Franklin County, Alabama

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

Named: It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.

State & County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Franklin County, Alabama

Formed by the Alabama Territorial legislature on 1818 Feb. 6. It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. It is situated in the northwestern part of the state, and is bordered by Colbert, Lawrence, Winston, and Marion counties in Alabama, and by Tishomingo and Itawamba counties, Mississippi. It currently encompasses 643 square miles. The county seat was originally located at Russellville, named after William Russell, an early settler and chief scout for Gen. Andrew Jackson during the Creek Indian War of 1813-14. In 1849, the county seat was transferred to Frankfort, where it remained until 1879 when it was moved to Belgreen. A courthouse fire in 1890 probably accounted for the relocation of the county seat to Russellville in 1891. Other towns and communities include Red Bay, Phil Campbell and Vina.

According to the census of 2000, there were 31,223 people, 12,259 households, and 8,949 families living in the county. The population density was 19/km² (49/mi²). There were 13,749 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (22/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.68% White, 4.21% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.62% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 7.42% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,259 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,177, and the median income for a family was $34,274. Males had a median income of $27,497 versus $18,631 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,814. About 15.20% of families and 18.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 24.10% of that age 65 or over.

Neighboring Counties:

• North: Colbert County
• East: Lawrence County
• Southeast: Winston County
• South: Marion County
• Southwest: Itawamba County, Miss.
• Northwest: Tishomingo County, Miss.

Cities:

• Atwood
• Burntout
• Hodges
• Phil Campbell
• Red Bay
• Russellville (County Seat)
• Spruce Pine
• Vina

County Resources:

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Franklin County, Alabama