Morgan County, Alabama

Morgan County
The Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur
The Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur
Map of Alabama highlighting Morgan County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°27′06″N 86°51′26″W / 34.451666666667°N 86.857222222222°W / 34.451666666667; -86.857222222222
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 6[1], 1818[1]
Named forDaniel Morgan
SeatDecatur
Largest cityDecatur
Area
 • Total599 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Land579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total123,421
 • Estimate 
(2023)
125,133 Increase
 • Density210/sq mi (80/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitemorgancounty-al.gov
  • County Number 52 on Alabama Licence Plates

Morgan County is a county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, its population was 123,421.[2] The county seat is Decatur.[3] On June 14, 1821, it was renamed in honor of American Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan of Virginia.[4] It is a prohibition or dry county, although alcohol sales are allowed in the cities of Decatur, Hartselle, and Priceville. Morgan County is included in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. It is a part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

History[edit]

The county was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Cherokee people in the Treaty of Turkeytown, and was originally called Cotaco County.[1]

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 599 square miles (1,550 km2), of which 20 square miles (52 km2) (3.3%) are covered by water.[5]

River[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

National protected area[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18205,263
18309,06272.2%
18409,8418.6%
185010,1252.9%
186011,33512.0%
187012,1877.5%
188016,42834.8%
189024,08946.6%
190028,82019.6%
191033,78117.2%
192040,19619.0%
193046,17614.9%
194048,1484.3%
195052,9249.9%
196060,45414.2%
197077,30627.9%
198090,23116.7%
1990100,04310.9%
2000111,06411.0%
2010119,4907.6%
2020123,4213.3%
2023 (est.)125,133[6]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]

2020 census[edit]

Morgan County, Alabama – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000[11] Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 92,584 92,585 88,238 83.36% 77.48% 71.49%
Black or African American alone (NH) 12,383 14,059 15,307 11.15% 11.77% 12.40%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 727 928 631 0.65% 0.78% 0.51%
Asian alone (NH) 491 665 829 0.44% 0.56% 0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 25 69 79 0.02% 0.06% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 62 80 376 0.06% 0.07% 0.30%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,147 1,948 5,584 1.03% 1.63% 4.52%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,645 9,156 12,377 3.28% 7.66% 10.03%
Total 111,064 119,490 123,421 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 123,421 people, 46,470 households, and 31,752 families residing in the county.

2010 census[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 119,490 people, 47,030 households, and 33,135 families living in the county. The population density was 206.4 inhabitants per square mile (79.7 inhabitants/km2). There were 51,193 housing units at an average density of 88 units per square mile (34 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 11.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 7.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14] Of the 47,030 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 9.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median household income was $44,349 and the median family income was $54,653. Males had a median income of $43,455 versus $29,270 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,090. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 111,064 people, 43,602 households, and 31,437 families living in the county. The population density was 191 inhabitants per square mile (74 inhabitants/km2). There were 47,388 housing units at an average density of 81 units per square mile (31 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.07% White, 11.24% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 3.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[15] According to the census[16] of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Morgan County were English 60.1%, Scots-Irish 12.71%, and African 11.24%

Of the 43,602 households 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 9.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median household income was $37,803 and the median family income was $45,827. Males had a median income of $35,759 versus $21,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,223. About 9.70% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government[edit]

United States presidential election results for Morgan County, Alabama[17][18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 39,664 73.83% 13,234 24.63% 824 1.53%
2016 37,486 74.02% 11,254 22.22% 1,904 3.76%
2012 35,391 71.56% 13,439 27.17% 629 1.27%
2008 36,014 71.26% 13,895 27.49% 633 1.25%
2004 32,477 69.09% 14,131 30.06% 399 0.85%
2000 25,774 60.39% 16,060 37.63% 847 1.98%
1996 21,765 54.39% 14,616 36.53% 3,632 9.08%
1992 21,073 47.92% 15,091 34.31% 7,814 17.77%
1988 18,679 63.54% 10,594 36.04% 124 0.42%
1984 24,301 67.99% 11,324 31.68% 116 0.32%
1980 13,214 45.14% 14,703 50.23% 1,354 4.63%
1976 9,058 34.86% 16,547 63.68% 381 1.47%
1972 18,100 76.85% 5,004 21.25% 449 1.91%
1968 3,043 13.66% 1,878 8.43% 17,356 77.91%
1964 7,013 56.64% 0 0.00% 5,368 43.36%
1960 4,357 35.71% 7,822 64.11% 21 0.17%
1956 2,974 27.35% 7,671 70.56% 227 2.09%
1952 2,335 24.89% 7,029 74.94% 16 0.17%
1948 512 11.68% 0 0.00% 3,870 88.32%
1944 664 13.72% 4,124 85.24% 50 1.03%
1940 500 8.51% 5,345 90.93% 33 0.56%
1936 432 7.13% 5,597 92.39% 29 0.48%
1932 656 11.43% 4,986 86.88% 97 1.69%
1928 4,085 54.76% 3,366 45.12% 9 0.12%
1924 519 16.53% 2,247 71.58% 373 11.88%
1920 1,201 22.54% 4,057 76.13% 71 1.33%
1916 364 14.19% 2,120 82.62% 82 3.20%
1912 241 10.16% 1,686 71.11% 444 18.73%
1908 497 22.48% 1,548 70.01% 166 7.51%
1904 416 20.83% 1,437 71.96% 144 7.21%
1900 1,500 45.03% 1,747 52.45% 84 2.52%
1896 1,462 38.10% 2,128 55.46% 247 6.44%
1892 3 0.07% 2,160 50.07% 2,151 49.86%
1888 507 22.77% 1,707 76.65% 13 0.58%
1884 853 32.78% 1,573 60.45% 176 6.76%
1880 644 27.53% 1,420 60.71% 275 11.76%
1876 773 35.06% 1,432 64.94% 0 0.00%
1872 1,018 50.30% 1,006 49.70% 0 0.00%
1868 518 43.49% 673 56.51% 0 0.00%
1860 0 0.00% 545 44.02% 693 55.98%
1856 0 0.00% 808 78.45% 222 21.55%
1852 208 30.14% 482 69.86% 0 0.00%
1848 361 51.87% 335 48.13% 0 0.00%
1844 271 28.44% 682 71.56% 0 0.00%
1840 358 30.81% 804 69.19% 0 0.00%
1836 476 45.59% 568 54.41% 0 0.00%
1832 0 0.00% 531 100.00% 0 0.00%

Transportation[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Rail[edit]

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Former city[edit]

Former town[edit]

Ghost town[edit]

Education[edit]

School districts include:[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Acts Passed at the First Session of the First General Assembly, of the Alabama Territory: In the Forty Second Year of American Independence (1818). St. Stephens, Alabama, printed by Thomas Eastin. Reprinted T.L. Cole, Washington, D.C., July 1912. Pages 8-12. "An Act to establish the counties of Cotaco, Lawrence and Franklin...Approved-6th February, 1818." Archived December 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Acts Passed at the Called Session of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama Begun and Held in the Town of Cahawba, on the First Monday in June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty One (1821). Cahawba, Alabama: Printed by Allen & Brickell, State Printers. Reprint by Statute Law Book Co., Washington, D.C. Nov. 1913. Page 40. "An Act to change the name of Ococoposa, and for other purposes...Approved, June 14, 1821." Archived December 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  18. ^ Burnham, Walter Dean. "Presidential ballots, 1836-1892". archive.org. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  19. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Morgan County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list

External links[edit]

34°27′06″N 86°51′26″W / 34.45167°N 86.85722°W / 34.45167; -86.85722