Rainsville, Alabama The Crossroads of Sand Mountain

2007 Rainsville Chamber of Commerce; Phone: 256.638.7800; email

Facts and Demographics Population (2000 Census): 4,499 DeKalb County population: 65,600 Rainsville Elevation: 1,275 to 1,428 feet above sea level Demographics 2006 page: download (PDF) - Includes US Census Bureau's Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTATM) data which provides a true view of the Rainsville market's population. Rainsville was incorporated in 1956. Rainsville is named in honor of Will Rains who opened an eight-by-twelve foot log general store at the crossroads in 1902. According to Census figures, Rainsville's population grew about 16% between 1990 and 2000, from 3,875 to 4,499. Rainsville's population grew about 32% between 1980 and 1990 (from 2,921 to 3,875). Interstate 59 is nine miles from Rainsville. Rainsville is located at the crossroads of two important transportation routes: Alabama Highway 35 and Alabama Highway 75. Rainsville's nickname, "The Crossroads of Sand Mountain," is derived from this fact. Rainsville's business community features a variety of industry, professionals and retail stores. Due to a large number of businesses in the health care sector, and with four banks in the city, Rainsville could easily be considered the healthcare and financial hub of Sand Mountain. The industrial sector's most notable products include church furniture, steel products, cardboard bailers, and plastic parts for new Honda mini vans. The Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Inc. has about 110 members. There are approximately 325 businesses in the city. Average annual temperature: 57 degrees Average January temperature: 35.8 degrees Average July temperature: 75.8 degrees Average annual precipitation: 42.15 inches Growing season: early April until late December Nearest waterway: Tennessee River, approx. 15 miles Nearest airport: Isbell Field in Fort Payne, approx. 13 miles (commercial airports are less than one and a half hour away in both Huntsville and Chattanooga).   CENSUS 2002 POPULATION DATA: Rainsville, Alabama (Source: US Census Bureau, census.gov)  Sex & Age      Male   2,119  47.1 %  Female  2,380  52.9 %  Under 5 years  284  6.3 %  5 to 9 years 317  7.0 %  10 to 14 years  288  6.4 %  15 to 19 years  272  6.0 %  20 to 24 years  253  5.6 %  25 to 34 years  594  13.2 %  35 to 44 years  668  14.8 %  45 to 54 years  610  13.6 %  18 years and over   Male Female  3,435 1,564 1,871  76.4 % 21 years and over  3,275   72.8 % 62 years and over  840  18.7 %  65 years and over   Male Female  698 265 433  15.5 % Race      White  4,369  98.2 % Black or African American  4  0.1 % American Indian and Alaska Native 20  0.4 %  Asian  4  0.1 %  Asian Indian  0  0.0 %  Chinese  2  0.0 %  Filipino  0   0.0 %  Japanese  1   0.0 %  Korean  0   0.0 %  Vietnamese  1   0.0 %  Other Asian 0    0.0 %  Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander  4   0.1 %  Native Hawaiian 0  0.0 %  Guamanian or Chamorro  4    0.1 %  Samoan   0   0.0 %  Other Pacific Islander   0   0.0 % Hispanic or Latino and race      Hispanic or Latino(of any race)  98  2.2 %  Mexican  83  1.8 %  Puerto Rican  1  0.0 %  Cuban  0  0.0 %  Other Hispanic or Latino  14  0.3 %        Households      In households  4,499  100.0 %  Householder  1,880  41.8 %  Spouse  1,090  24.2 %  Child  1,269  28.2 %  Own child under 18 years  980  21.8 % Other relatives  176  3.9 % Under 18 years  77  1.7 % Nonrelatives  84  1.9 % Unmarried partner 44  1.0 % In group quarters   0  0.0 %  Institutionalized population  0  0.0 % Noninstitutionalized population  0  0.0 %  Households by Type     Family households (families)  1,337  71.1 % With own children under 18 years  590  31.4 % Married-couple family  1,090  58.0 % With own children under 18 years  465  24.7 % Female householder, no husband present  197  10.5 % With own children under 18 years  100  5.3 % NonFamily households  543  28.9 % Householder living alone  506  26.9 % Householder 65 years and over  256  13.6 % Households with individuals under 18 years  644  34.3 % Households with individuals 65 years and over  539  28.7 % Average Household size  2.39   Average family size  2.9   Housing Occupancy      Total housing units  2,016  100.0 % Occupied housing units  1,880  93.3 %  Vacant housing units  136  6.7 %  For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use  11  0.5 % Homeowner vacancy rate   1.8 % Rental vacancy rate (percent)   8.3 %  Housing Tenure Occupied housing units      Owner-occupied housing units  1,472  78.3 %  Renter-occupied housing units  408  21.7 %