Founded December 13, 1819 Congressional district 5th Area 2,919 km² County seat Scottsboro | Named for Andrew Jackson Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Population 52,951 (2013) Largest city Scottsboro | |
 | ||
Website www.jacksoncountyal.com Cities Scottsboro, Stevenson, Bridgeport, Pisgah, Woodville Rivers Paint Rock River, Estill Fork, Turkey Creek, Hall Branch Points of interest Russell Cave National, Jackson County Park, Sauta Cave National, Weathington Park, North Sauty Wildlife R | ||
Jackson County is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 53,227. The county seat is Scottsboro. It was named for Andrew Jackson, general in the United States Army and afterward President of the United States of America. Jackson County is a prohibition or dry county, however three cities within the county (Bridgeport, Scottsboro, and Stevenson) are wet.
Contents
- Map of Jackson County AL USA
- History
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- National protected areas
- Demographics
- 2010
- Politics
- Rail
- Cities
- Ghost towns
- References
Map of Jackson County, AL, USA
Jackson County comprises the Scottsboro, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton, TN-GA-AL Combined Statistical Area.
History
Jackson County was established on December 13, 1819.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,127 square miles (2,920 km2), of which 1,078 square miles (2,790 km2) is land and 49 square miles (130 km2) (%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county in Alabama by total area. Much of it is located in the Appalachians.
Of special interest is Russell Cave National Monument, which is located in Doran 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 (1.3 km2) of land donated by the National Geographic Society.
Adjacent counties
National protected areas
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 53,926 people, 21,615 households, and 15,822 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 24,168 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.89% White(non-Hispanic), 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. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Jackson County were English 69.1%, Scots-Irish 5.21%, Scottish 4.67%, and African 3.74%.
2010
According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:
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. Nearly 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.
Politics
While most of North Alabama has become solidly Republican, Jackson County remains a stronghold of the Democratic Party (which is not to say the residents are liberals; see Dixiecrat and Southern Democrat). Up until November 2012, there are no elected Republicans in local Jackson County Government. In that year's general election, two Republicans were elected to the Jackson County Commission—the first Republicans to serve on the Commission since Reconstruction. There is now an all Republican delegation in Jackson County. Tommy Hanes and Ritchie Whorton represent the county in the Alabama State House of Representatives. Steve Livingston serves Jackson County in the Alabama State Senate. 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.
The trending Republican has continued since 2004. In 2008 John McCain won the county with 67.7% of the vote. In 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert J. Bentley received 56% of the vote, Republican House candidate Mo Brooks received 55% of the vote, and incumbent Senator Richard Shelby received 70% in the county. Although in 2010 Democratic politicians continued to win in Jackson on some of the more local races.
The current Jackson County Commission is headed by Chairman Matthew Hodges.