Editing Daphne, Alabama

{{short description|City in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Daphne, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Daphne Alabama City Hall.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Daphne City Hall
|image_seal               = DaphneALseal.png
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Daphne, Alabama.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
|image_map                = File:Baldwin County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Daphne Highlighted 0119648.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Daphne in Baldwin County, Alabama.
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Alabama}}
|subdivision_name2        = [[Baldwin County, Alabama|Baldwin]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Robin LeJeune
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1763
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 49.49
|area_total_sq_mi         = 19.11
|area_land_km2            = 49.19
|area_land_sq_mi          = 18.99
|area_water_km2           = 0.31
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.12
|elevation_ft             = 157
|elevation_m              = 48
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 27462
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 558.30
|population_density_sq_mi = 1445.98
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|30|37|52|N|87|53|11|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 36526
|area_code                = [[Area code 251|251]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-19648
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0157933
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.daphneal.com/}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|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>
}}

'''Daphne''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|æ|f|n|iː}}) is a city in [[Baldwin County, Alabama|Baldwin County]], [[Alabama]], [[United States]], on the [[Eastern Shore (Alabama)|eastern shoreline]] of [[Mobile Bay]]. The city is located along [[Interstate 10 in Alabama|I-10]], 11 miles east of [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]] and 170 miles southwest of the state capital of [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]]. The [[2020 United States census]] lists the population of the city as 27,462, making Daphne the most populous city in Baldwin County.<ref name=MR>{{cite web |url=http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1201083418214560.xml&coll=3 |title=Folks fired up over city wide smoking ban |work=AL.com |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608230733/http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F1201083418214560.xml&coll=3 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is a principal city of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metropolitan area, which includes all of Baldwin County.

The inhabited history of what is now called Daphne dates at least to the [[Paleo-indian|Paleo-Indian period]] and [[Indigenous peoples (Americas)|Native American tribes]] around 9000 BC.<ref name=ancient>{{Cite book|title=Coastal Kingdom|last=Burnette|first=O. Lawrence Jr. |pages=20–24|publisher=PublishAmerica|publication-date=2006|year=2006}}</ref> Modern-day Daphne is a thriving suburb of nearby Mobile. Daphne has adopted the nickname ″The Jubilee City″ in recognition of its status as one of the locations of the [[Mobile Bay jubilee]]. The only other place jubilees occur is in [[Tokyo Bay]]. {{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

==History==
Daphne and the surrounding regions have been populated since from at least 9,000 BCE.<ref name=coastal/> European settlers eventually displaced the Native Americans.<ref name=coastal/> After a variety of wars and treaties the area became part of the United States in 1814. Except for a period under the flag of the [[Confederate States of America]], Daphne and its environs have remained part of the United States until this time.<ref name=scott/> From [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], to the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]], [[New France|French]] and [[Early modern Britain|British]], the city has seen a lengthy parade of historic influences which gives Daphne its present character.

===Native American history===
Early settlers to the region were hunter-gatherer tribes similar to those in North Alabama. A variety of Native American populations visited the area that would become Daphne including Tensaw, [[Choctaw]], [[Muscogee (Creek)|Creek]] and [[Seminole]].<ref name=scott/> This area came to be known as neutral ground where tribes would meet and discuss the relationships between their nations.<ref name=scott>{{cite book|title=Daphne|last1=Scott|first1=Florence|last2=Scott|first2=Richard|year=1965|publisher=Lavender Press|location=Bay Minette, Alabama}}</ref> Small groups worked together to acquire food and to provide for their families.<ref name=coastal/> Initially, these groups enjoyed an economy based upon hunting and scavenging but as time passed production of weapons and pottery became more advanced. During the late [[Woodland period in southeastern North America|Woodland stage]] Native Americans began to practice more elaborate ritual services.<ref name=coastal/> Although no burial grounds are known in Daphne, they are scattered throughout nearby Baldwin County.<ref name=coastal/><ref name=crowder/>

