Gadsden

In the 19th century, Gadsden was Alabama's second-most important center of commerce and industry, trailing only the seaport of Mobile. The two cities were important shipping centers: Gadsden for riverboats and Mobile for international trade. From the late 19th century through the 1980s, Gadsden was a center of heavy industry, including the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Republic Steel. In 1991, following more than a decade of sharp decline in industry, Gadsden was awarded the honor of All-America City by the National Civic League.

• Name — Gadsden, Alabama • Type — City • Motto — City of Champions • Blank Emblem Type — Logo • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — United States • Subdivision Type1 — State • Subdivision Name1 — Alabama • Subdivision Type2 — County • Subdivision Name2 — Etowah • Government Type — Mayor–Council • Leader Title — Mayor • Leader Name — Craig Ford • Leader Party — I • Leader Title1 — President pro tempore • Leader Name1 — Steve Smith • Leader Title2 — Council President • Leader Name2 — Kent Back • Leader Title3 — City Council • Leader Name3 — Tonya Latham Larry Avery Jason Wilson Dixie Minatra Chris Robinson • Established Title — Founded • Established Date — February 18, 1867 • Established Title1 — Incorporated • Established Date1 — March 9, 1871 • Named For — Colonel James Gadsden • Unit Pref — Imperial • Area Total Km2 — 100.121 • Area Land Km2 — 96.978 • Area Water Km2 — 3.143 • Area Total Sq Mi — 38.657 • Area Land Sq Mi — 37.443 • Area Water Sq Mi — 1.214 • Area Water Percent — 3.14 • Population As Of — 2020 • Population Est — 33367 • Pop Est As Of — 2025 • Population Total — 33945 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Population Density Sq Mi — auto • Population Rank — US: 1246th AL: 18th • Population Urban — 57975 (US: 460th) • Population Metro — 103886 (US: 357th) • Time Zone — Central (CST) • Utc Offset — –6 • Time Zone Dst — CDT • Utc Offset Dst — –5 • Elevation M — 177 • Elevation Ft — 581 • Postal Code Type — ZIP Codes • Postal Code — 35901, 35902, 35903, 35904, 35905, 35906, 35907 • Area Codes — 256 and 938 • Custom Label Sec1 — FIPS code • Custom Data Sec1 — 01-28696 • Custom Label1 Sec1 — GNIS feature ID • Custom Data1 Sec1 — 2403673

The first substantial European-American settlement in the area that developed as Gadsden was a village called "Double Springs". It was founded in about 1825 by John Riley, a mixed-race American Indian and European-American settler who built his house near two springs. Riley used his house for a stagecoach stop on the Huntsville-to-Rome route. The original building still stands as the oldest in Gadsden. The house was purchased by brothers Gabriel and Asenath Hughes in 1840. The Hughes brothers purchased much of the land between Lookout Mountain, the Coosa River, and the mouth of Wills Creek. The brothers proposed constructing a railroad from the port of Savannah to Nashville, Tennessee through their land. The original 120 acre survey of Gadsden included the Hughes brothers' land, plus that of John S. Moragne and Lewis L. Rhea. On July 4, 1845, Captain James Lafferty piloted the steamboat Coosa to the settlement. He landed near the site where the Memorial Bridge was built. The Hughes brothers suggested renaming the town as "Lafferty's Landing", but residents adopted "Gadsden" in honor of Colonel James Gadsden of South Carolina. He later was noted for negotiating the United States' Gadsden Purchase from Mexico. In 1867, after the American Civil War, the legislature organized Baine County; Gadsden was incorporated and made the county seat. After a constitutional convention, the new legislature dissolved Baine County in 1868 and renamed it as Etowah County. Gadsden retained its standing as county seat. By the late 19th century, Gadsden had developed as a major river port on the Coosa River, and was second to Mobile, a seaport on the Gulf Coast, in importance. It also developed as a center of heavy industry.

With unionization, industrial workers could earn middle-class salaries and improve their lives, even as African Americans struggled under Jim Crow laws and political disenfranchisement. The city reached its peak of population in 1960. Affected by the national restructuring of railroads and heavy industry, most of Gadsden's major industries closed in the 1970s and 1980s. The city lost many jobs and much population and began to decline. The city government has struggled to manage the transition to a different economy, just as numerous other industrial cities had to do. Redevelopment efforts, such as the Cultural Arts Center and downtown revitalization, earned Gadsden first place in the 2000 City Livability Awards Program of the US Conference of Mayors. Underemployment continues to be a severe problem, as indicated by the economic data presented below.

Gadsden is located in central Etowah County and developed on both sides of the Coosa River. The southern end of Lookout Mountain rises to the north of the city center. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 38.657 sqmi, of which 37.443 sqmi is land and 1.214 sqmi (3.14%) is water.

