Foley, Thomas Stephen, 1929-, American political leader, b. Spokane, Wash. A lawyer, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. Foley became a prominent liberal Democratic member of Congress. He was chairman of the House agriculture committee (1975-81), Democratic whip (1981-87), and majority leader (1987-89). After the resignation of Speaker Jim Wright in 1989, Foley succeeded him. In 1992 his reputation was tarnished by revelations of irregularities in the operations of the House bank and post office, both controlled by the office of the Speaker. In 1994 Republicans won control of the House, and Foley became the first sitting speaker since 1860 to fail to win reelection from his district. He served U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001.

Foley is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 7,590.


Foley was founded by John Burton Foley, who was primarily responsible for the development of South Baldwin County. He was a Chicago businessman who became interested in land development when he inherited his brother's, John Garrett Foley, land investments and convinced his St. Paul prep school friend, Cornelius Vanderbilt, to put a railroad station in Foley. The Foley family is still involved with land development in Baldwin County with John's original company, Magnolia Land Company, and, more recently, Cunningham, Foley, and Barnes. Foley is also the hometown of Ken "The Snake" Stabler and more recently known football player Julio Jones.


Foley is located at 30°24'20.138" North, 87°40'53.432" West (30.405594, -87.681509).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.3 square miles (37.0 km²), of which, 14.3 square miles (37.0 km²) of it is land and 0.07% is water.


As of the census of 2000, there were 7,590 people, 3,126 households, and 2,106 families residing in the city. The population density was 531.5 people per square mile (205.2/km²). There were 3,468 housing units at an average density of 242.8/sq mi (93.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.49% White, 21.86% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.32% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,126 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,596, and the median income for a family was $38,427. Males had a median income of $28,523 versus $20,660 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,364. About 7.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.


Foley is a part of the Baldwin County Public Schools system.

An elementary school, an intermediate school, a middle school, and a high school serve Foley.


Post-Secondary schools

Capps College

Secondary schools

High schools

  • Foley High School (9-12)

Middle schools

  • Foley Middle School (6-8)

Primary schools

  • Foley Intermediate School (4-5)
  • Foley Elementary School (K-3)


External links

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