Shelby County, Alabama

Infobox U.S. County
county = Shelby County
state = Alabama


map size = 150
founded = February 7, 1818
seat = Columbiana | largest city = Alabaster
area_total_sq_mi =810
area_land_sq_mi =795
area_water_sq_mi =15
area percentage = 1.83%
census yr = 2000
pop = 171465
density_km2 =83
web = www.shelbycountyalabama.com
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Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2005 U.S. Census estimated the population was 171,465. Shelby County ranks among the 100 highest-income counties in the United States. Shelby County's growth has accompanied the decline of Birmingham and Jefferson County. The county's only newspaper is the "Shelby County Reporter".

History

Shelby County was established on February 7, 1818.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 810 square miles (2,097 km²), of which, 795 square miles (2,058 km²) of it is land and 15 square miles (38 km²) of it (1.83%) is water.

Transportation

Major highways

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Rail

*CSX Transportation
*Norfolk Southern Railway
*Calera & Shelby Railroad

Airport

*Shelby County Airport -- General Aviation

Adjacent counties

*St. Clair County (northeast)
*Talladega County (east)
*Coosa County (southeast)
*Chilton County (south)
*Bibb County (southwest)
*Jefferson County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 143,293 people, 54,631 households, and 40,590 families residing in the county. The population density was 180 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 59,302 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.80% White, 7.40% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 54,631 households out of which 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,440, and the median income for a family was $64,105. Males had a median income of $45,798 versus $31,242 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,176. About 4.60% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Municipalities and census-designated places

*Alabaster
*Birmingham (part - part of Birmingham is in Jefferson County)
*Calera (part - part of Calera is in Chilton County)
*Chelsea
*Columbiana
*Harpersville
*Helena (part - part of Helena is in Jefferson County)
*Hoover (part - part of Hoover is in Jefferson County)
*Indian Springs Village
*Indian Valley
*Lake Purdy
*Leeds (part - part of Leeds is in Jefferson County and in St. Clair County)
*Meadowbrook
*Montevallo
*Pelham
*Saginaw
*Vincent (part - part of Vincent is in St. Clair County and in Talladega County)
*Westover
*Wilsonville
*Wilton

References

External links

* [http://www.shelbycountyalabama.com/ Shelby County Government]
* [http://www.shelbycounty.com Shelby County Web Portal]
* [http://www.shelby911.org/ Shelby County 9-1-1 System]