Lamar County, Alabama

Lamar County
County
Lamar County Courthouse in Vernon
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°46′50″N88°05′47″W / 33.780555555556°N 88.096388888889°W / 33.780555555556; -88.096388888889
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 8, 1877
Named for	Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar
Seat	Vernon
Largest city	Vernon
Area
• Total	605 sq mi (1,570 km2)
• Land	605 sq mi (1,570 km2)
• Water	0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	13,972
• Estimate  (2023)	13,661
• Density	23/sq mi (8.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	www.lamarcounty.us
County Number 40 on Alabama Licence Plates

Lamar County (formerly Jones County and Sanford County) is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,972. ^[1] Its county seat is Vernon and it is a dry county. ^[2] It is named in honor of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a former Confederate officer and former member of both houses of the United States Congress from Mississippi. ^[3]

History

Jones County, Alabama was established on February 4, 1867, with land taken from the southern part of Marion County and the western part of Fayette County. It was named for E. P. Jones of Fayette County, with its county seat in Vernon. This county was abolished on November 13, 1867. On October 8, 1868, the area was again organized into a county, but as Covington County had been renamed "Jones County" the same year (a change that lasted only a few months), ^[4] the new county was named Sanford, in honor of H. C. Sanford of Cherokee County. On February 8, 1877, the county was renamed Lamar in honor of Congressman and Senator L.Q.C. Lamar of Mississippi.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 605 square miles (1,570 km²), of which 605 square miles (1,570 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (0.1%) is water. ^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Marion County (north)
• Fayette County (east)
• Pickens County (south)
• Lowndes County, Mississippi (southwest)
• Monroe County, Mississippi (west)

Cemeteries

• Asbury Methodist Church (2)
• Pine Springs Cemetery
• Blooming Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
• Christian Chapel Church of Christ Cemetery
• Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery
• Furnace Hill Cemetery
• Kennedy Town Cemetery
• Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery
• Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery
• Meadow Branch Baptist Church Cemetery
• Mount Olive Church of Christ Cemetery
• Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
• Old Mount Nebo Cemetery
• Shiloh (Pinhook) United Methodist Church Cemetery
• Sulligent City Cemetery
• Vernon City Cemetery
• Providence United Methodist Cemetery
• Union Chapel Church Cemetery near Crossville
• Morton Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery near Vernon
• Fairview Church Cemetery
• Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery
• Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery
• Old Liberty Church Cemetery
• South Carolina Church Cemetery near Hightogy
• Springhill Cemetery near Millport
• Walnut Grove Cemetery
• Wesley Chapel Cemetery
• Glimer Addition to Sulligent City Cemetery
• Sandlin Cemetery (just north of Sulligent on Hwy 17)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	8,893		—
1880	12,142		36.5%
1890	14,187		16.8%
1900	16,084		13.4%
1910	17,487		8.7%
1920	18,149		3.8%
1930	18,001		−0.8%
1940	19,708		9.5%
1950	16,441		−16.6%
1960	14,271		−13.2%
1970	14,335		0.4%
1980	16,453		14.8%
1990	15,715		−4.5%
2000	15,904		1.2%
2010	14,564		−8.4%
2020	13,972		−4.1%
2023 (est.)	13,661	[6]	−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

Lamar 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 [11]	Pop 2010 [12]	Pop 2020 [13]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	13,695	12,542	11,924	86.11%	86.12%	85.34%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1,899	1,635	1,421	11.94%	11.23%	10.17%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	15	24	28	0.09%	0.16%	0.20%
Asian alone (NH)	9	4	6	0.06%	0.03%	0.04%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	1	3	0.00%	0.01%	0.02%
Other race alone (NH)	2	4	22	0.01%	0.03%	0.16%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	77	174	360	0.48%	1.19%	2.58%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	207	180	208	1.30%	1.24%	1.49%
Total	15,904	14,564	13,972	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 13,972 people, 5,856 households, and 3,895 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census ^[14] of 2010, there were 14,564 people, 6,103 households, and 4,207 families living in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km²). There were 7,354 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.7% White, 11.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,103 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.8.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,887, and the median income for a family was $42,492. Males had a median income of $36,833 versus $25,125 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,789. About 13.2% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census ^[15] of 2000, there were 15,904 people, 6,468 households, and 4,715 families living in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km²). There were 7,517 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.87% White, 11.98% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,468 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% 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 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,059, and the median income for a family was $33,050. Males had a median income of $30,453 versus $18,947 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,435. About 13.30% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 18.60% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Newspapers

