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Blount County, Alabama facts for kids

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Blount County
Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta, Alabama
Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta, Alabama
Map of Alabama highlighting Blount County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Alabama
Founded February 6, 1818
Seat Oneonta
Largest city Oneonta
Area
 • Total 651 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land 645 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Water 5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 59,134
 • Estimate 
(2021)
59,041 Decrease
 • Density 90.84/sq mi (35.072/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 6th
  • County Number 08 on Alabama Licence Plates

Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,134. Its county seat is Oneonta.

Blount County is a moist county. In the November 6, 2012 elections, a countywide ballot initiative to allow alcohol sales was narrowly defeated, but Blountsville, Cleveland and Oneonta have allowed for the sale of alcohol since 2013.

Blount County has been dubbed the "Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama" since it has more historic covered bridges standing within a single county than any other in the state - with earlier covered bridges known of. This county celebrates the Covered Bridge Festival every autumn in Oneonta to commemorate its three remaining covered bridges.

History

Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on February 6, 1818, formed from land ceded to the federal government by the Creek Nation on August 9, 1814. This county was named for Governor Willie Blount of Tennessee, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War of 1813-14. This county lies in the northeastern quadrant of the state, which is sometimes known as the mineral region of Alabama. Blount County is bordered by Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, Jefferson, Walker, and St. Clair Counties. This county is drained by the Locust and Mulberry Forks of the Black Warrior River. Blount County covers 650 square miles (1,700 km2). The Warrior coal field is located in Blount County.

Caleb Fryley and John Jones established Bear Meat Cabin in 1816. Its post office was opened in 1821, and the settlement was incorporated as Blountsville on December 13, 1827. In 1889, an election resulted in the county seat being transferred to Oneonta, Alabama.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 651 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 645 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.9%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

  • I-65 (AL).svg Interstate 65
  • US 31.svg U.S. Highway 31
  • US 231.svg U.S. Highway 231
  • US 278.svg U.S. Highway 278
  • Alabama 67.svg State Route 67
  • Alabama 75.svg State Route 75
  • Alabama 79.svg State Route 79
  • Alabama 132.svg State Route 132
  • Alabama 160.svg State Route 160

Rail

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,415
1830 4,233 75.3%
1840 5,570 31.6%
1850 7,367 32.3%
1860 10,865 47.5%
1870 9,945 −8.5%
1880 15,369 54.5%
1890 21,927 42.7%
1900 23,119 5.4%
1910 21,456 −7.2%
1920 25,538 19.0%
1930 28,020 9.7%
1940 29,490 5.2%
1950 28,975 −1.7%
1960 25,449 −12.2%
1970 26,853 5.5%
1980 36,459 35.8%
1990 39,248 7.6%
2000 51,024 30.0%
2010 57,322 12.3%
2020 59,134 3.2%
2021 (est.) 59,041 3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

Blount County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 49,764 84.15%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 826 1.4%
Native American 188 0.32%
Asian 174 0.29%
Pacific Islander 11 0.02%
Other/Mixed 2,400 4.06%
Hispanic or Latino 5,771 9.76%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 59,134 people, 20,847 households, and 14,874 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 57,322 people, 16,175 households, and 16,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 88.79 people per square mile. There were 23,887 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 8.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,175 family households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25% were non-families. Alternative households included: 22.2% of households were made up of those living alone and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.72.

Blount County's population spread was as follows: 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,241, and the median income for a family was $41,573. Males had a median income of $31,455 versus $22,459 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,325. About 8.60% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Berry Mountain, Alabama Royal, Alabama Five Points, Alabama Nectar, Alabama

Easley, Alabama

Places of interest

Blount County is home to an abundance of outdoor activities, such as Rickwood Caverns State Park and the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River that are used by canoeists and kayakers. The county is also home to the picturesque covered bridges mentioned above: the Swann Covered Bridge, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge, and the Easley Covered Bridge. As of summer 2009, all three bridges were closed due to safety concerns at the recommendation of the Alabama Department of Transportation. Restorations were completed from 2011 through 2013 and they are once again open.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Blount (Alabama) para niños

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