Elmore County, Alabama

Elmore 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 79,303.[1] Its county seat is Wetumpka.[2] Its name is in honor of General John A. Elmore.[3]

Elmore County
U.S. county
County courthouse in Wetumpka
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°35′49″N 86°09′05″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 15, 1866
Named forJohn A. Elmore
SeatWetumpka
Largest cityMillbrook
Area
 • Total657 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land618 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water39 sq mi (100 km2)  5.9%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total79,303
 • Estimate 
(2019)
81,209
 • Density120/sq mi (47/km2)
Demonym(s)Elmorean
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.elmoreco.org
 
  • County Number 29 on Alabama Licence Plates

Elmore County is part of the Montgomery, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Elmore County was established on February 15, 1866, from portions of Autauga, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Montgomery counties.[4]

The French established Fort Toulouse at the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa in 1717.[4]

Gen. Andrew Jackson then erected Fort Jackson in 1814 at the site of Fort Toulouse following the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

On July 2, 1901, a local mob lynched Robert (or perhaps Robin) White. In a strange turn of events, a local farmer, George White confessed in court to the killing and named five other local men as killers. Three men were convicted in the killing and sentenced to ten years in prison. On 9 June 1902, they were pardoned by Governor Jelks. In 1915 another Black man was taken from the local jail and murdered.[5]

In 1950, a City Planning Board was formed in the county seat of Wetumpka.[6]

In 1957, the National Guard Armory was constructed in the county seat of Wetumpka.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 657 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 618 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 39 square miles (100 km2) (5.9%) is water.[7]

The county is located on the fall line of the eastern United States, and consequently boasts a diverse geography. Most of the county contains rolling hills, being located in the Piedmont region. Some parts of the county do have open fields and farmland as well. The cities of Wetumpka and Tallassee are important river cities located on the fall line.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
187014,477—
188017,50220.9%
189021,73224.2%
190026,09920.1%
191028,2458.2%
192028,085−0.6%
193034,28022.1%
194034,5460.8%
195031,649−8.4%
196030,524−3.6%
197033,66110.3%
198043,39028.9%
199049,21013.4%
200065,87433.9%
201079,30320.4%
2019 (est.)81,209[8]2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2018[1]

At the 2000 census there were 65,874 people, 22,737 households, and 17,552 families living in the county. The population density was 106 people per square mile (41/km2). There were 25,733 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.02% White, 20.64% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[13] Of the 22,737 households 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.80% were non-families. 20.00% of households were one person and 7.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.30 males.

The median household income was $41,243 and the median family income was $47,155. Males had a median income of $32,643 versus $24,062 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,650. About 7.40% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over. In the late 1990s, voters voted to pass a mandatory fire fee for volunteer fire services. All citizens pay this same fee regardless of valuation of the property or income levels.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 79,303 people, 28,301 households, and 21,003 families living in the county. The population density was 128 people per square mile (49/km2). There were 32,657 housing units at an average density of 49.7 per square mile (19.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.2% White, 20.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 2.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14] Of the 28,301 households 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 22.0% of households were one person and 7.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% 65 or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median household income was $53,128 and the median family income was $62,870. Males had a median income of $46,952 versus $31,542 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,640. About 9.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women of the Alabama Department of Corrections is in Wetumpka in Elmore County. The prison houses Alabama's female death row.[15] Wetumpka was previously the site of the Wetumpka State Penitentiary.[16]

Politically, Elmore County is heavily Republican. It last voted Democratic for Jimmy Carter in 1976, which incidentally was also the last time a Democrat carried Alabama at the presidential level.

Presidential elections results
Elmore County vote
by party in presidential elections [17]
Year GOP Dem Others
2020 73.5% 30,164 25.3% 10,367 1.2% 499
2016 74.2% 27,634 22.7% 8,443 3.2% 1,183
2012 73.9% 26,253 25.2% 8,954 1.0% 339
2008 75.1% 25,777 24.2% 8,301 0.7% 237
2004 76.9% 22,056 22.6% 6,471 0.5% 153
2000 70.5% 16,777 27.9% 6,652 1.6% 375
1996 61.8% 12,937 31.2% 6,530 7.1% 1,479
1992 55.7% 11,356 30.5% 6,223 13.8% 2,809
1988 69.8% 10,852 29.0% 4,501 1.2% 186
1984 72.7% 11,694 26.1% 4,198 1.2% 185
1980 57.2% 8,688 39.2% 5,947 3.7% 555
1976 48.5% 6,551 49.2% 6,646 2.3% 311
1972 79.9% 8,461 17.9% 1,891 2.3% 238
1968 6.8% 801 14.8% 1,745 78.5% 9,266
1964 83.8% 6,363 16.2% 1,233
1960 35.5% 1,919 63.6% 3,440 0.9% 50
1956 30.0% 1,619 62.2% 3,353 7.8% 422
1952 23.8% 1,315 76.1% 4,199 0.1% 4
1948 6.5% 167 93.5% 2,403
1944 5.6% 184 94.3% 3,108 0.1% 3
1940 3.3% 144 96.5% 4,267 0.2% 9
1936 4.2% 182 92.3% 3,967 3.4% 148
1932 4.4% 160 87.8% 3,198 7.8% 283
1928 57.5% 1,770 42.5% 1,309 0.1% 2
1924 16.4% 219 81.6% 1,088 2.0% 26
1920 16.6% 353 83.1% 1,762 0.3% 6
1916 0.0% 0 99.6% 1,631 0.4% 7
1912 5.7% 81 81.7% 1,152 12.6% 177
1908 11.2% 138 86.5% 1,063 2.3% 28
1904 10.7% 151 86.6% 1,226 2.7% 38

Economy

Over the past two decades, Elmore County has transferred from an economy based on agriculture to one of Alabama's fastest-growing counties. According to a recent report, 1110 jobs were created over the last 4 years.[18]

Elmore County's largest employer is the manufacturing sector. The top ten manufacturers in Elmore County include: GKN Aerospace, Neptune Technologies, Frontier Yarns, Russell Corporation, Madix, Inc, Arrowhead Composites, Hanil USA, YESAC Alabama Corporation, Quality Networks, Inc., and AES Industries.

Education

The Elmore County Public School System serves the county.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 118.
  4. EL. "Alabama Dept of Archives". Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  5. Lyman, Brian (10 January 2018). "The lynching of Robin White and the confession of George Howard". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  6. EL. "City of Wetumpka History". Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  15. "Annual Report Fiscal Year 2003." Alabama Department of Corrections. 45/84. Retrieved on August 15, 2010. “Tutwiler also has a death row,”
  16. "ADOC History Archived May 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine." Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on September 6, 2010.
  17. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  18. 1110 Jobs created in Elmore County Archived December 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

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