Andalusia was first settled in 1841 after flooding of the Conecuh River and the surrounding lowlands forced citizens to move to higher ground. The county seat was moved from Montezuma to Andalusia in 1844. Andalusia likely got its name from Spanish explorers or settlers since the land where the town is located was part of Spanish Florida until Pinckney's Treaty in 1795. Andalusia shares its name with the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The new town was originally called "New Site" but was known as Andalusia by the time a post office was established in 1846.

Andalusia was incorporated as a town in 1884.

In 1899, two railroad lines arrived in Andalusia, the Central of Georgia and the L & N Railroad, and the town began to grow.

The Avant House is one of seven sites in Andalusia listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Andalusia is located slightly northwest of the center of Covington County at 31°18′N 86°29′W / 31.300°N 86.483°W / 31.300; -86.483 (31.309, -86.479). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.8 square miles (51.3 km²), of which 19.7 square miles (50.9 km²) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km²), or 0.79%, is water.

Andalusia is served by the South Alabama Regional Airport, formerly known as the Andalusia-Opp Airport, located approximately 5 miles (8 km) east of the central business district.

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, Andalusia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Climate data for Andalusia, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1912–2018
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	84 (29)	87 (31)	89 (32)	97 (36)	100 (38)	105 (41)	105 (41)	105 (41)	101 (38)	99 (37)	88 (31)	84 (29)	105 (41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	75.0 (23.9)	77.3 (25.2)	83.7 (28.7)	87.5 (30.8)	92.3 (33.5)	96.3 (35.7)	97.6 (36.4)	97.0 (36.1)	94.4 (34.7)	89.2 (31.8)	82.8 (28.2)	77.3 (25.2)	98.7 (37.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	60.5 (15.8)	64.6 (18.1)	71.5 (21.9)	77.7 (25.4)	84.2 (29.0)	89.0 (31.7)	90.6 (32.6)	90.2 (32.3)	86.9 (30.5)	79.1 (26.2)	70.0 (21.1)	62.8 (17.1)	77.3 (25.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	47.9 (8.8)	51.5 (10.8)	57.8 (14.3)	63.9 (17.7)	71.6 (22.0)	78.3 (25.7)	80.4 (26.9)	80.1 (26.7)	76.0 (24.4)	66.0 (18.9)	55.7 (13.2)	50.0 (10.0)	64.9 (18.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	35.2 (1.8)	38.3 (3.5)	44.0 (6.7)	50.1 (10.1)	59.1 (15.1)	67.6 (19.8)	70.2 (21.2)	70.0 (21.1)	65.1 (18.4)	52.9 (11.6)	41.5 (5.3)	37.3 (2.9)	52.6 (11.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	17.9 (−7.8)	21.3 (−5.9)	26.2 (−3.2)	32.7 (0.4)	43.8 (6.6)	55.4 (13.0)	62.3 (16.8)	62.1 (16.7)	49.2 (9.6)	34.0 (1.1)	27.0 (−2.8)	19.8 (−6.8)	14.6 (−9.7)
Record low °F (°C)	0 (−18)	10 (−12)	16 (−9)	27 (−3)	34 (1)	44 (7)	50 (10)	54 (12)	34 (1)	28 (−2)	16 (−9)	2 (−17)	0 (−18)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	5.19 (132)	4.62 (117)	4.97 (126)	4.86 (123)	4.32 (110)	5.65 (144)	6.21 (158)	6.34 (161)	5.14 (131)	3.40 (86)	4.11 (104)	5.45 (138)	60.26 (1,530)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.3 (0.76)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.3 (0.76)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.8	6.7	7.0	6.2	6.4	9.2	10.9	9.4	6.8	4.2	5.6	6.7	86.9
Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)

Andalusia

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	596	—
1890	270	−54.7%
1900	551	104.1%
1910	2,480	350.1%
1920	4,023	62.2%
1930	5,154	28.1%
1940	6,886	33.6%
1950	9,162	33.1%
1960	10,263	12.0%
1970	10,092	−1.7%
1980	10,415	3.2%
1990	9,269	−11.0%
2000	8,794	−5.1%
2010	9,015	2.5%
2020	8,805	−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

Andalusia first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It formally incorporated in 1884. See Andalusia Precinct/Division below.

