{{Short description|City in Autauga and Elmore counties, Alabama, U.S.}} {{Redirect|Prattville}} {{Use American English|date=September 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Prattville | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = Prattv.jpg | image_caption = Downtown Prattville | image_flag = Flag of Prattville, Alabama.png | image_seal = CityofPrattvilleLogo-C.png | nickname = The Fountain City | motto = "The Preferred Community" | image_map = File:Autauga County and Elmore County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Prattville Highlighted 0162328.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location of Prattville in Autauga County and Elmore County, Alabama. <!-- Location --> | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{USA}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Alabama}} | subdivision_type2 = Counties | subdivision_name2 = Autauga, Elmore <!-- Government --> | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1839 | named_for = Daniel Pratt | government_type = Mayor-council | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = <!-- Area --> | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 94.00 | area_total_sq_mi = 36.29 | area_land_km2 = 91.71 | area_land_sq_mi = 35.41 | area_water_km2 = 2.29 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.88 <!-- Population --> | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 37781 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = 411.96 | population_density_sq_mi = 1066.96 <!-- General information --> | timezone = CST | utc_offset = −6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = −5 | elevation_ft = 276 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | coordinates = {{coord|32|27|53|N|86|27|25|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> <!-- Area/postal codes and others --> | postal_code_type = ZIP codes | postal_code = 36066-36068 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 334 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 01-62328 | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 2404568<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404568}}</ref> | website = {{URL|http://www.prattvilleal.gov/}} }}
'''Prattville''' is a city located within both Autauga and Elmore counties in the State of Alabama, United States, and serves as the county seat of Autauga County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 37,781. Nicknamed "The Fountain City" due to the many artesian wells in the area, Prattville is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Area. It was founded by Daniel Pratt.
==History== Prattville was founded in 1839 by industrialist and architect Daniel Pratt. The area was largely inhabited by Native Americans and a few settlers when Pratt, a native of Temple, New Hampshire, first observed the Autauga Creek in the 1830s. He purchased approximately {{convert|1,000|acre|km2}} from Joseph May at $21.00 an acre, and set out to build his manufacturing facilities and the town along the banks of Autauga Creek. The location was chosen because the creek could supply power to the cotton gin manufacturing equipment. The town became an industrial center and rapidly grew. In 1868, it was named the county seat for Autauga County.<ref>{{cite web | title = Autauga County| work = Autauga County Heritage Association| url = http://www.autaugacountyheritage.com/Autauga_County.html| access-date =December 21, 2009 }}</ref>
Prattville contains several sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Daniel Pratt Historic District, Bell House and Buena Vista.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
==Geography== Prattville has a total area of {{convert|33.8|mi2|km2}} of which {{convert|32.9|mi2|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.9|mi2|km2}} (3.09%) is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2013|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref> The city is located northwest of Montgomery and along Interstate 65 and U.S. Route 82. I-65 runs north to south east of downtown, with access from exits 179 and 181, both in the Elmore County portion of the city. I-65 leads southeast {{convert|14|mi|km|abbr=on}} to downtown Montgomery and north {{convert|82|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Birmingham. US 82 runs south with I-65 to downtown Montgomery, and northwest {{convert|89|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Tuscaloosa.
==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1850 = 672 | 1870 = 1346 | 1880 = 977 | 1890 = 724 | 1900 = 1929 | 1910 = 2222 | 1920 = 2316 | 1930 = 2331 | 1940 = 2664 | 1950 = 4385 | 1960 = 6616 | 1970 = 13116 | 1980 = 18647 | 1990 = 19587 | 2000 = 24303 | 2010 = 33960 | 2020 = 37781 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 40582 | estref = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2025/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2025-POP-01.xlsxOrigin= |title=2025 City and town population estimates: Alabama|website=U.S. Census Bureau |date=May 14, 2026 |access-date=May 22, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} | align-fn = center | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 7, 2014}}</ref><br />2018 Estimate<ref name="2018 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref> | align = right }}
===2020 census===
As of the 2020 census, Prattville had a population of 37,781. The median age was 37.6 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.9 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A62328&in=state%3A01|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL"/>
92.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 7.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A62328&in=state%3A01|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=March 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 14,624 households, including 9,658 families. 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.3% were married-couple households, 15.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 15,537 housing units, of which 5.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A62328&in=state%3A01|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 25,984 || 68.8% |- | Black or African American || 7,978 || 21.1% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 137 || 0.4% |- | Asian || 863 || 2.3% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 30 || 0.1% |- | Some other race || 642 || 1.7% |- | Two or more races || 2,147 || 5.7% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 1,516 || 4.0% |}
===2010 census=== As of the census of 2010, there were 33,960 people, 12,711 households, and 9,305 families residing in Prattville. The population density was {{convert|1033.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 13,541 housing units at an average density of {{convert|412.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 78.5% White, 16.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 3.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 12,711 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
===2000 census=== In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $45,728, and the median income for a family was $51,774. Males had a median income of $36,677 versus $22,978 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,832. 8.3% of the population and 6.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. ==Climate== According to the Köppen climate classification, Prattville has a humid subtropical climate (abbreviated ''Cfa'').
