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Escambia County, Alabama
Escambia County Alabama Courthouse
Escambia County, Alabama Courthouse
Map of Alabama highlighting Escambia County
Location in the state of Alabama
Map of the U.S
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded December 10, 1868
Seat Brewton
Largest city Atmore
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

953 sq mi (2,468 km²)
945 sq mi (2,448 km²)
8.1 sq mi (21 km²), 0.8
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

36,757
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.escambia.al.us
Footnotes: *County Number 30 on Alabama license plates

Escambia County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,757.[1] Its county seat is Brewton.[2]

Escambia County is coextensive with the Atmore, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area; which is itself a constituent part of the larger Pensacola-Ferry Pass, FL-AL Combined Statistical Area. [3]

The county is the base of the state's only federally recognized Native American tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. They have developed gaming casinos and a hotel on their reservation here, but also a much larger business extending to locations in other states and the Caribbean.

Etymology[]

The name "Escambia" may have been derived from the Creek name Shambia, meaning "clearwater",[4] or the Choctaw word for "cane-brake" or "reed-brake".[5]

History[]

Historic American Indian tribes in the area included the Muskogean-speaking Creek, Choctaw, and Alabama, who had inhabited the lands for centuries and had many settlements. The former two tribes were among those in the Southeast whom the European-American settlers called the Five Civilized Tribes, as they adopted some European-American cultural ways. Many of their members had close working relationships with traders and settlers moving into the area in the early 19th century. Most of these nations were forced to cede their lands to the United States and to remove in the 1830s to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Escambia County was organized and established after the American Civil War, on December 10, 1868, during the Reconstruction era. The state legislature created it from parts of Baldwin and Conecuh counties, to the west and north, respectively. The area was part of the coastal plain. It was largely agricultural into the 20th century.

The county is subject to heavy winds and rains due to seasonal hurricanes. In September 1979, the county was declared a disaster area due to damage from Hurricane Frederic. It was declared a disaster area again in September 2004 due to damage from Hurricane Ivan.

In the 20th century, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians organized to gain recognition as a tribe, and established a government under a written constitution. It had control of some lands that were taken into trust on their behalf by the federal government as part of the federal recognition process. It is the only federally recognized tribe in the state. Since the late 20th century, they have developed three gaming resorts to generate revenues for tribal health and welfare.

In addition, Alabama has recognized nine tribes, generally descendants of Choctaw, Creek, and Cherokee Native Americans who had historically lived here.

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 953 square miles (2,470 km2), of which 945 square miles (2,450 km2) is land and 8.1 square miles (21 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6]

Major highways[]

  • I-65 (AL) Interstate 65
  • US 29 U.S. Highway 29
  • US 31 U.S. Highway 31
  • Alabama 21 State Route 21
  • Alabama 41 State Route 41
  • Alabama 113 State Route 113

Adjacent counties[]

Escambia County in Alabama and Escambia County in Florida are two of 22 counties or parishes in the United States with the same name to border each other across state lines.

National protected area[]

  • Conecuh National Forest (part)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census 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%
2010 38,319 −0.3%
Est. 2021 36,699 [7] −4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

2020[]

Escambia County racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 22,004 59.86%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,922 29.71%
Native American 1,488 4.05%
Asian 108 0.29%
Pacific Islander 22 0.06%
Other/Mixed 1,462 3.98%
Hispanic or Latino 751 2.04%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 36,757 people, 13,089 households, and 8,019 families residing in the county.

2010[]

According to the 2010 United States Census:

As of 2012 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Escambia County were:

  • 30.5% English
  • 12.1% "American"
  • 9.9% Irish

2000[]

As of the census[13] 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.


Government and infrastructure[]

The Holman Correctional Facility of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is in Atmore, 9 miles (14 km) north of the Atmore city center.[14][15] Holman has a male death row and the State of Alabama execution chamber.[15] In addition the ADOC Fountain Correctional Facility is also in Atmore, about 7 miles (11 km) north of the Atmore city center.[16] The city of Atmore annexed both prisons in 2008.[17]

Escambia County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by a majority in 1976.