2020 census

Andalusia racial composition
Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	5,829	66.2%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	2,270	25.78%
Native American	30	0.34%
Asian	114	1.29%
Other/Mixed	359	4.08%
Hispanic or Latino	203	2.31%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,805 people, 3,490 households, and 2,147 families residing in the city.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 9,015 people in 3,694 households, including 2,359 families, in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 70.5% White, 25.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 3,694 households 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.3% of households were one person and 14.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 23.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% 65 or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median household income was $28,049 and the median family income was $37,059. Males had a median income of $27,228 versus $25,855 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,544. About 20.2% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.4% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

Andalusia Precinct/Division (1880-)

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	729	—
1890	1,371	88.1%
1900	2,051	49.6%
1910	4,388	113.9%
1920	6,057	38.0%
1930	7,680	26.8%
1940	9,647	25.6%
1950	10,882	12.8%
1960	10,263	−5.7%
1970	10,092	−1.7%
1980	18,168	80.0%
1990	18,275	0.6%
2000	18,646	2.0%
2010	18,495	−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

Andalusia Beat (Precinct) (Covington County 1st Beat) first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census. In 1890, "beat" was changed to "precinct." In 1960, the precinct was changed to "census division" as part of a general reorganization of counties. In 1980, three additional census divisions were consolidated into Andalusia, including Andalusia East, Andalusia West and Red Level.

Andalusia East Census Division (1960-70)

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1960	2,859	—
1970	2,608	−8.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

Andalusia East Census Division was created in 1960 and contained the towns of Babbie, Heath, Libertyville and Sanford. In 1980, it was consolidated into Andalusia Census Division.

Andalusia West Census Division (1960-70)

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1960	2,014	—
1970	1,576	−21.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

Andalusia West Census Division was created in 1960. It did not contain any incorporated communities, and included the rural area west of the city of Andalusia to the Conecuh County line. In 1980, it was consolidated into Andalusia Census Division.

Media

Cable TV Station
WKNI 25 community interests
Radio stations
- WAAO-FM 93.7 FM (Country)
- WSTF 91.5 FM (Religious)
- WFXX FOX 107.7 FM (Adult Contemporary)
Newspaper
- Andalusia Star-News (daily)

City Council

District	Name	Position
1	Mr. Joe Nix	Member
2	Mr. Kennith Mount	President
3	Mrs. Hazel Griffin	Member
4	Mr. Presley Boswell	Member
5	Mr. Terry Powell	Mayor Pro Tempore

Education

Primary and secondary public education is provided by Andalusia City Schools, which consists of Andalusia Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th Grade), Andalusia Jr. High School (7th and 8th Grade), and Andalusia High School (9th through 12th Grade). Students can continue their studies at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Transportation

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.

Sites on the National Register of Historic Places

The Bank of Andalusia
Avant House
Central of Georgia Depot, now converted into the Three Notch Museum
Covington County Courthouse and Jail
First National Bank Building

Notable people

Harold Albritton, U.S. district court judge
Dempsey J. Barron, President of the Florida Senate from 1975 to 1976
Charles Brooks, editorial cartoonist
James U. Cross, retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and chief Air Force One pilot under president Lyndon B. Johnson
Cecil O. De Loach, Jr., California grape-grower and winemaker
Quinton Dial, defensive tackle for the Alabama Crimson Tide
Irwin Gunsalus, biochemist; assistant secretary general at the United Nations
Seth Hammett, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
Robert Horry, basketball player, one of only two players to have won the National Basketball Association championship with three different teams
Nico Johnson, one of two members of the University of Alabama's football team to start in their National Championship victories in 2009, 2011 and 2012
Alexa Jones, Miss Alabama 2005 and Miss America 2006 (second runner-up)
T. D. Little, member of Alabama Senate and House of Representatives
Lamar Morris, country music singer
Mackey Sasser, former MLB catcher
Frank J. Tipler, mathematical physicist and cosmologist; author of books and papers about a mechanism for the resurrection of the dead