By 1500, the zenith of Native American culture in South Alabama, it is estimated that a community of about 5,000 lived within 50 miles of the seacoast.<ref name=coastal/> These peoples were among the first who met Spanish explorer [[Hernando de Soto]] in 1540.<ref name=crowder>{{cite book|last=Crowder|first=Joan White|title=Tell It To An Old Hollow Log|year=2000|publisher=Lavender Publishing|location=Bay Minette, Alabama|isbn=978-0-938252-03-0}}</ref> From this meeting forward, the original settlers faced a disaster from which they did not recover.<ref name="ancient" />

===European exploration and settlement===
Daphne and the surrounding land shifted between English, French, Spanish and United States control.

The Spanish were the first European settlers to the area of Daphne arriving in 1557. Spanish control in the area was weak and in 1710 French explorers claimed Mobile Bay, the Eastern Shore of the Bay including Daphne, and land east to [[Perdido Bay]].<ref name=comings>{{cite book|title=A Brief History of Baldwin County|last1=Comings|first1=L.J. Newcom|last2=Albers|first2=Martha M.|year=1928|publisher=Baldwin County Historical Society}}</ref> The French claim was largely uncontested by the Spanish.<ref name = ancient/> In 1763, the British were ceded land, including the future Daphne, from the French in the [[Treaty of Paris (1763)]].<ref name=ancient/> The community of Daphne was established the same year and was known simply as the Village.<ref name=scott/> Inasmuch as the [[Great Britain|British]] occupied nearby Mobile at the end of the [[Seven Years' War]], Daphne passed into British hands,<ref name=crowder/> and served as the eastern terminal of a [[ferry]] across Mobile Bay.<ref name=scott/>

British rule ended in 1783 when the area was surrendered to [[Spain]] by the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)]].<ref name=ancient/> The area remained under Spanish control for over 30 years.<ref name=scott/><ref name=crowder/> In November 1814, [[Andrew Jackson|U.S. General Andrew Jackson]] crossed the bay with 3,000 troops, marched east to [[Pensacola]] and defeated the British thus finalizing American control over Daphne.<ref name=scott/>

===Modern history===
Secession and the [[Civil War (United States)|Civil War]] came quickly following the election of 1860. Statistics are not available for Daphne, but in Baldwin County 65% of homes held at least one slave.<ref name=coastal>{{Cite journal|first=O. Lawrence|last=Burnett Jr.|title=Coastal Kingdom|date=2006|publisher=PUBLISHAMERICA,LLLP|location=Baltimore}}</ref> On January 11, 1861, Alabama seceded from the Union. It joined the [[Confederate States of America]] on March 13, 1861.
The town was named the county seat of [[Baldwin County, Alabama]], in 1868 after the previous county seat, [[Blakeley, Alabama|Blakeley]], was deserted following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].<ref name=cityweb>{{cite web|url=http://www.daphneal.com/visitors/all-about-daphne/history/|title=History|work=City of Daphne, Alabama website|access-date=November 28, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105174956/http://www.daphneal.com/visitors/all-about-daphne/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> At that time, Daphne was known as The Village of Bell Rose.<ref name=crowder/> Daphne was officially named and established, although unincorporated, on April 9, 1874, when the Post Office for Daphne was opened.<ref name=cityweb/>

