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Limestone County, Alabama

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Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 103,570.[3] Its county seat is Athens.[4] The county is named after Limestone Creek. Limestone County is included in the Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Limestone County
County
Limestone County Courthouse in Athens
Limestone County Courthouse in Athens
Official seal of Limestone County
Seal
Official logo of Limestone County
Logo
Map of Alabama highlighting Limestone County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°48′40″N 86°59′03″W / 34.811111111111°N 86.984166666667°W / 34.811111111111; -86.984166666667
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 6[1], 1818[1]
Named forLimestone Creek
SeatAthens
Largest cityAthens[a]
Government
 • ChairmanCollin Daly[2]
Area
 • Total607 sq mi (1,570 km2)
 • Land560 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water47 sq mi (120 km2)  7.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total103,570
 • Estimate 
(2023)
114,654 Increase
 • Density170/sq mi (66/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitelimestonecounty-al.gov
  • County Number 44 on Alabama Licence Plates

History

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See also: History of Athens, Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, and National Register of Historic Places

Limestone County was established by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818.[1] On November 27, 1821, the Alabama State legislature passed an Act that altered the boundary of Limestone County to include the area east of the mouth of the Elk River with the Tennessee River. At the time, that area was a part of Lauderdale County.[5]

 
Historical marker on the northwest side of the courthouse

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km2), of which 560 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (7.8%) is water.[6] It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.

River

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18209,871—
183014,80750.0%
184014,374−2.9%
185016,48314.7%
186015,306−7.1%
187015,017−1.9%
188021,60043.8%
189021,201−1.8%
190022,3875.6%
191026,88020.1%
192031,34116.6%
193036,62916.9%
194035,642−2.7%
195035,7660.3%
196036,5132.1%
197041,69914.2%
198046,00510.3%
199054,13517.7%
200065,67621.3%
201082,78226.0%
2020103,57025.1%
2023 (est.)114,654[7]10.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[3]

2020 census

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Limestone 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[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 54,142 65,112 75,692 82.44% 78.65% 73.08%
Black or African American alone (NH) 8,703 10,350 13,177 13.25% 12.50% 12.72%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 293 487 458 0.45% 0.59% 0.44%
Asian alone (NH) 228 911 1,857 0.35% 1.10% 1.79%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 11 26 70 0.02% 0.03% 0.07%
Other race alone (NH) 28 83 319 0.04% 0.10% 0.31%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 531 1,222 4,749 0.81% 1.48% 4.59%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,740 4,591 7,248 2.65% 5.55% 7.00%
Total 65,676 82,782 103,570 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 103,570 people, 32,020 households, and 23,919 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census,[15] there were 82,782 people, 31,446 households, and 22,876 families living in the county. The population density was 57.1/km2 (148/sq mi). There were 34,977 housing units at an average density of 24.1/km2 (62/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,446 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.7% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% 65 or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males.

The median household income in the county was $46,682, and the median family income was $55,518. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $31,609 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,007. About 10.3% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[16] there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families living in the county. The population density was 45/km2 (120/sq mi). There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km2 (47/sq ;mi). The racial makeup of the county was 78.79% White, 15.33% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Limestone County were English 66.31%, Scots-Irish 15.12%, and African 13.33%

There were 24,688 households, 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.40% of households were one person and 8.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.80 males.

The median household income in the county was $37,405, and the median family income was $45,146. Males had a median income of $35,743 versus $23,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,782. About 9.80% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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Limestone County comprises the Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit was created in the early 1980s when Limestone County broke away from Morgan County to form its own circuit.

The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit has two circuit judges and two district judges. The two circuit judges are Judge Robert M. Baker and Judge B. Chadwick Wise. The two district judges are Judge Matthew R. Huggins and Judge R. Gray West.

The current District Attorney is Brian C.T. Jones.

The current Sheriff of Limestone County is Joshua McLaughlin. The term for sheriffs is four years, and there is no term limit.[17][18]

Collin Daly (R) is the Chairman of the County Commission.[2]

Limestone County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by an absolute majority in 1980.

