Harvest, Alabama
|
|
Harvest is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in the northwestern part of Madison County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the community is 3,054.
| Contents |
History
Harvest was part of the Cherokee lands until about 1810. It had been a settled community for many thousands of years prior to this. People often find artifacts of this early settlement including pottery, arrow heads and various Native American tools in the area. A rail road was extended south from Fayettville, Tennessee to the community of Capshaw some 5 miles (8 km) south south west of present day Harvest. This rail road went bankrupt in the economic troubles that lead to the Great Depression of the 1930's. The track of this rail road remains to this day as "Old Rail Road Bed Road."
Many families who formed the older settlement population are part Cherokee Indian. The oldest Church in the Area is Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church established in 1808 as a mission to the Cherokee Indians of the area. The largest Church in the Area is the Harvest Baptist Church.
Geography
Harvest is located at 34°51'10" North, 86°44'53" West (34.852827, -86.748047)Template:GR.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 32.2 km² (12.4 mi²). 32.2 km² (12.4 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Capshaw Mountain is the only notable geologic feature in the area. It extends upwards about 800 feet above the general elevation in the area. The slopes of this small scrap of the Cumberland Plateau are forrested and the approximately 2 square mile (5 km²) area of it is fast becoming the center of some very high value housing development.
The top of this small mountain is the site of several very substantial communications towers used by local radio stations. Capshaw Mountain forms a watershed that provides the water supply for the community. the elevation of Capshaw Mountain and its location make it uniquely valuable as the site for regional communications. From its towers Line of Sight Communications may be achieved as far as Nashville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. To the west this extend well into Mississippi and to the east to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The extent of such communications covers an area of nearly 125 miles (200 km) radially around the community.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 3,054 people, 1,092 households, and 898 families residing in the community. The population density is 94.9/km² (245.8/mi²). There are 1,146 housing units at an average density of 35.6/km² (92.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the community is 76.56% White, 18.76% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,092 households out of which 39.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.5% are married couples living together, 7.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% are non-families. 15.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.80 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the community the population is spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the community is $61,319, and the median income for a family is $64,519. Males have a median income of $46,813 versus $30,114 for females. The per capita income for the community is $23,322. 8.0% of the population and 6.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.2% of those under the age of 18 and 4.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Public services and society
The community is served by the Harvest-Monrovia Water and Sewer Authority. The water system maintains several large storage tanks and has a subtantial new water treatment facility. It is also served by the Harvest-Monrovia Volunteer Fire Department.
The Huntsville-Madison County Library maintians a branch on Jeff Road near Capshaw Mountain. This branch library is part of a very well supported community Library system in Madison County.
The community is the site of several substantial schools including Sparkman High School with over 2,000 students as of 2004. Harvest Elementary School is also quite substantial having over 700 students. Growth in the community is occurring at a rate above 20% per annum.
Numerous large churches are the community's social focus. The residents have many different faiths; most are Protestant Christians. Many people do not have any particular religious affiliation. The Community Schools and the Volunteer Fire Department are also important social hubs.
Economy
The Economy of Harvest depends a great deal on construction of housing. In 2003 over 650 new homes were built in Harvest and the adjacent Monrovia Community. In addition it is the site of numerous small to medium sized businesses. There is no particular single source of this income. Having no government to speak of the economy is largely self generated. Substantial numbers of the people work in industries in the City of Madison and City of Huntsville. They find the unregulated and untaxed community much to their advantage.
Retail trade is rapidly expanding as of 2004. Service industries such as automotive repair and many others are growing rapidly. The area is a center of small businesses servicing a wide area.