Baldwin County saw many distinct immigrant groups moving into the area in the late 19th century, particularly from Western Europe, and Daphne was the site of the first group which arrived in 1888. Alesandro Mastro Valero purchased land in Daphne to locate a refuge for Italian immigrants looking for a more pastoral alternative to the large urban cities of the north.<ref name=coastal/> In June 1895, land was purchased in Daphne for a Catholic church in what is now the center of Old Daphne to be built by the early Italian colonists. Father Angelo Chiariglione, a Scalbrini missionary from Torino, Italy, was the first resident pastor (1898–1909) of the church, known as the Church of the Assumption.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christ the King Church History|url=http://www.ctk-daphne.org/?DivisionID=12259&DepartmentID=12556&ToggleSideNav=ShowAll|website=ctk-daphne.org}}</ref> This small-town church quickly gained the recognition of the Queen of Italy, [[Margherita of Savoy]], who in 1898 sent a gift of rich vestments, an illuminated missal, a chalice, monstrance, candlesticks and other articles, and all are still on display in the present Christ the King Catholic Church, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1937.<ref>{{cite web|title=Id.| date=April 2, 2019 |url=http://www.ctk-daphne.org/?DivisionID=12259&DepartmentID=12556&ToggleSideNav=ShowAll}}</ref>

Daphne remained the county seat until a legislative act of 1900, when the county seat was moved to [[Bay Minette, Alabama|Bay Minette]]. Daphne residents resisted the change and would not allow the county records to be removed. Those records were taken in a late night raid and moved to Bay Minette.<ref name=crowder/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/PageView.asp?PageType=R&edit_id=156 |title=Various Historical Compilations about Baldwin County, Alabama |work=Baldwin County Alabama |access-date=November 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828012023/http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/PageView.asp?PageType=R&edit_id=156 |archive-date=August 28, 2007 }}</ref>  According to another account, given in 1956 in an interview of one of the persons involved in the transfer, there was no raid; the arrangements for the move were made in advance between officials in both towns, and the county records were quietly loaded into wagons over a five-hour period on the evening of October 11, 1901, and then driven to Bay Minette the next day.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=xPyfvxih2iUC&dq=%22on+october+11%2C+1901%22&pg=PA14 ''Images of America: Baldwin County''], by John C. Lewis and Harriet Brill Outlaw (Arcadia Publishing, 2009) p14</ref>

On July 8, 1927, Daphne was incorporated with a request for incorporation signed by 41 landowners. The initial population was listed as 500 residents.<ref name=cityweb/> On September 19, 1927, the town held its first election. The first Mayor was James M. Voltz. An attempt in 1946 to revoke incorporation by unhappy residents failed.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Daphne|last1=Scott|first1=Florence|last2=Scott|first2=Richard|page=188|date=1968|location=Mobile, Alabama|publisher=Jordan Publishing Company}}</ref>

In July 1997, [[Hurricane Danny (1997)|Hurricane Danny]] struck the gulf coast bringing high winds and rains to the area. Due to the abnormal development of the storm, winds blew water out of Mobile Bay making it almost possible to walk across the bay.<ref name=nhc>{{cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch|year=1998|title=Hurricane Danny Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=December 28, 2006|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1997danny.html}}</ref> [[Hurricane Ivan]] made landfall in September 2004, south of Daphne near [[Gulf Shores, Alabama]]. The category 3 storm brought widespread flooding and damage throughout Daphne. The  next year, Daphne weathered some effects of [[Hurricane Katrina]] although not nearly as severe as the 2004 storm.<ref name=nhc/>

In February 2008, Daphne became the last of the large cities in Baldwin County to enact a public [[smoking ban]]. After contentious council meetings,<ref name=MR/> the ban was passed while exempting bars, private clubs and up to 30% of rooms in a hotel.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=February 19, 2008 |date=February 19, 2008 |url=http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/120341613380200.xml&coll=3 |work=al.com |title=Daphne council approves smoking ban |first=Russ |last=Henderson |publisher=Press-Register |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608230750/http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F120341613380200.xml&coll=3 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2010, the Daphne City Council enacted a ban against [[texting while driving]], becoming the first Mobile-area municipality to do so.<ref>[http://blog.al.com/live/2010/11/daphne_bans_texting_while_driv.html Thanks to teen beauty queen's crusade, Daphne bans texting while driving | al.com]. Blog.al.com. Retrieved on July 21, 2013.</ref>

