Houston County, Alabama

History

Houston County was established on February 9, 1903, from parts of Dale, Geneva and Henry counties. It was named after George Smith Houston, the 24th Governor of Alabama. This area of the state was historically developed for cotton plantations and had a high proportion of African Americans in the population until after the early 20th century, when many migrated to northern and midwestern cities to escape the Jim Crow oppression. Elements of historic racial segregation appear in criminal justice proceedings.

In the 21st century, the county has the highest rate of death penalty sentencing in the state, which has the highest rate in the nation. The District Attorney, Doug Valeska, has a documented history of racial bias in jury selections in capital cases; all-white juries have a higher rate of conviction in murder cases and approval of the death penalty. Although the county's population was 27% African American in 2015, numerous capital cases have been tried before all-white juries, with evidence of jurors being picked on racial grounds.

The United States Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice David Roberts, overturned the conviction and sentence of the plaintiff in Floyd v. Alabama (2016), ruling there was evidence of racial bias in selection of the jury. Floyd is white. The case is being remanded to the state for reconsideration.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 582 square miles (1,510 km²), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km²) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 88,787 people, 35,834 households, and 25,119 families residing in the county. The population density was 153 people per square mile (59/km²). There were 39,571 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.08% White, 24.60% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 35,834 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,431, and the median income for a family was $42,437. Males had a median income of $32,092 versus $21,409 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,759. About 11.80% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 101,547 people, 40,969 households, and 28,041 families residing in the county. The population density was 175 people per square mile (67.5/km²). There were 45,319 housing units at an average density of 77.9 per square mile (30.1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.0% White, 25.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 2.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 40,969 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,022, and the median income for a family was $51,741. Males had a median income of $41,021 versus $28,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,725. About 12.7% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

As of 2016, the County Chairman is Mark Culver, while William Dempsey is the Chief Administrative Officer. The County Commission is District 1, Curtis Harvey; District 2, Doug Sinquefield; District 3, Jackie Battles; and District 4, Brandon Shoupe. Donald Valenza serves as Sheriff, Probate Judge is Patrick Davenport, Revenue Commissioner is Starla Moss, and Coroner is Robert Byrd. The county engineer is Barkley Kirkland.

The District Attorney serves as prosecutor for cases in both Houston and Henry counties.

Houston County is located in Alabama 2nd Congressional District; its current Representative (as of 2016) is Martha Roby (R).

City