St. Clair County, Alabama

St. Clair County
County
St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°42′57″N86°19′05″W / 33.71583°N 86.31806°W / 33.71583; -86.31806
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	November 20, 1818 [1]
Named for	Arthur St. Clair
Seat	Ashville & Pell City
Largest city	Moody
Area
• Total	654 sq mi (1,690 km2)
• Land	632 sq mi (1,640 km2)
• Water	22 sq mi (60 km2)  3.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	91,103
• Estimate  (2023)	95,552
• Density	140/sq mi (54/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.stclairco.com
County Number 59 on Alabama Licence Plates

St. Clair County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,103. ^[2] It has two county seats: Ashville and Pell City. ^[3] 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. ^[1] St. Clair County is included in the Birmingham, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

St. Clair County was established on November 20, 1818, by the Alabama Territory legislature by splitting the area from Shelby County. ^{[1] [4]} The county seat was incorporated and named "Ashville" in honor of John Ash. ^[1] In 1836, a portion of St. Clair County was separated to establish Cherokee County and DeKalb County. In 1866, after the Civil War, a northeast section of the county was used to create Etowah County. ^[1]

Due to the relatively high terrain of the far southern end of the Appalachian Mountains which divides the county in a northeast–southwest orientation, and the difficulty of communication and administration from either side of the county to the other, a second county seat was established in Pell City to better provide administration and services to the southeast side of the county. ^[5]

In 2019, St. Clair County became the seventh county in Alabama to adopt its own flag. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km²), of which 632 square miles (1,640 km²) is land and 22 square miles (57 km²) (3.3%) is water. ^[7]

Adjacent counties

• Etowah County - northeast
• Calhoun County - east
• Talladega County - southeast
• Shelby County - southwest
• Jefferson County - west
• Blount County - northwest

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	4,166		—
1830	5,975		43.4%
1840	5,638		−5.6%
1850	6,829		21.1%
1860	11,013		61.3%
1870	9,360		−15.0%
1880	14,462		54.5%
1890	17,353		20.0%
1900	19,425		11.9%
1910	20,715		6.6%
1920	23,383		12.9%
1930	24,510		4.8%
1940	27,336		11.5%
1950	26,687		−2.4%
1960	25,388		−4.9%
1970	27,956		10.1%
1980	41,205		47.4%
1990	50,009		21.4%
2000	64,742		29.5%
2010	83,593		29.1%
2020	91,103		9.0%
2023 (est.)	95,552	[8]	4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2020 [2]

2020 census

St. Clair 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 [13]	Pop 2010 [14]	Pop 2020 [15]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	57,917	72,947	74,962	89.46%	87.26%	82.28%
Black or African American alone (NH)	5,253	7,098	8,617	8.11%	8.49%	9.46%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	233	252	249	0.36%	0.30%	0.27%
Asian alone (NH)	108	512	655	0.17%	0.61%	0.72%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	17	41	20	0.03%	0.05%	0.02%
Other race alone (NH)	16	64	234	0.02%	0.08%	0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	512	963	3,791	0.79%	1.15%	4.16%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	686	1,716	2,575	1.06%	2.05%	2.83%
Total	64,742	83,593	91,103	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 91,103 people, 32,829 households, and 25,409 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 83,593 people, 31,624 households, and 23,364 families living in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile (51 people/km²). There were 35,541 housing units at an average density of 56 units per square mile (22 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.2% White, 8.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[16] Of the 31,624 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 22.5% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% 65 or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.3 males.

The median household income was $48,837 and the median family income was $56,107. Males had a median income of $43,287 versus $32,843 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,192. About 8.3% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 64,742 people, 24,143 households, and 18,445 families living in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile (39 people/km²). There were 27,303 housing units at an average density of 43 units per square mile (17 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.03% White, 8.13% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[17] In 2000 the largest ancestry groups in St. Clair county were:

• English 71%
• Irish 13.1%
• African 8.13%
• German 8%
• Scots-Irish 3.5%
• Dutch 2.4%
• Scottish 2%

Of the 24,143 households 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.80% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.80% of households were one person and 8.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.

The median household income was $37,285 and the median family income was $43,152. Males had a median income of $33,914 versus $24,433 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,960. About 9.60% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Places of interest

St. Clair County is home to Logan Martin Lake. It also contains Horse Pens 40, a private outdoor park on top of Chandler Mountain.

