Jackson County, Alabama

Jackson County, Alabama
Jackson County courthouse in Scottsboro, Alabama
Location in the state of Alabama
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded	December 13, 1819
Seat	Scottsboro
Largest city	Scottsboro
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,126.77 sq mi (2,918 km²) 1,078.74 sq mi (2,794 km²) 48.02 sq mi (124 km²), 4.26%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	53,227 49/sq mi (19/km²)

Jackson County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Andrew Jackson, general in the United States Army and President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 53,227. The county seat is Scottsboro. Jackson County is a prohibition or dry county, however three cities within the county (Bridgeport, Scottsboro, and Stevenson) are wet. Jackson County covers parts of former Decatur County.

History

Jackson County was established on December 13, 1819.

Geography

Map of Jackson County showing census subdivisions

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1,126.77 square miles (2,918.3 km²), of which 1,078.74 square miles (2,793.9 km²) (or 95.74%) is land and 48.02 square miles (124.4 km²) (or 4.26%) is water.^[1] Much of it is located in the Appalachians.

Of special interest is Russell Cave National Monument, which is located in Doran Cove, approximately 5 miles west of the town of Bridgeport. Russell Cave is an important archaeological site that was excavated in 1956 by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Geographic Society. An article in the October 1956 issue of National Geographic Magazine proudly proclaims: "Life 8,000 Years Ago Uncovered in an Alabama Cave." The article was written by Carl F. Miller, the Expedition Leader and is on pages 542-558. Russell Cave was declared a National Monument in May 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The Monument consists of 310 acres (1.3 km²) of land donated by the National Geographic Society.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 72
• State Route 35
• State Route 40
• State Route 65
• State Route 71
• State Route 73
• State Route 75
• State Route 79
• State Route 279

Rail

• CSX Transportation
• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Sequatchie Valley Railroad

Adjacent counties

• Marion County, Tennessee - northeast
• Dade County, Georgia - east
• DeKalb County, Alabama - southeast
• Marshall County, Alabama - southwest
• Madison County, Alabama - west
• Franklin County, Tennessee - northwest

National protected areas

• Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
• Russell Cave National Monument
• Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Jackson County, Alabama
Year	Pop.	±%
1820	8,751	—
1830	12,700	+45.1%
1840	15,715	+23.7%
1850	14,088	−10.4%
1860	18,283	+29.8%
1870	19,410	+6.2%
1880	25,114	+29.4%
1890	28,026	+11.6%
1900	30,508	+8.9%
1910	32,918	+7.9%
1920	35,864	+8.9%
1930	36,881	+2.8%
1940	41,802	+13.3%
1950	38,998	−6.7%
1960	36,681	−5.9%
1970	39,202	+6.9%
1980	51,407	+31.1%
1990	47,796	−7.0%
2000	53,926	+12.8%
2010	53,227	−1.3%
Sources: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml.  through 1960

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 53,926 people, 21,615 households, and 15,822 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 24,168 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.89% White, 3.74% Black or African American, 1.75% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Nearly 1.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,615 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. Nearly 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47, and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,020, and the median income for a family was $38,082. Males had a median income of $29,777 versus $20,990 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,000. About 10.30% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 21.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Bridgeport
• Bryant
• Dutton
• Flat Rock
• Higdon
• Hollywood
• Hytop
• Langston
• Paint Rock
• Pisgah
• Pleasant Groves
• Scottsboro
• Section
• Skyline
• Stevenson
• Woodville

Politics

While most of North Alabama has become solidly Republican, Jackson County remains a strong-hold of the Democratic Party (which is not to say the residents are liberals; see Dixiecrat and Southern Democrat). There are no elected Republicans in local Jackson County Government. In the, 2004 Presidential Election, Jackson County voted for Republican George W. Bush over Democrat John Kerry. It was the first time Jackson County voters chose a Republican presidential candidate over a Democrat since 1972.

The trending Republican has continued since 2004. In 2008 John McCain won the county with 67.7% of the vote.^[3] In 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert J. Bentley received 56% of the vote,^[4] Republican House candidate Mo Brooks received 55% of the vote,^[5] and incumbent Senator Richard Shelby received 70% in the county.^[6] Although in 2010 Democratic politicians continued to win in Jackson on some of the more local races.^[7]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Alabama
• Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Jackson County, Alabama

References

1. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ Elections map for 2008 at the New York Times
4. ^ CNN Election Center 2010
5. ^ CNN Election Center 2010
6. ^ CNN Election Center 2010
7. ^ Alabama news site

External links

• Jackson County Economic Development Authority
• Jackson County Historical Society
• Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
• Jackson County map of roads/towns

Coordinates: 34°47′08″N 85°59′53″W / 34.78556°N 85.99806°W / 34.78556; -85.99806