Lauderdale County, Alabama

Lauderdale County
County
Lauderdale County Courthouse in Florence
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°53′57″N87°39′01″W / 34.899166666667°N 87.650277777778°W / 34.899166666667; -87.650277777778
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 6, 1818 [1]
Named for	James Lauderdale
Seat	Florence
Largest city	Florence
Area
• Total	721 sq mi (1,870 km2)
• Land	668 sq mi (1,730 km2)
• Water	53 sq mi (140 km2)  7.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	93,564
• Estimate  (2023)	96,814
• Density	130/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts	4th, 5th
Website	LauderdaleCountyAL.Gov
County Number 41 on Alabama License Plates

Lauderdale County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2020 census the population was 93,564. ^[2] Its county seat is Florence. ^[3] Its name is in honor of Colonel James Lauderdale, of Tennessee. Lauderdale is part of the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as "The Shoals".

History

Lauderdale County was named in honor of Col. James Lauderdale ^[4] who was born in Virginia in about 1780. In the early 19th century, Lauderdale, who moved to West Tennessee, became a major in General John Coffee's cavalry of volunteers. Later promoted to lieutenant colonel, he commanded a brigade of mounted riflemen, serving under Andrew Jackson. According to reliable historians, Col. Lauderdale did not die in the Battle of New Orleans, but was wounded in the Battle of Talladega and died on December 23, 1814, seventeen days before Jackson's decisive defeat of the British at New Orleans. Several towns and counties in the southern states were named in his honor, though it is said that he never set foot in Lauderdale County.

Lauderdale County was established in 1818, ^[1] a year before Alabama became a state. Florence, the county seat of Lauderdale County, was also established in 1818. At this time a group of investors, under the name of Cypress Land Company purchased from the government 5,515 acres (22.32 km²) of land consisting of the original town site. Other towns in Lauderdale County competing for early settlers because of their proximity to the river were Savage's Spring, nine miles (14 km) below Florence and Waterloo, some 20 miles (32 km) downriver.

Among the older settlements in the county is Center Star, located between Killen and Rogersville. This area was once claimed by both the Chickasaws and Cherokees, necessitating a cession of territory from each tribe before the settlement could be established. At one time, the remains of an old Indian village could be seen southwest of Center Star. Other old settlements included Middleton and Elgin, the latter known first as Ingram's Elgin Cross Roads.

Rogersville, lying some 23 miles (37 km) to the east of Florence, was named for John Rogers, an Indian trader, whose sons were fast friends of the great Sam Houston. The late Will Rogers is said to have been a descendant of this same family. An early ferry that operated for many years was Lamb's Ferry near Rogersville.

Lexington, Springfield, and Anderson lie to the north of the Lee Highway, the town of Lexington being a part of the territory once claimed by the Cherokee. Many of the settlers of that area came from Tennessee and the Carolinas. The first post office of record at Lexington was on the Loretto Road, north of town, in 1880. Mail at that time was brought in from Loretto, Tennessee, by horseback and carts.

The town of St. Florian was established in 1872 on the Jackson Highway and named by its Catholic founders (of German descent) for their patron saint.

Four Alabama governors were from the county - Hugh McVay, Robert M. Patton, Edward A. O'Neal and Emmett O'Neal. ^[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 721 square miles (1,870 km²), of which 668 square miles (1,730 km²) is land and 53 square miles (140 km²) (7.4%) is water. ^[6] The county's entire southern and western boundaries are dictated by the Tennessee River, essentially forming a wedge between the river and the state of Tennessee that even extends past the remainder of the border between Alabama and Mississippi.

National protected areas

• Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)

Rivers

• Tennessee River
• Elk River

Adjacent counties

• Wayne County, Tennessee - north
• Lawrence County, Tennessee - north
• Giles County, Tennessee - northeast
• Limestone County - east
• Lawrence County - southeast
• Colbert County - south
• Tishomingo County, Mississippi - west
• Hardin County, Tennessee - northwest

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	4,963		—
1830	11,781		137.4%
1840	14,485		23.0%
1850	17,172		18.6%
1860	17,420		1.4%
1870	15,091		−13.4%
1880	21,035		39.4%
1890	23,739		12.9%
1900	26,559		11.9%
1910	30,936		16.5%
1920	39,556		27.9%
1930	41,130		4.0%
1940	46,230		12.4%
1950	54,179		17.2%
1960	61,622		13.7%
1970	68,111		10.5%
1980	80,546		18.3%
1990	79,661		−1.1%
2000	87,966		10.4%
2010	92,709		5.4%
2020	93,564		0.9%
2023 (est.)	96,814	[7]	3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790–1960 [9] 1900–1990 [10] 1990–2000 [11] 2010–2020 [2]

2020 census

Lauderdale 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 [12]	Pop 2010 [13]	Pop 2020 [14]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	77,240	79,228	76,491	87.81%	85.46%	81.75%
Black or African American alone (NH)	8,624	9,190	9,164	9.80%	9.91%	9.79%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	219	323	295	0.25%	0.35%	0.32%
Asian alone (NH)	305	675	748	0.35%	0.73%	0.80%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	13	23	31	0.01%	0.02%	0.03%
Other race alone (NH)	47	40	204	0.05%	0.04%	0.22%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	624	1,148	3,553	0.71%	1.24%	3.80%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	894	2,082	3,078	1.02%	2.25%	3.29%
Total	87,966	92,709	93,564	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 93,564 people, 38,761 households, and 23,883 families residing in the county.

