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Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County Courthouse in Moulton, Alabama
Lawrence County Courthouse in Moulton
Map of Alabama highlighting Lawrence County
Location in the state of Alabama
Map of the U.S
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded February 6, 1818
Named for James Lawrence
Seat Moulton
Largest city Moulton
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

717 sq mi (1,857 km²)
691 sq mi (1,790 km²)
27 sq mi (70 km²), 3.7
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

33,073
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.lawrencealabama.com
Footnotes: *County Number 42 on Alabama Licence Plates

Lawrence County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,073.[1] The county seat is Moulton.[2] The county was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey.[3]

Lawrence County is included in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area.

History[]

Lawrence County Courthouse, Courthouse Square bounded by Main Street, Lawrence Street, Market Street & Court Street, Moulton (Lawrence County, Alabama)

Old Lawrence County Courthouse

For thousands of years, this area was inhabited by differing cultures of indigenous peoples. People of the Copena culture in the Middle Woodland period (1–500 CE) built complex earthworks as part of their religious and political system. Their burial mound and ceremonial platform mound, the largest in the state, are preserved at Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Museum. The museum includes exhibits on the Cherokee, an Iroquoian-speaking people who inhabited the area at the time of European encounter. Other historic Native American tribes in this state were Choctaw and Creek, who both spoke Muskogean languages.

Lawrence County was established by the legislature of the Alabama Territory on February 6, 1818. Under the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the U.S. government forced most of the members of these Southeast tribes to go west of the Mississippi River to Indian Territory to the west. They wanted to extinguish their land claims to open the area to settlement by Americans.

Numerous Cherokee and mixed-race European-Cherokee descendants, sometimes called "Black Dutch", have stayed in the Lawrence County area. According to the census, the county has the highest number of self-identified Native Americans in the state. The state-recognized Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama has their Blue Clan in this county with 4,000 enrolled members.

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 717 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 691 square miles (1,790 km2) is land and 27 square miles (70 km2) (3.7%) is water.[4]

River[]

  • Tennessee River
  • Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River

Adjacent counties[]

National protected area[]

  • William B. Bankhead National Forest (part)

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

  • Alternate plate
    US 72 U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
  • Alabama 20 Alabama 20
  • Alabama 24 Alabama 24
  • Alabama 33 Alabama 33
  • Alabama 36 Alabama 36
  • Alabama 101 Alabama 101
  • Alabama 157 Alabama 157
  • Alabama 184 Alabama 184

Rail[]

  • Norfolk Southern Railway

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1820 8,652
1830 14,984 73.2%
1840 13,313 −11.2%
1850 15,258 14.6%
1860 13,975 −8.4%
1870 16,658 19.2%
1880 21,392 28.4%
1890 20,725 −3.1%
1900 20,124 −2.9%
1910 21,984 9.2%
1920 24,307 10.6%
1930 26,942 10.8%
1940 27,880 3.5%
1950 27,128 −2.7%
1960 24,501 −9.7%
1970 27,281 11.3%
1980 30,170 10.6%
1990 31,513 4.5%
2000 34,803 10.4%
2010 34,339 −1.3%
Est. 2021 33,090 [5] −4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[]

At the 2000 census there were 34,803 people, 13,538 households, and 10,194 families living in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 15,009 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.77% White, 13.36% Black or African American, 5.36% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[10] In 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Lawrence County were English 61.2%, African 13.36%, Irish 4.1% and Welsh 2.0%.

Of the 13,538 households 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 22.60% of households were one person and 9.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median household income was $31,549 and the median family income was $38,565. Males had a median income of $31,519 versus $20,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,515. About 13.10% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 24.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

At the 2010 census there were 34,339 people, 13,654 households, and 9,985 families living in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 15,229 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.6% White, 11.5% Black or African American, 5.7% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[11] Of the 13,654 households 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 24.2% of households were one person and 10.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution was 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% 65 or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.

The median household income was $40,516 and the median family income was $48,425. Males had a median income of $45,787 versus $27,341 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,370. About 10.3% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census[]

Lawrence County racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 24,714 74.73%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,302 9.98%
Native American 1,440 4.35%
Asian 84 0.25%
Pacific Islander 7 0.02%
Other/Mixed 2,631 7.96%
Hispanic or Latino 895 2.71%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 33,073 people, 12,677 households, and 9,101 families residing in the county.