{{Weather box |location = Prattville, 1991–2020 simulated normals (200 ft elevation) |collapsed = y |single line = y |precipitation colour =green |Jan precipitation mm =133.86 |Feb precipitation mm =136.54 |Mar precipitation mm =138.12 |Apr precipitation mm =113.19 |May precipitation mm =101.52 |Jun precipitation mm =126.30 |Jul precipitation mm =129.33 |Aug precipitation mm =115.45 |Sep precipitation mm =96.01 |Oct precipitation mm =79.12 |Nov precipitation mm =105.25 |Dec precipitation mm =137.01 |Jan high C = 14.2 |Feb high C = 16.8 |Mar high C = 21.0 |Apr high C = 24.8 |May high C = 28.9 |Jun high C = 31.9 |Jul high C = 33.1 |Aug high C = 33.0 |Sep high C = 30.8 |Oct high C = 25.6 |Nov high C = 19.8 |Dec high C = 15.4 |Jan mean C =8.3 |Feb mean C =10.6 |Mar mean C =14.5 |Apr mean C =18.2 |May mean C =22.7 |Jun mean C =26.4 |Jul mean C =27.7 |Aug mean C =27.5 |Sep mean C =24.9 |Oct mean C =19.2 |Nov mean C =13.2 |Dec mean C =9.6 |Jan low C = 2.5 |Feb low C = 4.3 |Mar low C = 7.9 |Apr low C = 11.6 |May low C = 16.5 |Jun low C = 20.8 |Jul low C = 22.3 |Aug low C = 22.0 |Sep low C = 19.1 |Oct low C = 12.8 |Nov low C = 6.5 |Dec low C = 3.8 |Jan dew point C =3.1 |Feb dew point C =4.8 |Mar dew point C =7.6 |Apr dew point C =11.5 |May dew point C =16.2 |Jun dew point C =20.1 |Jul dew point C =21.9 |Aug dew point C =21.5 |Sep dew point C =18.8 |Oct dew point C =13.3 |Nov dew point C =7.7 |Dec dew point C =4.9 |source 1 = Prism Climate Group<ref>{{cite web | url=https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ | title=PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University | publisher=Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering (NACSE), based at Oregon State University | access-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref> | date=March 14, 2023}}
===Severe weather=== {{See also|2008 Prattville–Millbrook tornado}} On February 17, 2008, Prattville was hit by an EF3 tornado which destroyed more than 45 homes and businesses and damaged over 700. Twenty-nine people were injured with no fatalities. Preliminary estimates put the damage at $85 million in insured and uninsured damages.<ref>{{cite web | title =Tornadoes touch down across Southeast: 29 people injured in Alabama town; 200 homes, 100 businesses damaged | work =NBC News | url =https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23213687 | access-date =January 25, 2010 }}</ref>
==Education== Most of Prattville (the Autauga County portion) is part of the Autauga County School System,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01001_autauga/DC20SD_C01001.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801034701/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01001_autauga/DC20SD_C01001.pdf |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Autauga County, AL|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 31, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01001_autauga/DC20SD_C01001_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> and has eight schools, including Prattville High School and the Autauga County Technology Center.<ref>{{cite web | title = Autauga County Technology Center | url = http://www.autaugacountyschool.org/ACBOE%20Schools/ACTC/actc.htm | access-date = December 21, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100116055724/http://www.autaugacountyschool.org/ACBOE%20Schools/ACTC/actc.htm | archive-date = January 16, 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The Elmore County portion is in the Elmore County Public School System.<ref name=Censusmap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01051_elmore/DC20SD_C01051.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801030446/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01051_elmore/DC20SD_C01051.pdf |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Elmore County, AL|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 31, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01051_elmore/DC20SD_C01051_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
Prattville Christian Academy and Autauga Academy are private schools based in the city. East Memorial Christian Academy was located in an unincorporated area of Autauga County, near Prattville, until it was closed down.<ref>"[http://www.emcawildcats.org/wordpress/index.php Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821170908/http://emcawildcats.org/wordpress/index.php |date=2013-08-21 }}." East Memorial Christian Academy. Retrieved on August 3, 2013. "1320 Old Ridge Road Prattville, Alabama 36066"</ref>
==Emergency services== Fire protection and Emergency Medical Services in Prattville are provided by the Prattville Fire Department.
Law enforcement agency is the Prattville Police Department.
==Media== Prattville is part of the Montgomery television market. WOW! (formerly Knology) and Charter provide cable television service. DirecTV and Dish Network provide direct broadcast satellite television including both local and national channels to area residents. Prattville is also served by the twice-weekly ''Prattville Progress'' newspaper.<ref name="Prat#1">{{cite web|url=http://www.prattvilleprogress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=progress|title=The Prattville Progress|publisher=The Prattville Progress|access-date=September 19, 2009|archive-date=September 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090920140918/http://www.prattvilleprogress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=PROGRESS|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Recreation== The city has become a popular golf destination, featuring the Capitol Hill golf courses (part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail). Its Senator Course hosted the Navistar (now Yokohama Tire) LPGA Classic on the LPGA Tour from 2007 through 2012 when Navistar ended its sponsorship. There was no LPGA event at this course in 2013. The 2014 event, now known as the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic after its new sponsor, was scheduled for September 18–21.
