Wilcox County is always the natural choice when looking for a quaint place to vacation, or if you want to relocate. With a low cost of living, a diverse landscape for housing, and true southern hospitality, Wilcox County is considered one of the most well kept secrets in Alabama! It is located in southwest Alabama, in the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt. Camden, the county seat, had a population of 2,259 in 2000; the county’s population was 13,183.
Climate
Mean annual temperature is 63.3° F. In January it is 41.5° F., while July’s temperature is 80.9° F. Average annual rainfall is 48.7 inches. Snowfall is rare. Camden is 230 ft. above sea level. Prevailing winds are southerly. The average growing season in the county is 239 days.
Education
Wilcox County has a countywide public school system, with schools in Camden, Pine Apple, and Pine Hill. Camden schools include a grade school (K-4 grades), middle school (5-9 grades), and a consolidated high school (10-12). The school in Pine Hill serves grades K-6, while Pine Hill’s school serves grades K-9. There are also 2 private schools in the county, Wilcox Academy and Camden Christian Academy, both are grades k-12.
Municipal Governments
The county has five incorporated communities, all with mayor-council form of governments. Communities include: Yellow Bluff, Camden, Millers Ferry, Pine Hill, and Pine Apple.
Fire Protection
There are 12 active volunteer fire departments throughout the county, with at least one in each community. All have modern equipment and maintain regular training sessions for their volunteers. They also respond to large fires, car accidents and other emergencies as requested.
Law Enforcement
Camden and Pine Hill have full time police departments. The county sheriff’s department provides law enforcement for the other communities throughout the entire county. The sheriff’s office is located in downtown Camden, inside the Courthouse Annex. All of the law enforcement agencies have radio communication with each other, as well as the volunteer fire departments and the county emergency medical service.
Transportation
Camden is located at the junctions of Alabama Highways 10, 28, and 41. It is about 65 miles west of I-65 (north-south) and 100 miles south of I-59/20 (east-west), and about 100 miles north of I-10 (east-west).
Pine Hill is served by the Norfolk-Southern Railroad. Burlington-Northern Railroad also serves the western part of the county.
Medical Facilities
J. Paul Jones Hospital is a 26-bed hospital. Emergency medical service is available throughout the county. Camden is also served by an optometrist, several home health agencies, rural health clinics, two doctors offices, and a physical therapy clinic. There is also a nursing home and dialysis center in Camden.
Airports
Wilcox County is served by two airports. The Camden Municipal Airport is a 4200 foot runway located 3 miles southwest of Camden. The Pine Hill Municipal Airport is a 4460 foot runway located one mile south of Pine Hill. Commercial air service is available in Montgomery, about 70 miles northeast.
Parks
Roland Cooper State Park is located on the Alabama River about 6 miles north of Camden. Its facilities include rental cabins, RV and camping facilities with utility hook-ups as well as a boat launch.
The Corps of Engineers operates numerous camping and boat launching facilities within minutes of Camden and the surrounding towns.
The Gees Bend Ferry Terminal, home to the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Camden has one park which includes softball and baseball fields. It is located on Highway 221 next to the Airport. It also operates a boat launch and park on the Alabama River, known as Bridgeport Park and Landing, which is open, but undergoing renovations to expand parking and add more boat ramps. The County operates a boat launching facility on the river, about 9 miles west of Camden.
There is also Millers Park and Campground that includes a boat launch, beach area for swimming, playgrounds, and RV hook-ups.
Pine Hill has a park which includes a mile paved and lighted walking track, known as Pine Hill Depot Park, as it is home to an old train car and depot. Tennis courts are available in Camden, Oak Hill, Pine Apple, and Pine Hill.
Library
The Wilcox County Library is located on the second floor of the courthouse in Camden. It has about 33,000 volumes, plus audio and video tapes, and internet access. It is well known for its extensive genealogical records. As a public library it can provide access to books and other services from the state library, or other libraries as requested.