United States presidential election results for Escambia County, Alabama[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,869 68.32% 4,918 30.91% 123 0.77%
2016 9,935 66.92% 4,605 31.02% 305 2.05%
2012 9,287 62.35% 5,489 36.85% 118 0.79%
2008 9,375 63.89% 5,188 35.36% 111 0.76%
2004 8,513 68.68% 3,814 30.77% 68 0.55%
2000 6,975 59.82% 4,523 38.79% 162 1.39%
1996 5,214 46.96% 4,651 41.89% 1,239 11.16%
1992 5,955 46.44% 4,809 37.50% 2,060 16.06%
1988 6,807 62.14% 4,020 36.70% 127 1.16%
1984 8,694 68.33% 3,853 30.28% 177 1.39%
1980 6,513 54.04% 5,148 42.71% 392 3.25%
1976 4,934 44.22% 5,957 53.39% 266 2.38%
1972 7,883 82.19% 1,598 16.66% 110 1.15%
1968 680 6.32% 1,492 13.86% 8,593 79.82%
1964 5,623 74.47% 0 0.00% 1,928 25.53%
1960 1,810 30.65% 3,990 67.57% 105 1.78%
1956 1,529 28.85% 3,437 64.86% 333 6.28%
1952 1,187 25.90% 3,385 73.86% 11 0.24%
1948 188 9.99% 0 0.00% 1,694 90.01%
1944 266 11.30% 2,077 88.20% 12 0.51%
1940 137 4.70% 2,772 95.03% 8 0.27%
1936 103 3.82% 2,585 95.81% 10 0.37%
1932 157 7.19% 2,024 92.67% 3 0.14%
1928 1,754 61.94% 1,077 38.03% 1 0.04%
1924 152 10.70% 1,217 85.70% 51 3.59%
1920 178 10.87% 1,455 88.88% 4 0.24%
1916 108 9.88% 982 89.84% 3 0.27%
1912 52 5.37% 829 85.64% 87 8.99%
1908 113 14.27% 641 80.93% 38 4.80%
1904 83 11.54% 627 87.20% 9 1.25%
1900 436 40.22% 609 56.18% 39 3.60%
1896 482 32.18% 914 61.01% 102 6.81%
1892 21 1.17% 1,110 62.05% 658 36.78%
1888 484 40.78% 694 58.47% 9 0.76%



Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Atmore
  • Brewton (county seat)
  • East Brewton

Towns[]

  • Flomaton
  • Pollard
  • Riverview

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Canoe
  • Dixonville
  • Foshee
  • Freemanville
  • Huxford
  • McCullough
  • Nokomis
  • Spring Hill
  • Wahl

Former town[]

  • Alco

Indian reservation[]

  • Poarch Creek Indian Reservation

Education[]

The two school districts are Brewton City School District (City of Brewton) and Escambia County School District (all other locations).[19]

Historic sites[]

Escambia County has two sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Brewton Historic Commercial District and the Commercial Hotel-Hart Hotel.[20]

Secession proposal[]

Perdido County, Alabama would contain northern Baldwin County, divided by a straight line extending westward from the northwestern tip of Florida, and western Escambia County, west of Big Escambia Creek. (The Flomaton area is excluded via a prominent power line easement, from Big Escambia Creek to the Florida state line.) The southwestern tip of Conecuh County, also west of Big Escambia Creek, may be included as well. The headwaters of the Perdido River rise near the center of this proposed county. The Perdido County seat would be Atmore. The county has been proposed by city of Atmore backers, who believe that their growing city of over 10,000 residents should be a county seat. Furthermore, county backers believe that Atmore belongs in the Mobile-Daphne-Fairhope metropolitan combined statistical area, which would become much more likely within its own exurban-leaning county. Brewton would remain the county seat of rural-leaning Escambia County. In addition to the incorporated city of Atmore, Perdido County would include the unincorporated communities of Blacksher, Canoe, Freemanville, Huxford, Nokomis, Perdido and Tensaw.

Notable residents[]

  • Esther Blake (1897–1979), the first woman in the United States Air Force.

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[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/escambiacountyalabama/PST045221. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "Pensacola-Ferry Pass, FL-AL CSA". https://censusreporter.org/profiles/33000US426-pensacola-ferry-pass-fl-al-csa/. 
  4. ^ Escambia County Alabama History - accessed August 18, 2009
  5. ^ Alabama Department of Archives and History - accessed August 18, 2009
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_01.txt. 
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html. 
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/al190090.txt. 
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US01053&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  14. ^ "Holman Correctional Facility Archived August 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  15. ^ a b "Annual Report Fiscal Year 2003." Alabama Department of Corrections. 33/84. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  16. ^ "Fountain / JO Davis Correctional Facility Archived June 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on July 4, 2011.
  17. ^ Prestridge, Adam (2008-08-13). "City council annexes 7,000 acres". https://www.atmoreadvance.com/2008/08/13/city-council-annexes-7000-acres/. Retrieved 2022-08-01. 
  18. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/. 
  19. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Escambia County, AL". U.S. Census Bureau. https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01053_escambia/DC20SD_C01053.pdf. Retrieved 2022-08-01.  - Text list
  20. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 31°07′36″N 87°09′44″W / 31.12667, -87.16222

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Escambia County, Alabama. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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