Center Point

Center Point is located in northeastern Jefferson County in the central part of the state. It has a mayor/city council form of government.

History

The first non-Indian settlers in the area that now encompasses Center Point arrived around 1816, when a family named Reed relocated there from North Carolina. In 1871, Dave Franklin built a log cabin in what is now Center Point, making him the first settler in current city limits. By the early twentieth century, the Center Point community had several businesses, including a blacksmith’s shop and a post office.

Center Point City Hall An elementary school was built in 1924, using stone gathered from the area. A steady water supply for the city was discovered in 1947, enabling rapid expansion of the area. By 1967, Center Point was recognized as the largest unincorporated community in the United States, with a population of 64,000.

After several years of study and public input, Center Point incorporated in March 2002, with its first municipal elections being held the following month. The former Center Point Elementary School building was repurposed as the city hall.

Demographics

According to 2020 Census estimates, Center Point’s population was 15,971. Of that number, 73.9 percent of respondents identified themselves as African American, 21.6 percent as white, 3.5 percent as Hispanic or Latino, 2.8 percent as two or more races, and 0.1 percent as Asian. The town’s median household income was $45,221, and the per capita income was $22,988.

Employment

According to 2020 Census estimates, the work force in Center Point was divided among the following industrial categories:

  • Educational services, and health care and social assistance (25.1 percent)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (10.6 percent)
  • Manufacturing (10.6 percent)
  • Retail trade (10.3 percent)
  • Transportation and warehousing and utilities (7.8 percent)
  • Construction (7.3 percent)
  • Professional, scientific, management, and administrative and waste management services (7.3 percent)
  • Other services, except public administration (6.4 percent)
  • Finance, insurance, and real estate, rental, and leasing (5.6 percent)
  • Public administration (3.9 percent)
  • Wholesale trade (3.1 percent)
  • Information (2.1 percent)

Education

Schools in Center Point are part of the Jefferson County school system; the town has one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school.

Transportation

Interstate Highway 59, running southwest-northeast, is located about two miles southeast of Center Point. State Highway 79, also running southwest-northeast, is located on the northwest border of the town.

Events and Places of Interest

Reed-Harvey Park in Center Point Center Point maintains three city parks that feature baseball, softball, and football fields, playgrounds, a walking trail, picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, and a nineteenth century house that can be rented for special occasions. It also is part of the Five Mile Creek Greenway Project.

The city holds an annual Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt with concessions and prizes. In April, the city holds a Festival of the Springs in Reed-Harvey Park, featuring music, food, arts and crafts, and activities for children.

Additional Resources

Jefferson County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Jefferson County. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 2002.

External Links

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