Geneva County, Alabama

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For other uses, see Geneva (disambiguation).
Geneva County
U.S. county
The Geneva County Courthouse in Geneva
The Geneva County Courthouse in Geneva
Map of Alabama highlighting Geneva County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°05′32″N 85°50′18″W / 31.092222222222°N 85.838333333333°W / 31.092222222222; -85.838333333333
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 26, 1868
Named forGeneva, New York
SeatGeneva
Largest cityGeneva
Area
 • Total579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water4.5 sq mi (12 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total26,659
 • Density46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.genevacounty.us
  • County Number 34 on Alabama Licence Plates

Geneva County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,659.[1] Its county seat is Geneva.[2] The county was named after its county seat, which in turn was named after Geneva, New York which was named after Geneva, Switzerland, by Walter H. Yonge, an early town resident and Swiss native.[3] Geneva County is a dry county in certain areas. Beer and wine are sold in Geneva, Samson, and Slocomb, but it isn't sold in any capacity in Hartford.

Geneva County is part of the Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

Geneva County was established on December 26, 1868.

The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979 due to damage from Hurricane Frederic.

On March 10, 2009, a gunman, identified as Michael McLendon, went on a shooting spree at nine locations in Geneva County from the town of Samson to the city of Geneva, killing ten people and wounding six others. McLendon entered his former place of employment, Reliable Metal Products on the northeastern side of Geneva, where he took his own life.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 579 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4] The county is located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.

It is the fifth-smallest county in Alabama by total area.

Major highways[]

  • Alabama 27.svg State Route 27
  • Alabama 52.svg State Route 52
  • Alabama 54.svg State Route 54
  • Alabama 85.svg State Route 85
  • Alabama 87.svg State Route 87
  • Alabama 103.svg State Route 103
  • Alabama 123.svg State Route 123
  • Alabama 153.svg State Route 153
  • Alabama 167.svg State Route 167
  • Alabama 196.svg State Route 196

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18702,959—
18804,34246.7%
189010,690146.2%
190019,09678.6%
191026,23037.4%
192029,31511.8%
193030,1042.7%
194029,172−3.1%
195025,899−11.2%
196022,310−13.9%
197021,924−1.7%
198024,25310.6%
199023,647−2.5%
200025,7649.0%
201026,7904.0%
202026,659−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2010[]

The 2010 United States Census has the breakdown as:

  • 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 (of any race)

2000[]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 25,764 people, 10,477 households, and 7,459 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17/km2). There were 12,115 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.11% White, 10.65% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,477 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 90.00 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,448, and the median income for a family was $32,563. Males had a median income of $26,018 versus $19,341 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,620. About 15.90% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.20% of those under age 18 and 21.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

Census-designated places[]

Unincorporated communities[]

Government and politics[]

Much like the state and the rest of the Deep South, Geneva County was locked for the Democrats before 1964, except when powerful anti-Catholic and Prohibitionist feelings directed against "wet" Democratic nominee Al Smith allowed Herbert Hoover to win in 1928 by 48 votes.[10] However, ever since 1980, Geneva County has been a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county was Deep South native Jimmy Carter in 1976. Geneva is also noteworthy for being the best county in the country for segregationist and Alabama native George Wallace in the 1968 election,[11] where his main support was from the Deep South and was strongest in the Wiregrass and Piney Woods regions.

Presidential elections results

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "QuickFacts: Geneva County, Alabama; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Geneva County". Alabama Department of Archives and History. June 4, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. ^ Phillips, Kevin P.; The Emerging Republican Majority, p. 212 ISBN 9780691163246
  11. ^ "1968 Presidential Election Statistics". Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas.
  12. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

External links[]

https://www.genevacountyal.gov/

Coordinates: 31°05′32″N 85°50′18″W / 31.09222°N 85.83833°W / 31.09222; -85.83833

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