Lee County, Alabama

Lee County is a county located in east central Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 174,241.[1] The county seat is Opelika,[2] and the largest city is Auburn. The county was established in 1866 and is named for General Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), who served as General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States in 1865.[3] Lee County comprises the Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, GA-AL Combined Statistical Area.

Lee County
U.S. County
Main façade of Lee Courthouse, 2009
Main façade of Lee Courthouse, 2009
Motto: 
"The Heart of Dixie"
Map of Alabama highlighting Lee County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°36′05″N 85°21′13″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 5, 1866 (1866-12-05)
Named forGeneral Robert E. Lee
SeatOpelika
Largest cityAuburn
Area
 • Total616 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land608 sq mi (1,570 km2)
 • Water8.3 sq mi (21 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total174,241
 • Estimate 
(2022)
180,773 Increase
 • Density280/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.leeco.us
  • County Number 43 on Alabama License Plates

History

Lee County was established by the State Legislature on December 5, 1866, comprising parts of Macon, Tallapoosa, Chambers, and Russell counties. In an election to determine the county seat, Opelika was chosen over Auburn and Salem. In 1923, Phenix City, located in the southeastern corner of Lee County, merged with the town of Girard, located in the northeastern corner of Russell County. To prevent the new town of Phenix City from straddling the Lee-Russell line, Lee County ceded to Russell County the 10 square miles (25.9 km2) in the southeastern corner surrounding Phenix City in exchange for 20 square miles (51.8 km2) in the northwest corner of Russell County surrounding the unincorporated community of Marvyn. This territory is what forms the southern "panhandle" of Lee County. Even after the land swap with Russell County, however, the city limits of present-day Phenix City stretch into the southeastern corner of Lee. On March 3, 2019, a series of tornadoes hit the county, killing 23 people and injuring others. The deaths and injuries occurred in the community of Beauregard, situated south-east of the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 608 square miles (1,570 km2) is land and 8.3 square miles (21 km2) (1.3%) is water.[4]

The county straddles the fall line between the Piedmont region to the north, and the Gulf coastal plain to the south. Thus, northern areas of the county are hillier compared to southern areas of the county.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Railroads

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
187021,750—
188027,26225.3%
189028,6945.3%
190031,82610.9%
191032,8673.3%
192032,821−0.1%
193036,0639.9%
194036,4551.1%
195045,07323.6%
196049,75410.4%
197061,26823.1%
198076,28324.5%
199087,14614.2%
2000115,09232.1%
2010140,24721.9%
2020174,24124.2%
2022 (est.)180,773[5]3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2020 Census
Lee 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[10] Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 84,298 97,900 107,795 73.24% 69.81% 63.01%
Black or African American alone (NH) 25,954 31,674 39,252 22.55% 22.58% 22.53%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 251 397 365 0.22% 0.28% 0.21%
Asian alone (NH) 1,864 3,615 8,544 1.62% 2.58% 4.90%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 19 66 108 0.02% 0.05% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 99 164 462 0.09% 0.12% 0.27%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 962 1,860 6,580 0.84% 1.33% 3.78%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,645 4,571 9,135 1.43% 3.26% 5.24%
Total 115,092 140,247 174,241 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 174,241 people, 64,448 households, and 37,809 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 140,247 people, 55,682 households, and 33,692 families living in the county. The population density was 227.7 people per square mile (87.9 people/km2). There were 62,391 housing units at an average density of 101.3 units per square mile (39.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.3% White, 22.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 3.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 55,682 households 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 27.9% of households were one person and 6.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

The age distribution was 22.5% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% 65 or older. The median age was 28.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median household income was $40,894 and the median family income was $59,112. Males had a median income of $42,335 versus $31,766 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,794. About 11.0% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 115,092 people, 45,702 households, and 27,284 families living in the county. The population density was 189 people per square mile (73 people/km2). There were 50,329 housing units at an average density of 83 units per square mile (32 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.1% White, 22.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.6% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[13] Of the 45,702 households 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 27.8% of households were one person and 5.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.03.

The age distribution was 23.3% under the age of 18, 22.7% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% 65 or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median household income was $30,952 and the median family income was $46,781. Males had a median income of $33,598 versus $23,228 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,158. About 11.1% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Among the principal governmental functions vested in Alabama counties are law enforcement; tax assessment, levy and collection; administration of decedent's estates and probate matters; maintenance of real and personal property title records; construction and maintenance of public roads and bridges; and maintenance of the county courthouse, which provides office space for various county officials and departments. Lee County is one of only seven counties in Alabama that has been granted limited home rule. It is governed by a six-member county commission, composed of the Probate Judge and five commissioners. The Probate Judge is elected countywide for a six-year term and serves as chairman of the commission. The other commissioners are elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. Each commissioner must be a registered voter and live within the district they represent. Terms are staggered so that three commissioners are elected in one election cycle, and the other two members are elected in the next election cycle two years later.

The County Commission employs a County Administrator, who serves as its chief administrative officer. It is the responsibility of the County Administrator to carry out the policies and directives of the commission, and for the development and management of the county's annual operating budget. The Administrator serves as the budgetary agent for all county offices. The County Administrator is also responsible for the supervision and management of various department heads, and for ensuring that all agreements, leases and other contractual obligations of the commission are properly performed. The County Administrator works with Lee County Commissioners and other elected county officials to facilitate the delivery of quality and effective services to the citizens of Lee County.[14]

Lee County is very conservative for a county dominated by a college town. While other such counties have swung heavily to the Democrats since the 1990s, Lee County has not supported a Democrat for president since 1960. The last Democrat to garner over 40 percent of the county's vote was Jimmy Carter in both of his election campaigns in 1976 and 1980. However, Bill Clinton tallied over 38 percent of the county's vote in both of his successful runs for president, as did Barack Obama in both of his campaigns.

United States presidential election results for Lee County, Alabama[15][16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 42,221 59.09% 27,860 38.99% 1,368 1.91%
2016 34,617 58.48% 21,230 35.87% 3,344 5.65%
2012 32,194 59.08% 21,381 39.23% 921 1.69%
2008 32,230 59.33% 21,498 39.57% 597 1.10%
2004 27,972 62.70% 16,227 36.38% 411 0.92%
2000 22,433 58.63% 14,574 38.09% 1,257 3.29%
1996 17,985 54.15% 12,919 38.90% 2,310 6.95%
1992 16,885 47.58% 13,770 38.80% 4,835 13.62%
1988 17,180 64.39% 9,078 34.02% 425 1.59%
1984 16,757 64.05% 9,077 34.70% 327 1.25%
1980 10,982 49.98% 9,606 43.72% 1,384 6.30%
1976 9,884 52.75% 8,427 44.98% 426 2.27%
1972 11,571 74.94% 3,622 23.46% 248 1.61%
1968 2,366 18.01% 2,803 21.34% 7,967 60.65%
1964 5,914 78.69% 0 0.00% 1,602 21.31%
1960 2,301 37.73% 3,759 61.63% 39 0.64%
1956 1,586 31.40% 3,302 65.37% 163 3.23%
1952 1,626 36.67% 2,803 63.22% 5 0.11%
1948 258 12.86% 0 0.00% 1,749 87.14%
1944 134 6.23% 2,011 93.49% 6 0.28%
1940 103 3.85% 2,566 95.96% 5 0.19%
1936 93 4.07% 2,183 95.62% 7 0.31%
1932 103 4.90% 1,988 94.53% 12 0.57%
1928 1,016 41.38% 1,436 58.49% 3 0.12%
1924 98 6.52% 1,290 85.77% 116 7.71%
1920 155 8.19% 1,620 85.58% 118 6.23%
1916 42 2.90% 1,369 94.67% 35 2.42%
1912 43 3.25% 1,179 88.98% 103 7.77%
1908 64 5.02% 1,126 88.38% 84 6.59%
1904 40 2.80% 1,348 94.40% 40 2.80%
1900 1,026 36.04% 1,718 60.34% 103 3.62%
1896 1,491 43.83% 1,737 51.06% 174 5.11%
1892 318 7.14% 2,760 61.99% 1,374 30.86%
1888 1,432 41.80% 1,991 58.11% 3 0.09%

Education

Lee County is home to Auburn University, a large comprehensive public university, and Southern Union State Community College, a two-year degree and technical college.

Communities
Population distribution in Lee County by municipality, 2010

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Places of interest

Lee County is home to Auburn University Museum of Natural History, Chewacla State Park, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Bean's Mill, the Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge and the Grand National Golf course which is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States (Report). U.S. Geological survey. Bulletin no. 258 (2nd ed.). Washington: Government Printing Office. p. 184. LCCN 05000751. OCLC 1156805 – via United States Geological Survey.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  11. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. Text on Lee County government used with permission of Lee County Commissioners Office.
  15. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  16. http://geoelections.free.fr/. Retrieved January 13, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Further reading
  • Barnes, Margaret Anne (1998). The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press.  ISBN 0-86554-613-4
  • Nunn, Alexander (Ed.) (1983). Lee County and Her Forebears. Montgomery: Herff Jones.   LCCN 83-81693
  • Wright, John Peavy (1969).  Glimpses into the past from my Grandfather's Trunk. Alexander City: Outlook Publishing Company, Inc.   LCCN 74-101331
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