Jefferson County, Alabama

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

Named:  It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson.

State & County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Jefferson County, Alabama

Formed by the Alabama legislature on 1819 Dec. 13. It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The county is located in the north-central portion of the state, on the southern extension of the Appalachians, in the center of the iron, coal and limestone belt of the South. Jefferson County is bordered by Blount, Bibb, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties. It encompasses 1,119 square miles. The county seat was at Carrollsville from 1819-21, at Elyton from 1821-73, and since 1873 has been at Birmingham, which was named for England's iron and steel center in Warwickshire. Other towns and communities include Bessemer, Homewood, Hueytown, Mountain Brook, Hoover, Fultondale, Trussville, and Warrior.

According to the census of 2000, there were 662,047 people, 263,265 households, and 175,861 families living in the county. The population density was 230/km² (595/mi²). There were 288,162 housing units at an average density of 100/km² (259/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.10% White, 39.36% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 263,265 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.10% were married couples living together, 17.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,868, and the median income for a family was $45,951. Males had a median income of $35,954 versus $26,631 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,892. About 11.60% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of that age 65 or over.
 

Neighboring Counties:

• Northeast: Blount County; St. Clair County
• Southeast: Shelby County
• Southwest: Bibb County; Tuscaloosa County
• Northwest: Walker County

Cities:

County Resources:

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Jefferson County, Alabama