Harvest

Harvest is an and in the northwestern part of Madison County, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the community is 5,281.
== History ==
Harvest was part of the Cherokee lands until about 1810. It had been a settled community for many thousands of years prior to this. Many families who formed the older settlement population are part Cherokee Indian. Later, a railroad was extended south from Fayetteville, Tennessee to the community of Capshaw 5 miles (8 km) southwest of present day Harvest. This railroad went bankrupt in the economic troubles that lead to the[Great Depression of the 1930s. Today, Old Railroad Bed Road runs along the old track bed.
On April 3, 1974 during the Super Outbreak tornado event, two violent tornadoes including one F5 struck the community within 30 minutes of each other. Most of Harvest, along with nearby communities such as Tanner was destroyed. 50 people were killed by the tornadoes.
==Geography==
Harvest is located at (34.852827, -86.748047).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 12.4 square miles (32.2 km²), all of it land.
Capshaw Mountain is the only notable geological feature in the area. It extends upwards about 800 feet above the general elevation in the area. The top of this small mountain is the site of several very substantial communications towers used by local radio stations. Capshaw Mountain forms a watershed that provides the water supply for the community.
==Demographics==
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,054 people, 1,092 households, and 898 families residing in the community. The population density was 245.8 people per square mile (94.9/km²). There were 1,146 housing units at an average density of 92.2 per square mile (35.6/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 76.56% White, 18.76% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,092 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.5% were |married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the community the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the community was $61,319, and the median income for a family was $64,519. Males had a median income of $46,813 versus $30,114 for females. The per capita income for the community was $23,322. About 6.8% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
== Public services ==
The community is served by the Harvest-Monrovia Water and Sewer Authority. The water system maintains several large storage tanks and has a substantial new water treatment facility.
The Madison County Sheriff's Department administers law and order in Harvest.
The Harvest Volunteer Fire Department is a large volunteer fire department of approximately 40 members serving the residents of West Central Madison County. The fire department has 3 stations that house 5 engines along with other assorted rescue vehicles.www.harvest-fire.com  Harvest is assisted by Toney Fire to the north and Monrovia Fire to the south.
The Huntsville Madison County Public Library maintains a branch, the Monrovia Public Library, in the Monrovia Community Center on Allen Drake Dr. near Phillips Park.  This branch library is part of a very well supported community library system in Madison County.
The Madison County School Systemwww.madison.k12.al.us runs several schools in Harvest. Sparkman High School is the largest public high school in the county, with over 2300 students. A ninth grade "academy" was constructed in 2007 across the street from Sparkman. Middle school students in Harvest are zoned for either Monrovia Middle in the Monrovia community, or Sparkman Middle in Toney. There are also four elementary schools in Harvest/Monrovia- Harvest, Monrovia, Endeavor, and Legacy.
== Economy ==
The economy of Harvest depends a great deal on residential construction. In 2003, over 650 new homes were built in Harvest and the adjacent Monrovia community. In addition, it is home to numerous small and medium sized businesses. Most residents work in the cities of Madison and Huntsville.
Retail trade is rapidly expanding as of 2008, with the construction of new stores and restaurants which coincide with continuing residential growth. The area's businesses serve a wide area, encompassing much of Northwest Madison County and Northeast Limestone County.
==References==
unincorporated community
census-designated place
Category:Madison County
Category:Huntsville–Decatur Combined Statistical Area
Category:Index