United States presidential election results for Limestone County, Alabama[19][20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 34,640 70.36% 13,672 27.77% 923 1.87%
2016 29,067 72.14% 9,468 23.50% 1,759 4.37%
2012 25,295 71.17% 9,829 27.66% 416 1.17%
2008 23,598 70.33% 9,536 28.42% 417 1.24%
2004 19,702 67.77% 9,126 31.39% 245 0.84%
2000 14,204 60.10% 8,992 38.05% 438 1.85%
1996 10,862 52.52% 8,045 38.90% 1,775 8.58%
1992 9,862 45.66% 8,087 37.45% 3,648 16.89%
1988 9,086 61.56% 5,455 36.96% 219 1.48%
1984 8,423 60.12% 5,410 38.62% 177 1.26%
1980 4,574 34.18% 8,180 61.12% 630 4.71%
1976 2,997 24.98% 8,803 73.36% 200 1.67%
1972 6,188 73.21% 2,079 24.60% 185 2.19%
1968 870 8.39% 889 8.57% 8,616 83.05%
1964 2,377 43.99% 0 0.00% 3,027 56.01%
1960 991 19.26% 4,147 80.59% 8 0.16%
1956 589 12.40% 4,145 87.26% 16 0.34%
1952 549 12.46% 3,844 87.24% 13 0.30%
1948 112 5.65% 0 0.00% 1,870 94.35%
1944 129 4.70% 2,605 94.93% 10 0.36%
1940 95 3.12% 2,941 96.58% 9 0.30%
1936 108 3.61% 2,861 95.69% 21 0.70%
1932 107 3.85% 2,667 95.94% 6 0.22%
1928 407 19.42% 1,689 80.58% 0 0.00%
1924 136 8.40% 1,415 87.35% 69 4.26%
1920 285 13.48% 1,812 85.71% 17 0.80%
1916 92 5.84% 1,450 92.12% 32 2.03%
1912 90 7.38% 1,012 83.02% 117 9.60%
1908 238 16.38% 1,188 81.76% 27 1.86%
1904 187 14.88% 1,053 83.77% 17 1.35%
1900 1,157 50.68% 1,063 46.56% 63 2.76%
1896 1,520 44.94% 1,812 53.58% 50 1.48%
1892 18 0.54% 1,447 43.40% 1,869 56.06%
1888 1,183 43.93% 1,489 55.29% 21 0.78%
1884 1,450 49.56% 1,430 48.87% 46 1.57%
1880 1,623 49.50% 1,600 48.80% 56 1.71%
1876 1,343 44.37% 1,684 55.63% 0 0.00%
1872 893 51.95% 826 48.05% 0 0.00%
1868 355 23.17% 1,177 76.83% 0 0.00%
1860 0 0.00% 325 26.75% 890 73.25%
1856 0 0.00% 790 73.76% 281 26.24%
1852 227 25.53% 662 74.47% 0 0.00%
1848 374 30.99% 833 69.01% 0 0.00%
1844 325 25.19% 965 74.81% 0 0.00%
1840 356 28.41% 897 71.59% 0 0.00%
1836 319 30.85% 715 69.15% 0 0.00%
1832 0 0.00% 912 100.00% 0 0.00%

Education

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See also: Athens Education

School districts include:[21]

Tertiary education:

Transportation

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Major highways

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Railways

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Airport

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Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the nearest major commercial airport, 23 miles east. Nashville Airport (BNA) is approximately 104 miles north.

Recreation

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  • Antebellum Trail – a trail rich in the Antebellum period architecture that highlights Athens, Belle Mina and Mooresville.
  • Ardmore Walking Tracks – One .25 miles (0.40 km) walking track is located in Ardmore Town Park on Park Avenue. The other 0.5 miles (0.80 km) track is locating in Ardmore's John Barns Park on Ardmore Ridge Road
  • Athens Greenway Walking Trail – This 3.3 miles (5.3 km) walking trail starts at the Athens SportsPlex goes by Athens High School and Athens Public Archery Range and continues to U.S. Highway 72 for an additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
  • Athens Historic Volksmarch – An American Volksport Association (AVA) sanctioned 10K (6.2 miles) walk.
  • Beaty Historic District Walking Tour "Step Back In Time" – walking tour of the Robert Beaty Historic District which was placed on the Registry of Historic Places in 1984.
  • Civil War Trail – Driving/walking trail highlighting the history of the Civil War in the greater Limestone County community.
  • Cowford Landing – swimming, fishing, and boating.
  • The Glory Road – Driving tour of historic and community churches of Limestone County
  • Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail – a 21.9 miles (35.2 km) along the Elk River for canoeing with five access sites. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.[23]
  • Noah Bike and Vintage Car Trail – a road route for bicycles, motorcycles, and vintage cars in Northwest Limestone County that is 89 miles (143 km) long. The starts and ends at the Athens-Limestone Visitor Center at 34°48′11″N 86°58′01″W / 34.803°N 86.967°W / 34.803; -86.967.
  • Richard Martin Trail – a 10.2 miles (16.4 km) rail trail in northern part of the county for bicycling, horseback riding, and walking.[24] Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.[23][25]

GOLFING

  • Canebrake Club – membership
  • Southern Gayles Golf Club – community

FISHING

  • Limestone County Alabama offers access to the prime fishing waters of the Elk River, Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake.

