Escambia County, Alabama
Escambia County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 31°07′36″N 87°09′44″W / 31.126666666667°N 87.162222222222°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Alabama |
Founded | December 10, 1868 |
Seat | Brewton |
Largest city | Atmore |
Area | |
• Total | 953 sq mi (2,470 km2) |
• Land | 947 sq mi (2,450 km2) |
• Water | 6 sq mi (20 km2) (0.58%)% |
Population (2000) | |
• Total | 38,440 |
• Density | 40/sq mi (15/km2) |
Escambia County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2000, the population was 38,440. Its county seat is Brewton.
History
- Escambia County was established on December 10, 1868.
- The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979 due to damage from Hurricane Frederic, and again in September 2004 due to damage from Hurricane Ivan.
The name "Escambia" may be derived from the Creek name "Shambia", meaning "clearwater",[1] or the Choctaw word for "cane-brake" or "reed-brake".[2]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,468 km² (953 square miles). 947 square miles (2,454 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (14 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.
Major highways
- Interstate 65
- U.S. Highway 29
- U.S. Highway 31
- Alabama State Route 21
- Alabama State Route 41
- Alabama State Route 113
Adjacent counties
- Conecuh County (north)
- Covington County (east)
- Okaloosa County, Florida (southeast)
- Santa Rosa County, Florida (south)
- Escambia County, Florida (southwest) (this is one of the very few instances in the United States where two counties with the same name, but located in adjoining states, share a common border)
- Baldwin County (west)
- Monroe County (northwest)
National protected area
- Conecuh National Forest (part)
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1870 | 4,041 | — |
1880 | 5,719 | +41.5% |
1890 | 8,666 | +51.5% |
1900 | 11,320 | +30.6% |
1910 | 18,889 | +66.9% |
1920 | 22,464 | +18.9% |
1930 | 27,963 | +24.5% |
1940 | 30,671 | +9.7% |
1950 | 31,443 | +2.5% |
1960 | 33,511 | +6.6% |
1970 | 34,912 | +4.2% |
1980 | 38,440 | +10.1% |
1990 | 35,518 | −7.6% |
2000 | 38,440 | +8.2% |
Sources: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. through 1960 |
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 38,440 people, 14,297 households, and 10,093 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 16,544 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.40% White, 30.79% Black or African American, 3.01% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,297 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.70% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,319, and the median income for a family was $36,086. Males had a median income of $30,632 versus $18,091 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,396. About 15.20% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Escambia County, Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Escambia County, Alabama
References
- ^ Escambia County Alabama History - accessed August 18, 2009
- ^ Alabama Department of Archives and History - accessed August 18, 2009