Dayton is located in Marengo County, in the west-central part of the state.
History

By the 1840s, Dayton had grown enough to support both a male and female academy, a hotel, and several stores. A tornado struck in 1852, followed by a typhoid epidemic in 1859, which in turn was followed by the Civil War and Reconstruction, all events that were severely damaging to the town's economy. In 1886, an investment group of local citizens made a failed bid to bring a railroad line from Faunsdale to Dayton.

Demographics
According to 2016 Census estimates, Dayton recorded a population of 30. Of that number, 70.0 percent of respondents identified themselves as white and 30.0 percent as African American. The city's per capita income was $10,463.
Employment
According to 2016 Census estimates, the workforce in Dayton was divided among the following industrial categories:
- Educational services, and health care and social assistance (100.0 percent)
Education
No schools are located within the Dayton city limits; students in Dayton attend Marengo County schools.
Transportation
State Highway 25 runs through Dayton roughly north-south, and County Highway 44 enters the town from the west.
Events and Places of Interest
The Half-Chance Bridge and the William Poole House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Dayton Town Hall (Boddie Law Office) is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
Additional Resources
Marengo County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Marengo County, Alabama. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 2000.