Jackson County, Alabama

Jackson County is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 52,579.[1] The county seat is Scottsboro.[2] The county was named for Andrew Jackson, general in the United States Army and afterward President of the United States of America.[3] Jackson County is a prohibition or dry county, but three cities within the county (Bridgeport, Scottsboro, and Stevenson) are "wet", allowing alcohol sales. Jackson County comprises the Scottsboro, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, and Jackson county is included in the Scottsboro-Fort Payne combined statistical areas. It is the site of Russell Cave National Monument, an archeological site with evidence of 8,000 years of human occupation in the Southeast.

Not to be confused with Jackson, Alabama.

Jackson County
County
Jackson County courthouse in Scottsboro
Jackson County courthouse in Scottsboro
Map of Alabama highlighting Jackson 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°47′00″N 86°00′00″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 13, 1819
Named forAndrew Jackson
SeatScottsboro
Largest cityScottsboro
Area
 • Total1,127 sq mi (2,920 km2)
 • Land1,078 sq mi (2,790 km2)
 • Water49 sq mi (130 km2)  4.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total52,579
 • Estimate 
(2022)
52,891 Increase
 • Density47/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.jacksoncountyal.gov
  • County Number 39 on Alabama License Plates

History

Jackson County was established on December 13, 1819, after the federal government arranged a treaty to remove the Cherokee from the area and extinguish their land claims.[4] The hilly and mountainous terrain of the Appalachians made the area unsuitable for the plantation-style agriculture of the lowlands and coastal area. It was settled largely by families from Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia.[5]

This area was developed largely for subsistence farming, and few families held any slaves. For instance, in 1860, Bellefonte, Alabama, then the county seat and largest community in the county, had a population of 181, of whom eight were free blacks and the remainder were white. No slaves were recorded in that community.[6]

The county is crossed by a number of rivers and waterways; the most important is the Tennessee River, which drains most of the county. The current county seat of Scottsboro developed along the river, and was also the site of a railroad station when railroads reached the area. Hydroelectric power was developed in the first quarter of the 20th century to generate energy for industry. By the mid-20th century, industry had replaced agriculture as the most important element of the economy.[5]

Geography
Map of Jackson County showing census subdivisions

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,127 square miles (2,920 km2), of which 1,078 square miles (2,790 km2) is land and 49 square miles (130 km2) (%) is water.[7] It is the fifth-largest county in Alabama by total area. 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. It is believed to offer "one of the most complete records of prehistoric culture in the southeast United States."[5] 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.

The cave is an important archaeological site that was excavated in 1956 by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Geographic Society. The October 1956 issue of National Geographic Magazine featured an article reporting, "Life 8,000 Years Ago Uncovered in an Alabama Cave." Evidence was found of human occupation of the cave from 6200 B.C. to A.D. 1650. The article was written by Carl F. Miller, the expedition leader.[8] There have been follow-up studies about this site.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18208,751—
183012,70045.1%
184015,71523.7%
185014,088−10.4%
186018,28329.8%
187019,4106.2%
188025,11429.4%
189028,02611.6%
190030,5088.9%
191032,9187.9%
192035,8648.9%
193036,8812.8%
194041,80213.3%
195038,998−6.7%
196036,681−5.9%
197039,2026.9%
198051,40731.1%
199047,796−7.0%
200053,92612.8%
201053,227−1.3%
202052,579−1.2%
2022 (est.)52,891[9]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census
Jackson 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[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 49,200 47,937 45,123 91.24% 90.06% 85.82%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,002 1,771 1,624 3.71% 3.33% 3.09%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 927 680 680 1.72% 1.28% 1.29%
Asian alone (NH) 123 165 214 0.23% 0.31% 0.41%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 9 29 2 0.02% 0.05% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 19 24 109 0.04% 0.05% 0.21%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,036 1,282 3,146 1.92% 2.41% 5.98%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 610 1,339 1,681 1.13% 2.52% 3.20%
Total 53,926 53,227 52,579 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 52,579 people, 20,695 households, and 14,456 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 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.

2000 census

As of the census[17] 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 people/km2). There were 24,168 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.89% White (non-Hispanic), 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. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Jackson County were English 69.1%, Scots-Irish 5.21%, Scottish 4.67%, and African 3.74%.

