Cherokee County, Alabama

Cherokee County, Alabama is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,971.[1] Its county seat is Centre.[2] The county is named for the Cherokee tribe.

Not to be confused with Cherokee, Alabama.

Cherokee County
County
Cherokee County Courthouse in Centre
Cherokee County Courthouse in Centre
Flag of Cherokee County
Flag
Official seal of Cherokee County
Seal
Map of Alabama highlighting Cherokee 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°10′11″N 85°35′39″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedJanuary 9, 1836
Named forCherokee Nation
SeatCentre
Largest cityCentre
Area
 • Total600 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land554 sq mi (1,430 km2)
 • Water46 sq mi (120 km2)  7.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total24,971
 • Estimate 
(2022)
25,302 Increase
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 4th
Websitewww.cherokeecounty-al.gov
  • County Number 13 on Alabama Licence Plates

History

The area included in today's Cherokee County, for centuries, had belonged to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Native Americans. Cherokees began moving into the area a generation before the forced Indian Removal. To this day, there are few Native Americans in Cherokee County.

On January 9, 1836, the Alabama legislature created Cherokee County with its present boundaries.[3] Two years later, the United States government removed, by force, all Cherokees who had refused to leave on what would become known as the Trail of Tears.

Cherokee County was in the news again on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1994, when it was hit by a F4 tornado. Goshen United Methodist Church was destroyed only twelve minutes after the National Weather Service at Birmingham had issued a warning for northern Calhoun, southeastern Etowah, and southern Cherokee counties.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 600 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 554 square miles (1,430 km2) (or 92.19%) is land and 46 square miles (120 km2) (7.7%) is water.[4] It is the second-smallest county in Alabama by land area.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Water Features

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18408,773—
185013,88458.3%
186018,36032.2%
187011,132−39.4%
188019,10871.6%
189020,4597.1%
190021,0963.1%
191020,226−4.1%
192020,8623.1%
193020,219−3.1%
194019,928−1.4%
195017,634−11.5%
196016,303−7.5%
197015,606−4.3%
198018,76020.2%
199019,5434.2%
200023,98822.7%
201025,9898.3%
202024,971−3.9%
2022 (est.)25,302[5]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census
Cherokee County, Alabama – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
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 Pop 2000[10] Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 22,164 23,929 22,563 92,40% 92.07% 90.36%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,327 1,206 987 5.53% 4.64% 3.95%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 74 122 109 0.31% 0.47% 0.44%
Asian alone (NH) 32 49 55 0.13% 0.19% 0.22%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 1 1 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 3 15 46 0.01% 0.06% 0.18%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 184 347 810 0.77% 1.34% 3.24%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 204 320 400 0.85% 1.23% 1.60%
Total 23,988 25,989 24,971 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 24,971 people, 10,737 households, and 7,307 families residing in the county.

2010

As of the census of 2010,[13] there were 25,989 people, 10,626 households, and 7,493 families living in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 16,267 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.7% White, 4.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 10,626 households 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 26.0% of households were one person and 10.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median household income was $40,690 and the median family income was $47,365. Males had a median income of $40,050 versus $27,352 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,322. About 13.7% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,988 people, 9,719 households, and 7,201 families living in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 14,025 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.83% White, 5.54% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14] Of the 9,719 households 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.90% of households were one person and 10.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.86.

The age distribution was 22.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median household income was $30,874 and the median family income was $36,920. Males had a median income of $29,978 versus $20,958 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,543. About 11.80% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Cherokee County contains one public school district. There are approximately 3,800 students in public K-12 schools in Cherokee County.[15]

The county contains one public higher education institution. Gadsden State Community College operates a campus located in Centre.

Districts

School districts include:[16]

Government

Historically Democratic, Cherokee County became competitive by the end of the 20th century and is now reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Bill Clinton, who won it by a comfortable margin in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Cherokee County, Alabama[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 10,583 86.03% 1,624 13.20% 94 0.76%
2016 8,953 83.42% 1,547 14.41% 233 2.17%
2012 7,506 76.65% 2,132 21.77% 154 1.57%
2008 7,298 74.89% 2,306 23.66% 141 1.45%
2004 5,923 65.45% 3,040 33.59% 86 0.95%
2000 4,154 53.10% 3,497 44.70% 172 2.20%
1996 3,048 36.20% 4,399 52.24% 974 11.57%
1992 2,745 34.85% 4,222 53.61% 909 11.54%
1988 2,868 47.01% 3,176 52.06% 57 0.93%
1984 3,225 51.04% 3,029 47.93% 65 1.03%
1980 2,482 38.55% 3,764 58.47% 192 2.98%
1976 1,492 23.85% 4,668 74.62% 96 1.53%
1972 3,179 71.89% 1,182 26.73% 61 1.38%
1968 343 6.03% 462 8.13% 4,880 85.84%
1964 1,893 49.70% 0 0.00% 1,916 50.30%
1960 872 21.95% 3,097 77.95% 4 0.10%
1956 845 24.05% 2,661 75.75% 7 0.20%
1952 539 16.79% 2,664 82.96% 8 0.25%
1948 217 16.78% 0 0.00% 1,076 83.22%
1944 408 18.55% 1,774 80.64% 18 0.82%
1940 381 12.66% 2,617 86.94% 12 0.40%
1936 374 14.92% 2,114 84.32% 19 0.76%
1932 359 15.72% 1,897 83.09% 27 1.18%
1928 1,515 62.78% 894 37.05% 4 0.17%
1924 845 37.13% 1,380 60.63% 51 2.24%
1920 1,576 43.74% 1,969 54.65% 58 1.61%
1916 508 30.31% 1,136 67.78% 32 1.91%
1912 88 5.03% 814 46.57% 846 48.40%
1908 602 42.63% 712 50.42% 98 6.94%
1904 502 29.67% 905 53.49% 285 16.84%
1900 1,169 41.94% 1,167 41.87% 451 16.18%
1896 602 24.23% 1,776 71.47% 107 4.31%
1892 139 4.41% 1,709 54.24% 1,303 41.35%
1888 333 16.32% 1,686 82.65% 21 1.03%
1884 427 23.41% 1,397 76.59% 0 0.00%
1880 180 11.46% 1,390 88.54% 0 0.00%
1876 293 14.96% 1,666 85.04% 0 0.00%
1872 228 15.69% 1,225 84.31% 0 0.00%
1868 167 15.46% 913 84.54% 0 0.00%
1860 0 0.00% 223 9.08% 2,233 90.92%
1856 455 22.84% 1,537 77.16% 0 0.00%
1852 242 24.77% 735 75.23% 0 0.00%
1848 630 40.65% 920 59.35% 0 0.00%
1844 356 27.15% 955 72.85% 0 0.00%
1840 377 33.19% 759 66.81% 0 0.00%
1836 242 57.35% 180 42.65% 0 0.00%

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Cherokee County, Ala". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 39. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cherokee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  11. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cherokee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cherokee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. "Search for Public School Districts - Cherokee County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  16. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Cherokee County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2022. Text list.
  17. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

Notes

    34°10′11″N 85°35′39″W

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