Blount County, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Blount County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Alabama
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 57,322. Its county seat
is Oneonta
.
Blount County is a dry county
.
on February 6, 1818, formed from land ceded to the federal government
by the Creek Nation on August 9, 1814. This county was named for Governor Willie Blount
of Tennessee
, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War of 1813-14. This county lies in the northeastern quadrant of the state, which is sometimes known as the mineral region of Alabama. Blount County is bordered by Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, Jefferson, Walker, and St. Clair Counties. This county is drained by the Locust and Mulberry Forks of the Black Warrior River
. Blount County covers 650 square miles (1,683.5 km²). The Warrior coal field is located in Blount County.
Caleb Fryley and John Jones established Bear Meat Cabin in 1816. Its post office was opened in 1821, and the settlement was incorporated as Blountsville
on December 13, 1827. In 1889, an election resulted in this county's county seat being transferred to Oneonta, Alabama
.
of 2000, there were 51,024 people, 19,265 households, and 14,814 families residing in the county. The population density
was 79 people per square mile (31/km2). There were 21,158 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.08% White
, 1.19% Black
or African American
, 0.49% Native American
, 0.14% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 2.07% from other races
, and 1.02% from two or more races. 5.33% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 19,265 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.50% were married couples
living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
Blount County's population spread was as follows: 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,241, and the median income for a family was $41,573. Males had a median income of $31,455 versus $22,459 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,325. About 8.60% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.
Blount County has been dubbed the "Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama" since it has more historic covered bridges standing within a single county than any other in the state - with earlier covered bridges known of. This county celebrates the Covered Bridge Festival every autumn in Oneonta to commemorate its three remaining covered bridges.
and the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River
that are used by canoeists and kayakers. The county is also home to the picturesque covered bridges mentioned above: the Swann Covered Bridge, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge, and the Easley Covered Bridge. As of summer 2009, all three bridges were closed due to safety concerns at the recommendation of the Alabama Department of Transportation. Repairs are scheduled to be completed in 2011.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 57,322. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Oneonta
Oneonta, Alabama
Oneonta is a city in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,576. The city is the county seat of Blount County...
.
Blount County is a dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
.
History
Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial LegislatureAlabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
on February 6, 1818, formed from land ceded to the federal government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
by the Creek Nation on August 9, 1814. This county was named for Governor Willie Blount
Willie Blount
Willie Blount served as Governor of Tennessee from 1809 to 1815. He was the younger half-brother of William Blount, representative of North Carolina to the Continental Congress and governor of the Southwest Territory....
of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War of 1813-14. This county lies in the northeastern quadrant of the state, which is sometimes known as the mineral region of Alabama. Blount County is bordered by Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, Jefferson, Walker, and St. Clair Counties. This county is drained by the Locust and Mulberry Forks of the Black Warrior River
Black Warrior River
The Black Warrior River is a waterway in west central Alabama in the southeastern United States. The river rises in the extreme southern edges of the Appalachian Highlands and flows 178 miles to the Tombigbee River, of which the Black Warrior is the primary tributary...
. Blount County covers 650 square miles (1,683.5 km²). The Warrior coal field is located in Blount County.
Caleb Fryley and John Jones established Bear Meat Cabin in 1816. Its post office was opened in 1821, and the settlement was incorporated as Blountsville
Blountsville, Alabama
Blountsville is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on 1818 Feb. 6, from land ceded to the Federal government by the Creek Nation on 1814 Aug. 9. It was named for Gov. Willie G. Blount of Tennessee, who provided...
on December 13, 1827. In 1889, an election resulted in this county's county seat being transferred to Oneonta, Alabama
Oneonta, Alabama
Oneonta is a city in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,576. The city is the county seat of Blount County...
.
Geography
According to the Census Bureau, this county has a total area of 650.6 square miles (1,685 km²), of which 645.59 square miles (1,672.1 km²) is land and 5.02 square miles (13 km²) (0.77%) is water.Major highways
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Interstate 65Interstate 65Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 231
U.S. Highway 278
State Route 75State Route 75 (Alabama)State Route 75 is a state highway in Alabama that extends northeastward from Birmingham to the Georgia state line. The route runs west of U.S. Highway 11 and roughly parallels that route as well as Interstate 59...
State Route 79State Route 79 (Alabama)State Route 79 is a route that extends northeastward from Birmingham to the Tennessee state line. Prior to the completion of Interstate 65, SR-79 was the southern part of the route that connected Birmingham and Huntsville....
State Route 132
State Route 160
Adjacent counties
- Marshall County, AlabamaMarshall County, AlabamaMarshall County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. As of 2010 the population was 93,019...
- northeast - Etowah County, AlabamaEtowah County, AlabamaEtowah County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is from the Cherokee language, which means "edible tree". It is the center of the Gadsden Metropolitan Area which includes Etowah and Cherokee Counties. As of 2010 the population was 104,430. Its county seat is Gadsden...
- east - St. Clair County, AlabamaSt. Clair County, AlabamaSt. Clair County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.It is a part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. Its name is in honor of General Arthur St...
- southeast - Walker County, AlabamaWalker County, AlabamaWalker County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.Its name is in honor of John Williams Walker, a member of the United States Senate. As of 2010 the population was 67,023...
