Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is a resort city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 15,014.

Geography

Gulf Shores is located on the Gulf of Mexico, and is the southernmost settlement in the state of Alabama.<ref name="WR1">Template:Cite web</ref> It is served by Alabama State Route 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway), which leads north to Foley. Route 182 (Beach Boulevard) runs east-west along the shore front, while Route 180 (Fort Morgan Road) runs parallel to it, north of Little Lagoon. Gulf State Park occupies a large eastern part of the city.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert, or 17.24%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

Climate

Gulf Shores has a humid subtropical climate, with long, hot summers, and mild and sunny winters. Daily highs in winter are close to Template:Convert and nighttime lows are near Template:Convert. Daytime highs in summer are near Template:Convert and evening lows near Template:Convert. Ocean surf temperatures are quite warm from May through November, often well into the low 80s.

As a result of being located on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores is vulnerable to tropical cyclones. In September 1979, Hurricane Frederic caused massive destruction, leveling most of the town. On September 16, 2004, Hurricane Ivan made landfall in Gulf Shores, causing extensive wind and flooding damage. In 2005, while the city was still cleaning up from Ivan, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage and flooding. The area was then struck again on September 16, 2020, when Hurricane Sally made landfall on the 16 year anniversary of Ivan, causing extensive damage and widespread flooding.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

2020 census

Gulf Shores racial composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	13,062	87.0%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	307	2.04%
Native American	63	0.42%
Asian	161	1.07%
Pacific Islander	6	0.04%
Other/Mixed	793	5.28%
Hispanic or Latino	622	4.14%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,014 people, 5,810 households, and 3,347 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 9,741 people living in the city.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 6,810 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 97.54% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Of the population 1.23% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,344 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. Of all households 26.7% were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.56.

Of the population 16.4% was under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $41,826, and the median income for a family was $51,862. Males had a median income of $40,259 versus $22,467 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,356. About 6.8% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Since the year 2000, Baldwin County as a whole has experienced rapid population growth, second only to Shelby County in Alabama.<ref name=USCgshores>"Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights" (for Gulf Shores, AL), US Census Bureau, 2007, webpage: US-Census-GulfShoresAL Template:Webarchive.</ref>

Economy

File:Morning at Gulf State Park.jpg

Beach at Gulf State Park

File:Gulf Shores Houses on canal.jpg

Residential area on the canal

Tourism

Tourism dominates the economy of Gulf Shores.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 2010 BP oil spill was expected to adversely affect both local real estate and beach tourism. After a year of decline, the tourism economy in Gulf Shores returned to pre-spill levels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Attractions in Gulf Shores include Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pelican Place at Craft Farms, a shopping mall; Waterville USA, a family amusement/waterpark;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and 10 golf courses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hangout Music Festival is an annual three-day music festival on the beach each May.<ref name="southernliving">Template:Cite web</ref>

Some residents opposed the building of a new hotel on state property, and the use of BP Oil spill funds to finance projects other than environmental repair.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2022, the city introduced a plan to make a $15 million revitalization of Gulf Place, a public beach area. Amenities will include a boardwalk, parking, green space, and restrooms. The project will involve sustainable and low-impact development strategies, including stormwater management, and beach dune restoration to provide animal habitat and protection from storm surge.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Public education was originally administered by Baldwin County Public Schools.Template:Citation needed The Gulf Shores City School System was established in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Schools include:

• Gulf Shores High School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (grades 9–12)
• Gulf Shores Middle School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (grades 7–8)
• Gulf Shores Elementary School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (grades K–6)

Infrastructure

Jack Edwards National Airport is located in Gulf Shores and offers services from Gulf Air Center, Salt Air Aviation Center and Platinum Air Center.Template:Citation needed

Countywide dial-a-ride transit service is provided by BRATS, the Baldwin Regional Area Transit System.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website