Jackson County, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Jackson County is a county
of the U.S. state
of Alabama
. Its name is in honor of Andrew Jackson
, general in the United States Army
and President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 53,227. The county seat
is Scottsboro
. Jackson County is a prohibition or dry county
, however three cities within the county (Bridgeport
, Scottsboro
, and Stevenson
) are wet. Jackson County covers parts of former Decatur County
.
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1126.77 square miles (2,918.3 km²), of which 1078.74 square miles (2,793.9 km²) (or 95.74%) is land and 48.02 square miles (124.4 km²) (or 4.26%) is water. Much of it is located in the Appalachians.
Of special interest is Russell Cave National Monument
, which is located in Doran Cove, approximately 5 miles west of the town of Bridgeport. Russell Cave is an important archaeological site that was excavated in 1956 by the Smithsonian Institution
and the National Geographic Society
. An article in the October 1956 issue of National Geographic Magazine proudly proclaims: "Life 8,000 Years Ago Uncovered in an Alabama Cave." The article was written by Carl F. Miller, the Expedition Leader and is on pages 542-558. Russell Cave was declared a National Monument in May 1961 by President John F. Kennedy
. The Monument consists of 310 acres (1.3 km²) of land donated by the National Geographic Society
.
of 2000, there were 53,926 people, 21,615 households, and 15,822 families residing in the county. The population density
was 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 24,168 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.89% White
, 3.74% Black
or African American
, 1.75% Native American
, 0.23% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.36% from other races
, and 2.00% from two or more races. Nearly 1.13% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 21,615 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples
living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. Nearly 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47, and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,020, and the median income for a family was $38,082. Males had a median income of $29,777 versus $20,990 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,000. About 10.30% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 21.00% of those age 65 or over.
, Jackson County remains a strong-hold of the Democratic Party
(which is not to say the residents are liberals; see Dixiecrat
and Southern Democrat). There are no elected Republicans in local Jackson County Government. In the, 2004 Presidential Election
, Jackson County voted for Republican George W. Bush
over Democrat John Kerry
. It was the first time Jackson County voters chose a Republican presidential candidate over a Democrat since 1972.
The trending Republican has continued since 2004. In 2008 John McCain
won the county with 67.7% of the vote. In 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert J. Bentley received 56% of the vote, Republican House candidate Mo Brooks
received 55% of the vote, and incumbent Senator Richard Shelby
received 70% in the county. Although in 2010 Democratic politicians continued to win in Jackson on some of the more local races.
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 Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, general in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 53,227. The 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 Scottsboro
Scottsboro, Alabama
Scottsboro is a city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 14,770. Named for its founder Robert Scott, the city is the county seat of Jackson County....
. Jackson County is a prohibition or 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...
, however three cities within the county (Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Alabama
Bridgeport is a small city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. At the time of 2000 census the population was 2,728. Bridgeport is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.-History:...
, Scottsboro
Scottsboro, Alabama
Scottsboro is a city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 14,770. Named for its founder Robert Scott, the city is the county seat of Jackson County....
, and Stevenson
Stevenson, Alabama
Stevenson is a city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 1,770.-Geography:Stevenson is located at ....
) are wet. Jackson County covers parts of former Decatur County
Decatur County, Alabama
Decatur County, Alabama is a former county of the state of Alabama, United States. It was named is for Commodore Stephen Decatur of the United States Navy. Its county seat was Woodville.-History:...
.
Geography
Of special interest is Russell Cave National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument
The Russell Cave National Monument is a U.S. National Monument in northeastern Alabama, United States, close to the town of Bridgeport. The Monument was established on May 11, 1961, when 310 acres of land were donated by the National Geographic Society to the American people. It is now...
, which is located in Doran Cove, approximately 5 miles west of the town of Bridgeport. Russell Cave is an important archaeological site that was excavated in 1956 by the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
and the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
. An article in the October 1956 issue of National Geographic Magazine proudly proclaims: "Life 8,000 Years Ago Uncovered in an Alabama Cave." The article was written by Carl F. Miller, the Expedition Leader and is on pages 542-558. Russell Cave was declared a National Monument in May 1961 by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. The Monument consists of 310 acres (1.3 km²) of land donated by the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 72
State Route 35
State Route 40
State Route 65
State Route 71
State Route 73State Route 73 (Alabama)State Route 73, also known as SR-73, is a numbered state highway in Alabama. The route runs from SR-71 in Higdon north to the Tennessee border, where it becomes State Route 377...
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 279
Adjacent counties
- Marion County, TennesseeMarion County, TennesseeMarion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population was 27,776. Its county seat is Jasper.Marion County is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- northeast - Dade County, GeorgiaDade County, GeorgiaDade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 15,154. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,098...
- east - 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...
- southeast - 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...
- southwest - Madison County, AlabamaMadison County, AlabamaMadison County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is a major part of the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The county is named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America, and the...
- west - Franklin County, TennesseeFranklin County, TennesseeFranklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 41,052. Its county seat is Winchester.Franklin County is part of the Tullahoma, Tennessee, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- northwest
National protected areas
- Fern Cave National Wildlife RefugeFern Cave National Wildlife RefugeFern Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located in northeastern Alabama, near Paint Rock, Alabama in Jackson County....
- Russell Cave National MonumentRussell Cave National MonumentThe Russell Cave National Monument is a U.S. National Monument in northeastern Alabama, United States, close to the town of Bridgeport. The Monument was established on May 11, 1961, when 310 acres of land were donated by the National Geographic Society to the American people. It is now...
- Sauta Cave National Wildlife RefugeSauta Cave National Wildlife RefugeSauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a 264 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in northeastern Alabama, near the Sauty Creek embayment of Guntersville Lake....
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 53,926 people, 21,615 households, and 15,822 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 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 24,168 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.89% 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...
, 3.74% 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...
, 1.75% 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...
, 0.23% 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...
, 0.36% 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 2.00% from two or more races. Nearly 1.13% 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 21,615 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% 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, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. Nearly 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47, and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,020, and the median income for a family was $38,082. Males had a median income of $29,777 versus $20,990 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 $16,000. About 10.30% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 21.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BridgeportBridgeport, AlabamaBridgeport is a small city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. At the time of 2000 census the population was 2,728. Bridgeport is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.-History:...
- BryantBryant, AlabamaBryant is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,295.-Geography:Bryant's coordinates are 34.92 N. Lat. 85.63 W. Long.Bryant covers a land area of and a water area of .-Demographics:...
- DuttonDutton, AlabamaDutton is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 310. Dutton is located on top of Sand Mountain.-Geography:...
- Flat RockFlat Rock, AlabamaFlat Rock is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,857.-Geography:Flat Rock is located on top of Sand Mountain.Flat Rock's coordinates are 34.78 N. Lat. 85.67 W...
- HigdonHigdon, AlabamaHigdon is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,214.-Geography:Higdon is located on top of Sand Mountain.Higdon's coordinates are 34.83 N. Lat. 85.61 W. Long....
- HollywoodHollywood, AlabamaHollywood is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 950.-Geography:Hollywood is located at ....
- HytopHytop, AlabamaHytop is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 315.-Geography:Hytop is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- LangstonLangston, AlabamaLangston is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 254.-Geography:Langston is located at .According to the U.S...
- Paint RockPaint Rock, AlabamaPaint Rock is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, along the Paint Rock River, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 185....
- PisgahPisgah, AlabamaPisgah is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 706. Pisgah is located on top of Sand Mountain.-Geography:...
- Pleasant GrovesPleasant Groves, AlabamaPleasant Groves is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town was 447.- Geography :...
- ScottsboroScottsboro, AlabamaScottsboro is a city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 14,770. Named for its founder Robert Scott, the city is the county seat of Jackson County....
- SectionSection, AlabamaSection is a township in Jackson County, Alabama, United States and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the township is 769. Section is located on top of Sand Mountain. It is also home to the Section Dairy Bar.-Geography:Section...
- SkylineSkyline, AlabamaSkyline is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 843.-Geography:Skyline is located at ....
- StevensonStevenson, AlabamaStevenson is a city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 1,770.-Geography:Stevenson is located at ....
- WoodvilleWoodville, AlabamaWoodville is a town in Jackson County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 761.-History:...
Politics
While most of North Alabama has become solidly RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, Jackson County remains a strong-hold of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
(which is not to say the residents are liberals; see Dixiecrat
Dixiecrat
The States' Rights Democratic Party was a short-lived segregationist political party in the United States in 1948...
and Southern Democrat). There are no elected Republicans in local Jackson County Government. In the, 2004 Presidential Election
2004 presidential election
The 2004 presidential election may refer to:* Afghan presidential election, 2004* Algerian presidential election, 2004* Austrian presidential election, 2004* Dominican Republic presidential election, 2004* Georgia presidential election, 2004...
, Jackson County voted for Republican George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
over Democrat John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
. It was the first time Jackson County voters chose a Republican presidential candidate over a Democrat since 1972.
The trending Republican has continued since 2004. In 2008 John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
won the county with 67.7% of the vote. In 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert J. Bentley received 56% of the vote, Republican House candidate Mo Brooks
Mo Brooks
Morris Jackson "Mo" Brooks, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life:Brooks was born in 1954 in Charleston, South Carolina,and moved to Huntsville, Alabama, in 1963...
received 55% of the vote, and incumbent Senator Richard Shelby
Richard Shelby
Richard Craig Shelby is the senior U.S. Senator from Alabama. First elected to the Senate in 1986, he is the ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and was its chairman from 2003 to 2007....
received 70% in the county. Although in 2010 Democratic politicians continued to win in Jackson on some of the more local races.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Jackson County, Alabama
