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Butler County, Alabama

(Redirected from History of Butler County, Alabama)
Not to be confused with Butler, Alabama.

Butler County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,051.[1] Its county seat is Greenville. Its name is in honor of Captain William Butler, who was born in Virginia and fought in the Creek War, and who was killed in May 1818.

Butler County
County
Butler County Courthouse in Greenville
Butler County Courthouse in Greenville
Official seal of Butler County
Seal
Map of Alabama highlighting Butler County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°44′58″N 86°40′56″W / 31.749444444444°N 86.682222222222°W / 31.749444444444; -86.682222222222
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 13, 1819
Named forWilliam Butler
SeatGreenville
Largest cityGreenville
Area
 • Total778 sq mi (2,020 km2)
 • Land777 sq mi (2,010 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total19,051
 • Estimate 
(2023)
18,382 Decrease
 • Density24/sq mi (9.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.butlercogov.com
  • County Number 10 on Alabama Licence Plates

History

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Butler County was formed from Conecuh County, Alabama, and Monroe County, Alabama, by an act passed December 13, 1819, by the Legislature while in session at Huntsville. This was the first session of the Legislature of Alabama as a State. The name of Fairfield was first proposed for this county, but was changed on the passage of the bill to Butler, in honor of Captain William Butler.

The precise date of the first settlement made by whites in Butler County is unclear. Some have it as early as 1814, but the earliest settler of no dispute is James K. Benson, who settled in the Flat in 1815, where he built a log house near the current location of Pine Flat Methodist Church. He was soon followed by William Ogly and John Dickerson and their families, who settled on the Federal Road, some 3 miles (4.8 km) south of where later Fort Dale was built. In the fall of 1816, a group of people from Georgia settled in a tent camp in Pine Flat, and the year after, another group settled near Fort Dale.[2]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 778 square miles (2,020 km2), of which 777 square miles (2,010 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[3] It is located in the Gulf Coastal Plain region of the state.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18201,405—
18305,650302.1%
18408,68553.7%
185010,83624.8%
186018,12267.2%
187014,981−17.3%
188019,64931.2%
189021,64110.1%
190025,76119.0%
191029,03012.7%
192029,5311.7%
193030,1952.2%
194032,4477.5%
195029,228−9.9%
196024,560−16.0%
197022,007−10.4%
198021,680−1.5%
199021,8921.0%
200021,399−2.3%
201020,947−2.1%
202019,051−9.1%
2023 (est.)18,382[4]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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Butler 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[9] Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 12,429 11,324 9,679 58.08% 54.06% 50.81%
Black or African American alone (NH) 8,671 9,047 8,389 40.52% 43.19% 44.03%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 44 59 23 0.21% 0.28% 0.12%
Asian alone (NH) 34 174 143 0.16% 0.83% 0.75%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 7 5 0.00% 0.03% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 4 3 46 0.02% 0.01% 0.24%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 74 142 506 0.35% 0.68% 2.66%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 143 191 260 0.67% 0.91% 1.36%
Total 21,399 20,947 19,051 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,051 people, 6,506 households, and 4,331 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,947 people living in the county. 54.4% were White, 43.4% Black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 0.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

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As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 21,399 people, 8,398 households, and 5,870 families living in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 9,957 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.38% White, 40.81% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,398 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were married couples living together, 18.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,791, and the median income for a family was $30,915. Males had a median income of $28,968 versus $18,644 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,715. About 20.40% of families and 24.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.30% of those under age 18 and 28.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Butler County contains one public school district. There are approximately 3,000 students in public PK-12 schools in Butler County.[13]

Districts

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School districts include:[14]

Government

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The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Bill Clinton, who won it by a plurality in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Butler County, Alabama[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,458 57.53% 3,965 41.79% 65 0.69%
2016 4,901 56.13% 3,726 42.67% 105 1.20%
2012 5,087 53.54% 4,374 46.03% 41 0.43%
2008 5,485 56.49% 4,188 43.14% 36 0.37%
2004 4,979 59.16% 3,413 40.55% 24 0.29%
2000 4,127 52.89% 3,606 46.21% 70 0.90%
1996 3,352 43.14% 3,828 49.27% 590 7.59%
1992 3,494 41.21% 4,021 47.43% 963 11.36%
1988 3,923 52.59% 3,465 46.45% 71 0.95%
1984 4,941 56.73% 3,641 41.81% 127 1.46%
1980 3,810 45.53% 4,156 49.67% 402 4.80%
1976 2,909 40.36% 4,271 59.25% 28 0.39%
1972 4,685 76.45% 1,401 22.86% 42 0.69%
1968 500 6.79% 1,240 16.85% 5,621 76.36%
1964 4,002 80.44% 0 0.00% 973 19.56%
1960 1,231 29.87% 2,872 69.69% 18 0.44%
1956 1,324 37.48% 1,958 55.42% 251 7.10%
1952 1,087 30.81% 2,440 69.16% 1 0.03%
1948 91 6.46% 0 0.00% 1,318 93.54%
1944 80 4.00% 1,915 95.75% 5 0.25%
1940 52 1.87% 2,732 97.99% 4 0.14%
1936 83 3.39% 2,358 96.32% 7 0.29%
1932 74 3.13% 2,280 96.45% 10 0.42%
1928 699 36.14% 1,235 63.86% 0 0.00%
1924 95 7.54% 1,050 83.33% 115 9.13%
1920 153 10.40% 1,299 88.31% 19 1.29%
1916 78 6.24% 1,162 93.03% 9 0.72%
1912 86 7.90% 903 83.00% 99 9.10%
1908 137 15.15% 727 80.42% 40 4.42%
1904 83 8.69% 805 84.29% 67 7.02%

Communities

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City

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Latte, John Buckner (1971) [1885]. Little, Jr., John G. (ed.). History of Butler County, Alabama, 1815 to 1885. Greenville, AL. pp. 22–23.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Butler County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Butler County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Butler County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. ^ "Search for Public School Districts - Butler County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Butler County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 2, 2022. Text list.
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 15, 2016.
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31°44′58″N 86°40′56″W / 31.74944°N 86.68222°W / 31.74944; -86.68222

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