Chilton County, Alabama

Chilton County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Originally named Baker Co., Chilton Co. received its present name on 1874 Dec. 17, in honor of Judge William Parish Chilton, chief justice of the AL Supreme Court and a member of the provisional and regular Congress of the Confederacy.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Chilton County, Alabama

Chilton County is located in the central part of the state. It was formed by the Alabama legislature on 1868 Dec. 30, from lands taken from Autauga, Bibb, Perry, and Shelby counties. Chilton County encompasses 695 square miles. The Coosa River forms the eastern boundary of the county. Originally named Baker Co., Chilton Co. received its present name on 1874 Dec. 17, in honor of Judge William Parish Chilton, chief justice of the AL Supreme Court and a member of the provisional and regular Congress of the Confederacy.

The original county seat was at Grantville. When the courthouse burned in 1870, the county seat was removed to Goose pond, a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The town was renamed Clanton after Brig. Gen. James Holt Clanton. Other significant towns and communities are Jemison, Thorsby, Verbena, Maplesville, and Mountain Creek.

According to the census of 2000, there were 39,593 people, 15,287 households, and 11,342 families living in the county. The population density was 22/km² (57/mi²). There were 17,651 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (25/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.71% White, 10.61% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.51% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 2.91% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,287 households out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% 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 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,588, and the median income for a family was $39,505. Males had a median income of $31,006 versus $21,275 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,303. About 12.60% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of that age 65 or over.

Neighboring Counties:

• North: Shelby County
• East: Coosa County
• Southeast: Elmore County
• South: Autauga County
• Southwest: Dallas County; Perry County
• Northwest: Bibb County

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

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