Politics

While most of North Alabama became solidly Republican during the 1970s, Jackson County remained a stronghold of the Democratic Party for elections to local office up through the 2000s (residents are not usually liberal, however; see Dixiecrat and Southern Democrat). Until November 2012, Democrats were elected to Jackson County government. In that year's general election, two Republicans were elected to the Jackson County Commission—the first Republicans to serve on the Commission since Reconstruction.[18]

There is now an all-Republican political delegation in Jackson County. Tommy Hanes and Ritchie Whorton represent the county in the Alabama House of Representatives. Steve Livingston serves Jackson County in the Alabama State Senate. In 2004, Jackson County voted for Republican George W. Bush over Democrat John Kerry. It was the first time Jackson County voters had chosen a Republican presidential candidate over a Democrat since 1972.

In 2008, Republican presidential nominee John McCain won the county with 67.7 percent of the vote.[19] In 2010, Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert J. Bentley received 56% of the vote,[20] Republican House candidate Mo Brooks received 55% of the vote,[21] and incumbent Senator Richard Shelby received 70% in the county.[22] However, Democratic politicians continued to be elected to local positions such as County Sheriff and the school board.[23]

The current Jackson County Commission is headed by Chairman General Willie Nance Jr.

United States presidential election results for Jackson County, Alabama[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 19,670 83.22% 3,717 15.73% 249 1.05%
2016 16,672 79.45% 3,673 17.50% 639 3.05%
2012 14,439 69.98% 5,822 28.22% 371 1.80%
2008 14,083 67.47% 6,374 30.54% 417 2.00%
2004 11,534 56.76% 8,635 42.49% 152 0.75%
2000 8,475 47.33% 9,066 50.63% 365 2.04%
1996 5,650 36.32% 8,204 52.73% 1,704 10.95%
1992 5,711 30.19% 10,628 56.19% 2,577 13.62%
1988 6,090 44.55% 7,418 54.27% 161 1.18%
1984 6,730 46.15% 7,635 52.36% 217 1.49%
1980 4,897 34.48% 8,776 61.79% 530 3.73%
1976 3,913 25.53% 10,989 71.71% 423 2.76%
1972 6,202 65.91% 2,985 31.72% 223 2.37%
1968 1,191 10.92% 1,022 9.37% 8,695 79.71%
1964 2,730 46.47% 0 0.00% 3,145 53.53%
1960 2,036 29.73% 4,789 69.93% 23 0.34%
1956 1,868 28.10% 4,758 71.58% 21 0.32%
1952 1,272 25.65% 3,677 74.15% 10 0.20%
1948 603 25.69% 0 0.00% 1,744 74.31%
1944 1,026 25.65% 2,967 74.18% 7 0.18%
1940 945 19.80% 3,818 80.01% 9 0.19%
1936 926 21.13% 3,450 78.71% 7 0.16%
1932 938 23.13% 3,110 76.68% 8 0.20%
1928 3,081 58.72% 2,153 41.03% 13 0.25%
1924 885 30.42% 1,923 66.11% 101 3.47%
1920 1,483 36.95% 2,513 62.62% 17 0.42%
1916 567 22.48% 1,907 75.61% 48 1.90%
1912 229 10.16% 1,597 70.82% 429 19.02%
1908 469 23.89% 1,404 71.52% 90 4.58%
1904 666 28.26% 1,641 69.62% 50 2.12%

Transportation
County Road 98 in northern Jackson County

Major highways

Rail

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States 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. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 167.
  4. "Counties: Jackson County", Alabama Department of Archives and History, 2014
  5. Donna J. Siebenthaler, "Jackson County", Encyclopedia of Alabama, 2018; accessed September 21, 2018
  6. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1860a-04.pdf
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. Carl F. Miller, "Life 8,000 Years Ago Uncovered in an Alabama Cave", National Geographic Magazine, pp. 542–558
  9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  14. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jackson County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jackson County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jackson County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. "Jackson County Commission gains its first Republicans". November 14, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  19. "President Map – Election Results 2008 – The New York Times". Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  20. "County Results - Election Center 2010 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  21. "County Results - Election Center 2010 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  22. "County Results - Election Center 2010 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  23. "Chuck Phillips elected sheriff in Jackson County; Cecil Gant to school board". November 3, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  24. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

Further reading
  • The Heritage of Jackson County, Alabama, Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 1998.
  • Kennamer, John Robert. The History of Jackson County, Alabama, Scottsboro, Ala.: Jackson County Historical Association, 1993.
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