Dale County, Alabama

Dale County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 49,326.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Ozark.[2] Its name is in honor of General Samuel Dale.[3]

Dale County
County
Daleville historical marker
Daleville historical marker
Map of Alabama highlighting Dale County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°26′00″N 85°36′00″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 22, 1824
Named forSamuel Dale
SeatOzark
Largest cityOzark
Area
 • Total563 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land561 sq mi (1,450 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total49,326
 • Estimate 
(2022)
49,544 Increase
 • Density88/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.dalecountyal.org
  • County Number 26 on Alabama Licence Plates

Dale County comprises the Ozark, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Dothan-Ozark, AL Combined Statistical Area. It was originally a part of Enterprise–Ozark micropolitan area before being split, and for a longer while was originally part of the Dothan-Enterprise-Ozark combined statistical area but Coffee County is now its own separate primary statistical area in later censuses.[4][5]

The vast majority of Fort Novosel is located in Dale County.

History

The area now known as Dale County was originally inhabited by members of the Creek Indian nation, who occupied all of southeastern Alabama during this period. Between the years of 1764 and 1783 this region fell under the jurisdiction of the colony of British West Florida.[6] The county, together with the surrounding area, was ceded to the United States in the 1814 Treaty of Fort Jackson, ending the Creek Indian Wars. A blockhouse had been constructed during the conflict on the northwestern side of the Choctawhatchee River, and the first non-Indian residents of Dale County would be veterans who began to settle in the area around 1820.[7]

Dale County was established on December 22, 1824. It originally included the whole of what is now Coffee County and Geneva County, together with the "panhandle" portion of Houston County. The original county seat was located at Dale's Court House (now the town of Daleville), but when Coffee County split from Dale in 1841, the seat was moved to Newton. Here it remained until 1870 when, following a courthouse fire in 1869 and the formation of Geneva County (which took the southern third of Dale County), the county seat was moved to the town of Ozark, where it remains. In 1903 a small portion of the southeast part of Dale county was joined to the newly formed Houston County.

Portions of the 15th Regiment of Alabama Infantry, which served with great distinction throughout the U.S. Civil War, were recruited in Dale County, with all of Co. "E" and part of Co. "H" being composed of Dale County residents. This unit is most famous for being the regiment that confronted the 20th Maine on the Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. Despite several ferocious assaults, the 15th was ultimately unable to dislodge the Union troops, and was ultimately forced to retreat after a desperate bayonet charge led by the 20th Maine's commander, Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain.[8][9] This assault was vividly recreated in Ronald F. Maxwell's 1993 film Gettysburg. The 15th would continue to serve until the final capitulation of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House in 1865.

Another regiment recruited largely from Dale County was the 33rd Alabama; Companies B, G and I were recruited in the county, with Co. G coming from Daleville; Co. B from Newton, Skipperville, Clopton, Echo and Barnes Cross Roads; and o. I from Newton, Haw Ridge, Rocky Head, Westville and Ozark.[10][11] This regiment fought with great distinction in the Army of Tennessee, mostly under famed General Patrick Cleburne, once winning the Thanks of the Confederate Congress for its action at Ringgold Gap. The regiment was largely annihilated during the battles of Perryville and Franklin, but a few men survived and returned to Dale County after the war.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 563 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 561 square miles (1,450 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[12] The county is located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.

It is the fifth-smallest county in Alabama by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,031—
18407,397264.2%
18506,382−13.7%
186012,19791.1%
187011,325−7.1%
188012,67711.9%
189017,22535.9%
190021,18923.0%
191021,6082.0%
192022,7115.1%
193023,1752.0%
194022,685−2.1%
195020,828−8.2%
196031,06649.2%
197052,99570.6%
198047,821−9.8%
199049,6333.8%
200049,129−1.0%
201050,2512.3%
202049,326−1.8%
2022 (est.)49,544[13]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[1]

2020 Census
Dale 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[18] Pop 2010[19] Pop 2020[20] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 35,771 35,705 32,602 72.81% 71.05% 66.09%
Black or African American alone (NH) 9,902 9,546 10,100 20.16% 19.00% 20.48%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 285 337 217 0.58% 0.67% 0.44%
Asian alone (NH) 518 527 648 1.05% 1.05% 1.31%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 67 42 42 0.14% 0.08% 0.09%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 65 66 164 0.13% 0.13% 0.33%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 879 1,207 2,299 1.79% 2.40% 4.66%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,642 2,821 3,254 3.34% 5.61% 6.60%
Total 49,129 50,251 49,326 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 49,326 people, 18,806 households, and 12,515 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 50,251 people, 20,065 households, and 13,721 families living in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile (35 people/km2). There were 22,677 housing units at an average density of 40 units per square mile (15 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.1% White, 19.3% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. 5.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,065 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,353, and the median income for a family was $50,685. Males had a median income of $24,569 versus $34,856 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,722. 14.8% of the population and 11.4% of families were below the poverty line. 19.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2000 census