Government

United States presidential election results for St. Clair County, Alabama ^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	35,501	81.56%	7,640	17.55%	385	0.88%
2020	36,166	81.38%	7,744	17.43%	531	1.19%
2016	31,651	82.42%	5,589	14.55%	1,160	3.02%
2012	29,031	82.39%	5,801	16.46%	403	1.14%
2008	27,649	81.11%	6,091	17.87%	348	1.02%
2004	23,500	80.59%	5,456	18.71%	205	0.70%
2000	17,117	71.05%	6,485	26.92%	488	2.03%
1996	12,762	62.29%	6,187	30.20%	1,540	7.52%
1992	12,447	57.56%	6,517	30.14%	2,660	12.30%
1988	10,604	70.71%	4,335	28.91%	58	0.39%
1984	10,408	71.02%	4,000	27.30%	246	1.68%
1980	7,768	56.89%	5,236	38.35%	650	4.76%
1976	4,877	44.87%	5,653	52.01%	339	3.12%
1972	6,952	79.82%	1,538	17.66%	220	2.53%
1968	1,635	16.86%	869	8.96%	7,193	74.18%
1964	4,813	70.76%	0	0.00%	1,989	29.24%
1960	2,589	45.90%	3,039	53.88%	12	0.21%
1956	2,441	49.07%	2,420	48.64%	114	2.29%
1952	1,590	40.54%	2,326	59.31%	6	0.15%
1948	1,063	35.67%	0	0.00%	1,917	64.33%
1944	1,117	37.86%	1,819	61.66%	14	0.47%
1940	1,540	38.27%	2,462	61.18%	22	0.55%
1936	1,464	37.73%	2,399	61.83%	17	0.44%
1932	1,449	39.43%	2,185	59.46%	41	1.12%
1928	2,581	66.25%	1,313	33.70%	2	0.05%
1924	1,432	50.64%	1,281	45.30%	115	4.07%
1920	2,561	55.04%	1,934	41.56%	158	3.40%
1916	851	44.81%	987	51.97%	61	3.21%
1912	260	14.37%	787	43.50%	762	42.12%
1908	782	43.59%	820	45.71%	192	10.70%
1904	593	30.55%	908	46.78%	440	22.67%

Communities

Cities

• Ashville (county seat)
• Leeds (mostly in Jefferson County and Shelby County)
• Margaret
• Moody
• Pell City (county seat)
• Springville
• Trussville (mostly in Jefferson County)

Towns

• Argo (partly in Jefferson County)
• Odenville
• Ragland
• Riverside
• Steele
• Vincent (partly in Shelby County and Talladega County)

Unincorporated communities

• Acmar
• Cooks Springs
• Cropwell
• New London
• Pinedale Shores
• Prescott
• St. Clair Springs
• Wattsville
• Whitney

Former towns

• Branchville (now a neighborhood in Odenville)

Transportation

Major highways

• Interstate 20
• Interstate 59
• U.S. Route 11
• U.S. Route 78
• U.S. Route 231
• U.S. Route 411
• State Route 23
• State Route 34
• State Route 144
• State Route 174

Rail

• Alabama and Tennessee River Railway
• Norfolk Southern Railway

Historically, the Southern Railway ran several daily passenger trains, including the Kansas City-Florida Special and an Atlanta-Birmingham section of the Piedmont Limited, making stops in Pell City. The Sunnyland made signal stops as well. ^[19] The last trains made stops in 1967. ^{[20] [21]} Today, the nearest passenger service is Amtrak's Crescent in Anniston 30.6 miles to the east.

See also

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

References

1. "ACES Winston County Office" (links/history), Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), 2007, webpage: ACES-St.Clair.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. 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. New York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter XIX. pp. 88-89. "An Act to alter and ascertain more particularly the Boundaries of the County of Shelby and to lay off a new County in the northeast part thereof, to be called and known by the name of St. Clair County—Passed November 20 1818." (Google Books)
5. James Spann. Television broadcast on WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40). Birmingham, AL. March 25, 2021.
6. [e-mail], Gary Hanner, St Clair Times editor (September 11, 2019). "St. Clair County Commission approves county flag". The Anniston Star. Retrieved June 11, 2023.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
13. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – St. Clair County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
14. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Clair County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
15. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Clair County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 8, 2015.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 21, 2016.
19. Southern Railway timetable, 1952, Table 1, https://streamlinermemories.info/South/SOU52TT.pdf
20. "Southern Railway, Table 2, [final appearance of train]". Official Guide of the Railways. 99 (7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1966.
21. "Southern Railway, Table 2, [struck from schedule]". Official Guide of the Railways. 100 (2). National Railway Publication Company. July 1967.

External links

• Media related to St. Clair County, Alabama at Wikimedia Commons
• Official Site

33°42′57″N86°19′05″W / 33.71583°N 86.31806°W / 33.71583; -86.31806