Samson, Alabama

Samson is a city in Geneva County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,874, a decline from the figure of 1,940 tabulated in 2010. Samson incorporated in 1905 (according to the 1910 U.S. Census), although other sources cited 1906.

Samson
City
Location of Samson in Geneva County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 31°6′45″N 86°2′52″W
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Geneva
Government
• Mayor	Clay King
Area
• Total	3.63 sq mi (9.40 km2)
• Land	3.62 sq mi (9.37 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	200 ft (61 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,874
• Density	517.97/sq mi (199.98/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	36477
Area code	334
FIPS code	01-67800
GNIS feature ID	0153310
Website	www.cityofsamson.com

During the Great Depression, the T.S. Faulk and Company Store in downtown Samson purchased a large shipment of snuff, which remained stationary at the town's depot for an extended period of time. This led to Samson being nicknamed "Snuff City, U.S.A." The nickname is commemorated today with a New Year's drop of a Rooster snuff can.

In an attempt to shed this moniker, several community groups decided to plant extensive beds of red roses along all the roads leading into Samson. With this planting, they hoped the new slogan "City of a Million Roses" would take root. However, as the roses gradually disappeared, the old slogan resurfaced.

The town's current motto is "Samson...We Grow Friendly People." A Samson High School student devised the slogan during a high school contest. This contest received more than 50 entries, and the student emerged as the winner, earning $100. The contest committee deemed his slogan, "Samson-we grow friendly people," as a representation of the agricultural aspect and the amicability of the town.

Geography

Samson is located at 31°6′45″N 86°2′52″W (31.112574, -86.047865).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), of which 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) is land and 0.28% is water.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	1,350		—
1920	1,646		21.9%
1930	1,656		0.6%
1940	2,182		31.8%
1950	2,204		1.0%
1960	1,932		−12.3%
1970	2,257		16.8%
1980	2,402		6.4%
1990	2,190		−8.8%
2000	2,071		−5.4%
2010	1,940		−6.3%
2020	1,874		−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 2,071 people, 894 households, and 575 families living in the city. The population density was 572.1 inhabitants per square mile (220.9/km²). There were 1,016 housing units at an average density of 280.7 per square mile (108.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.11% White, 20.42% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.63% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 894 households 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.3% of households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median household income was $18,594 and the median family income was $25,188. Males had a median income of $25,767 versus $16,719 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,834. About 29.2% of families and 33.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.1% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 1,940 people, 814 households, and 513 families living in the city. The population density was 538.9 inhabitants per square mile (208.1/km²). There were 968 housing units at an average density of 268.9 per square mile (103.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 17.9% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 5.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. 8.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 814 households 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 32.3% of households were one person and 13.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05.

The age distribution was 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% 65 or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median household income was $18,768 and the median family income was $25,060. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $19,682 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,606. About 31.6% of families and 32.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.7% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Samson racial composition

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	1,236	65.96%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	300	16.01%
Native American	16	0.85%
Asian	4	0.21%
Other/Mixed	85	4.54%
Hispanic or Latino	233	12.43%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,874 people, 763 households, and 434 families residing in the city.

Notable people

• Roy Brooks — guitarist, lived in Samson from 1971 to 1983
• Terry Owens — football player, San Diego Chargers; graduated from Samson High School in 1962
• James "J.T." Thomas, Jr. — winner of Survivor: Tocantins
• Bill Yates — cartoonist, born in Samson

2009 shooting

Main article: Geneva County shootings

On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of Kinston, Samson and Geneva, the deadliest mass shooting in the state’s history took place in Geneva County. Twenty-eight-year-old Michael McLendon began this massacre by killing his mother and burning down her house in Kinston. He then headed east about 10 miles on Highway 52 and went on an hour-long shooting spree with two high-powered weapons in downtown Samson and a few of its neighborhoods. McLendon then headed to Geneva. McLendon killed ten people and wounded six others in the shooting rampage before committing suicide.

In response, troops from nearby Fort Rucker were deployed to the streets of Samson, where they manned barricades and guarded a makeshift morgue. This was later determined to be in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions.

Reportedly, McLendon had talked to a confidant about being depressed and frustrated with his inability to become a Marine or a police officer.

Authorities also said McLendon admitted in a two-page, handwritten letter that he had killed his mother and planned to commit suicide. He mentioned a family dispute over a legal issue but did not reveal plans to kill anyone else. Investigators said they found the letter in a mailbox. They would not disclose its intended recipient.