Walker County, Alabama

Walker County
County
Walker County Courthouse in Jasper
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°48′13″N87°17′52″W / 33.803611111111°N 87.297777777778°W / 33.803611111111; -87.297777777778
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	December 26, 1823 [1]
Named for	John Williams Walker
Seat	Jasper
Largest city	Jasper
Area
• Total	805 sq mi (2,080 km2)
• Land	791 sq mi (2,050 km2)
• Water	14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	65,342
• Estimate  (2023)	64,728
• Density	81/sq mi (31/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
County Number 64 on Alabama Licence Plates

Walker 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 65,342. ^[2] Its county seat is Jasper. ^[3] Its name is in honor of John Williams Walker, the first U.S. senator elected from Alabama. ^[1]

Walker County comprises the entirety of the Jasper, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Walker County was established on December 26, 1823, and formed from sections of Marion and Tuscaloosa counties. ^[1] It was named after Senator John Walker, who represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate from 1819 to 1822. ^[1] The county was greatly reduced in size on February 12, 1850, when its northern half became the county of Winston. Jasper is the county seat, and was named after William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina. ^[1]

National Register of Historic Places

Walker County has sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They include the Bankhead House, Boshell's Mill, the First United Methodist Church of Jasper, the Gilchrist House, the Jasper Downtown Historic District, the Stephenson House, and Walker County Hospital. ^[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 805 square miles (2,080 km²), of which 791 square miles (2,050 km²) is land and 14 square miles (36 km²) (1.7%) is water. ^[5] The county is located in the Cumberland Plateau region, with many plateaus and valleys, along with many forested areas, covering the county. ^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Winston County (north)
• Cullman County (northeast)
• Blount County (east)
• Jefferson County (southeast)
• Tuscaloosa County (southwest)
• Fayette County (west)
• Marion County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1830	2,202		—
1840	4,032		83.1%
1850	5,124		27.1%
1860	7,980		55.7%
1870	6,543		−18.0%
1880	9,479		44.9%
1890	16,078		69.6%
1900	25,162		56.5%
1910	37,013		47.1%
1920	50,593		36.7%
1930	59,445		17.5%
1940	64,201		8.0%
1950	63,769		−0.7%
1960	54,211		−15.0%
1970	56,246		3.8%
1980	68,660		22.1%
1990	67,670		−1.4%
2000	70,713		4.5%
2010	67,023		−5.2%
2020	65,342		−2.5%
2023 (est.)	64,728	[7]	−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790–1960 [9] 1900–1990 [10] 1990–2000 [11] 2010–2020 [2]

2020 census

Walker 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)	64,855	60,587	56,394	91.72%	90.40%	86.31%
Black or African American alone (NH)	4,323	3,885	3,889	6.11%	5.80%	5.95%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	197	233	187	0.28%	0.35%	0.29%
Asian alone (NH)	140	190	283	0.20%	0.28%	0.43%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	13	26	2	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%
Other race alone (NH)	18	36	136	0.03%	0.05%	0.21%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	560	759	2,299	0.79%	1.13%	3.52%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	607	1,307	2,152	0.86%	1.95%	3.29%
Total	70,713	67,023	65,342	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 65,342 people, 25,153 households, and 17,410 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 67,023 people, 26,571 households, and 18,741 families living in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile (33 people/km²). There were 30,816 housing units at an average density of 38 units per square mile (15 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.2% White, 5.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Nearly 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[15] There were 26,571 households, 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 52.0% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.8% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49, and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% 65 or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median household income was $37,191 and the median family income was $45,788. Males had a median income of $43,671 versus $27,662 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,516. About 14.7% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 70,713 people, 28,364 households, and 20,478 families living in the county. The population density was 89 people per square mile (34 people/km²). There were 32,417 housing units at an average density of 41 units per square mile (16 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.15% White, 6.17% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Nearly 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[16] In 2000 the largest reported ancestry groups in Walker County, AL were:

• American 27.7%
• Irish 8.8%
• English 6.8%
• African American 6.17%
• German 3.9%
• Scottish 1.4%
• Scotch-Irish 1.4%

There were 28,364 households, 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 56.30% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 25.30% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46, and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.80 males.

