Morgan County, Alabama

Morgan County
County
Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°27′06″N86°51′26″W / 34.451666666667°N 86.857222222222°W / 34.451666666667; -86.857222222222
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 6 [1] , 1818 [1]
Named for	Daniel Morgan
Seat	Decatur
Largest city	Decatur
Area
• Total	599 sq mi (1,550 km2)
• Land	579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Water	20 sq mi (50 km2)  3.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	123,421
• Estimate  (2023)	125,133
• Density	210/sq mi (80/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	morgancounty-al.gov
County Number 52 on Alabama Licence Plates

Morgan County is a county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, its population was 123,421. ^[2] The county seat is Decatur. ^[3] On June 14, 1821, it was renamed in honor of American Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan of Virginia. ^[4] It is a prohibition or dry county, although alcohol sales are allowed in the cities of Decatur, Hartselle, and Priceville. Morgan County is included in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. It is a part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

History

The county was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Cherokee people in the Treaty of Turkeytown, and was originally called Cotaco County. ^[1]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 599 square miles (1,550 km²), of which 20 square miles (52 km²) (3.3%) are covered by water. ^[5]

River

• Tennessee River

Adjacent counties

• Madison County (northeast)
• Marshall County (east)
• Cullman County (south)
• Lawrence County (west)
• Limestone County (northwest)

National protected area

• Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	5,263		—
1830	9,062		72.2%
1840	9,841		8.6%
1850	10,125		2.9%
1860	11,335		12.0%
1870	12,187		7.5%
1880	16,428		34.8%
1890	24,089		46.6%
1900	28,820		19.6%
1910	33,781		17.2%
1920	40,196		19.0%
1930	46,176		14.9%
1940	48,148		4.3%
1950	52,924		9.9%
1960	60,454		14.2%
1970	77,306		27.9%
1980	90,231		16.7%
1990	100,043		10.9%
2000	111,064		11.0%
2010	119,490		7.6%
2020	123,421		3.3%
2023 (est.)	125,133	[6]	1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [2]

2020 census

Morgan 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)	92,584	92,585	88,238	83.36%	77.48%	71.49%
Black or African American alone (NH)	12,383	14,059	15,307	11.15%	11.77%	12.40%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	727	928	631	0.65%	0.78%	0.51%
Asian alone (NH)	491	665	829	0.44%	0.56%	0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	25	69	79	0.02%	0.06%	0.06%
Other race alone (NH)	62	80	376	0.06%	0.07%	0.30%
Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH)	1,147	1,948	5,584	1.03%	1.63%	4.52%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3,645	9,156	12,377	3.28%	7.66%	10.03%
Total	111,064	119,490	123,421	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 123,421 people, 46,470 households, and 31,752 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 119,490 people, 47,030 households, and 33,135 families living in the county. The population density was 206.4 inhabitants per square mile (79.7 inhabitants/km²). There were 51,193 housing units at an average density of 88 units per square mile (34 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 11.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 7.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[14] Of the 47,030 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 9.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median household income was $44,349 and the median family income was $54,653. Males had a median income of $43,455 versus $29,270 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,090. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 111,064 people, 43,602 households, and 31,437 families living in the county. The population density was 191 inhabitants per square mile (74 inhabitants/km²). There were 47,388 housing units at an average density of 81 units per square mile (31 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.07% White, 11.24% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 3.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[15] According to the census ^[16] of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Morgan County were English 60.1%, Scots-Irish 12.71%, and African 11.24%

Of the 43,602 households 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 9.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median household income was $37,803 and the median family income was $45,827. Males had a median income of $35,759 versus $21,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,223. About 9.70% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

United States presidential election results for Morgan County, Alabama ^{[17] [18]}

