Covington County, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Covington County, Alabama, is a county
of the U.S. state
of Alabama
. Its name is in honor of Brigadier General Leonard Covington
of Maryland
. As of 2010 the population was 37,765. Its county seat
is Andalusia
.
of 2000, there were 37,631 people, 15,640 households, and 10,791 families residing in the county. The population density
was 36 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 18,578 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.19% White
, 12.35% Black
or African American
, 0.48% Native American
, 0.17% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.62% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 15,640 households out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples
living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,336, and the median income for a family was $33,201. Males had a median income of $27,453 versus $19,640 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,365. About 14.10% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.
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...
of 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...
. Its name is in honor of Brigadier General Leonard Covington
Leonard Covington
Leonard Wailes Covington was a United States Army Brigadier General and a member of the United States House of Representatives.-Biography:...
of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. As of 2010 the population was 37,765. 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 Andalusia
Andalusia, Alabama
Andalusia is a city in and the county seat of Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 8,794.According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 8,705...
.
History
- Covington County was established on December 17, 1821.
- The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979 due to damage from Hurricane FredericHurricane FredericHurricane Frederic was the sixth tropical cyclone, third hurricane and second major hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season. Frederic was the costliest hurricane to ever hit the U.S. Gulf Coast at that particular time...
and again in October 1995 due to Hurricane OpalHurricane OpalHurricane Opal was a Category 4 hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995.Opal was the ninth hurricane and the strongest of the abnormally active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1043.86 square miles (2,703.6 km²), of which 1033.82 square miles (2,677.6 km²) (or 99.04%) is land and 10.05 square miles (26 km²) (or 0.96%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 29
U.S. Highway 84
U.S. Highway 331
State Route 54
State Route 55
Adjacent counties
- Butler CountyButler County, AlabamaButler County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Captain William Butler, who was born in Virginia and fought in the Creek War, and who was killed in May 1818. As of 2010 the population was 20,947...
and Crenshaw CountyCrenshaw County, AlabamaCrenshaw County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of a judge, Anderson Crenshaw. As of 2010 the population was 13,906. Its county seat is Luverne.-Geography:...
(north) - Coffee CountyCoffee County, AlabamaCoffee County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General John Coffee. As of 2010 the population was 49,948. Its county seats are Elba and Enterprise....
and Geneva CountyGeneva County, Alabama-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.3% White*9.5% Black*0.8% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*3.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(east) - Walton County, FloridaWalton County, FloridaWalton County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 40,601. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 50,324. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at .- History...
(southeast) - Okaloosa County, FloridaOkaloosa County, FloridaOkaloosa County is a county located in the state of Florida. Located in northwest Florida, it extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2000 census, the population was 170,498. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 182,172. The 2009 estimate for the...
(southwest) - Escambia CountyEscambia County, Alabama-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.1% White*31.9% Black*4.4% Native American*0.2% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*1.9% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
and Conecuh CountyConecuh County, Alabama-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*51.3% White*46.5% Black*0.3% Native American*0.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.0% Two or more races*1.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(west)
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 37,631 people, 15,640 households, and 10,791 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 36 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 18,578 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.19% 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...
, 12.35% 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...
, 0.48% 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...
, 0.17% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.17% 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 0.62% from two or more races. 0.78% 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 15,640 households out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% 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, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,336, and the median income for a family was $33,201. Males had a median income of $27,453 versus $19,640 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 $15,365. About 14.10% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- AndalusiaAndalusia, AlabamaAndalusia is a city in and the county seat of Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 8,794.According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 8,705...
- BabbieBabbie, AlabamaBabbie is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 627. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 626. -Geography:...
- CarolinaCarolina, AlabamaCarolina is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. It is located about 80 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama and about 80 miles west of Dothan, Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 248.-Geography:...
- FloralaFlorala, AlabamaFlorala is a city in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,964.-Geography:Florala is located at . According to the U.S...
- GanttGantt, AlabamaGantt is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 241.-Geography:Gantt is located at . According to the U.S...
- HeathHeath, AlabamaHeath is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 249.-Geography:Heath is located at . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- Horn HillHorn Hill, AlabamaHorn Hill is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 235.-Geography:Horn Hill is located at . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
- LibertyvilleLibertyville, AlabamaLibertyville is a town in Covington County, Alabama, U.S. At the 2000 census the population was 106.-Geography:Libertyville is located at 31?14'38" North, 86?27'36" West . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land...
- LockhartLockhart, AlabamaLockhart is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 548.-Geography:Lockhart is located at . According to the U.S...
- OnychaOnycha, AlabamaOnycha is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 208.-Geography:Onycha is located at . According to the U.S...
- OppOpp, AlabamaOpp is a city in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,607. -Geography:Opp is located at . According to the U.S...
- Red LevelRed Level, AlabamaRed Level is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 556. The small town is regionally well-known because of the home of Surgeon General Luther Terry who put the cancer warnings on cigarette packages....
- River FallsRiver Falls, AlabamaRiver Falls is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 616.-Geography:River Falls is located about 7 kilometers northwest of Andalusia, the county seat, at . According to the U.S...
- SanfordSanford, AlabamaSanford is a town in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 269.-Geography:Sanford is located at . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
Unincorporated communities
- Antioch
- Beck
- Beda
- Bethlehem
- Beulah
- Blairs
- Blue Springs
- Boston
- Boykin
- Brooks
- Cedar Grove
- Clear Springs
- Clearview
- Coldwater
- County Line
- Dunns
- Duvall
- Eoda
- Estothel
- Fairfield
- Flaco
- Five Points
- Friendship
- Green Bay
- Harmony
- Howells
- Huckaville
- Loango
- McRae
- Opine
- Rawls
- Red Oak
- Rome
- Rose Hill
- Stanley
- Stedman
- Straughn
- Valley of Shiloh
- Wiggins
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Covington County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Covington County, Alabama
- Covington County Website