- southwest - Jefferson County, AlabamaJefferson County, AlabamaJefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
- south - Cullman County, AlabamaCullman County, AlabamaCullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. As of 2010, the population was 80,406. Its county seat is the town of the same name, Cullman, Alabama. It is a "moist" county in terms of availablity of alcoholic beverages, which means...
- west & northwest
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 51,024 people, 19,265 households, and 14,814 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 79 people per square mile (31/km2). There were 21,158 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.08% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.19% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.49% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.14% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.02% from two or more races. 5.33% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 19,265 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.50% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
Blount County's population spread was as follows: 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,241, and the median income for a family was $41,573. Males had a median income of $31,455 versus $22,459 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,325. About 8.60% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- AllgoodAllgood, AlabamaAllgood is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 629. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 693. The mayor of Allgood, Alabama, is Nell Payne...
- AltoonaAltoona, AlabamaAltoona is a town in Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 984. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 970. -Geography:Altoona is located at .According to the U.S...
(part - part of Altoona is in Etowah CountyEtowah County, AlabamaEtowah County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is from the Cherokee language, which means "edible tree". It is the center of the Gadsden Metropolitan Area which includes Etowah and Cherokee Counties. As of 2010 the population was 104,430. Its county seat is Gadsden...
) - BlountsvilleBlountsville, AlabamaBlountsville is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on 1818 Feb. 6, from land ceded to the Federal government by the Creek Nation on 1814 Aug. 9. It was named for Gov. Willie G. Blount of Tennessee, who provided...
- ClevelandCleveland, AlabamaCleveland is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,241.-Geography:Cleveland is located at 33°59'31.326" North, 86°34'33.823" West .According to the U.S...
- County LineCounty Line, AlabamaCounty Line is a town in Blount and Jefferson Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 257.-Geography:County Line is located at 33°49'10.722" North, 86°43'45.433" West .According to the U.S...
(part - part of County Line is in Jefferson CountyJefferson County, AlabamaJefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
) - Garden CityGarden City, AlabamaGarden City is a town in Blount and Cullman Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 564. In spite of its name, Garden City is not a city , but merely a village...
(part - part of Garden City is in Cullman CountyCullman County, AlabamaCullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. As of 2010, the population was 80,406. Its county seat is the town of the same name, Cullman, Alabama. It is a "moist" county in terms of availablity of alcoholic beverages, which means...
) - HaydenHayden, AlabamaHayden is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 470.-Geography:Hayden is located at 33°53'36.236" North, 86°45'25.139" West .According to the U.S...
- Highland LakeHighland Lake, AlabamaHighland Lake is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 408.-Geography:Highland Lake is located at 33°53'3.376" North, 86°25'19.744" West .According to the U.S...
- Locust ForkLocust Fork, AlabamaLocust Fork is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 1,186 people up from 1,016 since the 2000 census. While traveling south with his troops, General Andrew Jackson camped at the fork of the river in 1813. General Jackson carved his name in a Locust...
- NectarNectar, AlabamaNectar is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 372.-Geography:Nectar is located at 33°58'8.846" North, 86°38'10.522" West .According to the U.S...
- OneontaOneonta, AlabamaOneonta is a city in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,576. The city is the county seat of Blount County...
- RosaRosa, AlabamaRosa is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 313.-Geography:Rosa is located at 33°59'23.316" North, 86°30'42.977" West .According to the U.S...
- Smoke RiseSmoke Rise, AlabamaSmoke Rise is a census-designated place in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,750.-History:...
- SneadSnead, AlabamaSnead is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 748.-Geography:Snead is located at 34°6'57.492" North, 86°23'29.443" West .According to the U.S...
- Susan MooreSusan Moore, AlabamaSusan Moore is a town in Blount County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 721.-Geography:Susan Moore is located at 34°4'54.617" North, 86°25'10.247" West .According to the U.S...
- WarriorWarrior, AlabamaWarrior is a city in Jefferson and Blount County in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 3,169.-History:The city takes its name from the Warrior coal fields, which J. T. Pierce opened in 1872 in the vicinity. The coal fields were named, in turn, after the Black Warrior...
(part - part of Warrior is in Jefferson CountyJefferson County, AlabamaJefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
)
Blount County has been dubbed the "Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama" since it has more historic covered bridges standing within a single county than any other in the state - with earlier covered bridges known of. This county celebrates the Covered Bridge Festival every autumn in Oneonta to commemorate its three remaining covered bridges.
Places of interest
Blount County is home to an abundance of outdoor activities, such as Rickwood Caverns State ParkRickwood Caverns State Park
Rickwood Caverns State Park is a state park located in Warrior, Alabama, near Birmingham, Alabama. Featuring 260 million-year-old limestone formations, blind cave fish, and an underground pool, Rickwood Caverns is a recognized member of the National Caves Association, and offers more than a mile of...
and the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River
Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River
The Locust Fork, in Blount, Etowah, and Marshall counties is one of three major tributaries of the Black Warrior River. The river features several stretches of whitewater, and is popular with canoers and kayakers. In the late 1980s, the Birmingham Water Works proposed damming the river as a...
that are used by canoeists and kayakers. The county is also home to the picturesque covered bridges mentioned above: the Swann Covered Bridge, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge, and the Easley Covered Bridge. As of summer 2009, all three bridges were closed due to safety concerns at the recommendation of the Alabama Department of Transportation. Repairs are scheduled to be completed in 2011.
See also
- List of Alabama covered bridges
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Blount County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Blount County, Alabama