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St. Clair County, Alabama

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St. Clair County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,103.[2] It has two county seats: Ashville and Pell City.[3] It is one of two counties in Alabama, and one of 33 in the United States, with more than one county seat. Its name is in honor of General Arthur St. Clair, an officer in the French and Indian War.[1] St. Clair County is included in the Birmingham, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.

St. Clair County
County
St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City
St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City
Flag of St. Clair County
Flag
Official seal of St. Clair County
Seal
Map of Alabama highlighting St. Clair 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°42′57″N 86°19′05″W / 33.71583°N 86.31806°W / 33.71583; -86.31806
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedNovember 20, 1818[1]
Named forArthur St. Clair
SeatAshville & Pell City
Largest cityMoody
Area
 • Total654 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land632 sq mi (1,640 km2)
 • Water22 sq mi (60 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total91,103
 • Estimate 
(2023)
95,552 Increase
 • Density140/sq mi (54/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.stclairco.com
  • County Number 59 on Alabama Licence Plates

History

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St. Clair County was established on November 20, 1818, by the Alabama Territory legislature by splitting the area from Shelby County.[1][4] The county seat was incorporated and named "Ashville" in honor of John Ash.[1] In 1836, a portion of St. Clair County was separated to establish Cherokee County and DeKalb County. In 1866, after the Civil War, a northeast section of the county was used to create Etowah County.[1]

Due to the relatively high terrain of the far southern end of the Appalachian Mountains which divides the county in a northeast–southwest orientation, and the difficulty of communication and administration from either side of the county to the other, a second county seat was established in Pell City to better provide administration and services to the southeast side of the county.[5]

In 2019, St. Clair County became the seventh county in Alabama to adopt its own flag.[6]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 632 square miles (1,640 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (3.3%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18204,166—
18305,97543.4%
18405,638−5.6%
18506,82921.1%
186011,01361.3%
18709,360−15.0%
188014,46254.5%
189017,35320.0%
190019,42511.9%
191020,7156.6%
192023,38312.9%
193024,5104.8%
194027,33611.5%
195026,687−2.4%
196025,388−4.9%
197027,95610.1%
198041,20547.4%
199050,00921.4%
200064,74229.5%
201083,59329.1%
202091,1039.0%
2023 (est.)95,552[8]4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[2]

2020 census

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St. Clair 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[13] Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 57,917 72,947 74,962 89.46% 87.26% 82.28%
Black or African American alone (NH) 5,253 7,098 8,617 8.11% 8.49% 9.46%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 233 252 249 0.36% 0.30% 0.27%
Asian alone (NH) 108 512 655 0.17% 0.61% 0.72%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 17 41 20 0.03% 0.05% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 16 64 234 0.02% 0.08% 0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 512 963 3,791 0.79% 1.15% 4.16%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 686 1,716 2,575 1.06% 2.05% 2.83%
Total 64,742 83,593 91,103 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 91,103 people, 32,829 households, and 25,409 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 83,593 people, 31,624 households, and 23,364 families living in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile (51 people/km2). There were 35,541 housing units at an average density of 56 units per square mile (22 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.2% White, 8.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[16] Of the 31,624 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 22.5% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% 65 or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.3 males.

The median household income was $48,837 and the median family income was $56,107. Males had a median income of $43,287 versus $32,843 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,192. About 8.3% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 64,742 people, 24,143 households, and 18,445 families living in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile (39 people/km2). There were 27,303 housing units at an average density of 43 units per square mile (17 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.03% White, 8.13% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[17] In 2000 the largest ancestry groups in St. Clair county were:

Of the 24,143 households 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.80% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.80% of households were one person and 8.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.

The median household income was $37,285 and the median family income was $43,152. Males had a median income of $33,914 versus $24,433 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,960. About 9.60% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Places of interest

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St. Clair County is home to Logan Martin Lake. It also contains Horse Pens 40, a private outdoor park on top of Chandler Mountain.

