Etowah County | |
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Etowah County courthouse in Gadsden | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Alabama | |
![]() Alabama's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 34°03′00″N86°02′00″W / 34.05°N 86.033333333333°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | December 1, 1868 |
Seat | Gadsden |
Largest city | Gadsden |
Area | |
• Total | 549 sq mi (1,420 km2) |
• Land | 535 sq mi (1,390 km2) |
• Water | 14 sq mi (40 km2) 2.5% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 103,436 |
• Estimate (2023) | 103,241 ![]() |
• Density | 190/sq mi (73/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 4th |
Website | www |
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Etowah County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 103,436. [1] Its county seat is Gadsden. [2] Its name is from a Cherokee word meaning "edible tree". In total area, it is the smallest county in Alabama, albeit one of the most densely populated. Etowah County comprises the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The area was split first among neighboring counties, with most of it belonging to DeKalb and Cherokee counties. [3] On December 7, 1866, the first postwar legislature separated and established Baine County, named for David W. Baine, a politician and Confederate military officer who died in battle in 1862. [4] Gadsden was designated as the county seat.
Because of postwar tensions and actions of insurgents against freedmen, at the state constitutional convention in 1868, the new county was abolished, replaced on December 1, 1868, by one aligned to the same boundaries and named Etowah County, from a Cherokee-language word. [5] The Cherokee people in northeast Alabama had been forcibly removed in the 1830s to Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma) west of the Mississippi River.
Etowah County had issues of racial discrimination and injustice, and Jim Crow. It had one documented lynching between 1877 and 1950, [6] which occurred in 1906. [7] Bunk Richardson, an innocent African-American, only because he was associated with a case in which a white woman was raped and killed. The whites were angry that the governor had commuted the death sentence of one defendant in the case (who was likely also innocent of charges), after two men had already been executed for the crime. [8]
An F4 tornado struck here on Palm Sunday March 27, 1994. It destroyed Piedmont's Goshen United Methodist Church twelve minutes after the National Weather Service of Birmingham issued a tornado warning for northern Calhoun, southeastern Etowah, and southern Cherokee counties.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 549 square miles (1,420 km2), of which 535 square miles (1,390 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2), or 2.5%, is water. [9] It is the smallest county by area in Alabama.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 10,109 | — | |
1880 | 15,398 | 52.3% | |
1890 | 21,926 | 42.4% | |
1900 | 27,361 | 24.8% | |
1910 | 39,109 | 42.9% | |
1920 | 47,275 | 20.9% | |
1930 | 63,399 | 34.1% | |
1940 | 72,580 | 14.5% | |
1950 | 93,892 | 29.4% | |
1960 | 96,980 | 3.3% | |
1970 | 94,144 | −2.9% | |
1980 | 103,057 | 9.5% | |
1990 | 99,840 | −3.1% | |
2000 | 103,459 | 3.6% | |
2010 | 104,430 | 0.9% | |
2020 | 103,436 | −1.0% | |
2023 (est.) | 103,241 | [10] | −0.2% |
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13] 1990–2000 [14] 2010–2020 [1] |
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 [15] | Pop 2010 [16] | Pop 2020 [17] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 84,919 | 82,789 | 77,731 | 82.08% | 79.28% | 75.15% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 15,120 | 15,716 | 14,999 | 14.61% | 15.05% | 14.50% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 329 | 372 | 332 | 0.32% | 0.36% | 0.32% |
Asian alone (NH) | 428 | 657 | 921 | 0.41% | 0.63% | 0.89% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 27 | 30 | 39 | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 47 | 87 | 260 | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.25% |
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 826 | 1,332 | 4,259 | 0.80% | 1.28% | 4.12% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,763 | 3,447 | 4,895 | 1.70% | 3.30% | 4.73% |
Total | 103,459 | 104,430 | 103,436 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 103,436 people, 40,053 households, and 25,177 families residing in the county.
At the 2010 census there were 104,430 people, 42,036 households, and 28,708 families living in the county. The population density was 195 people per square mile (75 people/km2). There were 47,454 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 15.1% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.9% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 3.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [18] Of the 42,036 households 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person and 11.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% 65 or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median household income was $36,422 and the median family income was $44,706. Males had a median income of $39,814 versus $30,220 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,439. About 13.1% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
At the 2000 census there were 103,459 people, 41,615 households, and 29,463 families living in the county. The population density was 193 people per square mile (75 people/km2). There were 45,959 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.9% White, 14.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [19] Of the 41,615 households 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 26.3% of households were one person and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.
The age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.
