# Moody, Alabama

Moody is a city located in St. Clair County, Alabama. The city was founded in 1907, and it was named after a local businessman named Epps Moody. The population was 13,170 at the 2020 census. It is located about 22 miles (35 km) east of Birmingham.

## History

Moody was founded in 1907, named after a local businessman named Epps Moody.
In the early days, the city was primarily an agricultural community, with cotton and timber being the main crops. However, with the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, Moody began to grow and develop into a more industrialized city. Today, the city is home to a number of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

## Geography

Moody is located at 33°35′33″N 86°29′47″W﻿ / ﻿33.59250°N 86.49639°W﻿ / 33.59250; -86.49639 (33.592469, -86.496369).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.0 square miles (62 km$^2$), of which 23.9 square miles (62 km$^2$) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km$^2$) (0.58%) is water.
The city is located east of Birmingham along Interstate 20, which runs through the southern part of the city. Access can be found from exits 144 and 147. Via I-20, downtown Birmingham is 22 mi (35 km) west, and Atlanta is 127 mi (204 km) east. U.S. Route 411 also passes through the city, leading northeast 23 mi (37 km) to Ashville and southwest 5 mi (8 km) to Leeds.

## Demographics
### 2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 20,017 people, 5,816 households, and 344 families residing in the city. The population density was 834.04 inhabitants per square mile (322.02/km$^2$). There were 3,317 housing units at an average density of 138.8 per square mile (53.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 94.09% White, 3.81% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,126 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,500, and the median income for a family was $43,767. Males had a median income of $38,150 versus $26,089 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,208. About 12.0% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 census

Moody racial composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 10,498 | 79.71% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,342 | 10.19% |
| Native American | 33 | 0.25% |
| Asian | 228 | 1.73% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 625 | 4.75% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 441 | 3.35% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,170 people, 4,930 households, and 3,516 families residing in the city.

## Culture

The city hosts several events throughout the year, including the Moody Bluegrass Festival, which features live bluegrass music, arts and crafts, and food vendors. Other events include the Moody Miracle League Baseball Tournament, which raises money for the Miracle League of St. Clair County, and the Annual Christmas Parade.

## Education
### Public schools

Administered by the St. Clair County Board of Education:
* Moody Elementary School
* Moody Middle School
* Moody Jr. High School
* Moody High School

### Private schools

* Gathering Place Christian Academy—Pre-K - 8th Grade
* Crossroads Christian School—Homeschooling Co-op; Pre-K - 12th Grade