Typical of the Deep South, Gadsden experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with four distinct seasons. Winter lasts from early December to late-February; the daily average temperature in January is 41.3 °F. On average, the low temperature falls to the freezing mark or below on 60 days a year, and to or below 20 °F on 6.9 days. While rain is abundant (January and February are on average the wettest months), measurable snowfall is rare, with most years receiving none. Summers are hot and humid, lasting from mid-May to mid-September, and the July daily average temperature is 80.6 °F. There are 60–61 days of 90 °F+ highs annually and 2.1 days of 100 °F+ highs. The latter part of summer tends to be drier. Autumn, which spans from mid-September to early December, tends to be similar to spring in terms of temperature and precipitation, although it begins relatively dry. With a period of record dating only back to 1953, the highest recorded temperature was 106 °F on June 30, 2012, while the lowest recorded temperature was −6 °F on January 20–21, 1985.

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of July 31, 2026, in Gadsden was $116,676. As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 12,746 estimated households in Gadsden with an average of 2.53 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $40,345. Approximately 28.1% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Gadsden has an estimated 48.0% employment rate, with 15.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 82.2% holding a high school diploma. There were 16,513 housing units at an average density of 441.02 /sqmi. The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (92.1%), Spanish (6.9%), Indo-European (0.5%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.2%), and Other (0.3%). The median age in the city was 38.6 years.

As of the 2020 census, there were 33,945 people, 14,141 households, and 8,411 families residing in the city. The population density was 906.89 PD/sqmi. There were 16,730 housing units at an average density of 446.97 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 51.68% White, 35.68% African American, 1.24% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.90% from some other races and 5.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.07% of the population.

As of the 2010 census, there were 36,856 people, 15,171 households, and 9,183 families residing in the city. The population density was 991.79 PD/sqmi. There were 17,672 housing units at an average density of 475.55 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 57.30% White, 36.25% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 3.19% from some other races and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.39% of the population. There were 15,171 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.9% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.99. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $28,386, and the median income for a family was $34,643. Males had a median income of $33,827 versus $27,342 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,610. About 20.2% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 census, there were 38,978 people, 16,456 households, and 10,252 families residing in the city. The population density was 1083.61 PD/sqmi. There were 18,797 housing units at an average density of 522.57 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 62.69% White, 34.00% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from some other races and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.67% of the population. • Illustration — Perspective map of Gadsden in 1887 There were 16,456 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% 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 2.91. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $24,823, and the median income for a family was $31,740. Males had a median income of $29,400 versus $19,840 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,610. About 18.1% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

• Illustration — The Spirit of American Citizenship Monument on Rainbow Drive (US 411), just before the Broad Street Bridge. The Coosa River and East Gadsden are visible in the background.

According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are: • Number — Company/Organizations — Employees • 1 — Gadsden Regional Medical Center — 1,312 • 2 — Etowah County Board of Education — 1,275 • 3 — Koch Foods — 1,040 • 4 — Riverview Regional Medical Center — 789 • 5 — Walmart — 750 • 6 — Gadsden City Schools — 693 • 7 — City of Gadsden — 658 • 8 — Gadsden State Community College — 553 • 9 — Keystone Foods — 512 • 10 — Feher Automotive — 434 Citing statistics from the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations and the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, the Gadsden-Etowah County Industrial Development Authority reports that approximately 12,000 residents of Etowah County were underemployed and 2,179 residents were unemployed as of 2008.

Gadsden houses numerous churches: Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, Catholic, Church of the Nazarene, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The city was home to Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform synagogue founded in 1908. In a 1960 attack, the synagogue was fire-bombed, its windows smashed, and two members shot and wounded by a Nazi sympathizer. Because of declining numbers as some members moved away and others died, the congregation ceased operations in 2010. Southern gospel quartets Mark Trammell Quartet and Gold City are based in Gadsden.

• City Name — Gadsden • Year — 2025 • Homicide — 5 • Forcible Rape — 5 • Robbery — 18 • Aggravated Assault — 103 • Violent Crime — 131 • Burglary — 96 • Larceny Theft — 550 • Motor Vehicle Theft — 57 • Arson — 9 • Property Crime — 712 • Source Url — https: cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend • Source Name — 2025 FBI UCR Data • Notes — 2025 population: 33,367 Gadsden is served by a 106-member municipal police department that includes a Patrol Division and Detective Division. The Patrol Division operates patrol, a bomb squad unit, a special projects team, and a joint SWAT team with the Etowah County Sheriff Office. The Detective Division serves a homicide or persons unit, property crime unit, financial crimes unit, and juvenile unit. In May 2010, the Gadsden Police Department acquired two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under the auspices of a $150,000 federal grant. The drones are equipped with video cameras and wireless transmitters, designed to be used for aerial surveillance.