The median household income was $31,170 and the median family income was $38,697. Males had a median income of $31,610 versus $21,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,783. About 12.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
Etowah County is 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 plurality in 1996.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 35,528 | 74.44% | 11,567 | 24.24% | 633 | 1.33% |
2016 | 32,353 | 73.26% | 10,442 | 23.64% | 1,369 | 3.10% |
2012 | 29,130 | 68.34% | 12,803 | 30.04% | 691 | 1.62% |
2008 | 30,595 | 68.39% | 13,497 | 30.17% | 645 | 1.44% |
2004 | 26,999 | 63.26% | 15,328 | 35.91% | 353 | 0.83% |
2000 | 21,087 | 53.59% | 17,433 | 44.30% | 828 | 2.10% |
1996 | 16,835 | 44.82% | 17,976 | 47.86% | 2,750 | 7.32% |
1992 | 17,467 | 41.15% | 20,558 | 48.43% | 4,426 | 10.43% |
1988 | 17,828 | 49.67% | 17,762 | 49.49% | 301 | 0.84% |
1984 | 19,243 | 49.62% | 19,074 | 49.18% | 464 | 1.20% |
1980 | 16,177 | 42.79% | 20,790 | 54.99% | 839 | 2.22% |
1976 | 10,333 | 28.90% | 25,020 | 69.99% | 397 | 1.11% |
1972 | 20,851 | 72.95% | 7,372 | 25.79% | 358 | 1.25% |
1968 | 4,351 | 13.95% | 4,613 | 14.79% | 22,222 | 71.26% |
1964 | 12,894 | 59.06% | 0 | 0.00% | 8,939 | 40.94% |
1960 | 7,128 | 32.87% | 14,372 | 66.28% | 185 | 0.85% |
1956 | 7,198 | 36.20% | 12,374 | 62.22% | 314 | 1.58% |
1952 | 4,634 | 29.52% | 10,997 | 70.06% | 66 | 0.42% |
1948 | 1,615 | 21.08% | 0 | 0.00% | 6,046 | 78.92% |
1944 | 1,525 | 20.28% | 5,895 | 78.38% | 101 | 1.34% |
1940 | 1,270 | 15.27% | 7,012 | 84.33% | 33 | 0.40% |
1936 | 1,207 | 17.30% | 5,739 | 82.24% | 32 | 0.46% |
1932 | 1,093 | 17.29% | 5,167 | 81.73% | 62 | 0.98% |
1928 | 3,612 | 58.88% | 2,484 | 40.50% | 38 | 0.62% |
1924 | 1,664 | 33.17% | 3,081 | 61.41% | 272 | 5.42% |
1920 | 3,218 | 34.83% | 5,917 | 64.05% | 103 | 1.11% |
1916 | 862 | 30.51% | 1,883 | 66.65% | 80 | 2.83% |
1912 | 354 | 12.22% | 1,511 | 52.18% | 1,031 | 35.60% |
1908 | 996 | 41.31% | 1,309 | 54.29% | 106 | 4.40% |
1904 | 823 | 32.71% | 1,431 | 56.88% | 262 | 10.41% |
1900 | 1,629 | 45.71% | 1,734 | 48.65% | 201 | 5.64% |
1896 | 873 | 31.18% | 1,782 | 63.64% | 145 | 5.18% |
1892 | 269 | 7.11% | 2,225 | 58.85% | 1,287 | 34.04% |
1888 | 841 | 29.95% | 1,912 | 68.09% | 55 | 1.96% |
Calhoun County is a county in the east central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 116,441. Its county seat is Anniston. It is named in honor of John C. Calhoun, a US Senator from South Carolina who was a staunch supporter of slavery.
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. Its county seat is Centre. The county is named for the Cherokee tribe.
Cleburne 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 15,056. Its county seat is Heflin. Its name is in honor of Patrick R. Cleburne of Arkansas who rose to the rank of major general in the Confederate States Army. The eastern side of the county borders the state of Georgia.
Marshall County is a county of the state of Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 97,612. Its county seat is Guntersville. A second courthouse is in Albertville. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. Marshall County is a dry county, with the exception of the five cities of Albertville, Arab, Grant, Guntersville, and Boaz. Marshall County comprises the Albertville, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area.
Talladega County is one of the sixty-seven counties located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 82,149. Its county seat is Talladega.
Polk County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,853. The county seat is Cedartown. The county was created on December 20, 1851, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly and named after James K. Polk, the eleventh President of the United States.
Cherokee County is located in the US state of Georgia. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 266,620. The county seat is Canton. The county Board of Commissioners is the governing body, with members elected to office. Cherokee County is included in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Altoona is a town in Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, the population was 948.
Glencoe is a city in Calhoun and Etowah counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city incorporated in 1939. The population was 5,160 at the 2010 census.
Southside is a city located in Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is included in the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. It incorporated in 1957. The population was 8,412 at the time of the 2010 United States Census. Located 8 to 12 miles south of downtown Gadsden, Southside is one of the fastest-growing cities in northeast Alabama. The current Mayor, elected in 2020, is Dana Snyder.
Leesburg is a town in Cherokee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 911.
Attalla is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 6,048.
Gadsden is a city in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located on the Coosa River about 56 miles (90 km) northeast of Birmingham and 90 miles (140 km) southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,931. The population 33,945 at the 2020 census.
Hokes Bluff is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, its population was 4,446.
Rainbow City is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1950. The population was 9,602 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Reece City is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It was incorporated in May 1956. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, the population was 615.
Ridgeville is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1969 and is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census the population was 83, down from 158 in 2000. It is noteworthy for being the only community in Etowah County to have a black majority. Since 1970, it has also been the least populated community wholly within the county.
Sardis City is a town in Etowah and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. It originally incorporated in May 1963 under the name of "Sardis". It became Sardis City in the 1980s. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,814.
Walnut Grove is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census the population was 698. From 1880 until the 1960 U.S. Census, with the exclusion of 1890 when no figure was reported, Walnut Grove had the distinction of being the least populated community wholly within Etowah County. It lost that distinction in 1970 to newly incorporated Ridgeville which has held the title since.
St. Clair County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,103. It has two county seats: Ashville and Pell City. It is one of two counties in Alabama, and one of 33 in the United States, with more than one county seat. Its name is in honor of General Arthur St. Clair, an officer in the French and Indian War. St. Clair County is included in the Birmingham, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.