Colbert County, Alabama

Colbert County (/ˈkɒlbərt/)[1] is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the county's population was 57,227.[2] The county seat is Tuscumbia.[3] The largest city is Muscle Shoals.

Colbert County
County
Colbert County Courthouse in Tuscumbia
Colbert County Courthouse in Tuscumbia
Map of Alabama highlighting Colbert County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°40′36″N 87°49′02″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 6, 1867
Named forGeorge and Levi Colbert
SeatTuscumbia
Largest cityMuscle Shoals
Area
 • Total622 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Land593 sq mi (1,540 km2)
 • Water30 sq mi (80 km2)  4.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total57,227
 • Estimate 
(2022)
58,033 Increase
 • Density92/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.colbertcounty.org
  • County Number 20 on Alabama Licence Plates
Colbert County Courthouse Square District Historic Marker, September 2007

The county is named in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert, who were Chickasaw chiefs in the early 19th century in this territory.[4] Ultimately the federal government forced the removal of most of the Chickasaw and other historic tribes from the Southeast.

Colbert County is part of the Florence–Muscle Shoals, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as "The Shoals".

History

The Chickasaw and Cherokee peoples are the earliest known inhabitants of Colbert County, an area that was part of their territories for hundreds of years. Before they emerged, there were earlier cultures of indigenous peoples who established settlements and seasonal villages for thousands of years in the area.

In the 1810s, settlers began to settle in an area at a crossroads that developed as Leighton, Alabama. Colbert County was originally established during the Reconstruction era after the American Civil War on February 6, 1867. The state legislature split it from Franklin County over political issues. It was abolished eight months later on November 29, 1867[5] by an Alabama constitutional convention, and reestablished by the legislature on February 24, 1870.

In 1890, the eastern boundary of Colbert County was changed from County Line Road to Town Creek; this resulted in all of the town of Leighton placed within Colbert County.[4] Colbert County is the location of Ivy Green, the birthplace of noted author and activist Helen Keller.[4] Colbert County includes the cities of Sheffield and Muscle Shoals, where many popular American and British musicians, such as Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones, respectively, recorded music.

Also located in Colbert County is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard established in 1937.[6] Coon dogs were bred and trained for hunting in this region.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 622 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 593 square miles (1,540 km2) is land and 30 square miles (78 km2) (4.7%) is water.[7] The county's elevation ranges from 410 feet at the Tennessee River in northwestern Colbert County to 980 feet in southeastern Colbert County at the broadcast facility's tower of WQPR-FM/WFIQ-TV.

National protected area

River

Major creeks
  • Bear Creek
  • Cane Creek
  • Mulberry Creek
  • Spring Creek
  • Town Creek

Waterfalls
  • Cane Creek Canyon Waterfall
  • Rainbow Branch Waterfall
  • Wilson Dam Waterfall

Notable springs
  • Big Spring at Tuscumbia
  • Buzzard Roost Spring at Margerum
  • Chalybeate Spring at Littleville
  • Milk Springs at Colbert Heights
  • Shegog Spring at Ford City

Notable mountains
  • Bald Knob
  • Coburn Mountain
  • Colbert Mountain
  • Hawk Pride Mountain
  • LaGrange Mountain
  • Mountain Mills Ridge
  • Sand Mountain
  • Underwood Mountain
  • Wagnon Mountain
  • Wheeler Mountain

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Rail

Airports

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
187012,537—
188016,15328.8%
189020,18925.0%
190022,34110.7%
191024,80211.0%
192031,99729.0%
193029,860−6.7%
194034,09314.2%
195039,56116.0%
196046,50617.6%
197049,6326.7%
198054,5199.8%
199051,666−5.2%
200054,9846.4%
201054,428−1.0%
202057,2275.1%
2022 (est.)58,033[9]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[2]

2020 census
Colbert County, Alabama – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 44,470 43,334 43,241 80.88% 79.62% 75.56%
Black or African American alone (NH) 9,096 8,702 9.222 16.54% 15.99% 16.11%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 195 262 222 0.35% 0.48% 0.39%
Asian alone (NH) 127 224 432 0.23% 0.41% 0.75%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 11 14 9 0.02% 0.03% 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 30 35 135 0.05% 0.06% 0.24%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 437 764 2,233 0.79% 1.40% 3.90%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 618 1,093 1,732 1.12% 2.01% 3.03%
Total 54,984 54,428 57,227 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 57,227 people, 21,880 households, and 14,797 families residing in the county.

2010 census

According to the 2010 United States census Bureau:

There were 22,461 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,954, and the median income for a family was $39,294. Males had a median income of $32,112 versus $20,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,533. About 11.10% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.40% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 54,984 people, 22,461 households, and 16,037 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (36 people/km2). There were 24,980 housing units at an average density of 42 units per square mile (16 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 78.52% White or European American (non-Hispanic), 16.62% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Government

Colbert County is governed by a County Commission that is composed of six members, elected from single-member districts, numbered one through six, by the qualified voters residing within each district. The term of office is 4 years. The six districts are apportioned as provided by law.  Each Commissioner resides in the same district he or she represents at the time of qualifying for office and during his or her tenure.  The Chair of the Commission rotates among the six members of the commission with each Commissioner serving as chair for one-sixth of his or her four-year term of office. Regularly-scheduled meetings of the Colbert County Commission are held in the evenings of the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

United States presidential election results for Colbert County, Alabama[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 19,203 68.86% 8,343 29.92% 340 1.22%
2016 16,746 67.21% 7,312 29.35% 857 3.44%
2012 13,936 59.44% 9,166 39.10% 342 1.46%
2008 14,739 59.33% 9,703 39.06% 401 1.61%
2004 13,188 55.10% 10,598 44.28% 149 0.62%
2000 10,518 48.85% 10,543 48.96% 471 2.19%
1996 8,305 40.88% 10,226 50.33% 1,787 8.80%
1992 8,073 35.98% 12,206 54.40% 2,160 9.63%
1988 7,775 42.25% 10,397 56.49% 232 1.26%
1984 9,530 45.31% 11,008 52.34% 494 2.35%
1980 6,619 33.07% 12,550 62.71% 844 4.22%
1976 4,471 26.55% 11,996 71.23% 375 2.23%
1972 11,215 67.71% 4,811 29.04% 538 3.25%
1968 1,727 11.06% 2,291 14.67% 11,603 74.28%
1964 5,267 48.59% 0 0.00% 5,573 51.41%
1960 2,815 26.79% 7,550 71.85% 143 1.36%
1956 1,819 20.35% 7,007 78.40% 111 1.24%
1952 1,381 18.90% 5,920 81.01% 7 0.10%
1948 488 15.62% 0 0.00% 2,637 84.38%
1944 496 12.75% 3,386 87.07% 7 0.18%
1940 365 8.35% 3,998 91.47% 8 0.18%
1936 251 6.92% 3,365 92.75% 12 0.33%
1932 312 9.62% 2,908 89.64% 24 0.74%
1928 1,249 31.64% 2,596 65.75% 103 2.61%
1924 576 25.29% 1,503 65.98% 199 8.74%
1920 650 25.18% 1,869 72.41% 62 2.40%
1916 352 23.02% 1,132 74.04% 45 2.94%
1912 228 15.25% 946 63.28% 321 21.47%
1908 353 27.88% 849 67.06% 64 5.06%
1904 203 17.47% 936 80.55% 23 1.98%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Education

Colleges

Colbert County School System
  • Cherokee Elementary School
  • Cherokee High School
  • Colbert County High School
  • Colbert Heights Elementary School
  • Colbert Heights High School
  • Hatton Elementary School
  • Leighton Elementary School
  • New Bethel Elementary School

Muscle Shoals City School System
  • Muscle Shoals High School
  • Muscle Shoals Middle School
  • Muscle Shoals Career Academy
  • Highland Park Elementary School
  • Howell Graves Preschool
  • McBride Elementary School
  • Webster Elementary School

Sheffield City School System
  • Sheffield High School
  • Sheffield Junior High School
  • L.E. Wilson Elementary School
  • W.A. Threadgill Primary School

Tuscumbia City School System
  • Deshler High School
  • Deshler Middle School
  • Deshler Career Technical Center
  • G.W. Trenholm Primary School
  • R.E. Thompson Intermediate School

Parks and Recreation
  • Alabama Wildlife Refuge Area at Pleasant Site
  • Avalon Park, Tuscumbia
  • Buzzard Roost Park, Margerum
  • Colbert County Park, Pride and Margerum
  • Highland Park, Tuscumbia
  • John W. Gattman Park, Muscle Shoals
  • Colbert Ferry Park, Cherokee
  • North Alabama State Fair Park, Tuscumbia
  • Park West, Tuscumbia
  • Rivermont Park on the Tennessee River, Tuscumbia
  • Rosetrail Park, Margerum
  • Spring Park, Tuscumbia
  • Tenth Avenue Park, Sheffield
  • Thomas State Wildlife Refuge, Barton
  • York Terrace Park, Sheffield

Historical Sites and Attractions
  • Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia
  • Barton Hall, Cherokee - National Historic Landmarks
  • Belle Mont Mansion/Plantation
  • Cane Creek Canyon and Natural Preserve
  • Colbert County Courthouse Square Historic District, Tuscumbia
  • Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard of Key-Underwood, Cherokee
  • F.A.M.E. Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals
  • Ivy Green - Birthplace of Helen Keller, Tuscumbia
  • LaGrange College Site and Monument, Leighton
  • Natchez Trace Parkway
  • Nitrate Village Number 1 Historic District, Sheffield
  • Old Railroad Bridge of 1839 on the Tennessee River
  • Rosenwald School site, Cherokee
  • Tennessee Valley Art Museum, Tuscumbia
  • Tuscumbia Railroad Depot Museum
  • TVA Walking Trails and Recreation Area
  • Wilson Lock and Dam, Muscle Shoals

See also:

Annual Events
  • Belle Mont Celtic Fest - May
  • Muscle Shoals Area Street Rods Car Show Festival - May
  • Recall LaGrange Commemorations - May
  • North Alabama African Heritage Festival - June
  • Leighton Juneteenth Celebration - June
  • Helen Keller Festival - June
  • W.C. Handy Music Festival - July
  • Coon Dog Labor Day Celebration - September
  • “Oka Kapassa” – Return to Cold Water American Indian Festival - September
  • Annual Christmas Parades of Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield - December

Notable People

References
  1. Foscue, Virginia O. (1989). Place Names in Alabama - Virginia O. Foscue - Google Books. ISBN 9780817304102. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Colbert County Website". Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  5. "Alabama Counties: Colbert County". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Montgomery, AL: Alabama Department of Archives and History. November 20, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  6. Kazek, Kelly (August 19, 2014). "Legendary Coon Dog Cemetery to once again host Labor Day celebration with live music, crafts, barbecue". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, AL. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. Alabama Railway Map Archived March 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. 2008. Alabama Department of Transportation. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  14. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Colbert County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Colbert County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Colbert County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

34°40′36″N 87°49′02″W

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