Cleburne County, Alabama

Cleburne County, Alabama
Cleburne County Courthouse in Heflin, Alabama in 2012.
Location in the state of Alabama
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded	December 6, 1866
Seat	Heflin
Largest city	Heflin
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	561.02 sq mi (1,453 km²) 560.21 sq mi (1,451 km²) 0.81 sq mi (2 km²), (0.14%)
Population  - (2010)  - Density	14,972 27/sq mi (10.3/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.cleburnecounty.us

Cleburne County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Major General Patrick R. Cleburne, of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,972. Its county seat is Heflin.

History

Cleburne County was established on December 6, 1866, by an act of the state legislature. The county was made from territory in Benton (now Calhoun), Randolph, and Talladega counties. In 1867, Edwardsville was made the county seat. An election was held in 1905 to move the county seat to Heflin. The result of that election, which agreed to move the seat, was appealed to the Supreme Court, who decided on July 1, 1906, to uphold the election results. Heflin is still the county seat.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 561.02 square miles (1,453.0 km²), of which 560.21 square miles (1,450.9 km²) (or 99.86%) is land and 0.81 square miles (2.1 km²) (or 0.14%) is water. Cleburne County is home to Alabama's highest natural point on Cheaha Mountain which is part of the southernmost mountain range in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Cleburne County Courthouse in March 1980.

Cheaha Mountain, Cleburne County

Shoal Creek Church is a historic church located in Cleburne County just north of Edwardsville, Alabama in Talladega National Forest. The church was built in 1895 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 1974

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Major highways

• Interstate 20
• U.S. Highway 78
• U.S. Highway 431
• State Route 9
• State Route 46

Rail

• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Amtrak

Adjacent counties

• Cherokee County, Alabama – north
• Polk County, Georgia – northeast
• Haralson County, Georgia – east
• Carroll County, Georgia – southeast
• Randolph County, Alabama – south
• Clay County, Alabama – southwest
• Talladega County, Alabama – southwest
• Calhoun County, Alabama – west

See also: List of counties bordering eight or more counties

National protected area

• Talladega National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1870	8,017		—
1880	10,976		36.9%
1890	13,218		20.4%
1900	13,206		−0.1%
1910	13,385		1.4%
1920	13,360		−0.2%
1930	12,877		−3.6%
1940	13,629		5.8%
1950	11,904		−12.7%
1960	10,911		−8.3%
1970	10,996		0.8%
1980	12,595		14.5%
1990	12,730		1.1%
2000	14,254		12.0%
2010	14,972		5.0%
Est. 2011	14,835		−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 2011 estimate through 1960

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,123 people, 5,590 households, and 4,125 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 6,189 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.74% White, 3.70% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,590 households out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,820, and the median income for a family was $35,579. Males had a median income of $29,752 versus $18,840 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,762. About 10.90% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.10% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,421 people, 4,431 households, and 3,551 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 5,291 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.40% White, 5.11% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 1.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,273 people, 3,234 households, and 2,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 4,891 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.01% White, 7.19% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

• Town of Edwardsville
• City of Fruithurst
• City of Heflin
• Town of Ranburne

Unincorporated

• Ai
• Hopewell
• Liberty Hill

Census-designated place (CDPs)

• Hollis Crossroads

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cleburne County, Alabama
• Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Cleburne County, Alabama
• Shoal Creek Church
• Cleburne County School District
• Chamber of Commerce web site