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Blount County, Alabama

(Redirected from History of Blount County, Alabama)

Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,134.[1] Its county seat is Oneonta.

Blount County
County
Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta
Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta
Official seal of Blount County
Seal
Official logo of Blount County
Logo
Map of Alabama highlighting Blount County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°58′N 86°35′W / 33.97°N 86.58°W / 33.97; -86.58
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 6, 1818
Named forWillie Blount
SeatOneonta
Largest cityOneonta
Area
 • Total
651 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land645 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
59,134
 • Estimate 
(2023)
59,816 Increase
 • Density91/sq mi (35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.blountcountyal.gov
  • County Number 08 on Alabama Licence Plates

Blount County is a moist county. In the November 6, 2012 elections, a countywide ballot initiative to allow alcohol sales was narrowly defeated, but Blountsville, Cleveland and Oneonta have allowed for the sale of alcohol since 2013.

Blount County has been dubbed the "Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama" since it has more historic covered bridges standing within a single county than any other in the state - with earlier covered bridges known of. This county celebrates the Covered Bridge Festival every autumn in Oneonta to commemorate its three remaining covered bridges.

History

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Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on February 6, 1818, formed from land ceded to the federal government by the Creek Nation on August 9, 1814. This county was named for Governor Willie Blount of Tennessee, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War. This county lies in the northeastern quadrant of the state, which is sometimes known as the mineral region of Alabama. Blount County is bordered by Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, Jefferson, Walker, and St. Clair Counties. This county is drained by the Locust and Mulberry Forks of the Black Warrior River. Blount County covers 650 square miles (1,700 km2). The Warrior coal field is located in Blount County.

Caleb Fryley and John Jones established Bear Meat Cabin, an English translation of Wassausey (a Native American village), in 1816. Its post office was opened in 1821, and the settlement was incorporated as Blountsville on December 13, 1827. In 1889, an election resulted in the county seat being transferred to Oneonta, Alabama.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 651 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 645 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.9%) is water.[2]

Adjacent counties

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Transportation

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Major highways

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Rail

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,415—
18304,23375.3%
18405,57031.6%
18507,36732.3%
186010,86547.5%
18709,945−8.5%
188015,36954.5%
189021,92742.7%
190023,1195.4%
191021,456−7.2%
192025,53819.0%
193028,0209.7%
194029,4905.2%
195028,975−1.7%
196025,449−12.2%
197026,8535.5%
198036,45935.8%
199039,2487.6%
200051,02430.0%
201057,32212.3%
202059,1343.2%
2023 (est.)59,816[3]1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6]
1990–2000[7] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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Blount County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[8] Pop 2010[9] Pop 2020[10] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 46,999 50,952 49,764 92.11% 88.89% 84.15%
Black or African American alone (NH) 598 724 826 1.17% 1.26% 1.40%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 212 285 188 0.42% 0.50% 0.32%
Asian alone (NH) 70 115 174 0.14% 0.20% 0.29%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 6 18 11 0.01% 0.03% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 14 35 100 0.03% 0.06% 0.17%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 407 567 2,300 0.80% 0.99% 3.89%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,718 4,626 5,771 5.33% 8.07% 9.76%
Total 51,024 57,322 59,134 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 59,134 people, 20,847 households, and 14,874 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 57,322 people, 16,175 households, and 16,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 88.79 people per square mile. There were 23,887 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 8.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,175 family households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25% were non-families. Alternative households included: 22.2% of households were made up of those living alone and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.72.[12]

Blount County's population spread was as follows: 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,241, and the median income for a family was $41,573. Males had a median income of $31,455 versus $22,459 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,325. About 8.60% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Blount County contains two public school districts. There are approximately 9,200 students in public PK-12 schools in Blount County.[13]

Districts

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School districts include:[14]

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Government

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Blount County is a stronghold for Republicans. Since 2004, it has voted for the Republican presidential nominee with at least eighty percent of the vote every time. It was Hubert Humphrey's weakest county in the nation in 1968 with only 3.64 percent of the vote.[15]

United States presidential election results for Blount County, Alabama[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 24,711 89.57% 2,640 9.57% 237 0.86%
2016 22,859 89.33% 2,156 8.43% 573 2.24%
2012 20,757 86.27% 2,970 12.34% 333 1.38%
2008 20,389 84.02% 3,522 14.51% 356 1.47%
2004 17,386 80.85% 3,938 18.31% 180 0.84%
2000 12,667 70.48% 4,977 27.69% 329 1.83%
1996 9,056 59.09% 5,061 33.02% 1,210 7.89%
1992 8,882 53.81% 5,433 32.92% 2,190 13.27%
1988 8,754 64.61% 4,485 33.10% 309 2.28%
1984 8,508 68.16% 3,738 29.95% 236 1.89%
1980 6,819 53.59% 5,656 44.45% 249 1.96%
1976 4,233 38.56% 6,645 60.53% 100 0.91%
1972 6,486 79.36% 1,582 19.36% 105 1.28%
1968 2,013 22.15% 331 3.64% 6,742 74.20%
1964 4,442 64.67% 0 0.00% 2,427 35.33%
1960 2,557 42.80% 3,404 56.98% 13 0.22%
1956 2,628 44.38% 3,208 54.17% 86 1.45%
1952 1,720 35.19% 3,161 64.67% 7 0.14%
1948 771 30.08% 0 0.00% 1,792 69.92%
1944 998 31.73% 2,134 67.85% 13 0.41%
1940 855 23.25% 2,784 75.71% 38 1.03%
1936 744 20.88% 2,788 78.23% 32 0.90%
1932 582 20.34% 2,232 77.99% 48 1.68%
1928 1,745 52.06% 1,607 47.94% 0 0.00%
1924 1,518 40.92% 2,083 56.15% 109 2.94%
1920 3,465 49.15% 3,535 50.14% 50 0.71%
1916 1,229 44.71% 1,488 54.13% 32 1.16%
1912 567 24.65% 1,121 48.74% 612 26.61%
1908 973 45.34% 1,133 52.80% 40 1.86%
1904 910 37.51% 1,383 57.01% 133 5.48%

Places of interest

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Blount County is home to an abundance of outdoor activities, such as Rickwood Caverns State Park and the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River that are used by canoeists and kayakers. The county is also home to the picturesque covered bridges mentioned below: the Swann Covered Bridge, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge, and the Easley Covered Bridge. As of summer 2009, all three bridges were closed due to safety concerns at the recommendation of the Alabama Department of Transportation. Restorations were completed from 2011 through 2013 and they are once again open.[17][18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  3. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Blount County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Blount County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Blount County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ "Community Facts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  12. ^ "American Fact Finder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  13. ^ "Search for Public School Districts - Blount County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  14. ^ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Blount County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2022. Text list.
  15. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1968 Presidential Election Statistics
  16. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  17. ^ http://www.blountcountian.com/news/2010-02-17/News/Citizen_concerns_prompt_covered_bridge_update.html Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved June 20, 2010
  18. ^ news.alabamapower.com http://news.alabamapower.com/2013/05/21/covered-bridges-back-in-business/. Retrieved August 15, 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[title missing]
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33°58′N 86°35′W / 33.967°N 86.583°W / 33.967; -86.583

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