Etowah County, Alabama

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

Named: Formed by the Alabama legislature on 1866 Dec. 7, and was originally named Baine County in honor of Gen. David W. Baine, a Confederate soldier from Lowndes County. The county was abolished on 1868 Dec. 1 by the Constitutional Convention and re-established on the same day, under the name of Etowah, which is from the Cherokee language.

State & County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Etowah County, Alabama

Formed by the Alabama legislature on 1866 Dec. 7, and was originally named Baine County in honor of Gen. David W. Baine, a Confederate soldier from Lowndes County. The county was abolished on 1868 Dec. 1 by the Constitutional Convention and re-established on the same day, under the name of Etowah, which is from the Cherokee language. Etowah County is located in the northeastern section of the state, in the southern Appalachians. It is bordered by Marshall, DeKalb, Cherokee, Calhoun, St. Clair, and Blount Counties. It currently encompasses 542 square miles. Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain are located in Etowah County. Gadsden is the county seat, named after Col. James Gadsden, distinguished soldier, diplomat, and railroad president. Other towns and communities include Attalla and Rainbow City.

According to the census of 2000, there were 103,459 people, 41,615 households, and 29,463 families living in the county. The population density was 75/km² (193/mi²). There were 45,959 housing units at an average density of 33/km² (86/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.87% White, 14.68% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 41,615 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,170, and the median income for a family was $38,697. Males had a median income of $31,610 versus $21,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,783. About 12.30% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of that age 65 or over.

Neighboring Counties:

• Northeast: DeKalb County; Cherokee County
• Southeast: Calhoun County
• Southwest: St. Clair County
• West: Blount County
• Northwest: Marshall County

Cities:

• Alabama City
• Altoona
• Attalla
• Boaz
• East Gadsden
• Gadsden (County Seat)
• Gallant
• Glencoe
• Hokes Bluff
• Ivalee
• Rainbow City
• Reece City
• Ridgeville
• Rockledge
• Snead
• Southside
• Walnut Grove

County Resources:

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Etowah County, Alabama