Sulligent is a city in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 1,927, down from its record high of 2,151 in 2000. From 1910-1950 and again in 2000, it was the largest community in Lamar County before losing the distinction both times to the county seat of Vernon. The name is derived from railroad personnel.
History
Sulligent was first called "Elliott", in honor of the chief engineer of the Kansas City-Memphis-Birmingham Railroad, then renamed one month later with the portmanteau "Sulligent", in honor of Sullivan, the superintendent of the railroad, and Sargeant, the passenger agent of the railroad. The town was incorporated on February 12, 1897. S. F. Pennington owned the first general store and Dr. R. J. Redden owned the first drug store. The production and processing of cotton was an important industry. The primary business in Sulligent in the mid-1890s was cotton, with over 2500 bales ginned each year and shipped via the railroad. At one time, Sulligent Cotton Oil Company was known as the largest cotton gin under one roof. Sulligent is home to Lamar County's only structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Greer Bankhead House, which antedates the city by almost four decades.
Sulligent is located at . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land. U.S. Route 278 passes through Sulligent, intersecting State Highway 17. The BNSF Railway provides railroad service with a line running east–west.
Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 2,151 people in 901 households, including 637 families, in the city. The population density was 273.9 people per square mile. There were 1,029 housing units at an average density of 131.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 77.08% White, 21.80% Black or African American, 0.60% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 1.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 901 households 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 28.0% of households were one person and 15.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.90. The age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males. The median household income was $26,541 and the median family income was $30,645. Males had a median income of $29,966 versus $19,537 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,794. About 18.0% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,927 people in 859 households, including 551 families, in the city. The population density was 243.9 people per square mile. There were 972 housing units at an average density of 123.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 78.3% White, 19.3% Black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races..8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 859 households 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 34.0% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.86. The age distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% 65 or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males. The median household income was $22,469 and the median family income was $34,231. Males had a median income of $36,125 versus $30,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,094. About 18.1% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
