Population: 2,212 (2019)
County: DeKalb/Cherokee
About: Collinsville, AL, sits in the northeast corner of Alabama. Sitting at the southwest end of the Appalachian Mountains, the area is home to a beautiful landscape. Collinsville was once home to the Cherokee Indians until 1835 when the federal government forcibly ceased their land. In 1838, the tribe was forcibly displaced to reservations west of the Mississippi River. In 1839, Alfred Collins, the town’s namesake, came to Dekalb County to teach and establish himself. He held the office of surveyor for Dekalb County and represented Dekalb County at the Constitutional Convention of 1865 and 1867. The prospering town soon became a stop on the Wills Valley Railroad in 1870, which ran from Chattanooga, TN, to Elyton, AL. The train depot in Collinsville became an integral hub of the community where passenger train service was provided until 1970.
Today, Collinsville and Dekalb County are thriving, with many opportunities that attract a significant population of people who are Hispanic/Latinx. Many Hispanic/Latinx Americans began immigrating to the south in the early 1990s to seek opportunity in skilled labor such as construction and factory work. Koch Foods, a poultry plant, is the largest employer in Collinsville and provides the town with a steady job market. In 2019, the Hispanic/Latinx population accounted for over 40% of the people in Collinsville.
Fun Fact: Collinsville is home to Collinsville Trade Day, which is one of the south’s oldest and largest flea markets with 800 booths and approximately 30,000 shoppers!
Community Website: The Town of Collinsville Website
Community Social Media: Collinsville Facebook
Collinsville community members give valuable input to the healing zone design process 
During a Collinsville Advisory Group meeting, Community Liaison Greg Sarabia passed out the ENI questionnaire to learn more about the health concerns of the community. 
During a Collinsville Advisory Group meeting, Community Liaison Greg Sarabia passed out the ENI questionnaire to learn more about the health concerns of the community. 
ENI Community Liaison Greg Sarabia set up a booth to talk about ENI and pass out goodies at the Collinsville Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.
Resources
News and More
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Beyond Books: Libraries as Community Connectors | April 24, 2023
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Collinsville Welcomes ENI | August 18, 2022
Meet the Collinsville Community Liaison, Greg Sarabia
ENI is a community-focused, community-shaped initiative. Community Liaisons act as a resource to help communities shape ENI to fit their needs and wants. If you want to learn more or get involved with ENI, reach out to your Community Liaison.
Greg lives in Collinsville and works at the local school as an administrator assistant. He has been a part of the community for 14 years and loves to stay involved. He assists fellow community members through the school and in his previous career. Greg enjoys every bit of his job because he loves to talk to people. A man who always strives to stay positive, Greg loves to make other people’s days more enjoyable.
256-997-7367