Geneva County, Alabama

For other uses, see Geneva (disambiguation).

Geneva County
County
The Geneva County Courthouse in Geneva
Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°05′32″N85°50′18″W / 31.0922°N 85.8383°W / 31.0922; -85.8383
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	December 26, 1868
Named for	Geneva, New York
Seat	Geneva
Largest city	Geneva
Area
• Total	579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Land	574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
• Water	4.5 sq mi (12 km2)  0.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,659
• Estimate  (2023)	26,988
• Density	46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	genevacountyal.gov
County Number 34 on Alabama Licence Plates

Geneva County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,659. ^[1] Its county seat is Geneva. ^[2] The county was named after its county seat, which in turn was named after Geneva, New York which was named after Geneva, Switzerland, by Walter H. Yonge, an early town resident and Swiss native. ^[3] Geneva County is a dry county. However, beer and wine are sold in the city limits of Geneva, Samson, Slocomb, and most recently in Hartford, after residents voted to become wet in a 2022 election.

Geneva County is part of the Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Geneva County was established on December 26, 1868.

The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979 due to damage from Hurricane Frederic.

On March 10, 2009, a gunman, identified as Michael McLendon, went on a shooting spree at nine locations in Geneva County from the town of Samson to the city of Geneva, killing ten people and wounding six others. McLendon entered his former place of employment, Reliable Metal Products on the northeastern side of Geneva, where he killed himself.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 579 square miles (1,500 km²), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km²) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km²) (0.8%) is water. ^[4] The county is located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.

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

Major highways

• State Route 27
• State Route 52
• State Route 54
• State Route 85
• State Route 87
• State Route 103
• State Route 123
• State Route 153
• State Route 167
• State Route 196

Adjacent counties

• Dale County (north-northeast)
• Houston County (east)
• Jackson County, Florida (southeast)
• Holmes County, Florida (south)
• Walton County, Florida (southwest)
• Covington County (west)
• Coffee County (north-northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	2,959		—
1880	4,342		46.7%
1890	10,690		146.2%
1900	19,096		78.6%
1910	26,230		37.4%
1920	29,315		11.8%
1930	30,104		2.7%
1940	29,172		−3.1%
1950	25,899		−11.2%
1960	22,310		−13.9%
1970	21,924		−1.7%
1980	24,253		10.6%
1990	23,647		−2.5%
2000	25,764		9.0%
2010	26,790		4.0%
2020	26,659		−0.5%
2023 (est.)	26,988	[5]	1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8] 1990–2000 [9] 2010–2020 [1]

2020

Geneva County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
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 (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000 [10]	Pop 2010 [11]	Pop 2020 [12]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	22,181	22,692	21,654	86.09%	84.70%	81.23%
Black or African American alone (NH)	2,725	2,523	2,231	10.58%	9.42%	8.37%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	187	197	166	0.73%	0.74%	0.62%
Asian alone (NH)	32	64	86	0.12%	0.24%	0.32%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	6	8	7	0.02%	0.03%	0.03%
Other race alone (NH)	11	15	72	0.04%	0.06%	0.27%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	169	371	1,147	0.66%	1.38%	4.30%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	453	920	1,296	1.76%	3.43%	4.86%
Total	25,764	26,790	26,659	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 26,659 people, 10,383 households, and 6,902 families residing in the county.

2010

The 2010 United States census has the breakdown as:

• 86.3% White
• 9.5% Black
• 0.8% Native American
• 0.3% Asian
• 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 1.6% Two or more races
• 3.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

2000

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 25,764 people, 10,477 households, and 7,459 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17 people/km²). There were 12,115 housing units at an average density of 21 units per square mile (8.1 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.11% White, 10.65% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,477 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 90.00 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,448, and the median income for a family was $32,563. Males had a median income of $26,018 versus $19,341 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,620. About 15.90% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.20% of those under age 18 and 21.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Geneva (county seat)
• Hartford
• Samson
• Slocomb

Towns

• Black
• Coffee Springs
• Malvern
• Taylor (partly in Houston County)

Census-designated place

• Eunola

Unincorporated communities

• Bellwood
• Chancellor
• Dundee
• Earlytown
• Fadette
• Hacoda
• High Bluff
• Highfalls
• Highnote

Government and politics

Much like the state and the rest of the Deep South, Geneva County was locked for the Democrats before 1964, until Herbert Hoover won against Democrat nominee Al Smith in 1928 by 48 votes. However, ever since 1980, Geneva County has been a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county was Deep South native Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Geneva is also noteworthy for being the best county in the country for Alabama native George Wallace in the 1968 election, ^[14] where his main support was from the Deep South and was strongest in the Wiregrass and Piney Woods regions.

United States presidential election results for Geneva County, Alabama ^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	10,848	86.47%	1,595	12.71%	102	0.81%
2016	9,994	85.00%	1,525	12.97%	239	2.03%
2012	9,175	80.97%	2,039	17.99%	117	1.03%
2008	9,417	80.78%	2,134	18.31%	106	0.91%
2004	8,342	79.30%	2,113	20.09%	65	0.62%
2000	6,588	68.92%	2,769	28.97%	202	2.11%
1996	4,725	52.60%	3,174	35.33%	1,084	12.07%
1992	4,843	49.08%	3,622	36.71%	1,402	14.21%
1988	5,703	67.32%	2,685	31.69%	84	0.99%
1984	6,308	70.00%	2,330	25.86%	373	4.14%
1980	4,747	49.30%	4,703	48.85%	178	1.85%
1976	2,663	30.47%	5,983	68.46%	93	1.06%
1972	5,851	84.33%	1,049	15.12%	38	0.55%
1968	284	3.31%	380	4.43%	7,917	92.26%
1964	4,502	80.74%	0	0.00%	1,074	19.26%
1960	1,502	32.95%	3,050	66.90%	7	0.15%
1956	1,179	28.63%	2,841	68.99%	98	2.38%
1952	950	25.98%	2,703	73.93%	3	0.08%
1948	286	13.47%	0	0.00%	1,837	86.53%
1944	385	16.01%	2,004	83.36%	15	0.62%
1940	364	12.37%	2,565	87.19%	13	0.44%
1936	295	10.00%	2,652	89.93%	2	0.07%
1932	270	9.53%	2,559	90.33%	4	0.14%
1928	1,533	50.80%	1,485	49.20%	0	0.00%
1924	477	27.85%	1,191	69.53%	45	2.63%
1920	1,088	41.65%	1,488	56.97%	36	1.38%
1916	713	35.42%	1,265	62.84%	35	1.74%
1912	99	6.44%	891	57.93%	548	35.63%
1908	500	32.87%	854	56.15%	167	10.98%
1904	473	31.12%	743	48.88%	304	20.00%
1900	657	44.97%	679	46.48%	125	8.56%
1896	46	3.40%	1,246	92.16%	60	4.44%
1892	0	0.00%	797	52.61%	718	47.39%
1888	5	0.63%	794	99.37%	0	0.00%

Education

There are two school districts including parts of the county: Geneva City School District and Geneva County School District. ^[16]

See also

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

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Geneva County". Alabama Department of Archives and History. June 4, 2009. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
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, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
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 – Geneva 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) – Geneva 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) – Geneva County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
14. "1968 Presidential Election Statistics". Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas.
15. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 16, 2016.
16. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Geneva County, AL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved September 5, 2024. - Text list

External links

• https://www.genevacountyal.gov/

31°05′32″N85°50′18″W / 31.09222°N 85.83833°W / 31.09222; -85.83833