==Geography==
Daphne is located at 30°37'52.640" North, 87°53'11.184" West (30.631289, -87.886440).<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}}</ref> It is one of three cities that are collectively known as the [[Eastern Shore (Alabama)|Eastern Shore]] by locals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://turkreno.com |title=Daphne Alabama Local Information |date=July 12, 2009 |work=TurkReno Incorporated |first=Taylor |last=Ripley |access-date=July 9, 2010 |page=1 |quote=Daphne, located within a part of the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, currently serves as the main base of operations for TurkReno. We take great pride in our city.}}</ref> They are [[Spanish Fort, Alabama|Spanish Fort]] to the north, Daphne in the center and [[Fairhope, Alabama|Fairhope]] to the south.

The topography of Daphne is quite consistent from a gently sloping sea level on the west to low rolling hills further east. Generally, the entire city lies no more than 150 feet above sea level. The land along the Daphne bay coast, like other land throughout the county, is rich with sandy-loam type soils.<ref name=ancient/>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.1|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|13.5|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} (4.47%) is water.<ref>Census Gazetteer, 2010, webpage: {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}.</ref>

Daphne is also known as the "Jubilee City." A [[Mobile Bay Jubilee|Jubilee in Mobile Bay]] occurs when [[crabs|crab]], [[shrimp]], and other sea life from the waters of Mobile Bay are suddenly found washed ashore  along the coastline. Biologists believe the phenomenon is due to a possible decrease in water oxygen levels which force the fish to the surface.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.daphneal.com/ |title= The City of Daphne, Alabama |access-date=October 30, 2008 }}</ref>

Nearby communities include: [[Fairhope, Alabama|Fairhope]], [[Spanish Fort, Alabama|Spanish Fort]], [[Loxley, Alabama|Loxley]], [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]],
[[Point Clear, Alabama|Point Clear]], [[Robertsdale, Alabama|Robertsdale]], [[Silverhill, Alabama|Silverhill]], [[Summerdale, Alabama|Summerdale]], [[Gulf Shores, Alabama|Gulf Shores]], [[Orange Beach, Alabama|Orange Beach]], [[Bay Minette, Alabama|Bay Minette]], [[Foley, Alabama|Foley]], [[Magnolia Springs, Alabama|Magnolia Springs]], [[Elberta, Alabama|Elberta]], [[Belforest, Alabama|Belforest]], and [[Malbis, Alabama|Malbis]].<ref name=scott/>

===Climate===
{{Weather box/concise F
| location=Daphne, Alabama
| source=weather.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USAL0145|access-date=November 17, 2013|title=Monthly Averages for Daphne,AL|work=Weather.com}}</ref>

| 61| 65| 71| 78| 85| 89| 91| 91| 88| 80| 72| 64 <!--highs-->
| 39| 43| 49| 55| 64| 71| 73| 72| 68| 57| 49| 42 <!--lows-->
|5.64|5.76|5.73|4.44|4.91|6.60|8.05|7.20|5.94|4.25|4.98|4.57 <!--rain-->
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 549
|1930= 582
|1940= 630
|1950= 1041
|1960= 1527
|1970= 2382
|1980= 3406
|1990= 11290
|2000= 16581
|2010= 21570
|2020= 27462
|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|author=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 7, 2014|author-link=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />2018 Estimate<ref name="2018 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
}}

Daphne, like the surrounding Baldwin and Mobile counties, was settled by persons of varying nationalities who eventually melded into the American experiment.<ref name=scott/>

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Daphne racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0119648&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 17, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|21,405
|77.94%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|2,924
|10.65%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|104
|0.38%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|405
|1.47%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|21
|0.08%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,355
|4.93%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,248
|4.54%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 27,462 people, 9,457 households, and 6,254 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 21,570 people, 6,563 households, and 4,670 families residing in the city.<ref name=census>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212055711/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|title=American FactFinder, Daphne, Alabama|work=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1,230.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,113 housing units in the city.<ref name=census/> The racial makeup of the city was 84.10% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 11.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.51% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.40% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]],  0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.9% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races. 2.9% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref name=census/>