HUNTING

  • Limestone Hunting Preserve & Sporting Clays offers deer, dove, quail, pheasant and chukar hunts and sporting clays.
  • Piney Creek Kennels and Hunting Preserve offers 100+ acres of dove and quail hunting land.
  • Swan Creek WMA – 8,870 acres of Alabama Department of Conservation managed area and includes a shooting range
  • Tennessee Valley Federal Property – 11,300 acres of regulated hunting land

FESTIVALS

  • February
    • Hospice Chili Challenge – last weekend
  • March
    • Polk Sallet Follies – second week, Thursday-Saturday
    • Home and Garden Show – second weekend
  • April
    • Athens Cruise In (April–September)
    • Saturday Historic Walking Tours – Athens & Mooresville – each Saturday
    • Cars and Bikes on the Square – last Saturday
    • Singing on the Square (April–September) – third Fridays
    • Earth Day Celebration – third Saturday
  • May
    • Athens-Limestone Relay for Life
    • Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo
    • Athens Bible School Homespun Arts and Crafts Show
  • June
    • Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival (last weekend in June to first weekend August)
  • July
    • Limestone County Week of Independence (last Saturday of June to first Saturday of July)
    • Firework Show
    • Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull – second weekend
    • CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament – third Saturday
    • Alabama Championship Tractor and Truck Pull – Tanner – last weekend
  • August
    • Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival
    • Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo
    • Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days
  • September
    • Athens Grease Festival
  • October
    • Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention – first full weekend
    • Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby – first full weekend
    • Athens Storytelling Festival – last weekend
  • November
    • Hilltop Arts Festival
    • Athens Christmas Open House
  • December
    • Athens Christmas Parade
    • Limestone County Tree Lighting (same night as Athens Parade)
    • Ardmore Christmas Parade
    • Elkmont Lions Club Christmas Parade
    • Sippin' Cider
    • Lincoln Bridgeforth Park Tree Lighting

[25]

Points of interest

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See also: List of Registered Historic Places in Limestone County, Alabama

MUSEUMS

  • Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives - honoring veterans and their families with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present.
  • College Inn/Newby Gulf Station Museum - This landmark was restored to look like a 1940s gas station. It has been featured in Southern Living photo spreads.
  • Donnell House - This historic landmark is the former home of Reverend Donnell and a significant site for the "Sack of Athens"
  • Houston Memorial Library and Museum - The cornerstone of the Houston Historic District, the building now houses a library and the county museum.
  • Limestone County Archives - Contains community and genealogical records for Limestone County.

POINTS OF INTEREST

  • Alabama Welcome Center - Just south of the Alabama/Tennessee border, this facility is home to a Saturn 1B rocket as well as war memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
  • Athens State University - A significant site for the "Sack of Athens". Founders Hall is the original structure of the university and is graced with 4 large pillars. Founders Hall also houses the New Testament Chapel containing life-size carvings depicting Christ and other New Testament figures.
  • Trinity School - Established by the American Missionary Association to educate the children of freed slaves.
  • Limestone County Confederate Soldiers Memorial

[25]

Communities

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Historic buildings in Elkmont

The largest city entirely in Limestone County is Athens, Which had 25,406 people in 2020. The city of Madison is the second largest city in population located in the county, and Huntsville in third. The least most populous town in Limestone county is Mooresville with 47 people in 2020.

Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ While Huntsville is technically the largest city, most inhabitants live outside Limestone County; making Athens the largest city inside the actual county.

References

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  1. ^ a b c 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, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter XII. Page 85. An Act to establish the western and southern Boundaries of Madison County, and to establish the Counties of Limestone and Lauderdale--Passed February 6, 1818.
  2. ^ a b "Commission". Limestone County, Alabama. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ 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, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter XXXII. Page 99. An Act to alter and extend the Boundaries of Limestone County—Passed November 27, 1821.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Limestone County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Limestone County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Limestone County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ^ "Mike Blakely, Alabama's longest serving sheriff, convicted at trial". August 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "Limestone County Coroner Mike West assumes role as sheriff after Mike Blakely's conviction". August 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  20. ^ "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Limestone County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list
  22. ^ a b Alabama Railway Map Archived March 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. 2008. Alabama Department of Transportation. Accessed December 10, 2010.
  23. ^ a b 2010 NRT designations Archived March 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. National Recreation Trails. June 2, 2010. U.S. Department of Interior. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  24. ^ Richard Martin Trail National Recreation Trails Database. American Trails. Last Updated 06/09/2011.
  25. ^ a b c "Athens-Limestone County Tourism". Visit Athens Alabama. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
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34°48′40″N 86°59′03″W / 34.81111°N 86.98417°W / 34.81111; -86.98417

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