Blount County, Alabama
| Blount County, Alabama | |
|---|---|
 Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta, Alabama | |
 Location in the state of Alabama | |
 Alabama's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | February 6, 1818 |
| Seat | Oneonta |
| Largest city | Oneonta |
| Area | |
| • Total | 650.60 sq mi (1,685 km2) |
| • Land | 645.59 sq mi (1,672 km2) |
| • Water | 5.02 sq mi (13 km2), 0.77% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 57,322 |
| • Density | 89/sq mi (34/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website | www.co.blount.al.us |
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. In the November 6, 2012 elections a ballot initiative to allow alcohol sales was narrowly defeated.
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 this county's county seat being transferred to Oneonta, Alabama.
Geography
According to the Census Bureau, this county has a total area of 650.60 square miles (1,685.0 km2), of which 645.59 square miles (1,672.1 km2) is land and 5.02 square miles (13.0 km2) (0.77%) is water.[2]
Major highways
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Interstate 65
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 231
U.S. Highway 278
State Route 75
State Route 79
State Route 132
State Route 160
Rail
- CSX Transportation, formerly the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Adjacent counties
- Marshall County, Alabama - northeast
- Etowah County, Alabama - east
- St. Clair County, Alabama - southeast
- Walker County, Alabama - southwest
- Jefferson County, Alabama - south
- Cullman County, Alabama - west & northwest
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,415 | ||
| 1830 | 4,233 | 75.3% | |
| 1840 | 5,570 | 31.6% | |
| 1850 | 7,367 | 32.3% | |
| 1860 | 10,865 | 47.5% | |
| 1870 | 9,945 | −8.5% | |
| 1880 | 15,369 | 54.5% | |
| 1890 | 21,927 | 42.7% | |
| 1900 | 23,119 | 5.4% | |
| 1910 | 21,456 | −7.2% | |
| 1920 | 25,538 | 19.0% | |
| 1930 | 28,020 | 9.7% | |
| 1940 | 29,490 | 5.2% | |
| 1950 | 28,975 | −1.7% | |
| 1960 | 25,449 | −12.2% | |
| 1970 | 26,853 | 5.5% | |
| 1980 | 36,459 | 35.8% | |
| 1990 | 39,248 | 7.6% | |
| 2000 | 51,024 | 30.0% | |
| 2010 | 57,322 | 12.3% | |
| Est. 2012 | 57,826 | 0.9% | |
2012 Estimate[4] | |||
As of the census[5] 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.[6]
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.
Cities and towns
Incorporated
- Town of Allgood
- Town of Altoona (part - part of Altoona is in Etowah County)
- Town of Blountsville
- Town of Cleveland
- Town of County Line (part - part of County Line is in Jefferson County)
- Town of Garden City (part - part of Garden City is in Cullman County)
- Town of Hayden
- Town of Highland Lake
- Town of Locust Fork
- Town of Nectar
- City of Oneonta
- Town of Rosa
- Town of Snead
- Town of Susan Moore
- City of Warrior (part - part of Warrior is in Jefferson County)
Unincorporated
- Bolle Mobile Home Park which was incorporated into the Town of Allgood.
- Bangor
- Brooksville
- Hopewell
- Mount High
- Smoke Rise
- Summit
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.
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 now back open.[7][8]
See also
- List of Alabama covered bridges
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Blount County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Blount County, Alabama
References
- ↑ United States Census Bureau. "2010 Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ↑ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Census.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Community Facts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "American Fact Finder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ http://www.blountcountian.com/news/2010-02-17/News/Citizen_concerns_prompt_covered_bridge_update.html Retrieved June 20, 2010
- ↑ http://news.alabamapower.com/2013/05/21/covered-bridges-back-in-business/ Retrieved August 15, 2013
External links
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Cullman County | Marshall County | | |
| Cullman County |  |
Etowah County | ||
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| Walker County | Jefferson County | St. Clair County |
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Coordinates: 33°58′N 86°35′W / 33.967°N 86.583°W