Blount County, Alabama

Infobox U.S. County
county = Blount County
state = Alabama





map size = 175
founded = February 6, 1818
seat = Oneonta| largest city = Oneonta
area_total_sq_mi =651
area_land_sq_mi =646
area_water_sq_mi =5
area percentage = 0.77%
census yr = 2000
pop = 51024
density_km2 =13
web =
|

Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2000, the population was 51,024. The 2004 US Census estimated Blount County's population to be approximately 54,988. Its county seat is Oneonta and it is a prohibition or dry county.

History

Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on 1818 Feb. 6, from land ceded to the Federal government by the Creek Nation on 1814 Aug. 9. It was named for Gov. Willie G. Blount of Tennessee, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War of 1813-14. It lies in the northeastern section of the state, generally known as the mineral region. Blount County is bordered by Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, Jefferson, Walker and St. Clair Counties. The county is drained by the Locust and Mulberry Forks of the Black Warrior River. Blount County contains 651 square miles. The Warrior coal field is located in Blount County. Bear Meat Cabin / Blountsville was the first settlement in Blount County and the county seat. The town was established by Caleb Fryley and John Jones in 1816 as Bear Meat Cabin. The post office was opened in 1821. Blountsville was incorporated December 13 ,1827. In 1889, an election resulted in its county seat being transferred to Oneonta, Alabama.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 651 square miles (1,685 km²), of which, 646 square miles (1,672 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (13 km²) of it (0.77%) is water.

Major highways

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Rail

* CSX Transportation

Adjacent counties

*Marshall County, Alabama - northeast
*Etowah County, Alabama - east
*St. Clair County, Alabama - southeast
*Walker County, Alabama - southwest
*Jefferson County, Alabama - southwest
*Cullman County, Alabama - west

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 51,024 people, 19,265 households, and 14,814 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile (31/km²). There were 21,158 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.08% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.07% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 5.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,265 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.50% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,241, and the median income for a family was $41,573. Males had a median income of $31,455 versus $22,459 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,325. About 8.60% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Allgood
*Altoona (part - part of Altoona is in Etowah County)
*Blountsville
*Cleveland
*County Line (part - part of County Line is in Jefferson County)
*Garden City (part - part of Garden City is in Cullman County)
*Hayden
*Highland Lake
*Locust Fork
*Nectar
*Oneonta
*Rosa
*Smoke Rise
*Snead
*Susan Moore
*Warrior (part - part of Warrior is in Jefferson County)

Trivia

*Blount County has been dubbed the 'Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama' as it has the most historic covered bridges in existence within a single county than any other in the state with earlier covered bridges. The county celebrates the Covered Bridge Festival every autumn in Oneonta to commemorate its three remaining covered bridges.

Places of Interest

Blount County is home to an abundance of outdoor activities, such as Rickwood Caverns State Park and a few extensions of the Black Warrior River which are popular with kayakers. The county also home to numerous covered bridges, including the Swann Covered Bridge, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge, and the Easley Covered Bridge.

See also

*Dry counties
*List of Alabama covered bridges

References

External links

* [http://www.co.blount.al.us/ official site]