Education[]

Lawrence County is home to four high schools: East Lawrence High School (3A), Hatton High School (2A), Lawrence County High School (5A), and R.A. Hubbard High School (1A). Lawrence County also has six elementary schools and two middle schools. Other educational facilities include the Lawrence County Center of Technology and the Judy Jester Learning Center.[13]

Former high schools, Hazlewood High School, Speake High School, and Mt. Hope High School were closed in 2009.[14]

Government[]

Lawrence County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Al Gore, who won it by a slim majority in 2000.

United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Alabama[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 12,322 76.86% 3,562 22.22% 147 0.92%
2016 10,833 73.05% 3,627 24.46% 369 2.49%
2012 8,874 62.72% 5,069 35.83% 205 1.45%
2008 9,277 63.19% 5,164 35.18% 239 1.63%
2004 7,730 55.21% 6,155 43.96% 116 0.83%
2000 5,671 46.54% 6,296 51.67% 218 1.79%
1996 3,893 38.38% 5,254 51.80% 996 9.82%
1992 3,576 30.86% 6,364 54.91% 1,649 14.23%
1988 3,616 42.96% 4,646 55.20% 155 1.84%
1984 4,466 47.04% 4,866 51.25% 162 1.71%
1980 2,456 28.09% 6,112 69.92% 174 1.99%
1976 1,415 17.08% 6,810 82.21% 59 0.71%
1972 4,433 75.61% 1,416 24.15% 14 0.24%
1968 580 7.70% 650 8.63% 6,299 83.66%
1964 1,809 50.01% 0 0.00% 1,808 49.99%
1960 1,365 31.74% 2,929 68.10% 7 0.16%
1956 1,197 28.60% 2,961 70.75% 27 0.65%
1952 809 23.34% 2,651 76.49% 6 0.17%
1948 357 19.77% 0 0.00% 1,449 80.23%
1944 565 22.94% 1,893 76.86% 5 0.20%
1940 480 17.33% 2,277 82.23% 12 0.43%
1936 444 16.67% 2,213 83.10% 6 0.23%
1932 299 13.47% 1,920 86.53% 0 0.00%
1928 1,008 49.27% 1,035 50.59% 3 0.15%
1924 468 31.79% 990 67.26% 14 0.95%
1920 831 46.63% 935 52.47% 16 0.90%
1916 43 3.71% 995 85.92% 120 10.36%
1912 198 17.46% 643 56.70% 293 25.84%
1908 344 34.82% 602 60.93% 42 4.25%
1904 410 30.73% 909 68.14% 15 1.12%
1900 996 42.86% 1,262 54.30% 66 2.84%
1896 1,685 56.00% 1,248 41.48% 76 2.53%
1892 3 0.09% 1,516 43.48% 1,968 56.44%
1888 1,457 49.81% 1,449 49.54% 19 0.65%



Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

  • Courtland
  • Hillsboro
  • North Courtland
  • Town Creek

Census Designated Places[]

  • Hatton

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Caddo
  • Chalybeate Springs
  • Landersville
  • Loosier
  • Mount Hope
  • Muck City
  • Oakville
  • Pittsburg
  • Speake
  • Wheeler
  • Wolf Springs
  • Wren
  • Youngtown

Places of interest[]

Lawrence County is home to part of the William B. Bankhead National Forest, Oakville Indian Mounds, Jesse Owens Memorial Park, and Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home. The Black Warrior Path, which starts in Cullman County, runs through this county and passes the Oakville Indian Mounds. It was used by Native Americans for hundreds of years, and was later used by pioneer settlers.

Events[]

Every year, Lawrence County hosts numerous events, including the AHSAA Cross Country state championships at the Oakville Indian Mounds, the Lawrence County Basketball Tournament in Moulton, the Alabama Multicultural Indian Festival at the Oakville Indian Mounds, the Strawberry Festival in Moulton, and General Joe Wheeler's Birthday Party at Pond Spring in Courtland. The cities of Moulton and Courtland each celebrate Christmas on the Square during the month of December.

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, Alabama
  • Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Lawrence County, Alabama
  • Water contamination in Lawrence and Morgan Counties, Alabama

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lawrencecountyalabama/PST045221. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 182. https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA182. 
  4. ^ "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. 
  5. ^ "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. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ 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. 
  9. ^ "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. 
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US01079&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  13. ^ http://www.lawrenceal.org/
  14. ^ McIntyre, Jeff (July 13, 2009). "Ex-Hazlewood football stars Langham, Goode have mixed emotions about school's closing". Cullman Times. http://www.cullmantimes.com/localsports/x1048558949/Ex-Hazlewood-football-stars-Langham-Goode-have-mixed-emotions-about-school-s-closing. 
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 34°31′17″N 87°18′37″W / 34.52139, -87.31028


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Lawrence 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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