There were 8,889 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.97.<ref name=census/>

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,603, and the median income for a family was $61,563. Males had a median income of $46,576 versus $29,052 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $25,597. About 2.6% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Daphne's growth, along with the growth of other Eastern Shore communities, has been linked to the growth of nearby Mobile. For years the Eastern Shore communities were a quick vacation destination but as the large municipality grew, Daphne grew too.<ref name=thomasonbook>{{cite book|title=The New History of Alabama's First City|editor=Michael V.R. Thomason|publisher=The University of Alabama Press|year=2001|page=318|isbn=0-8173-1065-7}}</ref>

==Economy==
Daphne is a suburb of nearby Mobile, Alabama. In 2007, Daphne saw retail sales of $653,422,000 or $34,438 per capita which compares favorably to the national average of $12,364. The median household income was $62,376 against a national average of $42,934, both measured through the 2007–2011 period. The home ownership was 74.6% and the median home value (2007–2011) was $187,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0119648.html |title=State & County Quickfacts, Daphne, AL |access-date=November 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614085915/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0119648.html |archive-date=June 14, 2012 }}</ref> The city is part of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metropolitan statistical area and was named among the top 10 such areas nationwide by Site Selection Magazine.<ref name=metro>{{cite web|title=Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metro area earns top-10 national ranking by Site Selection magazine |first=Marc |last=Anderson|url=http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/03/daphne-fairhope-foley_metro_ar.html#incart_river_news| date=March 6, 2015 |access-date = March 6, 2015 |work=AL.com}}</ref> The ranking is for areas with less than 200,000 population and is based upon the number of companies either expanding or relocating to the area.<ref name=metro/>

Primary employment in Daphne is divided among education, healthcare and social assistance employers. Retail trade operations are a close second. Agriculture, once a primary foundation of the Daphne economy, now represents less than 0.6% of economic output.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2379|title=Daphne|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Daphne|date=March 27, 2013|access-date=November 24, 2013}}</ref> The economy is further supported by access to nearby Mobile, and large retail operations in Spanish Fort, just to the north. The largest employer in the county is the [[Baldwin County Board of Education]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/uploads/EOC%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf|title=Baaldwin County, Alabama Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan|date=June 30, 2004|access-date=November 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630124931/http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/uploads/EOC%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf|archive-date=June 30, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> which supports over 3,000 employees in Baldwin County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2012/09/baldwin_county_school_board_ap_2.html|title=Baldwin County school board approves budget|author=Guy Busby|date=September 20, 2012|access-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref> 70% of the $305 million budget pays salaries countywide<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2013/08/baldwin_countys_spending_plan.html|title=Baldwin County schools' spending plan for 2014: $305 million|author=Sally Pearsall Ericson|work=AL.com|date=August 19, 2013|access-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref>

