Locust Fork

James P. Kaetz, Auburn University
Locust Fork is located in Blount County in the northeastern portion of the state. It has a mayor/city council form of government.
History
Paul C. Marsh General Store
Local lore states that General Andrew Jackson camped with his forces in the area and carved his name in a locust tree by a fork in the Warrior River, giving the area its name. The first settlers came to the area around 1819. A school building was constructed in 1921 and expanded in 1928. The federal Works Progress Administration built a new high school in 1937; it burned in 1961 and was replaced on the same site. Locust Fork incorporated in January 1977.
Demographics
According to the 2010 Census, Locust Fork had a population of 1,186. Of that number, 97.0 percent of respondents identified themselves as white, 2.4 percent as Hispanic, 0.8 percent as Native American, 0.6 percent as African American, and 0.6 percent as two or more races. The town's median household income, according to 2010 Census estimates, was $55,313, and the per capita income was $21,356.
Employment
According to 2016 Census estimates, Locust Fork recorded a population of 1,404. Of that number, 97.8 percent of respondents identified themselves as white, 1.3 percent as Native American, 0.7 percent as African American, 0.7 percent as Hispanic, and 0.2 percent as two or more races. The town's median household income was $56,250, and the per capita income was $19,778.
Employment
According to 2016 Census estimates, the workforce in Locust Fork was divided among the following industrial categories:
  • Retail trade (15.3 percent)
  • Manufacturing (13.2 percent)
  • Construction (11.8 percent)
  • Educational services and health care and social assistance (10.9 percent)
  • Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (10.7 percent)
  • Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (7.6 percent)
  • Other services, except public administration (7.4 percent)
  • Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (6.8 percent)
  • Wholesale trade (6.0 percent)
  • Public administration (5.2 percent)
  • Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (3.7 percent)
  • Information (1.4 percent)
Education
Public education in Locust Fork is overseen by the Blount County Public Schools; the town has one elementary school and one high school.
Transportation
Locust Fork lies on State Highway 79, which runs northeast-southwest through the town, and County Highway 13, which runs west.
Events and Places of Interest
Locust Fork Community Park is located downtown and offers a walking trail, playground, picnic facilities, and several ball fields.

Additional Resources

Blount County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Blount County, Alabama. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 1999.
Published:  December 11, 2012   |   Last updated:  September 22, 2020