Editing Dauphin Island, Alabama

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields that may be available -->| name               = Dauphin Island, Alabama
| other_name         = Île du Massacre
| settlement_type    = Town
| image_skyline      = Fort Gaines 06May2010.JPG
| image_caption      = [[Fort Gaines (Alabama)|Fort Gaines]] and seashore vegetation on the eastern end of Dauphin Island
| image_flag         = Flag of Dauphin Island, Alabama.png
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Dauphin Island, Alabama.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| official_name      = 
| motto              = "Sunset Capital of Alabama"
| image_map          = File:Mobile County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Dauphin Island Highlighted 0119744.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in Mobile County, Alabama
| coordinates        = {{Wikidatacoord|Q932623|region:US-ALtype:isle|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <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>
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = [[Alabama]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Mobile County, Alabama|Mobile]]
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_01.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160624/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_01.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 165.95
| area_land_sq_mi    = 6.26
| area_water_sq_mi   = 159.69
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GNIS">{{cite gnis|0117086|Dauphin Island|2009-07-26 }}</ref>
| elevation_ft       = 7
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0119744&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1 |title=Dauphin Island town, Alabama: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421175234/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0119744&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 1778
| population_density_sq_mi = 284.21
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone (Americas)|Central Standard Time (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;6
| timezone_DST       = Central Daylight Time (CDT)
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 36528
| area_code          = [[Area code 251|251]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 01-19744
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0117086
| website            = {{URL|www.townofDauphinIsland.org}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| population_density_km2 = 109.72
| area_total_km2     = 429.81
| area_land_km2      = 16.20
| area_water_km2     = 413.61
}}

'''Dauphin Island''', formerly '''Massacre Island''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Île du Massacre'') is an island town in [[Mobile County, Alabama|Mobile County]], Alabama, United States, on a [[barrier island]] of the same name, in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It incorporated in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3360 |title=Dauphin Island - Encyclopedia of Alabama |website=Encyclopedia of Alabama |access-date=April 13, 2018 }}</ref> The population was 1,778 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> up from 1,238 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]. The town is part of the [[Mobile metropolitan area]]. The island (originally named Massacre Island) was renamed for [[Louis XIV of France]]'s great-grandson and heir, the [[Dauphin of France|dauphin]], the future [[Louis XV of France]]. The name of the island is often mistaken as Dolphin Island; the word ''dauphin'' is French for [[dolphin]], but historically, the term was used as the title of the heir apparent to the French monarch.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/dauphin-French-political-history |title=dauphin {{!}} French political history |access-date=September 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612164052/https://www.britannica.com/topic/dauphin-French-political-history |url-status=live }}</ref>

The island is one of the [[Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands]], with the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and the [[Mississippi Sound]] and [[Mobile Bay]] to the north. The island's eastern end helps define the mouth of Mobile Bay. The eastern, wider portion of the island is shaded by thick stands of [[pine]] trees and [[Serenoa|saw palmettos]], but the narrow, western part of the island features scrub growth and few trees.

Dauphin Island is home to [[Fort Gaines (Alabama)|Fort Gaines]], [[Dauphin Island Sea Lab]], the Estuarium public aquarium, the [[Dauphin Island Airport]], boat ramps, a large public pier that sits on dry land,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120506210636/http://www.dauphinisland.org/pier.htm Dauphin Island Fishing Pier]}}. Dauphinisland.org. Retrieved on July 21, 2013.</ref> historic sites, several restaurants, new condominium developments, and numerous private homes. Beaches attract tourism, and fishing is a popular activity in the waters around the island. The island is connected to the mainland by the [[Gordon Persons Bridge]].

Although the island has several bird sanctuaries, the main one is the {{convert|164|acre|adj=on}} [[Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary|Audubon Bird Sanctuary]]. Because Dauphin Island is the first land encountered by many birds as they [[bird migration|migrate]] north from South America, many species can be found resting there before continuing their journey.

