Franklin County, Alabama Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Franklin County
U.S. county
Franklin County Courthouse in Russelville, Alabama
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 6, 1818
Named for	Benjamin Franklin
Seat	Russellville
Largest city	Russellville
Area
• Total	647 sq mi (1,680 km²)
• Land	634 sq mi (1,640 km²)
• Water	13 sq mi (30 km²) 2.0%
Population (2020)
• Total	32,113
• Estimate (2021)	32,013
• Density	49.63/sq mi (19.164/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
County Number 33 on Alabama Licence Plates

Franklin County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,113. Its county seat is Russellville. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. It is a dry county, although the city of Russellville is wet.

History

Franklin County was established on February 6, 1818.

Colbert County

Colbert County was originally established on February 6, 1867 after it split from Franklin County over political issues after the American Civil War. It was abolished eight months later by an Alabama constitutional convention and then reestablished on February 24, 1870.

Musical history

Many musicians and songwriters are from Franklin County including Billy Sherrill, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Pierce, Eddie Martin, Kerry Gilbert, and many others.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680 km²), of which 634 square miles (1,640 km²) is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) (2.0%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

Colbert County (north)
Lawrence County (east)
Winston County (southeast)
Marion County (south)
Itawamba County, Mississippi (southwest)
Tishomingo County, Mississippi (northwest)

National protected area

William B. Bankhead National Forest (part)

Transportation

Major Highways

U.S. Highway 43
State Route 13
State Route 17
State Route 19
State Route 24
State Route 172
State Route 187
State Route 237
State Route 241
State Route 243
State Route 247

Rail

Norfolk Southern Railway
Redmont Railway

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	4,988	—
1830	11,078	122.1%
1840	14,270	28.8%
1850	19,610	37.4%
1860	18,627	−5.0%
1870	8,006	−57.0%
1880	9,155	14.4%
1890	10,681	16.7%
1900	16,511	54.6%
1910	19,369	17.3%
1920	22,011	13.6%
1930	25,372	15.3%
1940	27,552	8.6%
1950	25,705	−6.7%
1960	21,988	−14.5%
1970	23,933	8.8%
1980	28,350	18.5%
1990	27,814	−1.9%
2000	31,223	12.3%
2010	31,704	1.5%
2020	32,113	1.3%
2021 (est.)	32,013	1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000

At the 2000 census there were 31,223 people, 12,259 households, and 8,949 families living in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 13,749 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.68% White (non-Hispanic), 4.21% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.62% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 5.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 12,259 households 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.50% of households were one person and 12.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median household income was $27,177 and the median family income was $34,274. Males had a median income of $27,497 versus $18,631 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,814. About 15.20% of families and 18.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 24.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010

At the 2010 census there were 31,704 people, 12,286 households, and 8,741 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 km²). There were 14,022 housing units at an average density of 21.7 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.0% White (non-Hispanic), 3.9% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 14.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 12,286 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median household income was $33,942 and the median family income was $44,352. Males had a median income of $31,997 versus $22,747 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,094. About 14.9% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

2020

Franklin County racial composition
Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	23,581	73.43%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	1,139	3.55%
Native American	128	0.4%
Asian	67	0.21%
Pacific Islander	2	0.01%
Other/Mixed	937	2.92%
Hispanic or Latino	6,259	19.49%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 32,113 people, 11,048 households, and 7,669 families residing in the county.

Communities

Cities

Red Bay
Russellville (county seat)

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

There are two school systems and one community college in Franklin County; Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools. Northwest Shoals Community College has a campus in Phil Campbell.

Russellville City Schools include:

Russellville High School
Russellville Middle School
Russellville Elementary School (grades 3 - 5)
West Elementary School (grades Kindergarten - 2)

Franklin County Schools include:

Belgreen High School (grades K - 12)
East Franklin Junior High School (grades K - 9)
Phil Campbell High School (two separate buildings serving grades K - 12)
Red Bay High School (grades K - 12)
Tharptown High School (grades K-12)
Vina High School (grades K - 12)

There is also the Franklin County Career-Technical Center, located next to Belgreen High School.

Franklin County, Alabama facts for kids

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