 1978
*[[David Miller (American football)|David Miller]], NFL player 
*[[Kassie Miller]], singer/songwriter
*[[Talmadge Prince]], stock car racing driver
*[[Josh Rutledge]], former MLB player
*[[Shallow Side]], rock music band formed in 2011
*[[Grant Sikes]], internet personality
*[[Frank Stitt]], chef 
*[[Channing Tatum]], actor/model
*[[Keegan Thompson]], MLB pitcher
*[[Wayne Trimble]], American football player
*[[Zac Tubbs]], American football player
*[[Holly Williams (musician)|Holly Williams]], country music singer
*[[Larry Willingham]], NFL player

==See also==
* [[List of sundown towns in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cullman, Alabama}}
* [https://cullmanal.gov/ City of Cullman – Official Website]

{{Cullman County, Alabama}}
{{Alabama county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Cullman County, Alabama]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Alabama]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in Alabama]]