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Monroe County, Alabama

Coordinates: 31°34′15″N 87°22′11″W / 31.57083°N 87.36972°W / 31.57083; -87.36972
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Monroe County
County
Monroe County courthouse in Monroeville, Alabama
Monroe County courthouse in Monroeville, Alabama
Map of Alabama highlighting Monroe County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°34′15″N 87°22′11″W / 31.570833333333°N 87.369722222222°W / 31.570833333333; -87.369722222222
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedJune 29, 1815
SeatMonroeville
Largest cityMonroeville
Area
 • Total1,035 sq mi (2,680 km2)
 • Land1,026 sq mi (2,660 km2)
 • Water9 sq mi (20 km2)  (0.84%)%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total24,324
 • Density20/sq mi (9/km2)

Monroe County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States. As of 2000, the population was 24,324. Its county seat is Monroeville.

History

Monroe County was established on June 29, 1815.

The county seat, Monroeville, is the home of two notable authors, Truman Capote and Nelle Harper Lee, who were childhood neighbors. Novelist Mark Childress and journalist Cynthia Tucker are also Monroe County natives. In 1997 the Alabama legislature designated Monroeville and Monroe County the "Literary Capital of Alabama." Also home to Derek Johnson, native of Excel, Alabama, who is a country music agent and manager in Nashville, Tennessee. He has worked with the likes of Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Daryle Singletary, Confederate Railroad, Hayley Williams of Paramore, and many more.

The county has been declared a disaster area twice due to extensive hurricane damage: in September 1979 due to Hurricane Frederic, and in September 2004 due to Hurricane Ivan.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,679 km² (1,035 square miles). Nearly 1,026 square miles (2,657 km²) of it is land, and 9 square miles (22 km²) of it (0.84%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 24,324 people, 9,383 households, and 6,774 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 11,343 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.75% White, 40.07% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,383 households out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 16.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,093, and the median income for a family was $34,569. Males had a median income of $31,096 versus $18,767 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,862. About 18.20% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.00% of those under age 18 and 21.40% of those age 65 or over.

Settlements

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Places of interest

Monroe County is home to several attractions, such as the Alabama River Museum, the Monroe County Heritage Museum, and the Courthouse Museum which hosts the annual stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird. The county also contains Claude Kelly State Park.

See also

References


31°34′15″N 87°22′11″W / 31.57083°N 87.36972°W / 31.57083; -87.36972

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