Citronelle, Alabama
Location in Mobile County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 31°5′33″N 88°14′39″W / 31.0925, -88.24417
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Mobile
Area
- Total	24.7 sq mi (63.9 km²)
- Land	24.4 sq mi (63.2 km²)
- Water	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Elevation	312 ft (95 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	3,659
- Density	148.1/sq mi (57.3/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	36522
Area code(s)	251
FIPS code	01-15064
GNIS feature ID	0116155

Citronelle is a city in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,659. It is included in the Mobile metropolitan statistical area.

History

The area now known as Citronelle was first discovered by Europeans in the 18th century. The land was found to possess healing herbs and mineral springs. The area was settled in 1811 and founded in 1892. The name "Citronelle" is derived from the citronella plant, which grows through out the town. The town became a resort destination because of the climate, herbs, and healing waters. Many hotels were built to accommodate the surge of visitors.

On May 4, 1865 the last "sizable" Confederate force was surrendered by General Richard Taylor under the "surrender oak". A reenactment of this event occurs every year at Citronelle. Unfortunately, the historic oak was destroyed by a hurricane in 1902.

In 1952, oil was accidentally discovered and Citronelle is known today as the oil capital of Alabama.^[1]

Geography

Citronelle is located at 31°5′34″N, 88°14′40″W (31.092653, -88.244315)^[2] and is about 28 miles north of Semmes,

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.7 square miles (63.9 km²), of which, 24.4 square miles (63.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (1.01%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 3,659 people, 1,318 households, and 1,009 families residing in the city. The population density was 149.9 people per square mile (57.9/km²). There were 1,441 housing units at an average density of 59.0/sq mi (22.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.96% White, 18.61% Black or African American, 2.76% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,318 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,739, and the median income for a family was $39,922. Males had a median income of $32,200 versus $19,702 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,455. About 12.0% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is served by the Mobile County Public School System

The city is served by three public schools: Citronelle High School (9-12), Lott Middle School (6-8), and McDavid-Jones Elementary School (K-5).

References

• information on metropolitan statistical areas and Mobile MSA

External links

• City of Citronelle

• Citronelle, Alabama is at coordinates 31°05′34″N 88°14′40″W / 31.092653, -88.244315 (Citronelle, Alabama)Coordinates: 31°05′34″N 88°14′40″W / 31.092653, -88.244315 (Citronelle, Alabama)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Mobile County, Alabama
County seat: Mobile
Cities	Bayou La Batre | Chickasaw | Citronelle | Mobile | Prichard | Saraland | Satsuma
Towns	Creola | Dauphin Island | Mount Vernon
CDPs	Grand Bay | Theodore | Tillmans Corner
Unincorporated communities	Bucks | Eight Mile | Kushla | Mauvilla | St. Elmo | Semmes | Whistler
Ghost town	Beaver Mills