In May 2012, the central public beach began charging for access. This marked the second beach on the island to charge the public following the creation of the privately owned West End Beach.<ref>[http://blog.al.com/live/2012/04/dauphin_island_public_beach_fe.html Dauphin Island public beach fee set to begin in late May {{!}} al.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510184823/http://blog.al.com/live/2012/04/dauphin_island_public_beach_fe.html |date=May 10, 2012 }}. Blog.al.com. Retrieved on July 21, 2013.</ref>

==History==
Serpentine shell [[midden]]s, perhaps 1,500 years old, attest to at least seasonal occupation by the Native American [[Mississippian culture|Mississippian]] [[Mound Builders|Mound Builder]] culture. [[Indian Mound Park (Dauphin Island, Alabama)|Shell Mound Park]], along the island's northern shore, is administered by the [[Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources|Alabama Marine Resources Division]].
[[File:Dauphin Island 06May2010 01.JPG|thumb|left|View of the southeastern shore of the island]]

In 1519, the Spanish explorer [[Alonso Álvarez de Pineda]] was the first documented European to visit, staying long enough to map the island with remarkable accuracy.

The island's French history began on January 31, 1699, when the explorer [[Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville|Pierre Le Moyne, sieur d'Iberville]], one of the founders of [[Louisiana (New France)|French Louisiana]], arrived at [[Mobile Bay]] and anchored near the island on his way to explore the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]]. D'Iberville mistakenly named it ''Île du Massacre'' (Massacre Island) because of a large pile of human skeletons discovered there. In reality, the site was a Mississippian burial mound which had been broken open by a [[hurricane]], not a massacre site; however, the dramatic misnomer stuck.<ref name="shirepost">{{cite web |title=''The coinage for Massacre Island, 1699!'' |work=Shirepost.com |url=http://www.shirepost.com/FrenchMassacre.html |access-date=May 9, 2007 |archive-date=May 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513091008/http://www.shirepost.com/FrenchMassacre.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

D'Iberville later established a port for [[Old Mobile Site|Fort Louis de La Louisiane]] on the island due to its abundant timber, reliable supply of fresh water, and deep-water harbor. The settlement consisted of a fort, a chapel, government-owned warehouses, and residences.<ref name="shirepost"/>
[[File:Indian Mound Park 06May2010 04.JPG|thumb|left|Inside [[Indian Mound Park (Dauphin Island, Alabama)|Shell Mound Park]]]]

The island served as a major trading depot where goods from [[Saint-Domingue]] (Haiti), Mexico, Cuba and France were unloaded and a short-lived [[North American fur trade|fur trade]] was conducted. Before a [[Channel (geography)|channel]] was [[Dredging|dredged]], Mobile Bay was too shallow and its [[Shoal|sandbars]] too treacherous for ocean-going vessels to travel up the bay and [[Mobile River]] to Fort Louis de La Louisiane. Thus, smaller boats carried the cargo within Mobile Bay to and from Dauphin Island.

In 1719 the first [[Slavery in the United States|African slaves]] of Alabama arrived at Dauphin Island. After the [[French and Indian Wars|French and Indian War]] (known in Europe as the [[Seven Years' War]]) ended in 1763, the island was ceded to the British. After the [[American Revolutionary War]], the territory again came under Spanish jurisdiction, being part of the [[Spanish West Florida|Province of West Florida]] until 1812.

In 1795 after the [[Pinckney's Treaty|Treaty of San Lorenzo]] was signed between Spain and the United States, new settlers began migrating to Alabama from Virginia, North & South Carolina and Georgia.

In 1805, the [[Chickasaw]], [[Cherokee]] and [[Choctaw]] people were forced to [[Trail of Tears|cede their lands]] to the government. The [[Muscogee|Creek]] tribes aggressively fought to hold their lands, but eventually were forced to cede in 1813.

[[Fort Gaines (Alabama)|Fort Gaines]] on the eastern tip of the island was built between 1821 and 1848. It was occupied by [[Military forces of the Confederate States|Confederate forces]] in 1861 and captured by the [[Union Army]] during the [[Battle of Mobile Bay]]. The phrase, "[[Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead]]," was supposedly spoken by U. S. Admiral [[David Farragut]] just a few hundred yards from Dauphin Island's shore.
[[File:FEMA - 1134 - Photograph by FEMA News Photo taken on 01-01-1900 in Alabama.jpg|thumb|Typical elevated house on Dauphin Island]]

The first [[Sand Island Light (Alabama)|Sand Island Light]], authorized in 1834, was replaced by a structure {{convert|150|ft|m}} high, at a cost of $35,000, that was destroyed by Confederate forces. The present lighthouse (1873; in use until 1970), has been placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. Its ownership was recently transferred from the [[United States Department of the Interior|U.S. Department of Interior]] to the town of Dauphin Island.

