Fort Payne, Alabama

city in Alabama, United States

Fort Payne is a city in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 14,877.[3] The city is the county seat of DeKalb County. The city calls itself the "Official Sock Capital of the World."

Fort Payne, Alabama
Gault Avenue in downtown Fort Payne
Gault Avenue in downtown Fort Payne
Nickname: 
Official Sock Capital of the World
Location of Fort Payne in DeKalb County, Alabama.
Location of Fort Payne in DeKalb County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 34°27′13″N 85°42′23″W / 34.45361°N 85.70639°W / 34.45361; -85.70639
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyDeKalb
Area
 • Total56.76 sq mi (147.01 km2)
 • Land56.41 sq mi (146.09 km2)
 • Water0.35 sq mi (0.92 km2)
Elevation1,079 ft (329 m)
Population
 • Total14,877
 • Density264/sq mi (102/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
35967-35968
Area code256
FIPS code01-27616
GNIS feature ID2403645[2]
Websitewww.fortpayne.org

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred here in 2003.[4]

Local Attractions change

 
Little River Canyon, just outside Fort Payne city limits.
National Park Service photo

Fort Payne has the headquarters for the nearby Little River Canyon National Preserve, a 14000 acre National Park Service facility. The canyon itself is at Lookout Mountain outside the city limits. Another attraction is DeSoto State Park, a smaller facility with a lodge, restaurant, cabins, and river access areas.

Education change

Fort Payne is served by the Fort Payne City Schools system which includes:

  • Wills Valley Elementary (K-2)
  • Williams Avenue Elementary (3-4)
  • Fort Payne Middle School (5-8)
  • Fort Payne High School (9-12)

Fort Payne is also served by the Northeast Alabama Community College which is in Rainsville.

Health care change

  • DeKalb Regional Medical Center- 134 bed facility

Media change

Transportation change

Notable natives and residents change

References change

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fort Payne, Alabama
  3. 3.0 3.1 "QuickFacts: Fort Payne city, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  4. U.S. Geological Survey: Fort Payne, Alabama Earthquake of 29 April 2003