Chambers County, Alabama

Chambers County
County
County Courthouse in LaFayette in 2012
Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°54′40″N85°23′38″W / 32.911111111111°N 85.393888888889°W / 32.911111111111; -85.393888888889
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	December 18, 1832
Named for	Henry H. Chambers
Seat	LaFayette
Largest city	Valley
Area
• Total	603 sq mi (1,560 km2)
• Land	597 sq mi (1,550 km2)
• Water	6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	34,772
• Estimate  (2023)	34,079
• Density	58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	chamberscountyal.gov
County Number 12 on Alabama Licence Plates

Chambers County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 34,772. ^[1] Its county seat is LaFayette. Its largest city is Valley. Its name is in honor of Henry H. Chambers, ^[2] who served as a United States Senator from Alabama.

Chambers County is included in the LaGrange, GA-AL Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Atlanta–Athens-Clarke–Sandy Springs Combined Statistical Area. ^[3]

History

Prior to contact with people of European descent, what is now Chambers County was inhabited by the Creek nation. ^[4]

Chambers County was established on December 18, 1832.

Pat Garrett, the lawman famed for killing outlaw Billy the Kid, was born near the town of Cusseta in 1850.

Joe Louis "The Brown Bomber", renowned heavyweight boxing champion, was born near LaFayette, on Buckalew Mountain, May 13, 1914.

In 1980, Chambers County joined its four mill villages to make the city of Valley. Today, it is the largest city in the county.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 603 square miles (1,560 km²), of which 597 square miles (1,550 km²) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km²) (1.1%) is water. ^[5]

Major highways

• Interstate 85
• U.S. Highway 29
• U.S. Highway 280
• U.S. Highway 431
• State Route 50
• State Route 77
• State Route 147

Adjacent counties

• Randolph County (north)
• Troup County, Georgia (east/EST Border)
• Harris County, Georgia (southeast/EST Border)
• Lee County (south)
• Tallapoosa County (west)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	17,333		—
1850	23,960		38.2%
1860	23,214		−3.1%
1870	17,562		−24.3%
1880	23,440		33.5%
1890	26,319		12.3%
1900	32,554		23.7%
1910	36,056		10.8%
1920	41,201		14.3%
1930	39,313		−4.6%
1940	42,146		7.2%
1950	39,528		−6.2%
1960	37,828		−4.3%
1970	36,356		−3.9%
1980	39,191		7.8%
1990	36,876		−5.9%
2000	36,583		−0.8%
2010	34,215		−6.5%
2020	34,772		1.6%
2023 (est.)	34,079	[6]	−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

Chambers County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the U.S. 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 (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000 [11]	Pop 2010 [12]	Pop 2020 [13]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	22,111	19,893	18,616	60.44%	58.14%	53.34%
Black or African American alone (NH)	13,872	13,206	13,441	37.92%	38.60%	38.65%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	49	57	71	0.13%	0.17%	0.20%
Asian alone (NH)	68	166	385	0.19%	0.49%	1.11%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	7	11	0.00%	0.02%	0.03%
Other race alone (NH)	13	23	115	0.04%	0.07%	0.33%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	190	327	896	0.52%	0.96%	2.58%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	280	536	1,237	0.77%	1.57%	3.56%
Total	36,583	34,215	34,772	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 34,772 people, 13,448 households, and 8,553 families residing in the county.

2010

As of the 2010 census, there were 34,215 people, 13,933 households, and 9,391 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km²). There were 17,004 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 38.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[14] Of the 13,933 households 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% 65 or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median household income was $31,467 and the median family income was $39,475. Males had a median income of $34,176 versus $29,140 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,626. About 16.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000

As of the 2000 census, there were 36,583 people, 14,522 households, and 10,194 families living in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (24 people/km²). There were 16,256 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.88% White (non-Hispanic), 43.11% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 3.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[15] Of the 14,522 households 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of households were one person and 12.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.30 males.

The median household income was $29,667 and the median family income was $36,598. Males had a median income of $28,771 versus $21,159 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,147. About 14.30% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.50% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Chambers County contains two public school districts. There are approximately 4,350 students in public PK-12 schools in Chambers County. ^[16]

Districts

School districts include: ^[17]

• Chambers County School District
• Lanett City School District

Government

Chambers is a Republican-leaning county, although it has a sufficient Black minority to return a respectable Democratic vote. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1980, although Bill Clinton won pluralities in it in both 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Chambers County, Alabama ^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	8,753	57.27%	6,365	41.64%	166	1.09%
2016	7,843	56.42%	5,784	41.61%	273	1.96%
2012	7,626	52.13%	6,871	46.97%	132	0.90%
2008	8,067	53.94%	6,799	45.46%	90	0.60%
2004	7,622	58.49%	5,347	41.03%	63	0.48%
2000	6,037	51.01%	5,616	47.46%	181	1.53%
1996	4,707	42.42%	5,515	49.70%	875	7.89%
1992	5,682	43.40%	5,938	45.36%	1,471	11.24%
1988	7,694	59.39%	5,103	39.39%	159	1.23%
1984	8,024	59.60%	5,302	39.38%	137	1.02%
1980	4,864	40.88%	6,649	55.88%	386	3.24%
1976	5,488	46.32%	6,164	52.03%	196	1.65%
1972	8,716	79.21%	2,076	18.87%	211	1.92%
1968	1,082	10.17%	1,358	12.77%	8,196	77.06%
1964	4,630	64.42%	0	0.00%	2,557	35.58%
1960	1,865	26.26%	5,165	72.74%	71	1.00%
1956	1,448	21.49%	5,165	76.67%	124	1.84%
1952	990	13.77%	6,155	85.61%	45	0.63%
1948	218	12.34%	0	0.00%	1,549	87.66%
1944	194	5.30%	3,458	94.43%	10	0.27%
1940	110	2.58%	4,141	97.16%	11	0.26%
1936	112	2.99%	3,626	96.90%	4	0.11%
1932	342	11.78%	2,550	87.84%	11	0.38%
1928	1,732	63.42%	999	36.58%	0	0.00%
1924	146	6.91%	1,922	91.00%	44	2.08%
1920	322	13.82%	1,994	85.58%	14	0.60%
1916	168	8.99%	1,679	89.88%	21	1.12%
1912	28	1.71%	1,486	90.83%	122	7.46%
1908	50	4.53%	1,025	92.84%	29	2.63%
1904	74	4.73%	1,421	90.80%	70	4.47%

Communities

Cities

• LaFayette (County Seat)
• Lanett
• Valley

Towns

• Cusseta
• Five Points
• Waverly (Partly in Lee County)

Census-designated places

• Abanda
• Fredonia
• Huguley
• Penton
• Standing Rock

Unincorporated communities

• Milltown
• Oak Bowery
• Oakland
• Red Level
• Stroud
• Welch
• White Plains

Ghost town

• Cedric

In popular culture

Chambers County has been the backdrop of several movies including Mississippi Burning .

See also

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

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
2. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  74.
3. https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/metroarea/us_wall/Mar2020/CSA_WallMap_Mar2020.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}
4. The Reason for the Tears: A History of Chambers County, Alabama, 1832-1900 page 2
5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
11. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Chambers County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
12. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chambers County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
13. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chambers County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 10, 2015.
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. "Search for Public School Districts - Chambers County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences . Retrieved October 2, 2022.
17. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Chambers County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . Retrieved October 2, 2022. Text list.
18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved February 20, 2021.

External links

• Official county website
• Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce

32°54′N85°23′W / 32.900°N 85.383°W / 32.900; -85.383