In 2023, a large alligator was spotted riding waves and sunbathing on the beach of Dauphin Island. Onlookers posted photos of the alligator to social media, which subsequently went viral. While alligators traditionally live in freshwater, they are able to tolerate salt water as well according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/alabama-alligator-beach-swimming-video-468c5aa61224bf51da5823c19e391f0d |title=Surfing gator seen relaxing at Alabama beach amid the waves |date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=[[AP News]] |access-date=May 17, 2023 }}</ref>

==Geography==
Dauphin Island is {{convert|15|mi}} long from east to west, separating the [[Gulf of Mexico]] to the south from the [[Mississippi Sound]] and [[Mobile Bay]] to the north. The island is less than {{convert|0.25|mi|km|2}} wide for most of its length, except for the eastern quarter of the island, which is over {{convert|1|mi}} wide. According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the island has a land area of {{convert|6.3|sqmi}}, while the town's total area is much greater: {{convert|166.0|sqmi}}, with {{convert|159.9|sqmi}} of it, or 96.2% of the town, in the water of the surrounding Gulf and bays.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/>

The [[Dauphin Island Bridge]], officially the Gordon Persons Bridge, is the island's sole road connection to the Alabama mainland, carrying [[Alabama State Route 193|State Route 193]], which leads north {{convert|27|mi}} to [[Tillmans Corner, Alabama|Tillmans Corner]] in the southwest outskirts of [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]]. Downtown Mobile is {{convert|37|mi}} north of the island.

===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, Dauphin Island has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=271210&cityname=Dauphin+Island,+Alabama,+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Dauphin Island, Alabama Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |website=Weatherbase |access-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040809/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=271210&cityname=Dauphin%20Island%2C%20Alabama%2C%20United%20States%20of%20America&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>

<div style="width: 100%;">{{Weather box
|location = Dauphin Island #2, Alabama (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1975–present)
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 81
| Feb record high F = 80
| Mar record high F = 83
| Apr record high F = 88
| May record high F = 95
| Jun record high F = 99
| Jul record high F = 101
| Aug record high F = 99
| Sep record high F = 97
| Oct record high F = 93
| Nov record high F = 85 
| Dec record high F = 85
| year record high F = 101

|Jan avg record high F = 70.5
|Feb avg record high F = 71.3
|Mar avg record high F = 76.5
|Apr avg record high F = 81.1
|May avg record high F = 88.1
|Jun avg record high F = 91.3
|Jul avg record high F = 93.7
|Aug avg record high F = 93.0
|Sep avg record high F = 91.1
|Oct avg record high F = 85.6
|Nov avg record high F = 79.2
|Dec avg record high F = 73.6
|year avg record high F = 94.7

| Jan high F = 58.6
| Feb high F = 61.5
| Mar high F = 66.8
| Apr high F = 73.5
| May high F = 80.8
| Jun high F = 86.2
| Jul high F = 88.2
| Aug high F = 88.1
| Sep high F = 85.2
| Oct high F = 77.4
| Nov high F = 67.8
| Dec high F = 61.2
| year high F = 74.6
| Jan mean F = 52.3
| Feb mean F = 55.4
| Mar mean F = 61.3
| Apr mean F = 68.3
| May mean F = 76.0
| Jun mean F = 81.3
| Jul mean F = 83.2
| Aug mean F = 83.2
| Sep mean F = 80.3
| Oct mean F = 72.0
| Nov mean F = 61.7
| Dec mean F = 55.2
| year mean F = 69.2
| Jan low F = 46.1
| Feb low F = 49.4
| Mar low F = 55.8
| Apr low F = 63.1
| May low F = 71.2
| Jun low F = 76.4
| Jul low F = 78.2
| Aug low F = 78.3
| Sep low F = 75.5
| Oct low F = 66.7
| Nov low F = 55.6
| Dec low F = 49.2
| year low F = 63.8

|Jan avg record low F = 30.7
|Feb avg record low F = 35.0
|Mar avg record low F = 40.4
|Apr avg record low F = 50.3
|May avg record low F = 60.9
|Jun avg record low F = 70.1
|Jul avg record low F = 71.8
|Aug avg record low F = 72.5
|Sep avg record low F = 67.3
|Oct avg record low F = 52.9
|Nov avg record low F = 42.1
|Dec avg record low F = 36.8
|year avg record low F = 28.5