Like much of the nation, Daphne saw the economy plummet during the 2008 recession. Commercial real estate prices were especially hard hit. Investors who looked for a continued rise in values in Daphne were surprised to see their investments bottom out by 2012.<ref name=econreal>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2012/01/on_the_auction_block_how_an_as.html|title=On the auction block: How an assessment, the economy and low visibility combined to derail a retail park|author=Kathy Jumper|date=January 31, 2012|access-date=November 24, 2013|work=AL.com}}</ref> However construction is underway by [[Airbus]] to build the [[Airbus A320|A320]] commercial jet at nearby Brookley Field in Mobile. That assembly plant is expected to generate 1,000 new jobs by 2018 and is expected to positively impact Daphne and the entire Baldwin County.<ref name=airbaldwin>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2012/06/baldwin_officials_cheer_airbus.html|title=Baldwin County officials cheer Airbus development|work=AL.com|author=Connie Baggett|date=June 28, 2012|access-date=December 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name=airbus>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/airbus_hiring_heats_up_with_2.html|title=Airbus hiring heats up with 2 key A320 assembly line openings in Mobile|author=Kelli Dugan|work=AL.com|date=September 24, 2013|access-date=December 21, 2013}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Daphne has a number of public parks, which include the following:[[File:Bayfront Park,.jpg|thumb|A portion of Bayfront Park overlooking Mobile Bay]]
*Daphne Sports Complex - opened in 2019, a beautiful ten field baseball and softball complex.
*Trione Park - a large multi-field sports complex with football, soccer, softball/baseball fields.
*Lott Park - located in Olde Towne Daphne, includes new tennis and [[pickleball]] courts opened in 2020,  a legacy playground, bocce, basketball and practice baseball/softball facilities.
*Centennial Park - children's playground located across from Daphne City Hall on Main Street.
*May Day Park - Waterfront park that includes a large playground for young children, a boat launch and a pier on Mobile Bay.
*Bayfront Park - Waterfront drive up park overlooking to the bay. A boardwalk entrance to Village Point Park Preserve.
*Village Point Park Preserve -the largest park in Daphne with walking trails in a natural setting.  The park is an estuary for wildlife and is also home to the historic D'olive family cemetery .

The [[Daphne Civic Center]] is a city-owned facility used to host a variety of recurring special events in the community. Constructed at a cost of $6 million, it opened to the public in December 1999.<ref>{{cite news |title=Civic Center use: Collins wants cost study |date=January 11, 2000 |work=Mobile Press-Register |first=Lesley |last=Pacey |page=11 |quote=With the paint still fresh on the city's new $6 million Civic Center, Daphne leaders are being inundated with requests from organizations who want to use the facility for free.}}</ref> A senior citizens activity center and the Daphne [[Public Library]] are also located in the civic center complex.

==Government==
Daphne is incorporated in Baldwin County, Alabama. It is governed by a mayor and city council, both of which are elected by popular vote every four years. A semi-autonomous Utilities Board and Zoning Commission support the governance of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daphneal.com/council/default.asp|title=Daphne City Council |work=www.daphneal.com |access-date=November 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104124215/http://www.daphneal.com/council/default.asp|archive-date=January 4, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Daphne's current mayor is Robin LeJeune who is serving his first term as Mayor.  Mayor LeJeune also served as council member and Council President. LeJeune was elected in the 2020 municipal election.

A seven-member city council serves the city of Daphne. Council members are selected within districts. The council is composed of the following: district one councilwoman Tommie Conaway, district two councilman Steve Olen, district three councilman Joel Coleman, district four councilman Doug Goodlin, district five councilman and council president Ron Scott, district six councilman and council president pro-tem Benjamin Hughes, and district seven councilwoman Angie Phillips.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Your City Council Daphne, AL |url=https://www.daphneal.com/400/Meet-Your-City-Council |website=www.daphneal.com |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref>

A semi-autonomous Utilities Board and Zoning Commission support the governance of the city.

Daphne is part of [[Alabama's 1st congressional district]] and is represented by Congressman [[Barry Moore (American politician)]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Alabama House District 1 Election 2024 Live Results |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/alabama-us-house-district-1-results |website=www.nbcnews.com |language=en |date=9 January 2025}}</ref>

===Emergency Services===
Fire protection is provided by the Daphne Fire Department.

Emergency Medical Services are provided by MedStar.

Law enforcement agency is the Daphne Police Department.

