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Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County, Alabama Courthouse
Shelby County Courthouse in Columbiana
Seal of Shelby County, Alabama
Seal
Map of Alabama highlighting Shelby County
Location in the state of Alabama
Map of the U.S
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded February 7, 1818
Named for Isaac Shelby
Seat Columbiana
Largest city Alabaster
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

810 sq mi (2,098 km²)
785 sq mi (2,033 km²)
25 sq mi (65 km²), 3.0
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

223,024
Congressional district 6th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.shelbycountyalabama.com
Footnotes:  
  • County Number 58 on Alabama Licence Plates

Shelby County is located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 223,024.[1] The county seat is Columbiana.[2] The largest city is Alabaster. The county is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky from 1792 to 1796 and again from 1812 to 1816. Shelby County is included in the BirminghamHoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

Shelby County was established on February 7, 1818, and it was named for the Revolutionary War hero and the first Governor of Kentucky, Isaac Shelby. Beginning in 1820, the first county seat was located at Shelbyville. This settlement, long defunct, was located within the modern city limits of Pelham. The first courthouse was built of logs. The seat was moved to Columbia, now Columbiana, in 1826. Initially housed in an old school building, a new brick courthouse building was completed in 1854. It is now known as the Old Shelby County Courthouse and houses the Shelby County Museum and Archives. The current limestone courthouse was built from 1905 to 1906, at a cost of $300,000.[3]

Shelby County has a long history in agriculture, and since about 1990, it has become an important location for growing soybeans, which has exceeded cotton as the most important crop grown there.

Shelby County was the home of an early inland waterway, the Coosa River, and it was also the location of a very early east–west railroad in Alabama that connected Atlanta, Georgia, with locations to its west. Shelby County was also crossed by an early north–south railroad, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, that connected Louisville, Nashville, Decatur, Birmingham, and Montgomery.

With the advent of the automobile and the truck, Shelby County was soon crossed from north to south by U.S. Highway 31, the major one that followed the same route as the Louisville and Nashville Railroad did. (All odd-numbered U.S. Highways are north–south routes: e.g. U.S. 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, and 71, 101, going from East to West) The eastern part of Shelby County was later crossed by U.S. Highway 231 and U.S. 280.

Decades later, Shelby County was crossed by Interstate Highway 65. Hence, an important ingredient in the eventual growth of Shelby County has been its ready access to modern systems of transportation. Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 31 have long provided strong connections between Shelby county and the more populous Jefferson County directly to its north, leading to suburban development in towns such as Pelham, Helena, Alabaster, and Chelsea.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 810 square miles (2,100 km2), of which 785 square miles (2,030 km2) is land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (3.0%) is water.[4]

Parts of Shelby County are crossed by the southernmost extensions of the Appalachian Mountains, such as Oak Mountain and Double Oak Mountain. However, large parts of Shelby County are much flatter, giving good land for farms and pastures. Shelby County also has lowlands along two rivers, and one large man-made reservoir, Lay Lake, which also borders Coosa, Talladega and Chilton counties.

Most of Shelby County is drained either by the Cahaba River, which flows along the northern edge of the county, and then to the southwest, or by the Coosa River, whose valley includes the eastern end of the county. These are both important rivers in Alabama. Much farther south, both the Cahaba River and the Coosa River flow into the Alabama River, and thence to the Gulf of Mexico. To be more precise, the Coosa River and the Tallapoosa River flow together at Wetumpka, Alabama, to form the Alabama River, and then the Cahaba River is a tributary to that one farther to the west. Waxahatchee Creek, a major tributary of the Coosa River, forms the southeastern portion of the border between Shelby County and Chilton County.

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1820 2,416
1830 5,704 136.1%
1840 6,112 7.2%
1850 9,536 56.0%
1860 12,618 32.3%
1870 12,218 −3.2%
1880 17,236 41.1%
1890 20,886 21.2%
1900 23,684 13.4%
1910 26,949 13.8%
1920 27,097 0.5%
1930 27,576 1.8%
1940 28,962 5.0%
1950 30,362 4.8%
1960 32,132 5.8%
1970 38,037 18.4%
1980 66,298 74.3%
1990 99,358 49.9%
2000 143,293 44.2%
2010 195,085 36.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[]

At the 2000 census, there were 143,293 people, 54,631 households, and 40,590 families living in the county. The population density was 180 people per square mile (70/km2). There were 59,302 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.80% White, 7.40% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Shelby County are: English (16.3%), Irish (13.3%), "American" (mostly English and Scots-Irish) (11.5%), German (11.0%), Italian (4.2%), Scots-Irish (4.2%) and Scottish (3.9%).

Of the 54,631 households 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.70% of households were one person and 5.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median household income was $55,440 and the median family income was $64,105. Males had a median income of $45,798 versus $31,242 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,176. About 4.60% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

At the 2010 census, there were 195,085 people, 74,072 households, and 53,733 families living in the county. The population density was 249 people per square mile (96/km2). There were 80,970 housing units at an average density of 103 per square mile (40/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.0% White, 10.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.8% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 5.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The largest self-identified ancestry groups in Shelby County were

  • English – 15.8%
  • Irish – 13.9%
  • German – 11.1%
  • American – 11.0%
  • African American - 10.6%
  • Italian – 4.3%
  • Scots-Irish – 3.9%
  • Scottish – 3.7%
  • French (except Basque) – 2.7%
  • Polish – 1.5%
  • Dutch – 1.3%
  • Welsh – 0.8%
  • Swedish – 0.7%
  • Arab – 0.6%
  • Norwegian – 0.5%
  • Greek – 0.4%[9]

Of the 74,072 households 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.2% of households were one person and 6.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% 65 or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median household income was $68,380 and the median family income was $81,406. Males had a median income of $57,405 versus $41,692 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,978. About 5.4% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census[]

Shelby County racial composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 162,712 72.96%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 28,711 12.87%
Native American 478 0.21%
Asian 5,114 2.29%
Pacific Islander 91 0.04%
Other/Mixed 9,458 4.24%
Hispanic or Latino 16,460 7.38%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 223,024 people, 84,048 households, and 57,918 families residing in the county.

Politics[]

Prior to the early 1980s, elected officials serving or representing Shelby County were all affiliated with the Democratic Party, although at a national level the county often supported Republicans even during the "Solid South" era – it was one of four counties in Alabama to vote for Theodore Roosevelt over Woodrow Wilson in 1912. Most of the rapid transition from the Democratic Party dominance to a complete reversal, with Republicans in control of all but a couple of offices, took place during the years between 1984 and 1992. It was not until the election of 2010, and specifically the results in Alabama House of Representatives District 42,[11] that Republicans held every party-identified elected office with jurisdiction or residency (or both) in Shelby County.[12] (In Alabama, municipal officials are elected on a non-partisan basis.)

United States presidential election results for Shelby County, Alabama[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 79,700 69.33% 33,268 28.94% 1,982 1.72%
2016 73,020 72.12% 22,977 22.69% 5,257 5.19%
2012 71,436 77.03% 20,051 21.62% 1,255 1.35%
2008 69,060 76.19% 20,625 22.75% 958 1.06%
2004 63,435 80.39% 14,850 18.82% 621 0.79%
2000 47,651 76.70% 13,183 21.22% 1,294 2.08%
1996 37,090 73.05% 11,280 22.22% 2,403 4.73%
1992 32,736 67.97% 10,317 21.42% 5,112 10.61%
1988 27,052 78.84% 7,138 20.80% 124 0.36%
1984 21,858 77.88% 5,884 20.96% 326 1.16%
1980 14,957 64.28% 7,396 31.79% 914 3.93%
1976 9,035 54.33% 7,197 43.28% 397 2.39%
1972 9,390 81.24% 1,859 16.08% 309 2.67%
1968 1,706 15.84% 1,105 10.26% 7,959 73.90%
1964 6,037 75.65% 0 0.00% 1,943 24.35%
1960 3,157 49.11% 3,225 50.17% 46 0.72%
1956 2,901 51.98% 2,502 44.83% 178 3.19%
1952 2,156 46.51% 2,473 53.34% 7 0.15%
1948 921 32.66% 0 0.00% 1,899 67.34%
1944 945 32.44% 1,955 67.11% 13 0.45%
1940 938 25.20% 2,777 74.61% 7 0.19%
1936 777 24.43% 2,371 74.54% 33 1.04%
1932 864 26.48% 2,365 72.48% 34 1.04%
1928 2,502 59.53% 1,679 39.95% 22 0.52%
1924 1,753 45.81% 1,882 49.18% 192 5.02%
1920 3,235 55.95% 2,523 43.64% 24 0.42%
1916 1,428 51.81% 1,311 47.57% 17 0.62%
1912 201 7.56% 1,181 44.45% 1,275 47.99%
1908 1,231 49.40% 1,011 40.57% 250 10.03%
1904 679 27.85% 1,106 45.37% 653 26.78%
1900 1,389 61.05% 749 32.92% 137 6.02%
1896 1,051 38.68% 1,582 58.23% 84 3.09%
1892 307 8.40% 1,755 48.00% 1,594 43.60%
1888 1,037 38.68% 1,626 60.65% 18 0.67%



