JACKSON COUNTY, ALABAMA

'Jackson County' is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name is in honor of Andrew Jackson, general in the United States Army and President of the United States of America. As of 2000 the population was 53,926. Its county seat is Scottsboro and it's 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.

Contents

History

Politics

Geography

Major Highways

Rail

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

External Links

History

Jackson County was established on December 13, 1819.

Politics

While most of North Alabama has become solidly Republican, Jackson County remains a strong-hold of the Democratic Party. The reasons are unknown. 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.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,918 km² (1,127 mi²). 2,794 km² (1,079 mi²) of it is land and 124 km² (48 mi²) of it (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's 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 of land donated by the National Geographic Society.

Major Highways

★ U.S. Highway 72

★ State Route 35

★ State Route 40

★ State Route 65

★ State Route 71

★ State Route 73

★ State Route 75

★ State Route 79

★ State Route 279

Rail

★ CSX Transportation

★ Norfolk Southern Railway

★ Sequatchie Valley Railroad

Adjacent Counties

★ Marion County, Tennessee - northeast

★ Dade County, Georgia - east

★ DeKalb County, Alabama - southeast

★ Marshall County, Alabama - southwest

★ Madison County, Alabama - west

★ Franklin County, Tennessee - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 53,926 people, 21,615 households, and 15,822 families residing in the county. The population density was 19/km² (50/mi²). There were 24,168 housing units at an average density of 9/km² (22/mi²). 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. 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. 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.

Cities and towns

★ Bridgeport

★ Bryant

★ Dutton

★ Flat Rock

★ Higdon

★ Hollywood

★ Hytop

★ Langston

★ Paint Rock

★ Pisgah

★ Pleasant Groves

★ Scottsboro

★ Section

★ Skyline

★ Stevenson

★ Woodville

External Links

★ www.jacksoncountyal.com

★ Jackson County Historical Society

★ Jackson County Chamber of Commerce