Government

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United States presidential election results for St. Clair County, Alabama[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 36,166 81.38% 7,744 17.43% 531 1.19%
2016 31,651 82.42% 5,589 14.55% 1,160 3.02%
2012 29,031 82.39% 5,801 16.46% 403 1.14%
2008 27,649 81.11% 6,091 17.87% 348 1.02%
2004 23,500 80.59% 5,456 18.71% 205 0.70%
2000 17,117 71.05% 6,485 26.92% 488 2.03%
1996 12,762 62.29% 6,187 30.20% 1,540 7.52%
1992 12,447 57.56% 6,517 30.14% 2,660 12.30%
1988 10,604 70.71% 4,335 28.91% 58 0.39%
1984 10,408 71.02% 4,000 27.30% 246 1.68%
1980 7,768 56.89% 5,236 38.35% 650 4.76%
1976 4,877 44.87% 5,653 52.01% 339 3.12%
1972 6,952 79.82% 1,538 17.66% 220 2.53%
1968 1,635 16.86% 869 8.96% 7,193 74.18%
1964 4,813 70.76% 0 0.00% 1,989 29.24%
1960 2,589 45.90% 3,039 53.88% 12 0.21%
1956 2,441 49.07% 2,420 48.64% 114 2.29%
1952 1,590 40.54% 2,326 59.31% 6 0.15%
1948 1,063 35.67% 0 0.00% 1,917 64.33%
1944 1,117 37.86% 1,819 61.66% 14 0.47%
1940 1,540 38.27% 2,462 61.18% 22 0.55%
1936 1,464 37.73% 2,399 61.83% 17 0.44%
1932 1,449 39.43% 2,185 59.46% 41 1.12%
1928 2,581 66.25% 1,313 33.70% 2 0.05%
1924 1,432 50.64% 1,281 45.30% 115 4.07%
1920 2,561 55.04% 1,934 41.56% 158 3.40%
1916 851 44.81% 987 51.97% 61 3.21%
1912 260 14.37% 787 43.50% 762 42.12%
1908 782 43.59% 820 45.71% 192 10.70%
1904 593 30.55% 908 46.78% 440 22.67%

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Former towns

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Transportation

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Major highways

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Rail

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Historically, the Southern Railway ran several daily passenger trains, including the Kansas City-Florida Special and an Atlanta-Birmingham section of the Piedmont Limited, making stops in Pell City. The Sunnyland made signal stops as well.[19] The last trains made stops in 1967.[20][21] Today, the nearest passenger service is Amtrak's Crescent in Anniston 30.6 miles to the east.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "ACES Winston County Office" (links/history), Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), 2007, webpage: ACES-St.Clair.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ A digest of the laws of the State of Alabama: containing the statutes and resolutions in force at the end of the General Assembly in January, 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis. New York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter XIX. pp. 88-89. "An Act to alter and ascertain more particularly the Boundaries of the County of Shelby and to lay off a new County in the northeast part thereof, to be called and known by the name of St. Clair County—Passed November 20 1818." (Google Books)
  5. ^ James Spann. Television broadcast on WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40). Birmingham, AL. March 25, 2021.
  6. ^ ghanner@thestclairtimes.com, Gary Hanner, St Clair Times editor (September 11, 2019). "St. Clair County Commission approves county flag". The Anniston Star. Retrieved June 11, 2023. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  13. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – St. Clair County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Clair County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Clair County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  19. ^ Southern Railway timetable, 1952, Table 1, https://streamlinermemories.info/South/SOU52TT.pdf
  20. ^ "Southern Railway, Table 2, [final appearance of train]". Official Guide of the Railways. 99 (7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1966.
  21. ^ "Southern Railway, Table 2, [struck from schedule]". Official Guide of the Railways. 100 (2). National Railway Publication Company. July 1967.
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33°42′57″N 86°19′05″W / 33.71583°N 86.31806°W / 33.71583; -86.31806

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