The Shelby County Republican Party, under the official direction of the Republican Executive Committee of Shelby County, Alabama, is the affiliate of the Alabama Republican Party in Shelby County, and is the identity by which its governing body is known.

In 2013, the county was the plaintiff in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down portions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as unconstitutional.

Education[]

Shelby County Schools operates public schools in the county. Alabaster City Schools operates the six public schools in Alabaster. In 2014, Pelham began operating their own school system with three schools taken over from the Shelby County School System: Pelham High School, Riverchase Middle School, and Valley Elementary School. On May 5, 2015 ground was broken for the construction of Pelham Ridge Elementary School [14] which opened during the 2016–2017 school year. Also that year, Valley Elementary School closed and teachers relocated to Valley Intermediate School, renamed Pelham Oaks Elementary School (now serving kindergarten through fifth grade).

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

  • I-65 (AL) Interstate 65
  • US 31 U.S. Highway 31
  • US 231 U.S. Highway 231
  • US 280 U.S. Highway 280
  • Alabama 25 State Road 25
  • Alabama 70 State Road 70
  • Alabama 76 State Road 76
  • Alabama 119 State Road 119
  • Alabama 145 State Road 145
  • Alabama 155 State Road 155
  • Alabama 261 State Road 261

Railroads[]

  • CSX Transportation
  • Norfolk Southern Railway
  • Calera & Shelby Railroad

Airports[]

  • Shelby County AirportGeneral Aviation
  • Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport – Commercial passenger and freight service in an adjacent county Jefferson County

Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

  • Harpersville
  • Indian Springs Village
  • Westover
  • Wilsonville
  • Wilton

Census-designated places[]

  • Brantleyville (a village west of Alabaster)
  • Brook Highland
  • Dunnavant (a village northeast of Chelsea)
  • Eagle Point
  • Highland Lakes
  • Meadowbrook
  • Pea Ridge
  • Shelby (a village east of Calera)
  • Shoal Creek
  • Sterrett (a village northwest of Vincent)
  • Vandiver (a village northeast of Chelsea)

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Abbot Springs
  • Acton
  • Aldrich
  • Arkwright
  • Calcis
  • Cloverdale
  • Fourmile
  • Inverness
  • Maylene
  • Nelson
  • Ryan
  • Saginaw
  • Siluria (a neighborhood of Alabaster)

Places of interest[]

  • Aldrich Coal Mine Museum
  • American Village[15]
  • Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area
  • Colonial Promenade Alabaster
  • Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
  • Indian Springs School
  • Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
  • Oak Mountain State Park
  • Old Shelby County Courthouse and Museum
  • Shelby Iron Works Park

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Shelby County, Alabama
  • Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Shelby County, Alabama

References[]

  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts: Shelby County, Alabama; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/shelbycountyalabama/POP010220. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "History". Shelby County Tourism. http://www.shelbycountytourism.org/index.aspx?NID=112. 
  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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  7. ^ 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. 
  8. ^ "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. 
  9. ^ "Archived copy". https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US01117. 
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US01117&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  11. ^ "Wallace unseats incumbent Martin - Shelby County Reporter". shelbycountyreporter.com. http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2010/11/02/wallace-unseats-incumbent-martin-in-house-race/. 
  12. ^ Barnes, Fred "Crimson Tide: Alabama goes very, very red., The Weekly Standard, Nov 22, 2010, Vol. 16, No. 10.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  14. ^ "Officials Break Ground on Pelham Ridge Elementary - Shelby County Reporter". shelbycountyreporter.com. http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2015/05/05/officials-break-ground-on-pelham-ridge-elementary/. 
  15. ^ "American Village Citizenship Trust". americanvillage.org. http://www.americanvillage.org/. 

Notes[]

External links[]

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Coordinates: 33°15′55″N 86°40′04″W / 33.26528, -86.66778


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