Clarke County, Alabama

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Clarke County, Alabama
Clarke County Courthouse.jpg
Clarke County Courthouse in Grove Hill
Map of Alabama highlighting Clarke County
Location in the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Founded December 10, 1812
Named for John Clarke
Seat Grove Hill
Largest city Jackson
Area
 • Total 1,253 sq mi (3,245 km2)
 • Land 1,238 sq mi (3,206 km2)
 • Water 14 sq mi (36 km2), 1.1%
Population
 • (2010) 25,833
 • Density 21/sq mi (8/km²)
Congressional districts 1st, 7th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.clarkecountyal.com
Footnotes:  
  • County Number 16 on Alabama Licence Plates

Clarke County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 25,833.[1] The county seat is Grove Hill.[2] The county was created by the legislature of the Mississippi Territory in 1812. It is named in honor of General John Clarke of Georgia, who was later elected governor of that state.[3]

The county museum is housed in the Alston-Cobb House in Grove Hill.

History

Pre-European era

For thousands of years, this area was occupied along the rivers by varying cultures of indigenous peoples. At the time of European encounter, Clarke County was the traditional home of the Choctaw and the Creek people. They traded with the French, who had settlements in Mobile and New Orleans. They also were reached by some English and Scots traders from the British colonies along the Atlantic Coast. After the Louisiana Purchase, they started to establish relations with the United States.

In 1805, by the Treaty of Mount Dexter, the Choctaw conveyed large amounts of land in what is now southeastern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama, including much of the western portion of Clarke County, to the United States for settlement by European Americans.[4]

Modern era

Clarke County was established on December 10, 1812 by the Mississippi Territory. The county had numerous forts, built by settlers for protection during the Creek War (1813–1814). One of the most notable was Fort Sinquefield.[5]

The first county seat was Clarkesville, founded in 1820. The seat was moved to Macon, later renamed Grove Hill, in 1831. During the American Civil War, the county was notable for its salt production.[3]

In 1892, Clarke County was the scene of a violent confrontation around economic divides that later became known as the Mitcham War.[6]

Alcohol prohibition

Clarke County became a dry county in 1937, when wet-dry counties were established in Alabama following the repeal of prohibition in 1933.[7] In the first decade of the 21st century, the county's largest communities voted to legalize alcohol sales: Jackson on May 10, 2005; Thomasville on August 14, 2007; and Grove Hill on November 3, 2009.[7][8][9]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,253 square miles (3,250 km2), of which 1,238 square miles (3,210 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (or 1.1%) is water.[10] It is the third-largest county in Alabama by land area and the fourth-largest by total area.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1820 5,839 —
1830 7,595 30.1%
1840 8,640 13.8%
1850 9,786 13.3%
1860 15,049 53.8%
1870 14,663 −2.6%
1880 17,806 21.4%
1890 22,624 27.1%
1900 27,790 22.8%
1910 30,987 11.5%
1920 26,409 −14.8%
1930 26,016 −1.5%
1940 27,636 6.2%
1950 26,548 −3.9%
1960 25,738 −3.1%
1970 26,724 3.8%
1980 27,702 3.7%
1990 27,240 −1.7%
2000 27,867 2.3%
2010 25,833 −7.3%
Est. 2014 24,945 [11] −3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2014[1]

2010

Whereas according to the 2010 census Bureau:

2000

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 27,867 people, 10,578 households, and 7,700 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 12,631 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 55.94% White, 43.02% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Nearly 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,578 households, out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 53.90% were married couples living together, 15.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. Nearly 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60, and the average family size was 3.13.

In Clarke County, the population was spread out, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,388, and the median income for a family was $34,546. Males had a median income of $34,111 versus $19,075 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,581. About 18.10% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 23.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

CDPs

Unincorporated communities

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Former communities

See also

References

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External links

 Choctaw County Marengo County Wilcox County
Monroe County
  Clarke County, Alabama  
Washington County Baldwin County

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