==Education==
Public schools in Daphne are part of the [[Baldwin County Board of Education]] system which serves over 30,000 students throughout the county. The 2013–2014 budget was $305 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2013/08/baldwin_countys_spending_plan.html|title=Baldwin County schools' spending plan for 2014: $305 million|author=Sally Pearsall Ericson|date=August 19, 2013|access-date=November 15, 2013}}</ref> [[Image:Daphne High School Building fr.jpg|thumb|210px|right|[[Daphne High School]]]]

There are three elementary schools: Daphne East Elementary School (K-6), Daphne Elementary School North Campus (K-3) and W.J. Carroll Intermediate School (Daphne South) (4–6). [[Daphne Middle School]] serves 7th and 8th grade while [[Daphne High School]] educates grades 9–12. Three private schools serve the Daphne area, Bayside Academy (K-12), Christ the King Catholic School(CTKCS) (K-8), and Bayshore Christian School (PreK-12). A highly regarded public secondary school, Daphne High School extends progressive and globally-oriented offerings in its curriculum, such as its then-controversial Arabic language classes begun in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ericson|first1=Sally|title=Daphne Offers Arabic as Foreign Language|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2013/10/arabic_foreign_language_class.html|website=Al.com|date=October 2, 2013 |publisher=Alabama Media Group|access-date=November 21, 2014}}</ref>

Two schools offer collegiate curriculum in Daphne. [[Huntingdon College]] has a comprehensive graduate school in Daphne that focuses on business and professional graduate programs. The [[United States Sports Academy]] is an independent school offering sport-specific residential and online distance learning programs. In addition, it houses the [[American Sport Art Museum and Archives]].

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
For many years Daphne was isolated from the larger city of Mobile. A ferry was the only mode of transport from the eastern shore to the western shore. In 1929 a [[toll bridge]] was opened which crossed into Mobile. That bridge was replaced by the [[Cochrane-Africatown USA Bridge|Cochrane-Africatown bridge]]. Also in 1929, [[US 98]] was paved from Pensacola, through Daphne and into Mobile.<ref name=coastal/>

[[Interstate 10]] travels near the northern border of Daphne. There are three exits into Daphne including intersections with US 98, [[US 90]] and [[Alabama State Route 181|AL 181]]. Major routes within the city are grid style and include Baldwin County 13, Whispering Pine Road and Daphne Avenue.[[File:10 90 98 intersection.jpg|thumb|Looking south into Daphne, Alabama at the intersections of I-10, US90 and US98. Mobile Bay is to the right.]]

The city is served by the Baldwin Rural Area Transportation Service, BRATS, a fare-based [[Bus rapid transit|bus service]] which connects most cities in Baldwin County. Service also includes connector service to Mobile.

There is no rail or air service in Daphne. Scheduled commercial air service is offered at [[Mobile Regional Airport]] and the [[Pensacola International Airport]]. Both airports provide service to most major airline hubs.

===Utilities===
Daphne Public Utilities provides water, sewer and natural gas services to the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daphneutilities.com|title=Welcome to Daphne Utilities|work=Daphne Utilities|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> There are about 11,000 water customers, 10,000 sewer customers and 4,000 natural gas customers.<ref name=daputil/> The utility operates 12 water wells, seven waste treatment facilities and dozens of pumping stations throughout the city.<ref name=daputil2/> In 2009, the Utilities board was selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top 35 small workplaces in America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2009/08/daphne_utilities_named_one_of.html|author=Marc D. Anderson|title=Daphne Utilities named one of Wall Street Journal's Top 35 Small Workplaces in America|date=August 9, 2009|access-date=November 18, 2013|work=AL.com}}</ref> In 2010 the U.S. [[Environmental Protection Agency]] named Daphne Utilities as the best large groundwater utility in eight southeastern states.<ref name=daputil>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2010/05/daphne_utilities_wins_award_fr.html|access-date=November 18, 2013|work=AL.com|date=May 25, 2010|author=Jeff Amy|title=Daphne Utilities wins award from Environmental Protection Agency}}</ref>
In October 2013, Daphne Utilities approved a water and sewage rate hike of $21 million over three years. The rate hike will cover expenses related to expansion and compliance with federal regulations. The average increase will amount to $3.66 per month for the average residential customer.<ref name=daputil2>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2013/08/daphne_utilities_customers_may.html|title=Daphne Utilities customers may face water, sewer rate hikes; board seeks input|author=Marc D. Anderson|date=August 21, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013|work=AL.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2013/08/rate_hike_approved_for_daphne.html|title=Rate hike approved for Daphne Utilities' 11,000 water and sewer customers|author=Marc D. Anderson|work=AL.com|date=August 28, 2013|access-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref>

Electrical service is provided by the [[Foley, Alabama]] based Riviera Utilities. Riviera resells electric current and has no generation facilities of its own. Landline telephone service is provided by [[AT&T]]. The city is in the 251 [[area code]]. Land based cable television service is provided by [[Mediacom]].

