Colbert County, Alabama

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Colbert County
U.S. county
Colbert County Courthouse in Tuscumbia
Colbert County Courthouse in Tuscumbia
Map of Alabama highlighting Colbert County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°40′36″N 87°49′02″W / 34.676666666667°N 87.817222222222°W / 34.676666666667; -87.817222222222
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 6, 1867
Named forGeorge and Levi Colbert
SeatTuscumbia
Largest cityMuscle Shoals
Area
 • Total622 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Land593 sq mi (1,540 km2)
 • Water30 sq mi (80 km2)  4.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total57,227
 • Density92/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.colbertcounty.org
  • County Number 20 on Alabama Licence Plates
Colbert County Courthouse Square District Historic Marker, September 2007

Colbert County (/ˈkɒlbərt/)[1] is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the county's population was 57,227.[2] The county seat is Tuscumbia.[3] The largest city is Muscle Shoals. The county is named in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert, Chickasaw Indian chiefs.[4]

Colbert County is part of the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as "The Shoals".

History[]

Colbert County was originally established on February 6, 1867 after it split from Franklin County over political issues after the American Civil War. It was abolished eight months later on November 29, 1867[5] by an Alabama constitutional convention and then reestablished on February 24, 1870.[4] It is also the location of Ivy Green, the birthplace of noted author Helen Keller.[4] Colbert County is also home of the towns Sheffield and Muscle Shoals where many popular musicians such as Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones recorded music. Colbert County is the home of the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard established in 1937.[6]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 622 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 593 square miles (1,540 km2) is land and 30 square miles (78 km2) (4.7%) is water.[7]

National protected area[]

River[]

Adjacent counties[]

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

  • US 43.svg U.S. Highway 43
  • US 72.svg U.S. Highway 72
  • Alabama 13.svg State Route 13
  • Alabama 17.svg State Route 17
  • Alabama 20.svg State Route 20
  • Alabama 133.svg State Route 133
  • Alabama 157.svg State Route 157
  • Alabama 184.svg State Route 184
  • Alabama 247.svg State Route 247
  • Natchez Trace Parkway

Rail[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
187012,537—
188016,15328.8%
189020,18925.0%
190022,34110.7%
191024,80211.0%
192031,99729.0%
193029,860−6.7%
194034,09314.2%
195039,56116.0%
196046,50617.6%
197049,6326.7%
198054,5199.8%
199051,666−5.2%
200054,9846.4%
201054,428−1.0%
202057,2275.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[2]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 54,984 people, 22,461 households, and 16,037 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (36/km2). There were 24,980 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 78.52% White or European American (non-Hispanic), 16.62% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010[]

According to the 2010 United States Census Bureau:

  • 80.4% White (non-Hispanic)
  • 14.0% Black
  • 0.4% Native American
  • 0.7% Asian
  • 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
  • 0.91% Two or more races
  • 2.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

There were 22,461 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,954, and the median income for a family was $39,294. Males had a median income of $32,112 versus $20,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,533. About 11.10% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.40% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Colbert County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Al Gore, who won it by a plurality in 2000.

Presidential elections results

Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

Unincorporated communities[]

In popular culture[]

  • Colbert County was featured in a three-part comedy feature on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report from November 28–30, 2006.
  • Colbert County is the setting for the Drive-by Truckers song, "Putting People on the Moon"

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Foscue, Virginia O. (1989). Place Names in Alabama - Virginia O. Foscue - Google Books. ISBN 9780817304102. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "QuickFacts: Colbert County, Alabama; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Colbert County Website". Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  5. ^ "Alabama Counties: Colbert County". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Montgomery, AL: Alabama Department of Archives and History. November 20, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  6. ^ Kazek, Kelly (August 19, 2014). "Legendary Coon Dog Cemetery to once again host Labor Day celebration with live music, crafts, barbecue". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, AL. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ Alabama Railway Map Archived March 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. 2008. Alabama Department of Transportation. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

External links[]

Coordinates: 34°40′36″N 87°49′02″W / 34.67667°N 87.81722°W / 34.67667; -87.81722

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