Walker County, Alabama
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator.Template:Category handlerScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Walker County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,342.[2] Its county seat is Jasper.[3] Its name is in honor of John Williams Walker, the first U.S. senator elected from Alabama.[1]
Walker County comprises the entirety of the Jasper, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Walker County was established on December 26, 1823, and formed from sections of Marion and Tuscaloosa counties.[1] It was named after Senator John Walker, who represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate from 1819 to 1822.[1] The county was greatly reduced in size on February 12, 1850, when its northern half became the county of Winston by Mayor Gabriel G. Cox. Jasper is the county seat, and was named after William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina.[1]
National Register of Historic Places
Walker County has sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They include the Bankhead House, Boshell's Mill, the First United Methodist Church of Jasper, the Gilchrist House, the Jasper Downtown Historic District, the Stephenson House, and Walker County Hospital.[4]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert". (1.7%) is water.[5] The county is located in the Cumberland Plateau region, with many plateaus and valleys, along with many forested areas, covering the county.[6]
Adjacent counties
- Winston County (north)
- Cullman County (northeast)
- Blount County (east)
- Jefferson County (southeast)
- Tuscaloosa County (southwest)
- Fayette County (west)
- Marion County (northwest)
Demographics
<templatestyles src="US Census population/styles.css"/>
| Census | Pop. | Template:Sronly | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 2,202 | — | |
| 1840 | 4,032 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1850 | 5,124 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1860 | 7,980 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1870 | 6,543 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1880 | 9,479 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1890 | 16,078 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1900 | 25,162 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1910 | 37,013 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1920 | 50,593 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1930 | 59,445 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1940 | 64,201 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1950 | 63,769 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1960 | 54,211 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1970 | 56,246 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1980 | 68,660 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1990 | 67,670 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2000 | 70,713 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2010 | 67,023 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2020 | 65,342 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 65,260 | [7] | Script error: No such module "String".% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[2] | |||
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, the county had a population of 65,342. The median age was 43.4 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.2 males age 18 and over.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 87.3% White, 6.0% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.[13]
20.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 79.7% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 26,423 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 29,975 housing units, of which 11.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.6% were owner-occupied and 25.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.3%.[12]
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 64,855 | 60,587 | 56,394 | 91.72% | 90.40% | 86.31% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4,323 | 3,885 | 3,889 | 6.11% | 5.80% | 5.95% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 197 | 233 | 187 | 0.28% | 0.35% | 0.29% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 140 | 190 | 283 | 0.20% | 0.28% | 0.43% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 26 | 2 | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 18 | 36 | 136 | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.21% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 560 | 759 | 2,299 | 0.79% | 1.13% | 3.52% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 607 | 1,307 | 2,152 | 0.86% | 1.95% | 3.29% |
| Total | 70,713 | 67,023 | 65,342 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 67,023 people, 26,571 households, and 18,741 families living in the county. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 30,816 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the county was 91.2% White, 5.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Nearly 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] There were 26,571 households, 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 52.0% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.8% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49, 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, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% 65 or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.
The median household income was $37,191 and the median family income was $45,788. Males had a median income of $43,671 versus $27,662 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,516. About 14.7% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 70,713 people, 28,364 households, and 20,478 families living in the county. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 32,417 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the county was 92.15% White, 6.17% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Nearly 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[19] In 2000 the largest reported ancestry groups in Walker County, AL were:
- American 27.7%
- Irish 8.8%
- English 6.8%
- African American 6.17%
- German 3.9%
- Scottish 1.4%
- Scotch-Irish 1.4%
There were 28,364 households, 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 56.30% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 25.30% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46, and the average family size was 2.93.
The age distribution was 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.80 males.
The median household income was $29,076 and the median family income was $35,221. Males had a median income of $31,242 versus $20,089 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,546. About 13.20% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Local officials have described coal mining as "literally at the core" of the county's economy.[20]
Politics
Walker County is a strongly Republican county. The last Democrat to win the county was Bill Clinton in 1996. Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresFoot
Transportation
Major highways
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
- File:I-22 (AL).svg Interstate 22
- File:US 78.svg U.S. Highway 78
- File:Alabama 5.svg State Route 5
- File:Alabama 13.svg State Route 13
- File:Alabama 18.svg State Route 18
- File:Alabama 69.svg State Route 69
- File:Alabama 102.svg State Route 102
- File:Alabama 118.svg State Route 118
- File:Alabama 124.svg State Route 124
- File:Alabama 195.svg State Route 195
- File:Alabama 257.svg State Route 257
- File:Alabama 269.svg State Route 269
Rail
Communities
Cities
- Carbon Hill
- Cordova
- Dora
- Jasper (county seat)
- Sumiton (partly in Jefferson County)
Towns
Unincorporated communities
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
Places of interest
Walker County is home to the William B. Bankhead National Forest and Lewis Smith Lake, in addition to the Alabama Mining Museum.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Walker County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Walker County, Alabama
References
- ↑ a b c d e "ACES Walker County Office" (links/history), Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), 2007, webpage: ACES-Walker.
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:NRISref
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
External links
- Walker County map of roads/towns (map © 2007 Univ. of Alabama).
Template:Geographic Location Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "navbox".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates".