Brent

History

Brent was founded in 1898 along the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad line in the southern portion of Bibb County, named after surveyor Brent H. Armstrong. The community was incorporated in 1913. On May 27, 1973, Brent was almost completely destroyed by an F4 tornado during an outbreak of violent weather in the Deep South, killing 5 people and injuring 56 in the area. The tornado was on the ground for 139 miles (224 km), currently the longest track to date in Alabama history, beginning just northeast of Demopolis in Hale County and eventually dissipating at Cheaha Mountain in Clay County. Adjacent Centreville received significant damage as well as locations in nearby counties. Brent was able to be rebuilt before being hit by another EF3 on March 25, 2021 which also damaged the adjacent town of Centreville. The tornado struck the Bibb County Airport rendering the airport a total loss.

Geography

Brent is located near the center of Bibb County at 32°56'24.864" North, 87°10'29.935" West (32.940240, -87.174982). It lies in the Cahaba River valley and is adjacent to the city of Centreville, the county seat, which is across the Cahaba River from the city. U.S. Route 82 passes through the northern part of town, bypassing the town center, and leads northwest to Tuscaloosa and southeast to Montgomery, the state capital. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Brent has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.34%, is water. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Brent has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Brent Elementary School
  Elementary · Brent · 601 students · 16.2:1 ratio
• Bibb County High School
  High · Centreville · 471 students · 17.4:1 ratio
• Centreville Middle School
  Middle · Centreville · 425 students · 17:1 ratio
• Bibb County Career Academy
  High · West Blocton