Dale County, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Dale County is a county
of the U.S. state
of Alabama
. Its name is in honor of General Samuel Dale
. As of the 2010 census the population was 50,251. Its county seat
and largest city is Ozark
.
Dale County is part of the Enterprise
–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.
in the 1814 Treaty of Fort Jackson
, ending the Creek Indian Wars
. A blockhouse had been constructed during the conflict on the northwestern side of the Choctawhatchee River
, and the first non-Indian
residents of Dale County would be veterans who began to settle in the area around 1820.
Dale County was established on December 22, 1824. It originally included the whole of what is now Coffee County
and Geneva County
, together with the "panhandle" portion of Houston County
. The original county seat was located at Dale's Court House (now the town of Daleville
), but when Coffee County split from Dale in 1841, the seat was moved to Newton
. Here it remained until 1870 when, following a courthouse fire in 1869 and the formation of Geneva County (which took the southern third of Dale County), the county seat was moved to the town of Ozark, where it remains. In 1903 a small portion of the southeast part of Dale county was joined to the newly-formed Houston County.
Portions of the 15th Regiment of Alabama Infantry
, which served with great distinction throughout the U.S. Civil War, were recruited in Dale County, with all of Co. "E" and part of Co. "H" being composed of Dale County residents. This unit is most famous for being the regiment that confronted the 20th Maine
on the Little Round Top
during the Battle of Gettysburg
on July 2, 1863. Despite several ferocious assaults, the 15th was ultimately unable to dislodge the Union troops, and was ultimately forced to retreat after a desperate bayonet charge led by the 20th Maine's commander, Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain. This assault was vividly recreated in Ronald F. Maxwell
's 1993 film Gettysburg.
of 2000, there were 49,129 people, 18,878 households, and 13,629 families residing in the county. The population density
was 88 people per square mile (34/km2). There were 21,779 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.4% White
, 20.4% Black
or African American
, 0.60% Native American
, 1.1% Asian
, 0.15% Pacific Islander
, 1.3% from other races
, and 2.2% from two or more races. 3.4% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 2.85% of the population reported speaking Spanish
at home, while 1.51% speak German
.http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=1&county_id=45&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r
There were 18,878 households out of which 36% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55% were married couples
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,998, and the median income for a family was $37,806. Males had a median income of $29,844 versus $19,988 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,010. 15% of the population and 12.6% of families were below the poverty line. 19.4% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
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 General Samuel Dale
Samuel Dale
Samuel Dale was an American soldier and pioneer.Dale was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia to Scotch-Irish parents from Pennsylvania. As a boy, both he and his parents moved many times with westward border expansion, most notably in 1775 and 1783. With the death of his parents in December 1792,...
. As of the 2010 census the population was 50,251. 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....
and largest city is Ozark
Ozark, Alabama
Ozark is a city in and the county seat of Dale County, Alabama, United States. In 1990 the city population was 12,922. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 15,119....
.
Dale County is part of the Enterprise
Enterprise, Alabama
Enterprise is a city in the southeastern part of Coffee and Dale Counties in the southeastern part of Alabama in the Southern United States. The population was estimated to be 25,909 in the year 2009....
–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The area now known as Dale County was originally inhabited by members of the Creek Indian nation, who occupied all of southeastern Alabama during this period. The county, together with the surrounding area, was ceded to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1814 Treaty of Fort Jackson
Treaty of Fort Jackson
The Treaty of Fort Jackson was signed on August 9, 1814 at Fort Jackson near Wetumpka, Alabama following the defeat of the Red Stick resistance by United States allied forces at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. It occurred on the banks of the Tallapoosa River near the present city of Alexander City,...
, ending the Creek Indian Wars
Creek War
The Creek War , also known as the Red Stick War and the Creek Civil War, began as a civil war within the Creek nation...
. A blockhouse had been constructed during the conflict on the northwestern side of the Choctawhatchee River
Choctawhatchee River
The Choctawhatchee River is a river in the southern United States, flowing through southeast Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida before emptying into Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa and Walton counties...
, and the first non-Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
residents of Dale County would be veterans who began to settle in the area around 1820.