• The Vernon Pioneer - (1875–1878) The first newspaper published in Lamar County was The Vernon Pioneer. The Editors and Proprietors included William R. Smith, William R. Smith Jr., Smith, McCullough & Co, Sid B. Smith, and Don R. Aldridge.
• The Vernon Clipper - (1879–1880) - Alexander Cobb as Editor and Proprietor and later Alex A. Wall as Proprietor.
• The Lamar News - (1886–1887) - E. J. McNatt as Editor and Proprietor
• The Sulligent Lightning
• The Vernon Courier - (1886–1890) - Alex A. Wall as Editor and Publisher, then Courier Publishing Co. (R. J. Young as Editor-in-Chief and Mollie C. Young as partner)
• The Eagle-Eye (1894)
• The Lamar Democrat (1896–present)
• The Rural Educator (1908)
• The Sulligent News (1942–1952)

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 278
• State Route 17
• State Route 18
• State Route 19
• State Route 96

Rail

• BNSF Railway
• Luxapalila Valley Railroad

Government

In a 2000 referendum to repeal Alabama's constitutional prohibition of interracial marriage, Lamar County voters showed the highest rate of opposition in the state, with 65.69% opposing repeal of the provision. ^[16]

Lamar 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 1980.

United States presidential election results for Lamar County, Alabama ^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	6,174	85.83%	978	13.60%	41	0.57%
2016	5,823	83.59%	1,036	14.87%	107	1.54%
2012	5,457	76.05%	1,646	22.94%	73	1.02%
2008	5,419	76.59%	1,614	22.81%	42	0.59%
2004	4,894	71.08%	1,956	28.41%	35	0.51%
2000	4,470	61.66%	2,653	36.60%	126	1.74%
1996	2,955	46.10%	2,843	44.35%	612	9.55%
1992	3,262	47.29%	2,849	41.30%	787	11.41%
1988	3,214	58.48%	2,274	41.38%	8	0.15%
1984	3,943	67.21%	1,910	32.55%	14	0.24%
1980	2,778	44.91%	3,366	54.41%	42	0.68%
1976	1,739	30.38%	3,860	67.44%	125	2.18%
1972	3,283	80.56%	766	18.80%	26	0.64%
1968	364	6.14%	302	5.10%	5,259	88.76%
1964	2,734	72.42%	0	0.00%	1,041	27.58%
1960	964	28.43%	2,386	70.36%	41	1.21%
1956	867	25.51%	2,501	73.58%	31	0.91%
1952	605	19.40%	2,512	80.56%	1	0.03%
1948	180	11.10%	0	0.00%	1,442	88.90%
1944	310	13.18%	2,025	86.10%	17	0.72%
1940	275	9.32%	2,665	90.28%	12	0.41%
1936	195	7.52%	2,393	92.25%	6	0.23%
1932	258	10.43%	2,207	89.24%	8	0.32%
1928	804	36.28%	1,412	63.72%	0	0.00%
1924	262	19.14%	1,087	79.40%	20	1.46%
1920	576	25.95%	1,628	73.33%	16	0.72%
1916	303	18.53%	1,299	79.45%	33	2.02%
1912	61	5.83%	816	77.94%	170	16.24%
1908	160	15.84%	839	83.07%	11	1.09%
1904	215	19.98%	848	78.81%	13	1.21%

Communities

Cities

• Sulligent
• Vernon (county seat)

Towns

• Beaverton
• Detroit
• Kennedy
• Millport

Unincorporated communities

• Fernbank
• Henson Springs
• Hightogy
• Kingville
• Moscow

See also

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

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp.  180.
4. "Alabama Counties: Covington County". Alabama Department of Archives and History.
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. 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 – Lamar County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
12. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lamar County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
13. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lamar County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 29, 2015.
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. "2000 Referendum General Election Results - Alabama".
17. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 21, 2016.

External links

• Official website of Lamar County
• Lamar County legends

33°46′50″N88°05′47″W / 33.78056°N 88.09639°W / 33.78056; -88.09639