High Point Town Center is a large shopping center built in Prattville between 2007 and 2008. 10,000-capacity Stanley-Jensen Stadium is located in Prattville. It is mainly used for football and soccer.
==Transportation== Major highways that pass through the city include: *{{jct|state=AL|I|65}} *{{jct|state=AL|US|31}} *{{jct|state=AL|US|82}} *{{jct|state=AL|AL|14}}
Prattville also has a small airport about 3.5 miles from downtown.
Autauga County Rural Transportation provides dial-a-ride transit service in the city and county.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autaugaco.org/Default.asp?ID=148|title=Autauga County Rural Transportation|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref>
==Historical markers== thumb|Historical Marker
===Happy Hollow=== Known for the signature hill that turns into a steep curve, located on present-day 6th Street, Happy Hollow was the center of African American life in Prattville in the 1950s. This marker was erected to honor the spirit of "equality" that resonated in Happy Hollow.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.archives.state.al.us/aha/markers/autauga.html |title=Alabama Historical Association Marker Program: Autauga County |access-date=January 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202110052/http://www.archives.state.al.us/aha/markers/autauga.html |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Notable people== * Marlon Anderson, Major League Baseball player * Kaitlan Collins, journalist * Evan Crawford, Major League Baseball player * John Coleman Darnell, Egyptologist<ref>{{cite news |work= Yale Daily News|first= Catherine|last= Killingsworth|date= December 7, 2007|title= Profile – Man, Myth, or Legend?|url= https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2007/12/07/profile-man-myth-or-legend/|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044040/https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2007/12/07/profile-man-myth-or-legend/|archive-date= September 29, 2017}}</ref> * Steve Gainer, Cinematographer * Bobby Greenwood, NFL offensive tackle * Roman Harper, NFL player.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alvin |last=Benn |title=Prattville turns out to welcome Saints star home |date=February 28, 2010 |url=http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100228/NEWS01/2280333/Prattville-turns-out-to-welcome-Saints-star-home |newspaper=Montgomery Advertiser |access-date=March 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813195153/http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100228/NEWS01/2280333/Prattville-turns-out-to-welcome-Saints-star-home |archive-date=August 13, 2014 }}</ref> * C. M. Hazen, head coach for the University of Richmond football team * O. J. Howard, former Tight End for the Alabama Crimson Tide. * Randy Hunt, former Major League Baseball catcher * Charlie Lucas, sculptor * Nick Perry, NFL player and coach * Wilson Pickett, R&B and soul singer and songwriter * Tommy Shaw, member of the band Styx * Brandon Taylor, author * Daniel Holcombe Thomas, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama * Trust Company, alternative rock/post-grunge band * Kevin Turner, NFL player * Ernie Wingard, pitcher for the St. Louis Browns from 1924 to 1927 * Zac Woodfin, NFL player.
==Popular culture== Gabriel García Marquez mentions Prattville in his well-known work ''One Hundred Years of Solitude''; Prattville is referred to as the original city of Jack Brown, the founder of the banana company.<ref>''One Hundred Years of Solitude'', page 124</ref>
==Folklore== A popular ghost story known as "The Black Lady," inspired by deaths caused by poor working conditions in the nearby factories of downtown Prattville, is a popular phenomenon described by most as a black, ghastly figure that goes across the nearby dam during the night hours of 1 am to 4 am and has been featured on the ghost hunting show, ''Deep South Paranormal''.
This story, and additional Prattville ghost stories are cited by Digital Alabama.<ref name="digitalalabama">{{cite web | url=https://digitalalabama.com/alabama-haunted-places/haunted-places-in-alabama/12361 | access-date=January 27, 2020 | title=Haunted Places in Alabama | publisher=Digital Alabama | website=digitalalabama.com | date=October 25, 2018}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery class="center"> File:Autauga County Courthouse March 2010 02.jpg|Autauga County Courthouse File:Bell House Prattville March 2010 01.jpg|Bell House File:First Methodist Prattville March 2010.jpg|Prattville First Methodist Church </gallery>
===1938 flooding=== <gallery class="center"> File:Alabama - Prattville - NARA - 23936371 (cropped).jpg File:Alabama - Prattville - NARA - 23936369 (cropped).jpg File:Alabama - Prattville - NARA - 23936367 (cropped).jpg </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Prattville, Alabama}} {{Portal|United States}} * {{Official website|http://www.prattvilleal.gov/}}
{{Autauga County, Alabama}} {{Elmore County, Alabama}} {{Alabama county seats}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Prattville, Alabama Category:Cities in Alabama Category:Cities in Autauga County, Alabama Category:Cities in Elmore County, Alabama Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1839 Category:County seats in Alabama Category:Montgomery metropolitan area Category:1839 establishments in Alabama