Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook is a city in Jefferson County, and a suburb of Birmingham. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,821. Mountain Brook is a particularly affluent city within the metropolitan area and was the 17th wealthiest city in the United States in 2002.^1.

Mountain Brook was originally developed in 1929 by Robert Jemison as an extensive residential subdivision. The plans, by Boston-based landscape architect Warren H. Manning called for estate-sized lots along winding scenic roads and denser commercial development centering on three "villages", called "English Village", "Mountain Brook Village" and "Crestline Village". Nature preserves on the adjacent slopes protected the area from urban encroachment and bridle paths created a recreational network within the development. The city was incorporated in 1942.

Mountain Brook is the hometown of actors Wayne Rogers, Kate Jackson, and Courteney Cox. It was also home to Natalee Holloway, whose disappearance during a post-graduation trip to Aruba caused a national sensation.

Mountain Brook is located at 33°29'13" North and 86°44'26" west. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.2 mi², all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,604 people, 7,998 households, and 5,974 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,684.0/mi². There were 8,268 housing units at an average density of 675.8/mi². The racial makeup of the city was 98.64% White, 0.31% Black, 0.04% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.22% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Mountain Brook is Alabama's best educated city, proportionately, with 79.5% of adult residents (25 and older) holding an associate degree or higher, and 77.3% of adults possessing a baccalaureate degree or higher.

There were 7,998 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $100,483, and the median income for a family was $156,647. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $39,770 for females. The per capita income for the city was $59,085. 0% of the population is below the poverty line. The home ownership rate (owner-occupied housing units to total units) is 87.2%.

Government

Mountain Brook has a city council/mayor/city manager system of government. The city council consists of 5 members elected at large, and the council considers most issues and appoints the police chief, the fire chief, and the city manager (with the mayor). The mayor is elected every 4 years and as of 2005 is Terry Oden. Administrative business is handled by the city manager who is appointed by the mayor and city council. As of 2005 the city manager is Sam Gaston. The Tree Commission and the Planning Commission consider specific issues and usually refer them to the city council.

Education

The city has its own school system, Mountain Brook Schools, which operates four elementary schools (Mountain Brook Elementary School, Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Brookwood Forest Elementary School, and Crestline Elementary School), one junior high school (Mountain Brook Junior High School), and one high school (Mountain Brook High School).

References

1. "Census says Alabamians' incomes up 12 percent" (May 24, 2002) Birmingham News.

• "Mountain Brook, Alabama." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Jan 2007, 17:48 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 31 Jan 2007 [1].

External links

• City of Mountain Brook website
• City of Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce