Russell County, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Russell County is a county
of the U.S. state
of Alabama
. Its name is in honor of Colonel Gilbert C. Russell
, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians
. As of 2010, the population was 52,947. Its county seat
is Phenix City
.
Russell County is part of the Columbus
, Georgia
-Alabama
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
(1833–1839), Crawford originally Crockettsville (1839–1868), Seale
(1868–1935) and Phenix City (1935–present). It was named for War of 1812, Col. Gilbert Christian Russell, Sr., 1782–1861, 3rd U.S. Infantry.
of 2000, there were 49,756 people, 19,741 households, and 13,423 families residing in the county. The population density
was 78 people per square mile (30/km2). There were 22,831 housing units, at an average density of 14/km2 (36/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was: 56.69% White
, 40.84% Black
or African American
, 0.37% Native American
, 0.36% Asian
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
, 0.59% from other races
, and 1.07% from two or more races. Nearly 1.50% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 19,741 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 44.40% were married couples
living together, 18.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49, and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,492, and the median income for a family was $34,004. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $20,882 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,015. About 16.80% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.50% of those under age 18 and 19.30% 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 Colonel Gilbert C. Russell
Gilbert C. Russell
Gilbert Christian Russell was an American military officer who served during the Creek War. Born in Virginia, Russell moved to Alabama as a young man. During the Creek War, he was the commander of the 3rd regiment of the United States Army...
, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians
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...
. As of 2010, the population was 52,947. 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 Phenix City
Phenix City, Alabama
Phenix City is a city and the county seat in Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama. Portions of Lee County are addressed as Phenix City, 36870 ZIP code, for the sole purpose that Smiths Station does not have full incorporation to annex the area...
.
Russell County is part of the Columbus
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
-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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
The Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama, anchored by the city of Columbus...
.
History
Russell County was established by an act of the state general assembly on December 18, 1832, from lands ceded to the state by the Creek Indians. The county seat has changed several times: GirardGirard, Alabama
Girard, Alabama was a town in the far north-east corner of Russell County, Alabama across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia.From 1832–1839 Girard was the seat of Russell County....
(1833–1839), Crawford originally Crockettsville (1839–1868), Seale
Seale, Alabama
Seale is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The county seat from 1868-1935, and is current home to the counties High and Middle Schools. One of Alabama's oldest buildings, the Russell County courthouse also is located in the city. -References:...
(1868–1935) and Phenix City (1935–present). It was named for War of 1812, Col. Gilbert Christian Russell, Sr., 1782–1861, 3rd U.S. Infantry.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 647.38 square miles (1,676.7 km²), of which 641.32 square miles (1,661 km²) (or 99.06%) is land and 6.06 square miles (15.7 km²) (or 0.94%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 80
U.S. Highway 280
U.S. Highway 431
State Route 26
State Route 51
Adjacent counties
- Lee CountyLee County, AlabamaLee County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Confederate Army. As of 2010 the population was 140,247. It is part of the Auburn, Alabama Metropolitan Area. The county seat is Opelika, and the largest city is Auburn...
(north) - Muscogee County, GeorgiaMuscogee County, GeorgiaMuscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 186,291. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 190,414...
(northeast) - Chattahoochee County, GeorgiaChattahoochee County, GeorgiaChattahoochee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 13, 1854. The 2000 Census reported a population of 14,882. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 14,402. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(east) - Stewart County, GeorgiaStewart County, GeorgiaStewart County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 23, 1830. The 2010 Census reflected a population of 6,058. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 4,558. The county seat is Lumpkin.-History:...
(southeast) - 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:...
(south) - Bullock CountyBullock County, AlabamaBullock County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel Edward C. Bullock of Barbour County. Living descendants of Colonel Bullock include prominent American cinema film actress, Sandra Bullock. As of 2010 the population was 10,914. In 1867, Union Springs...
(southwest) - Macon CountyMacon County, AlabamaMacon County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Nathaniel Macon, a member of the United States Senate from North Carolina. Developed for cotton plantation agriculture in the nineteenth century, it is one of the counties in Alabama within the Black Belt of the South.As...
(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 49,756 people, 19,741 households, and 13,423 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 78 people per square mile (30/km2). There were 22,831 housing units, at an average density of 14/km2 (36/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was: 56.69% 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...
, 40.84% 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...
, 0.37% 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...
, 0.36% 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...
, 0.07% 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...
, 0.59% 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 1.07% from two or more races. Nearly 1.50% 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 19,741 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 44.40% 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, 18.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49, and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,492, and the median income for a family was $34,004. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $20,882 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 $14,015. About 16.80% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.50% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Fort MitchellFort Mitchell, AlabamaFort Mitchell is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The area was originally a garrisoned fort intended to provide defense for the area during the Creek War. The community is the home of the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery....
(unincorporated) - GlenvilleGlenville, AlabamaGlenville is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. Formerly it was in Barbour County.Glenville is located at 32°7'43"N 85°10'37"W; elevation is 461 feet....
(unincorporated) - HurtsboroHurtsboro, AlabamaHurtsboro is a town in Russell County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 592. It was founded in 1857 as Hurtsville and named for Joel Hurt, Sr....
- LadoniaLadonia, AlabamaLadonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Russell County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,229. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Phenix CityPhenix City, AlabamaPhenix City is a city and the county seat in Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama. Portions of Lee County are addressed as Phenix City, 36870 ZIP code, for the sole purpose that Smiths Station does not have full incorporation to annex the area...
(part of Phenix City is in Lee CountyLee County, AlabamaLee County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Confederate Army. As of 2010 the population was 140,247. It is part of the Auburn, Alabama Metropolitan Area. The county seat is Opelika, and the largest city is Auburn...
) - PittsviewPittsview, AlabamaPittsview, at one time known as Pittsboro, is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama.-Geography:Pittsview is located at and has an elevation of ....
(unincorporated) - SealeSeale, AlabamaSeale is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The county seat from 1868-1935, and is current home to the counties High and Middle Schools. One of Alabama's oldest buildings, the Russell County courthouse also is located in the city. -References:...
Notable residents
- James AbercrombieJames Abercrombie (Congressman)James Abercrombie was an American politician. He was born in Hancock County, Georgia in 1792. He moved to Alabama in the early 1810s and settled first in Monroe County, now called Dallas County, Alabama, and then in Montgomery County, Alabama.During the War of 1812, he served as a corporal in Maj....
, (1795–1861), United States Congressman from Alabama, resided here.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Russell County, Alabama
External links
- Official Russell County website
- Russell County map of roads/towns (map © 2007 Univ. of AlabamaUniversity of AlabamaThe University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
). - Columbus Enquirer Archive Digital Library of Georgia