The Gadsden City Schools oversees fourteen schools: eight elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school, and two specialty schools (one alternative center and one technical center). A new high school, Gadsden City High School, replaced the three former city high schools (Emma Sansom High School, Gadsden High School, and Litchfield High School) via merger for the 2006–2007 school year. Gadsden is home to Gadsden State Community College, the second largest of the 27 two-year institutions in the Alabama Community College System. This was founded by former Governor George Wallace. Small satellites of Jacksonville State University and the University of Alabama also offer college courses in Gadsden. Gadsden is home to the first statewide day-treatment program for juvenile offenders. The Community Intensive Treatment for Youth Program (C.I.T.Y.) was founded in January 1981 by Edward E. Earnest (1943-2005). With the assistance and support of the Honorable Judge Robert E. Lewis (1927-1993), the city of Gadsden, and the Gadsden City Board of Education, the C.I.T.Y. Program began enrolling students on February 1, 1981. C.I.T.Y. is designed to be a multi-dimensional program emphasizing habilitation (i.e., equipping at-risk youth on juvenile probation with skills needed to meet the demands of modern society). Its objectives are to identify the at-risk youth's individual strengths and weaknesses, provide an individualized environment in which the at-risk youth can develop skills, and alter the natural environment of the at-risk youth so that newly acquired skills are nurtured and encouraged. To achieve these objectives, C.I.T.Y. offers academic remediation in reading, math, language; intensive counseling that involves behavior modification, consumer education, and job readiness training. After all objectives have been met, C.I.T.Y. provides GED preparation, return to public school, and placement into technical school, college, job, or military service. In 1983, the C.I.T.Y. Program of Etowah County (Gadsden) received the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Unique and Innovative Project Award. On October 1, 2009, C.I.T.Y.'s name was changed to Special Programming for Achievement Network (S.P.A.N.) It operates under the directorship of the Alabama Department of Youth Services. There are eleven SPAN programs in the state of Alabama.

Newspapers • The Gadsden Times: Daily morning paper. Previously owned by The New York Times, now owned by Halifax Media Group. • Gadsden Messenger: Weekly, locally owned newspaper • The Reporter: Monthly, locally owned newspaper Television • Gadsden is located in the Birmingham DMA (Designated Market Area) for television stations. Two of the market's stations are licensed to Gadsden. • WTJP Channel 60 - Trinity Broadcasting Network • WPXH Channel 44 - ION Television affiliate • W15AP Channel 15 - repeater for WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham AM radio • WAAX 570 - News/talk • WGAD 930 - Light pop • WMGJ 1240 - Urban/contemporary music • WTDR 1350 - Re-broadcast of 92.7 FM Thunder Country FM radio • WKLS 105.9 – Mainstream rock • WKXX 102.9 - Sports • WSGN 91.5 - NPR/PBS (Gadsden State Community College, simulcast of WBHM Birmingham) • WGMZ 93.1 - Classic rock • W257CT 99.3 FM - News/talk/classic 80s weekends • WTBB 89.9 - Religious

• Gadsden Trolley System • Greyhound Lines • Interstate 59 • Interstate 759 • U.S. Highway 411 • U.S. Highway 431 • U.S. Highway 278 • Norfolk Southern Railway • Alabama and Tennessee River Railway • Northeast Alabama Regional Airport (municipal airport)

• Gadsden Regional Medical Center: 346-bed facility • Riverview Regional Medical Center: 281-bed facility • Mountain View Hospital: Psychiatric and chemical dependency facility

• Clever (born 1985), singer, songwriter, musician • Jean Cox (1922–2012), operatic tenor, noted for his Heldentenor roles at the Bayreuth Festival • W. T. Ewing (1823–1891), politician, physician, postmaster • DeWitt Sanford Dykes Sr. (1903–1991), architect, Methodist minister • Beth Grant (born 1949), actress • Bill Green (1940–1994), basketball player, first-round pick in 1963 NBA draft • Steve Grissom, former NASCAR driver • James Hood (1942–2013), one of the first African Americans to enroll at the University of Alabama in 1963 • Dre Kirkpatrick (born 1989), first-round draft pick of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals • Freddie Kitchens (born 1974), football coach • Mathew Knowles (born 1952), music executive, and manager; father of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles • Annie Lee (1935–2014), artist • Sunny Mabrey, actress • Jerry McCain, blues musician noted for his harmonica playing and songwriting • Darnell Mooney (born 1997), wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons • Roy Moore (born 1947), former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama • Aaron Pearson, former football linebacker who played three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs • Ted Sizemore (born 1945), MLB second baseman was born in Gadsden. • William L. Sibert, US Army major general who commanded the U.S. 1st Infantry Division during World War I • Hazel Brannon Smith, newspaper publisher in Lexington, Mississippi, received a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. • Cadillac Williams (born 1982), former NFL first-round draft pick • Yelawolf (born 1979), rapper signed to Interscope and Shady Records • Jake Adam York, award-winning poet

• Noccalula Falls Park • Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge • Coosa River • Saigon Village behind Little Bridge Marina • Downtown Gadsden • James D. Martin Wildlife Park • Gadsden Mall • Gadsden Museum of Art • Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts • Gadsden Symphony Orchestra • Etowah County Jail, the largest building in downtown Gadsden

• Joshua Kristal, a professional photographer, completed a project in 2012 of taking photographs in three southern states at sites of lynchings that were documented in historic photographs. One of his photographs was taken in Gadsden, at the site of Bunk Richardson's 1906 lynching. • Poet Jake Adam York grew up in Etowah County and wrote the poem "Bunk Richardson", inspired by his having read stories about the lynching in the Gadsden Times. • Each county in the US where a lynching took place is represented in the new Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, opened in April 2018.