As of the census[22] of 2000, there were 49,129 people, 18,878 households, and 13,629 families living in the county. The population density was 88 people per square mile (34 people/km2). There were 21,779 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.4% White, 20.4% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 3.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 2.85% of the population reported speaking Spanish at home, while 1.51% speak German.[23]

There were 18,878 households, out of which 36% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,998, and the median income for a family was $37,806. Males had a median income of $29,844 versus $19,988 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,010. 15% of the population and 12.6% of families were below the poverty line. 19.4% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

Dale County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by a majority in 1976.

United States presidential election results for Dale County, Alabama[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 14,303 72.46% 5,170 26.19% 265 1.34%
2016 13,808 73.65% 4,413 23.54% 528 2.82%
2012 13,108 70.47% 5,286 28.42% 207 1.11%
2008 13,886 71.87% 5,270 27.28% 164 0.85%
2004 13,621 74.71% 4,484 24.60% 126 0.69%
2000 10,593 67.02% 4,906 31.04% 307 1.94%
1996 8,288 57.84% 4,732 33.02% 1,310 9.14%
1992 8,123 51.45% 5,098 32.29% 2,566 16.25%
1988 9,266 71.80% 3,476 26.94% 163 1.26%
1984 10,319 75.37% 3,215 23.48% 158 1.15%
1980 7,247 57.64% 4,936 39.26% 390 3.10%
1976 4,996 43.33% 6,346 55.03% 189 1.64%
1972 8,346 83.14% 1,594 15.88% 98 0.98%
1968 607 6.25% 862 8.88% 8,236 84.86%
1964 4,970 83.77% 0 0.00% 963 16.23%
1960 1,634 38.74% 2,563 60.76% 21 0.50%
1956 1,284 34.59% 2,318 62.45% 110 2.96%
1952 1,073 28.51% 2,669 70.93% 21 0.56%
1948 230 14.36% 0 0.00% 1,372 85.64%
1944 325 13.28% 2,094 85.57% 28 1.14%
1940 374 12.80% 2,543 87.03% 5 0.17%
1936 193 7.43% 2,404 92.50% 2 0.08%
1932 155 6.31% 2,300 93.65% 1 0.04%
1928 1,000 44.76% 1,233 55.19% 1 0.04%
1924 297 20.61% 1,117 77.52% 27 1.87%
1920 768 35.31% 1,386 63.72% 21 0.97%
1916 597 31.93% 1,260 67.38% 13 0.70%
1912 99 6.17% 1,059 66.02% 446 27.81%
1908 346 26.15% 921 69.61% 56 4.23%
1904 345 24.19% 997 69.92% 84 5.89%

Education

Most areas are zoned to Dale County School District. However four municipalities have their own school districts: Daleville City School District, Dothan City School District, Enterprise City School District, and Ozark City School District. Additionally residents of Fort Novosel are assigned to schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA),[25] for elementary school. Students beyond the elementary level at Fort Novosel may attend non-DoDEA schools for secondary levels, with an on-post family choosing one of the following three options: Daleville City, Enterprise City, or Ozark City.[26]

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Notable people
  • Samuel Dale (1772 – May 24, 1841), was an American frontiersman, known as the "Daniel Boone of Alabama", is buried here.
  • Nolan Williams (1941-2022), Alabama state representative.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts: Dale County, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp. 98.
  4. "Dothan-Enterprise-Ozark, AL Combined Statistical Area" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  5. "OMB Bulletin No. 20-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. March 6, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  6. Fabel, Robin F. A. (2002). The Economy of British West Florida, 1763-1783. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press.
  7. "Prairie 1767". Geocities. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  8. Desjardin, Thomas A. (1995). Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign. Thomas Publications. pp. 69–71. ISBN 1-57747-034-6.
  9. Pfanz, Harry W. (1987). Gettysburg: The Second Day. University of North Carolina Press. p. 232. ISBN 0-8078-1749-X.
  10. "33rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry". FamilySearch.
  11. "33rd Alabama, Company B". U.S.Gen Net. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010.
  12. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  16. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  18. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Dale County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  19. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dale County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  20. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dale County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  22. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  23. "All languages spoken in Dale County". Modern Language Association Data Center Results. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  24. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  25. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Dale County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2022. - Text list - "Fort Rucker School District" refers to DoDEA schools.
  26. "Fort Rucker Education". Military OneSource. Retrieved July 5, 2022..

31°26′N 85°36′W

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