Chambers County, Alabama

Chambers County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census the population was 34,215.[1] Its county seat is Lafayette. Its largest city is Valley. Its name is in honor of Henry H. Chambers,[2] who served as a United States Senator from Alabama.

Chambers County
U.S. county
County Courthouse in LaFayette in 2012
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°54′40″N 85°23′38″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 18, 1832
Named forHenry H. Chambers
SeatLaFayette
Largest cityValley
Area
 • Total603 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Land597 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.1%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total34,215
 • Estimate 
(2019)
33,254
 • Density57/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.chamberscountyal.gov
 
  • County Number 12 on Alabama Licence Plates

Chambers County is included in the Valley, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, GA-AL Combined Statistical Area.[3]

History

Prior to contact with people of European descent, what is now Chambers County was inhabited by the Creek nation.[4]

Chambers County was established on December 18, 1832.

Pat Garrett, the lawman famed for killing outlaw Billy the Kid, was born near the town of Cusseta in 1850.

Joe Louis "The Brown Bomber", renowned heavyweight boxing champion, was born near LaFayette, on Buckalew Mountain, May 13, 1914.

Chambers County joined its four mill cities to make the city of Valley (which is now the largest city). Valley is rapidly increasing in size and located between Montgomery, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 603 square miles (1,560 km2), of which 597 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
184017,333—
185023,96038.2%
186023,214−3.1%
187017,562−24.3%
188023,44033.5%
189026,31912.3%
190032,55423.7%
191036,05610.8%
192041,20114.3%
193039,313−4.6%
194042,1467.2%
195039,528−6.2%
196037,828−4.3%
197036,356−3.9%
198039,1917.8%
199036,876−5.9%
200036,583−0.8%
201034,215−6.5%
2019 (est.)33,254[6]−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2018[1]

2010

At the 2010 census there were 34,215 people, 13,933 households, and 9,391 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km2). There were 17,004 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 38.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[11] Of the 13,933 households 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% 65 or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median household income was $31,467 and the median family income was $39,475. Males had a median income of $34,176 versus $29,140 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,626. About 16.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000

At the 2000 census there were 36,583 people, 14,522 households, and 10,194 families living in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (24/km2). There were 16,256 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.88% White (non-Hispanic), 43.11% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 3.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[12] Of the 14,522 households 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of households were one person and 12.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.30 males.

The median household income was $29,667 and the median family income was $36,598. Males had a median income of $28,771 versus $21,159 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,147. About 14.30% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.50% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Chambers is a Republican-leaning county, although it has a sufficient black minority to return a respectable Democratic vote. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1980, although Bill Clinton won pluralities in both 1992 and 1996.

Presidential elections results
Chambers County vote
by party in presidential elections [13]
Year GOP Dem Others
2016 56.4% 7,843 41.6% 5,784 2.0% 273
2012 52.1% 7,626 47.0% 6,871 0.9% 132
2008 53.9% 8,067 45.5% 6,799 0.6% 90
2004 58.5% 7,622 41.0% 5,347 0.5% 63
2000 51.0% 6,037 47.5% 5,616 1.5% 181
1996 42.4% 4,707 49.7% 5,515 7.9% 875
1992 43.4% 5,682 45.4% 5,938 11.2% 1,471
1988 59.4% 7,694 39.4% 5,103 1.2% 159
1984 59.6% 8,024 39.4% 5,302 1.0% 137
1980 40.9% 4,864 55.9% 6,649 3.3% 386
1976 46.3% 5,488 52.0% 6,164 1.7% 196
1972 79.2% 8,716 18.9% 2,076 1.9% 211
1968 10.2% 1,082 12.8% 1,358 77.1% 8,196
1964 64.4% 4,630 35.6% 2,557
1960 26.3% 1,865 72.7% 5,165 1.0% 71
1956 21.5% 1,448 76.7% 5,165 1.8% 124
1952 13.8% 990 85.6% 6,155 0.6% 45
1948 12.3% 218 87.7% 1,549
1944 5.3% 194 94.4% 3,458 0.3% 10
1940 2.6% 110 97.2% 4,141 0.3% 11
1936 3.0% 112 96.9% 3,626 0.1% 4
1932 11.8% 342 87.8% 2,550 0.4% 11
1928 63.4% 1,732 36.6% 999 0.0% 0
1924 6.9% 146 91.0% 1,922 2.1% 44
1920 13.8% 322 85.6% 1,994 0.6% 14
1916 9.0% 168 89.9% 1,679 1.1% 21
1912 1.7% 28 90.8% 1,486 7.5% 122
1908 4.5% 50 92.8% 1,025 2.6% 29
1904 4.7% 74 90.8% 1,421 4.5% 70

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Chambers County has been the backdrop of several movies including Mississippi Burning.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  2. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 74.
  3. OMB BULLETIN NO. 13-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas. Office of Management and Budget. February 28, 2013.
  4. The Reason for the Tears: A History of Chambers County, Alabama, 1832-1900 page 2
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  13. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

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