| Jan record low F = 9
| Feb record low F = 19
| Mar record low F = 23
| Apr record low F = 35
| May record low F = 50
| Jun record low F = 55
| Jul record low F = 65
| Aug record low F = 64
| Sep record low F = 57
| Oct record low F = 37
| Nov record low F = 24
| Dec record low F = 11
| year record low F = 9
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 5.23
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.35
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.90
| Apr precipitation inch = 5.16
| May precipitation inch = 5.01
| Jun precipitation inch = 5.87
| Jul precipitation inch = 6.80
| Aug precipitation inch = 6.80
| Sep precipitation inch = 5.24
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.52
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.86
| Dec precipitation inch = 5.13
|year precipitation inch = 61.09
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 12.2
|Feb precipitation days = 10.2
|Mar precipitation days = 9.5
|Apr precipitation days = 7.4
|May precipitation days = 6.8
|Jun precipitation days = 10.2
|Jul precipitation days = 11.6
|Aug precipitation days = 12.1
|Sep precipitation days = 8.4
|Oct precipitation days = 6.8
|Nov precipitation days = 8.1
|Dec precipitation days = 11.5
|year precipitation days = 114.8
|source 1 =[[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mob |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428171514/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mob |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=NCEI>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00012172&format=pdf |title=Station: Dauphin IS #2, AL |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511110650/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00012172&format=pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}</div>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1990= 824
|2000= 1371
|2010= 1238
|2020= 1778
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=U.S. Decennial Census |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 6, 2013 |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>
}}

===2000 census===

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,371&nbsp;people (but falling in the 2010 census to 1238: see below) with 601 households and 418 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|221.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 1,691 housing units at an average density of {{convert|272.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.43% [[Race (United States Census)|White]] (1,322 persons), 0.44% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]] (6 persons), 1.60% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]] (22 persons), 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]] (8 persons), and 0.95% from two or more races (13 persons). [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.95% of the population.

There were 601 households, out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.66. In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,219, and the median income for a family was $50,476. Males had a median income of $35,179 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,552. About 6.0% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% 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]] |access-date=August 4, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,238&nbsp;people, 582 households, and 373 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|199.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 1,818 housing units at an average density of {{convert|295.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], and 1.0% from two or more races. [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 582 households, out of which 13.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.55.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 12.8% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 41.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $56,731, and the median income for a family was $54,844. Males had a median income of $47,308 versus $37,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,771. About 11.4% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 0% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Dauphin Island racial composition<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0119744&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |website=data.census.gov }}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,615
|90.83%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|5
|0.28%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|19
|1.07%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|12
|0.67%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|3
|0.17%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|82
|4.61%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|42
|2.36%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 1,778 people, 585 households, and 424 families residing in the town.

==Education==
The town is served by the [[Mobile County Public School System]].<ref>"[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st01_al/place/p0119744_dauphin_island/DC10BLK_P0119744_000.pdf 2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Dauphin Island town, AL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729020506/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st01_al/place/p0119744_dauphin_island/DC10BLK_P0119744_000.pdf |date=July 29, 2020 }}." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on November 27, 2018.</ref> It has one public school, Dauphin Island Elementary School.<ref>"[http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Dauphin%20Island.pdf Dauphin Island Elementary Map] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729021352/http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Dauphin%20Island.pdf |date=July 29, 2020 }}." [[Mobile County Public School System]]. Retrieved on November 26, 2018.</ref> Middle school students go on to Alba Middle School in [[Bayou La Batre, Alabama|Bayou La Batre]] and [[Alma Bryant High School]] in Bayou La Batre.<ref>"[http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Alba%20Middle.pdf Alba Middle School Map] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726160225/http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Alba%20Middle.pdf |date=July 26, 2020 }}." [[Mobile County Public School System]]. Retrieved on November 26, 2018.</ref><ref>"[http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Bryant%20High%20School.pdf Bryant High School Map] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726153313/http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Bryant%20High%20School.pdf |date=2020-07-26 }}." [[Mobile County Public School System]]. Retrieved on November 26, 2018.</ref>