Dale County was established on December 22, 1824. It originally included the whole of what is now Coffee County
Coffee County, Alabama
Coffee 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 County
Geneva 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:...
, together with the "panhandle" portion of Houston County
Houston County, Alabama
Houston County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 101,547. Its county seat is Dothan.Houston County is part of the Dothan Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
. The original county seat was located at Dale's Court House (now the town of Daleville
Daleville, Alabama
Daleville is a city in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,653. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city's nickname is "Gateway to Fort Rucker", as this U.S. Army post is located just north of town...
), but when Coffee County split from Dale in 1841, the seat was moved to Newton
Newton, Alabama
Newton is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census its population was 1,708. Once the county seat of Dale County, Newton lost this distinction to nearby Ozark in 1870, and is now a small farming community. The city currently forms a part of the Enterprise-Ozark...
. Here it remained until 1870 when, following a courthouse fire in 1869 and the formation of Geneva County (which took the southern third of Dale County), the county seat was moved to the town of Ozark, where it remains. In 1903 a small portion of the southeast part of Dale county was joined to the newly-formed Houston County.
Portions of the 15th Regiment of Alabama Infantry
15th Regiment Alabama Infantry
The 15th Regiment of Alabama Infantry was a Confederate volunteer infantry unit from the state of Alabama during the American Civil War. Recruited from six counties in the southeastern part of the state, it fought mostly with Robert E...
, which served with great distinction throughout the U.S. Civil War, were recruited in Dale County, with all of Co. "E" and part of Co. "H" being composed of Dale County residents. This unit is most famous for being the regiment that confronted the 20th Maine
20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was a combat unit of the United States Army during the American Civil War, most famous for its defense of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1863.-Organization:...
on the Little Round Top
Little Round Top
Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the site of an unsuccessful assault by Confederate troops against the Union left flank on July 2, 1863, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg....
during the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
on July 2, 1863. Despite several ferocious assaults, the 15th was ultimately unable to dislodge the Union troops, and was ultimately forced to retreat after a desperate bayonet charge led by the 20th Maine's commander, Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain. This assault was vividly recreated in Ronald F. Maxwell
Ronald F. Maxwell
Ronald F. Maxwell is an independent film director and writer from Clifton, New Jersey. He is most famous for writing and directing the American Civil War epics Gettysburg, 1993 and Gods and Generals, 2003....
's 1993 film Gettysburg.
Geography
Dale County is located in the southeastern corner of the State of Alabama. According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 562.67 square miles (1,457.3 km²), of which 561.07 square miles (1,453.2 km²) (or 99.72%) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) (or 0.28%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 84
U.S. Highway 231
State Route 27
State Route 51
State Route 85
State Route 92
State Route 123
State Route 134
Adjacent counties
- Barbour CountyBarbour County, AlabamaBarbour County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as Governor of Virginia. As of 2010 the population was 27,457. Its county seat is Clayton.-History:...
(north) - Henry CountyHenry County, AlabamaHenry County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Patrick Henry, famous orator and Governor of Virginia. As of 2010, its population was 17,302...
(east) - Houston CountyHouston County, AlabamaHouston County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 101,547. Its county seat is Dothan.Houston County is part of the Dothan Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
(southeast) - 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:...
(southwest) - 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....
(west) - Pike CountyPike County, AlabamaPike County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General Zebulon Pike, of New Jersey, an explorer who led an expedition to southern Colorado and discovered Pikes Peak in 1806. As of 2010 the population was 32,899. Its county seat is Troy.- History :In 1819 the State...
(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 49,129 people, 18,878 households, and 13,629 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 88 people per square mile (34/km2). There were 21,779 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.4% 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...
, 20.4% 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...
, 0.60% 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...
, 1.1% 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...
, 0.15% 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...
, 1.3% 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 2.2% from two or more races. 3.4% 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. 2.85% of the population reported speaking Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
at home, while 1.51% speak German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=1&county_id=45&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r
There were 18,878 households out of which 36% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55% 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, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,998, and the median income for a family was $37,806. Males had a median income of $29,844 versus $19,988 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 $16,010. 15% of the population and 12.6% of families were below the poverty line. 19.4% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Municipalities and census-designated places
- AritonAriton, AlabamaAriton is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 772. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 755. Ariton is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area....