Because of Daphne's proximity to the coast, all utilities prepare for [[tropical storm]]s and [[hurricane]]s which often impact delivery of services.

==Healthcare==
Daphne is served by numerous physicians, surgeons and dentists. Two urgent care facilities offer walk-in service. Outpatient services are provided for diagnostic and surgical interventions. The city is also served by Thomas Hospital, a level III, 150 bed hospital in Fairhope, Alabama, 5 miles to the south. Across the bay in Mobile, there are several tertiary care facilities.[[File:IMC Outpatient.jpg|thumb|Outpatient facility in Daphne, Alabama]]

Thomas Hospital is owned by Infirmary Health System of Mobile.<ref name="blog.al.com new_study_finds_infirmary_heal">{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2011/07/new_study_finds_infirmary_heal.html|title=New study finds Mobile-based Infirmary Health System among nation's best|author=Casandra Andrews|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=November 18, 2013|work=AL.com}}</ref> The system was named one of the top 57 healthcare systems in the nation in 2011 while Thomas Hospital was ranked as one of the top 20 medium-sized hospitals.<ref name="blog.al.com new_study_finds_infirmary_heal"/>

Inpatient [[Physical therapy|rehabilitation]] services are offered by Mobile Bay Rehabilitation located on the bay in Daphne. The hospital was previously known as Mercy Medical but was sold to SE Healthcare for $9.4 million in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/live/2011/11/hospice_care_mercy_medical_sel.html|title=Hospice Care: Mercy Medical sells Daphne campus for $9.4 million|author=Casandra Andrews|date=November 10, 2011|access-date=November 18, 2013|work=AL.com}}</ref> Outpatient rehabilitation services are offered through various practitioners and  through physician offices.

==Notable people==
*[[Abu Mansoor Al-Amriki]], American citizen who was a member and leader in the [[Somali people|Somali]] [[Islamist]] militant group [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|al-Shabaab]]
*[[Ryan Anderson (linebacker)|Ryan Anderson]], linebacker for the [[Washington Commanders]]
*[[Jeremy Clark]], a [[American football|football player]] for the [[New York Giants]]
*[[Courtney Duncan]], a [[major league baseball]] player
*[[Jimmy Green (golfer)|Jimmy Green]], [[professional golfer]]
*[[Atlas Herrion]], [[offensive lineman]] of several [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[Arena Football League]] teams
*[[Joseph Lawson Howze]], prelate of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] who served as [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi|Bishop of Biloxi]] from 1977 to 2001
*[[Kenny King (defensive lineman)]] Former football player for the [[University of Alabama]] & [[Arizona Cardinals]], and current athletic director at Daphne High School
*[[Eric Lee (American football)|Eric Lee]], defensive end for the New England Patriots
*[[Michael Pierce (American football)|Michael Pierce]], defensive lineman for the [[Baltimore Ravens]]
*[[Bryant Turner, Jr.]], [[defensive lineman]] in the Canadian Football League
*[[DeWitt Weaver]], head coach of the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football]] team from 1951 to 1960
*[[Pat White (gridiron football)|Pat White]], college football player (West Virginia University Mountaineers), 2007 [[Heisman Trophy]] finalist
*[[T. J. Yeldon]], running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}

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

==External links==
*[http://www.daphneal.com City of Daphne] Official website

{{Baldwin County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Baldwin County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1763]]
[[Category:1763 establishments in North America]]