Blount County, Alabama
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Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2000, the population was 51,024. The 2004 US Census estimated Blount County's population to be approximately 54,988. Its county seat is Oneonta and it is a prohibition or dry county. Blount County was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on 1818 Feb. 6, from land ceded to the Federal government by the Creek Nation on 1814 Aug. 9. It was named for Gov. Willie G. Blount of Tennessee, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War of 1813-14. It lies in the northeastern section of the state, generally known as the mineral region. Blount County is bordered by Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, Jefferson, and Walker Counties. The county is drained by the Locust and Mulberry Forks of the Black Warrior River. Blount County contains 643 square miles. The Warrior coal field is located in Blount County. Bear Meat Cabin / Blountsville was the first settlement in Blount County and the county seat. The town was established by Caleb Fryley and John Jones in 1816 as Bear Meat Cabin. The post office was opened in 1821. Blountsville was incorporated December 13 ,1827. In 1889, an election resulted in its county seat bieng transfer to Oneonta, Alabama.
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[edit] History
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend: Collision of Cultures (Horseshoe Bend National Military Park) Today the Tallapoosa River quietly winds its way through east-central Alabama, its banks edged by the remnants of the forest that once covered the Southeast. About halfway down its 270-mile run to the southwest, the river curls back on itself to form a peninsula. The land defined by this "horseshoe bend" covers about 100 wooded acres; a finger of high ground points down its center, and an island stands sentinel on its west side.
This tranquil setting belies the violence that cut through Horseshoe Bend on March 27, 1814. On the peninsula stood 1,000 American Indian warriors, members of the tribe European Americans knew as the Creek. These men, along with 350 women and children, had arrived over the previous six months in search of refuge. Many had been part of a series of costly battles during the past year, all fought in an attempt to regain the autonomy the Indians had held before the arrival of European Americans. Surrounding the Creek were forces led by future President Andrew Jackson, then a major general of the Tennessee Militia. The core of his force was 2,600 European American soldiers, most of whom hoped that a victory would open native land to European American settlement. Yet this fight was not simply European American versus American Indian: on Jackson's side were 600 "friendly" Indians, including 100 Creek.
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, as the events of March 27 became known, illustrated three long-running conflicts in American history. It was yet another fight between European Americans and American Indians, in this case the decisive battle in the Creek War (1813-1814). That day and those leading up to it also provided an example of tensions among American Indians, even those in the same tribe. Finally, both Creek factions received support from white governments, thereby continuing the long tradition of European nations attempting to defeat their rivals by enlisting the native population.
Blount County was established on February 6, 1818.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,685 km² (651 mi²). 1,672 km² (646 mi²) of it is land and 13 km² (5 mi²) of it (0.77%) is water.
[edit] Major Highways
Interstate 65
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 231
U.S. Highway 278
State Route 75
State Route 79
State Route 132
State Route 160
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Marshall County, Alabama - northeast
- Etowah County, Alabama - east
- St. Clair County, Alabama - southeast
- Walker County, Alabama - southwest
- Jefferson County, Alabama - southwest
- Cullman County, Alabama - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 51,024 people, 19,265 households, and 14,814 families residing in the county. The population density was 31/km² (79/mi²). There were 21,158 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (33/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.08% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.07% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 5.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,265 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.50% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 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% who 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.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Allgood
- Altoona (part - part of Altoona is in Etowah County)
- Blountsville
- Cleveland
- County Line (part - part of County Line is in Jefferson County)
- Garden City (part - part of Garden City is in Cullman County)
- Hayden
- Highland Lake
- Locust Fork
- Nectar
- Oneonta
- Rosa
- Smoke Rise
- Snead
- Susan Moore
- Warrior (part - part of Warrior is in Jefferson County)
[edit] See also