- Asbury (northeast of Ozark)
- ClayhatcheeClayhatchee, AlabamaClayhatchee is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 501. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Clayhatchee is located at ....
- DalevilleDaleville, AlabamaDaleville is a city in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,653. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city's nickname is "Gateway to Fort Rucker", as this U.S. Army post is located just north of town...
- DothanDothan, AlabamaDothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
(part - most of Dothan is in Houston CountyHouston County, AlabamaHouston County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 101,547. Its county seat is Dothan.Houston County is part of the Dothan Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, with additional portions in Henry CountyHenry County, AlabamaHenry County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Patrick Henry, famous orator and Governor of Virginia. As of 2010, its population was 17,302...
) - EnterpriseEnterprise, AlabamaEnterprise is a city in the southeastern part of Coffee and Dale Counties in the southeastern part of Alabama in the Southern United States. The population was estimated to be 25,909 in the year 2009....
(part - most of Enterprise is in 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....
) - Fort RuckerFort RuckerFort Rucker is a U.S. Army post located mostly in Dale County, Alabama, United States. It was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker. The post is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and...
(U.S. Army base, treated as a census-designated placeCensus-designated placeA census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
) - GrimesGrimes, AlabamaGrimes is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 459. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Grimes is located at .According to the U.S...
- Level PlainsLevel Plains, AlabamaLevel Plains is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,544.Mayor Tyrus L. Waters is the seventh mayor to serve since the town was incorporated on April 30, 1965....
- Midland CityMidland City, AlabamaMidland City is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,703. This town is the location of Dothan Regional Airport. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Napier FieldNapier Field, AlabamaNapier Field is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 404. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town was originally constructed as a military air base during the Second World War, and its airport currently serves...
- NewtonNewton, AlabamaNewton is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census its population was 1,708. Once the county seat of Dale County, Newton lost this distinction to nearby Ozark in 1870, and is now a small farming community. The city currently forms a part of the Enterprise-Ozark...
- OzarkOzark, AlabamaOzark is a city in and the county seat of Dale County, Alabama, United States. In 1990 the city population was 12,922. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 15,119....
- PinckardPinckard, AlabamaPinckard is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 667. It is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Pinckard is located at .According to the U.S...
Unincorporated communities
- Arguta (southwest of Blue Springs)
- Barefield Crossroads (west of Abbeville)
- Barnes (southeast of AbbevilleAbbeville, AlabamaAbbeville is a city in Henry County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the population was 2,688. The city is the county seat of Henry County. It is the first city alphabetically, both by city and state, in the Rand McNally...
) - Beamon (northeast of Ozark)
- Bells Crossroads (northwest of ClaytonClayton, AlabamaClayton is a town in and the county seat of Barbour County, Alabama, United States. The population was 1,475 at the 2000 census.-History:County Seat of Barbour County...
) - Bertha (southeast of Blue Springs)
- Bethel (southwest of Clio)
- Browns Crossroad (northeast of Newton)
- Clopton (southeast of Blue SpringsBlue Springs, AlabamaBlue Springs is a town in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 121. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 118. -Geography:...
) - Dill (north of Ozark)
- Dillard (northwest of Ozark)
- Dykes Crossroad (southwest of Blue Springs)
- Echo (east of Ozark)
- Ewell (southeast of Ozark)
- Gerald (northwest of Daleville)
- Kelly (southwest of Newton)
- Mabson (east of Ozark)
- Marley Mill (northwest of Ozark)
- Plainview (north of Newton)
- Roberts Crossroads (south of Blue Springs)
- Rocky Head (southwest of ClioClio, AlabamaClio is a city in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. The population was 2,206 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is the birthplace of former Alabama governor George C. Wallace, as well as Baseball Hall of Famer and current Atlanta Braves broadcaster, Don...
) - Skipperville (northeast of Ozark)
- Sylvan Grove (northeast of Midland City)
- Waterford (north of Newton)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dale County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Dale County, Alabama