# Ariton, Alabama

Ariton is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 662. It was incorporated in April 1906. The name is a blend of its two predecessor town names: Ariosto and Charlton.
Ariton is part of the Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.

## Geography

Ariton is located in northwestern Dale County at 31°35′54″N 85°43′8″W﻿ / ﻿31.59833°N 85.71889°W﻿ / 31.59833; -85.71889 (31.598204, -85.718761). Alabama State Routes 51 and 123 pass through the center of town as Main Street. AL 51 leads northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Clio and southwest 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to U.S. Route 231, while AL 123 leads west 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to US 231 and southeast 12 miles (19 km) to Ozark, the Dale County seat.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13.2 km$^2$), all land.

## Demographics
### Town of Ariton

Ariton first appeared on the 1910 U.S. Census as an incorporated town.

### 2000 Census data

At the 2000 census there were 772 people, 306 households, and 220 families in the town. The population density was 152.3 inhabitants per square mile (58.8/km$^2$). There were 335 housing units at an average density of 66.1 per square mile (25.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 69.30% White, 29.27% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, and 1.30% from two or more races. 0.78%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 306 households 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 26.5% of households were one person and 15.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 28.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.0 males.
The median household income was $21,083 and the median family income was $25,781. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $17,639 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,502. About 25.1% of families and 25.9% 55 of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 22.2% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 Census data

Ariton racial composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 435 | 65.71% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 139 | 21.0% |
| Native American | 1 | 0.15% |
| Asian | 2 | 0.3% |
| Other/Mixed | 26 | 3.93% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 59 | 8.91% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 662 people, 272 households, and 182 families residing in the town.

### Historic Demographics

| Census Year | Population & Racial Majority | State Place Rank | County Place Rank | White (White, Non- Hispanic 1980- | Black | Hispanic (1980- | Native American | Asian | Other | 2 or More Races (2000- |
| 1910 | 431 (-) | 165th (-) | 5th (-) | | | | | | | |
| 1920 | 625 ↑ | 153rd ↑ | 5th X | | | | | | | |
| 1930 | 611 ↓ | 166th ↓ | 5th X | | | | | | | |
| 1940 | 561 ↓ | 179th ↓ | 4th ↑ | | | | | | | |
| 1950 | 620 ↑ | 216th ↓ | 4th X | | | | | | | |
| 1960 | 687 ↑ | 216th X | 5th ↓ | | | | | | | |
| 1970 | 643 ↓ | 255th ↓ | 7th ↓ | | | | | | | |
| 1980 | 844 ↑ | 262nd ↓ | 7th X | | | | | | | |
| 1990 | 743 ↓ | 290th ↓ | 7th X | | | | | | | |
| 2000 | 772 ↑ | 309th ↓ | 7th X | 535 (-) 69.3% | 226 (-) 29.3% | 6 (-) 0.8% | 1 (-) 0.1% | | | 10 (-) 1.3% |
| 2010 | 764 ↓ | 342nd ↓ | 8th ↓ | 565 ↑ 74% | 147 ↓ 19% | 46 ↓ 6% | | 1 ↑ 0.1% | 7 ↓ 0.9% | 11 ↑ 1.4% |

## Ariton Census Division (1960-70)

Ariton Census Division was created in 1960 after the merger/reorganization of county precincts into census divisions. In 1980, it was consolidated into the Ozark Census Division.

## Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ariton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Climate data for Ariton, Alabama :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16 (61) | 18 (64) | 22 (71) | 26 (79) | 29 (85) | 33 (91) | 33 (91) | 33 (91) | 31 (88) | 27 (80) | 21 (70) | 17 (62) | 26 (78) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4 (39) | 5 (41) | 9 (48) | 12 (54) | 17 (62) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 21 (70) | 19 (66) | 13 (56) | 8 (46) | 5 (41) | 13 (55) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 120 (4.6) | 130 (5) | 140 (5.7) | 120 (4.6) | 94 (3.7) | 120 (4.6) | 160 (6.3) | 120 (4.9) | 110 (4.3) | 58 (2.3) | 81 (3.2) | 120 (4.9) | 1,370 (54.1) |
| Source: Weatherbase ||||||||||||||

## Notable people

* Eunice Hutto Morelock, pioneer faculty member at Bob Jones College and possibly the first female chief academic officer of a coeducational college in the United States
* Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter