Houston County, Alabama
Houston County | |
---|---|
County | |
![]() Houston County courthouse in Dothan | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state ofAlabama | |
![]() Alabama's location within theU.S. | |
Coordinates:31°09′08″N85°17′36″W/ 31.152222222222°N 85.293333333333°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | February 9, 1903 |
Named for | George S. Houston |
Seat | Dothan |
Largest city | Dothan |
Area | |
• Total | 582 sq mi (1,510 km2) |
• Land | 580 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
• Water | 1.8 sq mi (5 km2) 0.3% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 107,202 |
• Estimate (2023) | 108,462![]() |
• Density | 180/sq mi (71/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6(Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5(CDT) |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Website | houstoncountyal |
|
Houston Countyis acountylocated in the southeastern corner of theU.S. stateofAlabama.As of the2020 censusthe population was 107,202.[1]Itscounty seatisDothan,which is located on the border and partially in adjacentHenry County.[2]
Houston County is part of theDothan, Alabama metropolitan area.
History
[edit]Houston County was established on February 9, 1903, from parts ofDale,Geneva,andHenrycounties. It was named afterGeorge Smith Houston,the 24thGovernor of Alabama.This area of the state was historically developed for the pine timber and turpentine industries, as well as cotton plantations. The latter, especially, depended on enslaved African Americans for labor.
Because of this history, African Americans predominated in the population until after the early 20th century, when manymigratedto northern and midwestern cities for better economic opportunities and to escapeJim Crowdiscrimination. They were essentially disenfranchised after the turn of the 20th century because of constitutional amendments and other laws that made voter registration nearly impossible. Many poor whites were disenfranchised at the same time.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Court-house.jpg/220px-Court-house.jpg)
Geography
[edit]According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.3%) is water.[3]The county is located in theWiregrass regionof southeast Alabama.
Major highways
[edit]Adjacent counties
[edit]- Henry County(north)
- Early County, Georgia(east)
- Seminole County, Georgia(southeast)
- Jackson County, Florida(south)
- Geneva County(west)
- Dale County(northwest)
Demographics
[edit]Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 32,414 | — | |
1920 | 37,334 | 15.2% | |
1930 | 45,935 | 23.0% | |
1940 | 45,665 | −0.6% | |
1950 | 46,522 | 1.9% | |
1960 | 50,718 | 9.0% | |
1970 | 56,574 | 11.5% | |
1980 | 74,632 | 31.9% | |
1990 | 81,331 | 9.0% | |
2000 | 88,787 | 9.2% | |
2010 | 101,547 | 14.4% | |
2020 | 107,202 | 5.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 108,462 | [4] | 1.2% |
U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790–1960[6]1900–1990[7] 1990–2000[8]2010–2020[1] |
2020 census
[edit]Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[9] | Pop 2010[10] | Pop 2020[11] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whitealone (NH) | 64,312 | 69,731 | 68,251 | 72.43% | 68.67% | 63.67% |
Black or African Americanalone (NH) | 21,703 | 26,038 | 28,232 | 24.44% | 25.64% | 26.34% |
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH) | 318 | 393 | 321 | 0.36% | 0.39% | 0.30% |
Asianalone (NH) | 548 | 806 | 1,260 | 0.62% | 0.79% | 1.18% |
Pacific Islanderalone (NH) | 13 | 43 | 59 | 0.01% | 0.04% | 0.06% |
Some Other Racealone (NH) | 55 | 96 | 354 | 0.06% | 0.09% | 0.33% |
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial(NH) | 716 | 1,445 | 4,244 | 0.81% | 1.42% | 3.96% |
Hispanic or Latino(any race) | 1,122 | 2,995 | 4,481 | 1.26% | 2.95% | 4.18% |
Total | 88,787 | 101,547 | 107,202 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census,there were 107,202 people, 39,761 households, and 25,893 families residing in the county.
2010 census
[edit]As of thecensus[12]of 2010, there were 101,547 people, 40,969 households, and 28,041 families living in the county. The population density was 175 people per square mile (68 people/km2). There were 45,319 housing units at an average density of 77.9 units per square mile (30.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.0%White,25.8%BlackorAfrican American,0.4%Native American,0.8%Asian,0.0%Pacific Islander,1.2% fromother races,and 1.7% from two or more races. 2.9% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.
There were 40,969 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% weremarried couplesliving together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,022, and the median income for a family was $51,741. Males had a median income of $41,021 versus $28,240 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $22,725. About 12.7% of families and 16.8% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
[edit]As of thecensus[13]of 2000, there were 88,787 people, 35,834 households, and 25,119 families living in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 153 people per square mile (59 people/km2). There were 39,571 housing units at an average density of 68 units per square mile (26 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.08%White,24.60%BlackorAfrican American,0.37%Native American,0.62%Asian,0.02%Pacific Islander,0.39% fromother races,and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.
There were 35,834 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% weremarried couplesliving together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,431, and the median income for a family was $42,437. Males had a median income of $32,092 versus $21,409 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $18,759. About 11.80% of families and 15.00% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.
Government
[edit]As of 2023[update],the County Chairman is Brandon Shoupe, while Peter Covert is the Chief Administrative Officer. The County Commission is District 1, Curtis Harvey; District 2, Tracy Adams; District 3, Rickey Herring; and District 4, James Ivey. Donald Valenza serves as Sheriff, Probate Judge is Patrick Davenport, Revenue Commissioner is Starla Moss, and Coroner is Robert Byrd. The county engineer is Barkley Kirkland.
The District Attorney serves as prosecutor for cases in both Houston and Henry counties.
Houston County is located inAlabama's 2nd congressional district;its current Representative (as of 2021[update]) isBarry Moore(R).
Houston County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election wasAdlai Stevenson,who won it by a majority in1956.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 32,618 | 70.64% | 12,917 | 27.98% | 638 | 1.38% |
2016 | 30,728 | 72.07% | 10,664 | 25.01% | 1,247 | 2.92% |
2012 | 29,270 | 69.72% | 12,367 | 29.46% | 347 | 0.83% |
2008 | 29,254 | 70.09% | 12,225 | 29.29% | 256 | 0.61% |
2004 | 26,874 | 74.24% | 9,144 | 25.26% | 183 | 0.51% |
2000 | 22,150 | 69.10% | 9,412 | 29.36% | 495 | 1.54% |
1996 | 17,476 | 62.27% | 8,791 | 31.33% | 1,796 | 6.40% |
1992 | 17,360 | 58.33% | 8,857 | 29.76% | 3,543 | 11.91% |
1988 | 19,989 | 73.87% | 7,001 | 25.87% | 71 | 0.26% |
1984 | 20,854 | 75.82% | 6,488 | 23.59% | 163 | 0.59% |
1980 | 14,884 | 64.05% | 7,848 | 33.77% | 506 | 2.18% |
1976 | 10,672 | 54.07% | 8,787 | 44.52% | 279 | 1.41% |
1972 | 12,622 | 83.46% | 2,358 | 15.59% | 144 | 0.95% |
1968 | 974 | 5.89% | 1,488 | 9.00% | 14,074 | 85.11% |
1964 | 10,353 | 87.93% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,421 | 12.07% |
1960 | 4,055 | 50.58% | 3,897 | 48.61% | 65 | 0.81% |
1956 | 2,632 | 38.47% | 3,630 | 53.06% | 579 | 8.46% |
1952 | 2,517 | 39.55% | 3,779 | 59.38% | 68 | 1.07% |
1948 | 426 | 13.46% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,739 | 86.54% |
1944 | 282 | 7.73% | 3,349 | 91.80% | 17 | 0.47% |
1940 | 483 | 10.88% | 3,941 | 88.78% | 15 | 0.34% |
1936 | 230 | 6.08% | 3,538 | 93.52% | 15 | 0.40% |
1932 | 157 | 3.89% | 3,863 | 95.83% | 11 | 0.27% |
1928 | 1,963 | 46.12% | 2,290 | 53.81% | 3 | 0.07% |
1924 | 242 | 11.72% | 1,731 | 83.87% | 91 | 4.41% |
1920 | 571 | 21.50% | 2,045 | 77.00% | 40 | 1.51% |
1916 | 466 | 21.22% | 1,670 | 76.05% | 60 | 2.73% |
1912 | 82 | 4.96% | 1,160 | 70.18% | 411 | 24.86% |
1908 | 423 | 29.03% | 965 | 66.23% | 69 | 4.74% |
1904 | 384 | 22.30% | 1,248 | 72.47% | 90 | 5.23% |
Communities
[edit]City
[edit]- Dothan(county seat; partly inDale CountyandHenry County)
Towns
[edit]Unincorporated communities
[edit]See also
[edit]- National Register of Historic Places listings in Houston County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Houston County, Alabama
References
[edit]- ^ab"State & County QuickFacts".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedSeptember 14,2023.
- ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^"2010 Census Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012.RetrievedAugust 22,2015.
- ^"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 27,2024.
- ^"U.S. Decennial Census".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 22,2015.
- ^"Historical Census Browser".University of Virginia Library.RetrievedAugust 22,2015.
- ^Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995)."Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 22,2015.
- ^"Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"(PDF).United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001.RetrievedAugust 22,2015.
- ^"P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Houston County, Alabama".United States Census Bureau.
- ^"P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Houston County, Alabama".United States Census Bureau.
- ^"P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chilton County, Alabama".United States Census Bureau.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 25,2015.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 14,2011.
- ^"Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".RetrievedNovember 16,2016.