Etowah County, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Etowah 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
. In total area, it is the smallest county in Alabama.
. However Baine County was established on December 7, 1866, named for General David W. Baine of the Confederate Army
, with its county seat
at Gadsden
. The county was abolished in 1867, but a year later, Etowah County was created from the same territory. An F4 tornado struck here on Palm Sunday March 27, 1994. It destroyed Piedmont
's Goshen United Methodist Church twelve minutes after the National Weather Service
of Birmingham
issued a tornado warning for northern Calhoun, southeastern Etowah, and southern Cherokee.
of 2000, there were 103,459 people, 41,615 households, and 29,463 families residing in the county. The population density
was 193 people per square mile (75/km2). There were 45,959 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile (33/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.87% White
, 14.68% Black
or African American
, 0.33% Native American
, 0.42% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.73% from other races
, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 41,615 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples
living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% 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 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,170, and the median income for a family was $38,697. Males had a median income of $31,610 versus $21,346 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,783. About 12.30% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% 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 from the Cherokee language
Cherokee language
Cherokee is an Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee people which uses a unique syllabary writing system. It is the only Southern Iroquoian language that remains spoken. Cherokee is a polysynthetic language.-North American etymology:...
, which means "edible tree". It is the center of the Gadsden Metropolitan Area
Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area
Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area covers all of Etowah County located in Northeast Alabama. As of 2000, the population was 103,459. It consists of Gadsden and its surrounding towns.-Suburbs:The Gadsden Metro area includes the following suburbs:...
which includes Etowah and Cherokee Counties. As of 2010 the population was 104,430. 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 Gadsden
Gadsden, Alabama
The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...
. In total area, it is the smallest county in Alabama.
History
Etowah was originally the southern part of DeKalb County, AlabamaDeKalb County, Alabama
As of the 2010 Census DeKalb County had a population of 71,109. The median age was 37.5. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 81.6% non-Hispanic white, 1.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander , 9.9% from some other race, 2.2% reporting two or...
. However Baine County was established on December 7, 1866, named for General David W. Baine of the Confederate Army
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, with 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....
at Gadsden
Gadsden, Alabama
The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...
. The county was abolished in 1867, but a year later, Etowah County was created from the same territory. An F4 tornado struck here on Palm Sunday March 27, 1994. It destroyed Piedmont
Piedmont, Alabama
Piedmont is a city in Calhoun and Cherokee counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 5,120 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. Many surrounding communities utilize the 36272 ZIP code, including Spring Garden, Rock Run,...
's Goshen United Methodist Church twelve minutes after the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
of Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
issued a tornado warning for northern Calhoun, southeastern Etowah, and southern Cherokee.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 548.75 square miles (1,421.3 km²), of which 534.82 square miles (1,385.2 km²) (or 97.46%) is land and 13.93 square miles (36.1 km²) (or 2.54%) is water.Major highways
.svg.png)
Interstate 59Interstate 59Interstate 59 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is near Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, at an intersection with Interstate 10 and Interstate 12, its northern terminus is at Wildwood, Georgia, at an intersection with Interstate 24.The road's....svg.png)
Interstate 759Interstate 759Interstate 759 is a part of the Interstate Highway System in the US state of Alabama. It is a spur route that runs for between the cities of Attalla and Gadsden in Etowah County. It begins at an Interstate 59 in Attalla and ends at U.S. Highway 411 in southern Gadsden adjacent to the Gadsden...
U.S. Highway 11
U.S. Highway 278
U.S. Highway 411
U.S. Highway 431
State Route 77
State Route 132
State Route 291
State Route 759
Adjacent counties
- DeKalb County, AlabamaDeKalb County, AlabamaAs of the 2010 Census DeKalb County had a population of 71,109. The median age was 37.5. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 81.6% non-Hispanic white, 1.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander , 9.9% from some other race, 2.2% reporting two or...
- north - Cherokee County, AlabamaCherokee County, AlabamaCherokee County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named for the Cherokee tribe. As of 2010 the population was 25,989. Its county seat is Centre and it is a prohibition or dry county.- History :...
- east - Calhoun County, AlabamaCalhoun County, AlabamaCalhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina. As of 2010 the population was 118,572. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- southeast - 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...
- southwest - Blount County, AlabamaBlount County, AlabamaBlount 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.-History:...
- west - 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...
- 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 103,459 people, 41,615 households, and 29,463 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 193 people per square mile (75/km2). There were 45,959 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile (33/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.87% 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...
, 14.68% 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...
, 0.33% 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...
, 0.42% 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...
, 0.03% 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...
, 0.73% 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 0.93% from two or more races. 1.70% 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 41,615 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% 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, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% 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 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,170, and the median income for a family was $38,697. Males had a median income of $31,610 versus $21,346 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 $16,783. About 12.30% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- 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 of Altoona is in Blount CountyBlount County, AlabamaBlount 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.-History:...
) - AttallaAttalla, AlabamaAttalla is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 6,474. -2000 Census data:...
- BoazBoaz, AlabamaBoaz is a city in Etowah and Marshall Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the 'Gadsden, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area'. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 9,551. Boaz is known mainly for its outlet shops....
(part of Boaz is in Marshall CountyMarshall 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...
) - GadsdenGadsden, AlabamaThe city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...
- GallantGallant, AlabamaGallant is an unincorporated community in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It lies west of the city of Gadsden, the county seat of Etowah County. Its elevation is 814 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 35972....
(unincorporated) - GlencoeGlencoe, AlabamaGlencoe is a city in Calhoun and Etowah Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 5,152.-Geography:...
(part of Glencoe is in Calhoun CountyCalhoun County, AlabamaCalhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina. As of 2010 the population was 118,572. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
) - Hokes BluffHokes Bluff, AlabamaHokes Bluff is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of theGadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 4,149.-Geography:Hokes Bluff is located at .According to the U.S...
- MountainboroMountainboro, AlabamaMountainboro is a neighborhood of the city of Boaz in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. Once a separate town, it is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its population was 338 at the 2000 census, at which time it was still separate....
- OhatcheeOhatchee, AlabamaOhatchee is a town in Calhoun County in Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,215. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(part of Ohatchee is in Calhoun CountyCalhoun County, AlabamaCalhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina. As of 2010 the population was 118,572. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
) - Rainbow CityRainbow City, AlabamaRainbow City is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Rainbow City is located at .According to the U.S...
- Reece CityReece City, AlabamaReece City is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 634.-Geography:Reece City is located at .According to the U.S...
- RidgevilleRidgeville, AlabamaRidgeville is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 158.-Geography:Ridgeville is located at .According to the U.S...
- Sardis CitySardis City, AlabamaSardis City is a town in Etowah and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 1,438.-Geography:Sardis City is located at ....
- SouthsideSouthside, AlabamaSouthside is a city in Etowah county in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,036 at the 2000 census...
- Walnut GroveWalnut Grove, AlabamaWalnut Grove is a town in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 710.-Geography:Walnut Grove is located at .According to the U.S...
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Etowah County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Etowah County, Alabama