Lauderdale County, Alabama

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

Named: Named for Col. James Lauderdale, a Tennessean killed at the Battle of New Orleans.

State & County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Lauderdale County, Alabama

Formed by the Alabama Territorial legislature on 1818 Feb. 6, and was named for Col. James Lauderdale, a Tennessean killed at the Battle of New Orleans. Lauderdale County is located in the northwestern corner of the state. It is bounded on the north by Hardin, Wayne, and Lawrence counties, and on the west by the State of Mississippi. The Tennessee River forms the southern boundary between Lauderdale County and Colbert and Lawrence counties. It currently encompasses 661 square miles. The county seat was established at Florence, named by the city's architect, Ferdinand Sannoner, for his home, Florence, Italy. Other towns and communities include St. Florian, Lexington, and Cloverdale.

According to the census of 2000, there were 87,966 people, 36,088 households, and 25,153 families residing in the county. The population density was 51/km² (131/mi²). There were 40,424 housing units at an average density of 23/km² (60/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.38% White, 9.85% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.02% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 36,088 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,354, and the median income for a family was $41,438. Males had a median income of $33,943 versus $20,804 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,626. About 10.50% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of that age 65 or over.

Neighboring Counties:

• Northeast: Lawrence County, Tenn.; Giles County, Tenn.
• East: Limestone County
• Southeast: Lawrence County
• Southwest: Colbert County; