Baldwin County, Alabama

Baldwin County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama, on the Gulf coast. It is one of only two counties in Alabama that border the Gulf of Mexico, along with Mobile County. As of the 2020 census, the population was 231,767, making it the fourth-most populous county in Alabama.[3] The county seat is Bay Minette. The county is named after the founder of the University of Georgia, Senator Abraham Baldwin.[4]

Baldwin County
County
The Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette
The Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette
Official seal of Baldwin County
Seal
Map of Alabama highlighting Baldwin County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°39′39″N 87°44′59″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 21[1], 1809[1]
Named forAbraham Baldwin
SeatBay Minette
Largest cityDaphne
Area
[2]
 • Total2,027 sq mi (5,250 km2)
 • Land1,590 sq mi (4,100 km2)
 • Water437 sq mi (1,130 km2)  21.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total231,767
 • Estimate 
(2022)
246,435 Increase
 • Density110/sq mi (44/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitebaldwincountyal.gov
 
  • County Number 05 on Alabama Licence Plates

Baldwin was Alabama's fastest-growing county from 2010 to 2020, with 4 of the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the state in recent years.[5]

The U.S. federal government designates Baldwin County as the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It is the largest county in Alabama by area and is located on the eastern side of Mobile Bay. Part of its western border with Mobile County is formed by the Spanish River, a brackish distributary river.

History

Baldwin County was established on December 21, 1809,[1] ten years before Alabama became a state. Previously, the county had been a part of the Mississippi Territory until 1817, when the area was included in the separate Alabama Territory. Statehood was gained by Alabama in 1819.[6]

There have been numerous border changes to the county as population grew and other counties were formed. Numerous armies have invaded during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War.[7]

In the first days of Baldwin County, the town of McIntosh Bluff on the Tombigbee River was the county seat. (It is now included in Washington County, northwest of Baldwin County.) The county seat was transferred to the town of Blakeley in 1820, and then to the city of Daphne in 1868. In 1900, by an act of the legislature of Alabama, the county seat was authorized for relocation to the city of Bay Minette; however, the city of Daphne resisted this relocation.

To achieve the relocation, the men of Bay Minette devised a scheme. They fabricated a murder to lure the Sheriff and his deputy out of the city of Daphne. While the law was chasing down the fictitious killer during the late hours, the group of Bay Minette men stealthily traveled the seventeen miles (27 km) to Daphne, stole the Baldwin County Courthouse records, and delivered them to the city of Bay Minette, where Baldwin County's county seat remains. A New Deal mural, completed by WPA artists during the Great Depression, depicts these events. It hangs in the Bay Minette United States Post Office.[8]

During the American Civil War, 32 men hailing from Baldwin County enlisted with a Union unit mustered in Pensacola, Florida called the 1st Florida Cavalry Regiment. In 1860, Baldwin County was the least populous of Alabama's 52 counties. Half of the population were enslaved. There was also a large population of Muscogee (Creek) in the northern portion of the county.[9]

Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Baldwin County frequently endures tropical weather systems, including hurricanes. Since the late 20th century, the county has been declared a disaster area multiple times. This was due to heavy damages in September 1979 from Hurricane Frederic,[10] July 1997 from Hurricane Danny,[11] September 1998 from Hurricane Georges,[12] September 2004 from Hurricane Ivan,[13] and August 2005 from Hurricane Katrina.[14]

2016 flag controversy

Baldwin County attracted national attention after the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting as the only county in the United States to refuse to lower its flags to half-staff. Both President Obama and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley had ordered all flags to be lowered immediately following the attack, which was believed to have specifically targeted the LGBTQ community. Citing the U.S. Flag Code, Baldwin County Commissioner Tucker Dorsey stated that while his "heart certainly goes out to the victims and their families," the incident "doesn't meet the test of the reason for the flag to be lowered."[15]

Geography
Baldwin County's beaches

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,027 square miles (5,250 km2), of which 1,590 square miles (4,100 km2) is land and 437 square miles (1,130 km2) (21.6%) is water.[16][2] It is the largest county by area in Alabama and the 12th-largest county east of the Mississippi River. It is larger than the US state of Rhode Island.

Adjacent counties

Regions

Environmental recognition

Two separate areas in Baldwin County have been designated as "Outstanding Alabama Water" by the Alabama Environmental Management Commission, which oversees the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. As of April 2007, only two other areas in Alabama have received what is the "highest environmental status" in the state. A portion of Wolf Bay and 42 miles (68 km) of the Tensaw River in northern Baldwin County have received the designation. Officials believe the "pristine water" will become an important eco-tourism destination.[17]

National protected area

Transportation

Major highways

Airports

There are numerous private airports and heliports in Baldwin County. Considerable military airspace overlies much of the county and adjacent bay and coastal waters.

Commercial, scheduled service is from Mobile Regional Airport, Mobile Downtown Airport, or Pensacola International Airport.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18101,427—
18201,71320.0%
18302,32435.7%
18402,95127.0%
18504,41449.6%
18607,53070.6%
18706,004−20.3%
18808,60343.3%
18908,9413.9%
190013,19447.6%
191018,17837.8%
192020,73014.0%
193028,28936.5%
194032,32414.3%
195040,99726.8%
196049,08819.7%
197059,38221.0%
198078,55632.3%
199098,28025.1%
2000140,41542.9%
2010182,26529.8%
2020231,76727.2%
2022 (est.)246,435[18]6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
1790–1960[20] 1900–1990[21]
1990–2000[22] 2010–2020[3]

2020 Census
Baldwin 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[23] Pop 2010[24] Pop 2020[25] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 120,868 152,200 186,495 86.08% 83.50% 80.47%
Black or African American alone (NH) 14,357 16,966 18,001 10.22% 9.31% 7.77%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 753 1,146 1,291 0.54% 0.63% 0.56%
Asian alone (NH) 531 1,340 2,029 0.38% 0.74% 0.88%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 37 79 122 0.03% 0.04% 0.05%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 104 245 775 0.07% 0.13% 0.33%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,299 2,297 10,368 0.93% 1.26% 4.47%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,466 7,992 12,686 1.76% 4.38% 5.47%
Total 140,415 182,265 231,767 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 231,767 people, 82,325 households, and 53,962 families residing in the county.

2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 182,265 people, 73,180 households, and 51,151 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile (42 people/km2). There were 104,061 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.7% White, 9.4% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 4.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 73,180 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.46 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,250, and the median income for a family was $47,028. Males had a median income of $34,507 versus $23,069 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,826. 10.10% of the population and 7.60% of families were below the poverty line. 13.10% of those under the age of 18 and 8.90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 21.4% were of American, 12.5% English, 11.4% German and 9.9% Irish ancestry.

In 2000, the largest denominational groups were Evangelical Protestants (with 38,670 adherents) and Mainline Protestants (with 16,399 adherents).[26] The largest religious bodies were the Southern Baptist Convention (with 27,789 members) and the Catholic Church (with 10,482 members).[26]

Education

Baldwin County contains three public school districts. There are approximately 32,500 students in public K-12 schools in Baldwin County.[27] Prior to the 2019–2020 school year, there was only one school district, overseen by the Baldwin County Board of Education. The city of Gulf Shores has since set up its own school system, following a city council vote in 2017. In the spring of 2022, the city council of Orange Beach also voted to breakaway from the county school system.[28]

There are Catholic elementary schools in the county, including Christ the King (Daphne), St. Patrick (Robertsdale) and St. Benedict (Elberta). Beginning in 2016, there is also a Catholic high school, St. Michael Catholic High School, located just east of Fairhope.

Coastal Alabama Community College has several campuses in the county. The United States Sports Academy is a private university focused on sports and located in Daphne.

Districts

School districts include:[29]

Government
United States presidential election results for Baldwin County, Alabama[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 83,544 76.17% 24,578 22.41% 1,557 1.42%
2016 72,883 76.55% 18,458 19.39% 3,874 4.07%
2012 66,016 77.22% 18,424 21.55% 1,051 1.23%
2008 61,271 75.26% 19,386 23.81% 756 0.93%
2004 52,971 76.42% 15,599 22.50% 750 1.08%
2000 40,872 72.37% 13,997 24.78% 1,611 2.85%
1996 29,487 62.58% 12,776 27.11% 4,856 10.31%
1992 26,270 56.52% 12,195 26.24% 8,011 17.24%
1988 25,933 72.85% 9,271 26.04% 394 1.11%
1984 24,964 75.55% 7,272 22.01% 809 2.45%
1980 18,652 65.78% 8,448 29.80% 1,253 4.42%
1976 13,256 57.72% 9,191 40.02% 520 2.26%
1972 15,104 82.20% 2,923 15.91% 348 1.89%
1968 2,154 11.87% 1,821 10.04% 14,167 78.09%
1964 10,870 81.12% 0 0.00% 2,530 18.88%
1960 4,812 45.24% 5,647 53.09% 177 1.66%
1956 4,293 51.02% 3,878 46.08% 244 2.90%
1952 3,179 48.04% 3,386 51.17% 52 0.79%
1948 767 22.26% 0 0.00% 2,678 77.74%
1944 695 25.49% 2,002 73.41% 30 1.10%
1940 617 17.62% 2,681 76.58% 203 5.80%
1936 434 14.63% 2,338 78.80% 195 6.57%
1932 544 19.57% 2,098 75.47% 138 4.96%
1928 1,388 51.05% 1,317 48.44% 14 0.51%
1924 549 27.76% 1,023 51.72% 406 20.53%
1920 556 28.70% 1,230 63.50% 151 7.80%
1916 216 18.95% 766 67.19% 158 13.86%
1912 37 4.00% 623 67.28% 266 28.73%
1908 109 17.06% 439 68.70% 91 14.24%
1904 126 20.52% 454 73.94% 34 5.54%
1900 396 43.00% 444 48.21% 81 8.79%
1896 404 34.21% 726 61.47% 51 4.32%
1892 382 27.64% 912 65.99% 88 6.37%
1888 547 43.04% 724 56.96% 0 0.00%

Baldwin County was one of the earliest counties in Alabama in which the old-line Southern Democrats began splitting their tickets, even going so far as to vote for Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1956 re-election bid. Today, it is one of the most solidly Republican counties in Alabama. No Republican has failed to win a majority in the county since 1968, when it was easily carried by George Wallace running on a segregationist third-party ticket. The county has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1960.

The county is governed by a four-member county commission, elected from single-member districts. A sheriff, coroner, and revenue commissioner are elected in at-large positions countywide. The sheriff of Baldwin County is Hoss Mack (R).[31]

The commissioners are as follows:

District 1: James E. Ball (R)

District 2: Joseph Davis III (R)

District 3: Billie Jo Underwood (R)

District 4: Charles F. Gruber (R)

The coroner is Brian Pierce (R) and the district attorney is Robert Wilters (R).

Law enforcement

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Baldwin County. The current sheriff is Huey H. Mack, who joined the Sheriff's Office in 1989 as a Criminal Investigator. The first sheriff, Benjamin Baldwin, was appointed on 21 December 1809.[32]

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated areas

Ghost town

County subdivisions
Historical census county divisions of Baldwin County
Approximate divisions used in the 1930–1950 censuses. Similar to those used from 1910–1920.
Current divisions as of the 2020 census. Similar to those used from 1970–2010.

The United States Census Bureau divides counties into county subdivisions. In Baldwin County, these are currently in to form of census county divisions. The county's historical subdivisions and their populations in the decennial censuses are as follows:

1870
Subdivision 1870
[33]
Township 1 south160
Township 2 south278
Township 3 south480
Township 4 south480
Township 5 south640
Township 6 south1,120
Township 7 south640
Township 8 south320
Township 9 south320
Township 1 north320
Township 2 north480
Township 3 north320
Township 4 north446
County total6,004

1880
Subdivision 1880
[34]
Beat 11,489
Beat 25,976
Beat 31,138
County total8,603

1890–1900
Subdivision 1890
[35]		 1900
[36]
Precinct 1, Montgomery Hill2,0352,268
Precinct 2, Stockton9431,387
Precinct 3, Perdido Station4701,075
Precinct 4, Bay Minette1,0221,593
Precinct 5, Halmons [sic]492632
Precinct 6, Sibleys Mill294939
Precinct 7, Courthouse
(including Daphne)		6411,099
Precinct 8, Battles Wharf1,3141,837
Precinct 9, Lowell506696
Precinct 10, Helton346490
Precinct 11, Shell Banks310769
Precinct 12, Camp Powell568409
County total8,94113,194

1910–1950
Subdivision 1910
[37]		 1920
[38]		 1930
[39]		 1940
[40]		 1950
[41]
Precinct 1, Blackshear [sic]1,2931,0769451,042643
Precinct 2, Montgomery Hill and Latham764864704692638
Precinct 3, Stockton and Deans1,4321,8801,8701,7822,140
Precinct 4, Bay Minette2,3362,6934,2714,7236,264
Precinct 5, Perdido and Lottie1,0121,7101,8342,0241,832
Precinct 6, Stapleton and Ducks (1910–1920)
Precinct 6, Stapleton (1930–1950)		9001,0211,0451,3301,437
Precinct 7, Holmans and Gateswood7571,011519585489
Precinct 8, Daphne1,5071,6082,1312,7233,814
Precinct 9, Loxley and Robertsdale
(including Silverhill)		1,7852,3014,3804,9816,655
Precinct 10, Fairhope and Zundels2,0251,9633,6813,9176,505
Precinct 11, Summerdale and Marlow8569931,7661,8081,879
Precinct 12, Seminole and Lillian4373566051,049964
Precinct 13, Elberta and Josephine7151,0251,2721,2391,384
Precinct 14, Foley and Magnolia Springs1,0191,2142,3703,0814,715
Precinct 15, Bon Secour and Palmetto Beach (1910–1940)
Precinct 15, Bon Secour and Canal (1950)		1,3401,0158961,3481,638
County total18,17820,73028,28932,32440,997

1960–present
Subdivision 1960
[42]		 1970
[43]		 1980
[44]		 1990
[45]		 2000
[46]		 2010
[47]		 2020
[48]
Bay Minette CCD10,78813,34717,04018,05821,87723,60425,186
Daphne CCD
(including Spanish Fort)		5,4028,46113,56319,13528,90441,29555,767
Elberta CCD
(including Perdido Beach)		2,3853,0764,2306,34110,47310,95713,668
Fairhope CCD8,74510,56213,78216,33120,78025,89433,920
Foley CCD (including Gulf Shores,
Magnolia Springs, and most of Orange Beach)		7,78810,41614,13320,68731,27148,08964,862
Perdido CCD1,675——————
Robertsdale CCD
(including Loxley and Silverhill)		7,8478,2579,99311,84918,85424,31729,160
Stockton CCD2,8993,4703,7043,5654,1613,8043,745
Summerdale CCD1,5591,7932,1112,3144,0954,3055,459
County total49,08859,38278,55698,280140,415182,265231,767

See also

References
  1. A Digest of the Laws of the State of Alabama: Containing the Statutes and Resolutions in Force at the end of the General Assembly in January, 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter III. Pages 81-82. An Act to divide Washington County, and for other purposes therein mentioned.--Passed December 21, 1809.
  2. "2019 Gazetteer Files for Counties: Alabama" (text). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Genealogical Publishing Com. ISBN 9780806305448.
  5. Archibald, Ramsey. "Alabama's 10 fastest growing cities from 2019 to 2020". al.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  6. "Various Historical Compilations about Baldwin County, Alabama". Baldwin County, Alabama. Archived from the original on August 28, 2007. Retrieved May 25, 2007.
  7. "ADAH Historical Markers—Baldwin County: A County Older than the State". Texts of historical markers placed by Alabama Historical Society. Alabama Department of Archives & History. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
  8. "History-Compilations". Co.baldwin.al.us. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  9. Marsh, Sharon D. (2016). The 1st Florida Union Cavalry Volunteers in the Civil War : the men and the regimental history, and what that tells us about the area during the war (1st ed.). pp. 4–5. ISBN 9780692793589.
  10. "Alabama Disaster History". FEMA website. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  11. "Special Title I Assistance to Victims in Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Areas - Alabama, Vermont, Washington State and Michigan". hudclips.org. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  12. "Designated Counties for Alabama Hurricane Georges". FEMA website. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  13. "Designated Counties for Hurricane Ivan". FEMA website. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  14. "Alabama Hurricane Katrina". FEMA website. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  15. Deena Zaru. "Alabama county refuses to lower flag to honor Orlando victims". CNN. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  16. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  17. Gary Busby, "Wolf Bay Listed as Outstanding Alabama Water", The Mobile Register, Baldwin Register, April 24, 2007, page 1
  18. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  19. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  20. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  21. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  22. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  23. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Baldwin County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  24. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Baldwin County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  25. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Baldwin County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  26. "County Membership Reports". thearda.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  27. "Search for Public School Districts - Baldwin County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  28. Sharp, John (March 15, 2022). "Orange Beach votes to create city school system". AL.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  29. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Baldwin County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2022. Text list.
  30. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  31. "Association". Alabama Sheriffs. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  32. Baldwin County Sheriff's page
  33. Ninth Census: The Statistics of the Population of the United States. 1872. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  34. Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Tenth Census. 1883. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  35. Report on the Population of the United States at the Eleventh Census. 1895. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  36. Twelfth Census of the United States: Population, part 1. 1901. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  37. Thirteenth Census of the United States: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. 1912. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  38. Fourteenth Census of the United States: Population. 1921. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  39. Fifteenth Census of the United States: Population. 1931. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  40. Sixteenth Census of the United States: Population. 1942. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  41. A Report of the Seventeenth Decennial Census of the United States: Census of Population. 1952. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  42. 1960 Census of Population: Advance Reports: Final Populaiton Counts. 1960. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  43. 1970 Census of Population: Characteristics of the Population: Number of Inhabitants. 1972. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  44. 1980 Census of Population and Housing: Number of Inhabitants:Alabama. 1982. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  45. 1990 Census of Population and Housing: Summary Population and Housing Characteristics: Alabama. 1991. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  46. "DP1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000". United States Census Bureau.
  47. "P1: Total Population: 2010". United States Census Bureau.
  48. "P1: Race: 2020". United States Census Bureau.
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30°39′39″N 87°44′59″W

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