The median household income was $29,076 and the median family income was $35,221. Males had a median income of $31,242 versus $20,089 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,546. About 13.20% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Local officials have described coal mining as "literally at the core" of the county's economy. ^[17]

Government

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

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	25,464	85.49%	4,102	13.77%	220	0.74%
2020	26,002	83.42%	4,834	15.51%	334	1.07%
2016	24,266	82.34%	4,497	15.26%	709	2.41%
2012	21,651	75.74%	6,557	22.94%	377	1.32%
2008	20,722	72.32%	7,420	25.90%	510	1.78%
2004	19,167	67.57%	9,016	31.78%	184	0.65%
2000	13,486	52.60%	11,621	45.32%	534	2.08%
1996	9,837	39.44%	12,929	51.84%	2,173	8.71%
1992	11,301	38.26%	14,831	50.22%	3,402	11.52%
1988	11,011	48.51%	11,338	49.95%	351	1.55%
1984	12,852	54.11%	10,591	44.59%	310	1.31%
1980	8,795	38.53%	13,616	59.65%	417	1.83%
1976	7,389	31.16%	16,232	68.46%	89	0.38%
1972	14,581	78.79%	3,724	20.12%	202	1.09%
1968	2,628	13.56%	1,971	10.17%	14,786	76.28%
1964	8,582	58.41%	0	0.00%	6,110	41.59%
1960	5,463	40.25%	8,109	59.75%	0	0.00%
1956	5,179	40.09%	7,661	59.30%	79	0.61%
1952	3,490	33.45%	6,862	65.78%	80	0.77%
1948	1,852	30.72%	0	0.00%	4,176	69.28%
1944	2,241	32.45%	4,619	66.87%	47	0.68%
1940	2,007	25.18%	5,940	74.52%	24	0.30%
1936	1,699	22.70%	5,697	76.12%	88	1.18%
1932	1,583	24.85%	4,734	74.31%	54	0.85%
1928	3,635	46.23%	4,228	53.77%	0	0.00%
1924	2,446	39.85%	3,351	54.59%	341	5.56%
1920	4,488	47.75%	4,703	50.04%	208	2.21%
1916	1,860	43.25%	2,314	53.80%	127	2.95%
1912	881	24.64%	2,063	57.71%	631	17.65%
1908	1,367	44.66%	1,632	53.32%	62	2.03%
1904	1,024	37.90%	1,639	60.66%	39	1.44%

Transportation

Major highways

• Interstate 22
• U.S. Highway 78
• State Route 5
• State Route 13
• State Route 18
• State Route 69
• State Route 102
• State Route 118
• State Route 124
• State Route 195
• State Route 257
• State Route 269

Rail

• BNSF Railway
• Norfolk Southern Railway

Communities

Cities

• Carbon Hill
• Cordova
• Dora
• Jasper (county seat)
• Sumiton (partly in Jefferson County)

Towns

• Eldridge
• Kansas
• Nauvoo (partly in Winston County)
• Oakman
• Parrish
• Sipsey

Unincorporated communities

• Aldridge
• Argo
• Benoit
• Boldo
• Burnwell
• Coal Valley
• Corinth
• Corona
• Curry
• Dogtown
• Empire
• Goodsprings
• Gorgas (partly in Tuscaloosa County)
• Hilliard
• Lupton
• Manchester
• McCollum
• Mount Hope
• Patton
• Quinton
• Saragossa
• Slicklizzard
• Spring Hill
• Townley
• Union Chapel

Places of interest

Walker County is home to the William B. Bankhead National Forest and Lewis Smith Lake, in addition to the Alabama Mining Museum.

See also

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

References

1. "ACES Walker County Office" (links/history), Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), 2007, webpage: ACES-Walker.
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. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
6. "Walker County".
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 – Walker 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) – Walker 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) – Walker County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 13, 2015.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. Ross, Sean (April 2, 2021). "Reed, South spearhead bill into law providing critical support for Alabama's coal counties". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 21, 2016.

External links

• Walker County map of roads/towns (map © 2007 Univ. of Alabama).

33°48′13″N87°17′52″W / 33.80361°N 87.29778°W / 33.80361; -87.29778