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	39,664	73.83%	13,234	24.63%	824	1.53%
2016	37,486	74.02%	11,254	22.22%	1,904	3.76%
2012	35,391	71.56%	13,439	27.17%	629	1.27%
2008	36,014	71.26%	13,895	27.49%	633	1.25%
2004	32,477	69.09%	14,131	30.06%	399	0.85%
2000	25,774	60.39%	16,060	37.63%	847	1.98%
1996	21,765	54.39%	14,616	36.53%	3,632	9.08%
1992	21,073	47.92%	15,091	34.31%	7,814	17.77%
1988	18,679	63.54%	10,594	36.04%	124	0.42%
1984	24,301	67.99%	11,324	31.68%	116	0.32%
1980	13,214	45.14%	14,703	50.23%	1,354	4.63%
1976	9,058	34.86%	16,547	63.68%	381	1.47%
1972	18,100	76.85%	5,004	21.25%	449	1.91%
1968	3,043	13.66%	1,878	8.43%	17,356	77.91%
1964	7,013	56.64%	0	0.00%	5,368	43.36%
1960	4,357	35.71%	7,822	64.11%	21	0.17%
1956	2,974	27.35%	7,671	70.56%	227	2.09%
1952	2,335	24.89%	7,029	74.94%	16	0.17%
1948	512	11.68%	0	0.00%	3,870	88.32%
1944	664	13.72%	4,124	85.24%	50	1.03%
1940	500	8.51%	5,345	90.93%	33	0.56%
1936	432	7.13%	5,597	92.39%	29	0.48%
1932	656	11.43%	4,986	86.88%	97	1.69%
1928	4,085	54.76%	3,366	45.12%	9	0.12%
1924	519	16.53%	2,247	71.58%	373	11.88%
1920	1,201	22.54%	4,057	76.13%	71	1.33%
1916	364	14.19%	2,120	82.62%	82	3.20%
1912	241	10.16%	1,686	71.11%	444	18.73%
1908	497	22.48%	1,548	70.01%	166	7.51%
1904	416	20.83%	1,437	71.96%	144	7.21%
1900	1,500	45.03%	1,747	52.45%	84	2.52%
1896	1,462	38.10%	2,128	55.46%	247	6.44%
1892	3	0.07%	2,160	50.07%	2,151	49.86%
1888	507	22.77%	1,707	76.65%	13	0.58%
1884	853	32.78%	1,573	60.45%	176	6.76%
1880	644	27.53%	1,420	60.71%	275	11.76%
1876	773	35.06%	1,432	64.94%	0	0.00%
1872	1,018	50.30%	1,006	49.70%	0	0.00%
1868	518	43.49%	673	56.51%	0	0.00%
1860	0	0.00%	545	44.02%	693	55.98%
1856	0	0.00%	808	78.45%	222	21.55%
1852	208	30.14%	482	69.86%	0	0.00%
1848	361	51.87%	335	48.13%	0	0.00%
1844	271	28.44%	682	71.56%	0	0.00%
1840	358	30.81%	804	69.19%	0	0.00%
1836	476	45.59%	568	54.41%	0	0.00%
1832	0	0.00%	531	100.00%	0	0.00%

Transportation

Major highways

• Interstate 65
• U.S. Route 31
• 
  U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
• U.S. Highway 231
• State Route 20
• State Route 24
• State Route 36
• State Route 67
• State Route 157

Rail

• CSX Transportation
• Norfolk Southern Railway

Communities

Cities

• Decatur (county seat; part of Decatur is in Limestone County)
• Hartselle
• Huntsville, (has land within Morgan County, but most of its population is in Madison County)

Towns

• Eva
• Falkville
• Priceville
• Somerville
• Trinity

Unincorporated communities

• Basham
• Brooksville
• Burningtree Mountain
• Danville
• Hulaco
• Lacey's Spring
• Massey
• Morgan City (partly in Marshall County)
• Moulton Heights
• Neel
• Pence
• Ryan Crossroads
• Six Mile
• Six Way
• Union Hill
• Valhermoso Springs
• Woodland Mills

Former city

• Albany/New Decatur

Former town

• Austinville
• Cedar Lake

Ghost town

• Lacon

Education

School districts include: ^[19]

• Decatur City School District
• Hartselle City School District
• Morgan County School District

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Morgan County, Alabama
• Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Morgan County, Alabama
• Water contamination in Lawrence and Morgan Counties, Alabama

References

1. Acts Passed at the First Session of the First General Assembly, of the Alabama Territory: In the Forty Second Year of American Independence (1818). St. Stephens, Alabama, printed by Thomas Eastin. Reprinted T.L. Cole, Washington, D.C., July 1912. Pages 8-12. "An Act to establish the counties of Cotaco, Lawrence and Franklin...Approved-6th February, 1818." Archived December 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Acts Passed at the Called Session of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama Begun and Held in the Town of Cahawba, on the First Monday in June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty One (1821). Cahawba, Alabama: Printed by Allen & Brickell, State Printers. Reprint by Statute Law Book Co., Washington, D.C. Nov. 1913. Page 40. "An Act to change the name of Ococoposa, and for other purposes...Approved, June 14, 1821." Archived December 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
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 – Morgan 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) – Morgan 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) – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 5, 2015.
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. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 21, 2016.
18. Burnham, Walter Dean. "Presidential ballots, 1836-1892". archive.org. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
19. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Morgan County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list

External links

• Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce

34°27′06″N86°51′26″W / 34.45167°N 86.85722°W / 34.45167; -86.85722