2010

According to the 2010 United States census, resident were:

• 86.4% White
• 10.0% Black
• 0.4% Native American
• 0.7% Asian
• 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 1.4% Two or more races
• 2.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

2000

As of the census of 2000, ^[15] there were 87,966 people, 36,088 households and 25,153 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile (51 people/km²). There were 40,424 housing units at an average density of 60 units per square mile (23 units/km²). The racial make-up was 84.38% White or European American, 13.85% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005, 87.8% of the county population was non-Hispanic whites. African Americans were 11.7% of the population and Latinos 1.2% of the population.

According to the 2000 census, ^[16] the largest ancestry groups in Lauderdale County were English 41.9%, African 13.85%, Scots-Irish 9.66%, Scottish 4.11%, Irish 3.19% and Welsh 2.5%

In 2000, there were 36,088 households, of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89.

23.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64 and 15.10% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median household income was $33,354 and the median family income was $41,438. Males had a median income of $33,943 and females $20,804. The per capita income was $18,626. About 10.50% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 43
• U.S. Highway 72
• State Route 17
• State Route 20
• State Route 64
• State Route 101
• State Route 133
• State Route 157
• State Route 207

Rail

• Tennessee Southern Railroad

Points of interest

See also: List of Registered Historic Places in Lauderdale County, Alabama and Florence's Culture and Events

Lauderdale County is the location of the W. C. Handy Home and Museum and the Rosenbaum House.

Recreation

• Joe Wheeler State Park
• North Alabama Birding Trail - collection of birdwatching areas.
• Natchez Trace Parkway - 444 miles (715 km) of linear park and roadway that travel from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. It has road pull-offs with educational kiosks with information about the land, history, and native species.
• Shoal Creek Preserve Tract - a 298 acres (121 ha) tract for the preservation of native plants and animals. The land also has recreational opportunities, including bird watching, a horse trail loop that is 2.1 miles (3.4 km) long, 4.2 miles (6.8 km) of hiking trails and limited hunting. ^[17] This tract is located north of St. Florian, Alabama.

Government

Lauderdale 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 1992.

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

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	31,721	71.54%	11,915	26.87%	703	1.59%
2016	27,899	70.59%	9,952	25.18%	1,674	4.24%
2012	23,911	64.57%	12,511	33.78%	610	1.65%
2008	24,068	63.16%	13,329	34.98%	707	1.86%
2004	22,161	59.72%	14,628	39.42%	318	0.86%
2000	17,478	54.39%	13,875	43.17%	784	2.44%
1996	14,058	46.19%	13,619	44.75%	2,759	9.06%
1992	13,728	40.67%	15,936	47.21%	4,092	12.12%
1988	12,942	49.43%	12,862	49.13%	376	1.44%
1984	15,354	53.57%	12,907	45.04%	398	1.39%
1980	10,467	38.42%	15,379	56.45%	1,397	5.13%
1976	7,226	31.17%	15,549	67.06%	410	1.77%
1972	14,410	71.66%	5,112	25.42%	586	2.91%
1968	2,952	15.63%	2,166	11.47%	13,765	72.90%
1964	5,978	47.55%	0	0.00%	6,593	52.45%
1960	3,570	29.22%	8,565	70.10%	84	0.69%
1956	2,458	21.02%	9,150	78.26%	84	0.72%
1952	1,910	21.16%	7,097	78.62%	20	0.22%
1948	546	14.29%	0	0.00%	3,276	85.71%
1944	590	12.80%	4,001	86.77%	20	0.43%
1940	507	9.04%	5,065	90.35%	34	0.61%
1936	390	7.61%	4,685	91.41%	50	0.98%
1932	432	11.40%	3,336	88.04%	21	0.55%
1928	1,410	33.78%	2,763	66.20%	1	0.02%
1924	823	25.90%	2,266	71.30%	89	2.80%
1920	1,164	30.08%	2,644	68.32%	62	1.60%
1916	369	17.51%	1,678	79.64%	60	2.85%
1912	263	13.03%	1,386	68.68%	369	18.29%
1908	427	26.08%	1,177	71.90%	33	2.02%
1904	316	19.68%	1,269	79.02%	21	1.31%

Education

Lauderdale County School District serves areas outside of Florence, while Florence City Schools serve people in Florence itself. ^[19]

Communities

Florence

Lexington

City

• Florence (county seat)

Towns

• Anderson
• Killen
• Lexington
• Rogersville
• St. Florian
• Waterloo

Census-designated place

• Underwood-Petersville

Unincorporated communities

• Bailey Springs
• Center Star
• Cloverdale
• Elgin
• Grassy
• Green Hill
• Mars Hill
• Oakland
• Rhodesville
• Smithsonia
• Stewartville
• Threet
• Wright
• Zip City

See also

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

References

1. A digest of the laws of the State of Alabama: containing the statutes and resolutions in force at the end of the General Assembly in January, 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter XII. Page 85. An Act to establish the western and southern Boundaries of Madison County, and to establish the Counties of Limestone and Lauderdale--Passed February 6, 1818.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p.  182.
5. "The History of Lauderdale County". Lauderdale County, Alabama Government. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
12. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lauderdale County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
13. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lauderdale County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
14. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lauderdale County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. "26. The Shoal Creek Preserve Tract". Forever Wild Program Land Tracts. Outdoor Alabama: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 21, 2016.
19. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lauderdale County, AL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 11–12, 17-18 (PDF pp. 12-13, 18-19/21). Retrieved June 25, 2024. - Text list

Further reading

• William Lindsey McDonald (2003). A Walk Through the Past: People and Places of Florence and Lauderdale County, Alabama. Heart of Dixie Publishing. ISBN   978-0-9719945-6-0.

External links

• Lauderdale County Government Archived June 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine

34°53′57″N87°39′01″W / 34.89917°N 87.65028°W / 34.89917; -87.65028