Blount County, Alabama

Blount County, Alabama

Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta, Alabama
Map of Alabama highlighting Blount County
Location in the state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded February 6, 1818
Seat Oneonta
Largest city Oneonta
Area
 • Total 651 sq mi (1,686 km2)
 • Land 645 sq mi (1,671 km2)
 • Water 5.9 sq mi (15 km2), 0.9%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 57,673
 • Density 89/sq mi (34/km²)
Congressional district 6th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.blount.al.us

Footnotes:  

  • County Number 08 on Alabama Licence Plates

Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 57,322.[1] Its county seat is Oneonta.

Blount County is a dry county, with the exception of Oneonta, which allows for the sale of alcohol since 2013. In the November 6, 2012 elections, a countywide ballot initiative to allow alcohol sales was narrowly defeated.

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

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 of 1813-14. 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 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

According to the U.S. 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

Transportation

Major highways

Rail

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
Est. 201557,673[3]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6]
1990–2000[7] 2010–2015[1]

As of the census[8] 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.[9]

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.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Berry Mountain, Alabama Royal, Alabama Five Points, Alabama Nectar, Alabama

Easley, Alabama

Places of interest

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 above: 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.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  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. ↑ "Community Facts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "American Fact Finder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  10. ↑ http://www.blountcountian.com/news/2010-02-17/News/Citizen_concerns_prompt_covered_bridge_update.html Retrieved June 20, 2010
  11. ↑ http://news.alabamapower.com/2013/05/21/covered-bridges-back-in-business/ Retrieved August 15, 2013

External links

 Cullman County Marshall County
Cullman County Etowah County
   Blount County, Alabama  
Walker County Jefferson County St. Clair County

Coordinates: 33°58′N 86°35′W / 33.967°N 86.583°W / 33.967; -86.583

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