The [[Dauphin Island Sea Lab]] is located on the east end of the island on grounds formerly occupied by the 693rd Radar Squadron, Dauphin Island Air Force Station, [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]], and is home to the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.<ref name="DIarchives.gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/342.html#342.9 |title=Records of United States Air Force Commands, Activities, and |date=August 15, 2016 |website=archives.gov |access-date=April 13, 2018 }}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
[[Image:Dauphin island crest.jpg|thumb|120px|The Dauphin Island Coat of arms]]
At the top of Dauphin Island's [[coat of arms]] is the historic [[Fort Gaines (Alabama)|Fort Gaines]] with two [[cannon]]s facing north and south, which represent Dauphin Island's role during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. The boat is a [[Fishing vessel|shrimping vessel]] which represents the livelihood of many of the residents of the island. The dolphin is a mammal seen quite often in the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay waters surrounding the island. The birds are [[pelican]]s, which are numerous around the island and the entire Gulf coast. The ''[[fleur-de-lis]]'' represents the presence of France on the island from 1699 to 1764. The sailing ship is a [[Galleon|Spanish galleon]] to represent Spain's role in settling the area between 1781 and 1813.

== Hurricanes ==
Over the centuries, many hurricanes have struck the island. Some recent storms include:
* In 1969, [[Hurricane Camille]] flooded 70% of the island and was the worst storm to strike the area until [[Hurricane Frederic]].
* In 1979, [[Hurricane Frederic]] (September 12) destroyed the bridge to the mainland, which had been opened in 1955.
* In 1985, [[Hurricane Elena]] brought wind gusts of over {{cvt|130|mph|km/h}} to the island.
* In 1997, [[Hurricane Danny (1997)|Hurricane Danny]] caused extensive flooding on the east end of the island.
* In 1998, [[Hurricane Georges]] destroyed 41 houses on the island.
* In 2004, [[Hurricane Ivan]] caused nearly one-fourth of the island to be covered with approximately two feet of water.
* On August 29, 2005, [[Hurricane Katrina]] brought damage to parts of Dauphin Island. Some homes on the west end of the island were destroyed, and the Katrina Cut was formed as a channel splitting off the western part. However, most areas of the central and east end of the island experienced little flooding from the [[storm surge]]. The approach road to the island fared better than expected. The damage to most East End beachfront homes was limited to decks, stairs and storage buildings. In DeSoto Landing, a gated Gulf-front subdivision on Dauphin Island, the main homes had no water entering the homes unless a window or roof system failed; many avoided surge waters entirely. Damage was limited due to Sand Island (Pelican Island), a large sandbar south of DeSoto Landing which broke the force of battering waves. An oil drilling platform grounded near the island as the hurricane passed by. It was identified by its owners, Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., as the Ocean Warwick, pushed nearly {{convert|60|mi|km}} from its original location by the hurricane.
* On September 14, 2020, storm surge from offshore [[Hurricane Sally]] flooded the island.

==Tourist attractions==
The old walled [[Fort Gaines (Alabama)|Fort Gaines]] is on the east end of Dauphin Island. A ferry from nearby [[Fort Morgan (Alabama)|Fort Morgan]] in [[Gulf Shores, Alabama|Gulf Shores]] brings both vehicles and pedestrians to the island. One of the closest attractions to the ferry dock is [[Dauphin Island Sea Lab|The Estuarium]], a fresh- and saltwater aquarium highlighting species native to Alabama.

The Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council features works by local artists, as well as information on the history of Dauphin Island. It organizes the annual Dauphin Island Native American Festival.

==See also==
* [[Dauphin County, Pennsylvania]]
* [[History of Mobile, Alabama]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last1=Elliott |first1=Wendy L. |title=Research in Alabama |date=1987 |publisher=American Genealogical Library |location=Bountiful, Utah |oclc=18830793}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dauphin Island, Alabama}}
* {{Official website|www.townofdauphinisland.org}}
* [https://www.pbs.org/show/now-on-pbs/ "Still in Harm's Way", ''NOW'' on PBS], video on Dauphin Island
* [https://www.townofdauphinisland.org/things-to-do/dauphin-island-park-%26-beach-board Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board]
* [http://difoundation.org/ Dauphin Island Foundation]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070505022400/http://www.dauphinisland.org/fort.htm Historic Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island, Alabama]}}

{{Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands}}
{{Mobile County, Alabama}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dauphin Island, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Barrier islands of Alabama]]
[[Category:Beaches of Alabama]]
[[Category:Towns in Mobile County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Towns in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1702]]
[[Category:French-American culture in Alabama]]
[[Category:Landforms of Mobile County, Alabama]]
[[Category:1702 establishments in the French colonial empire]]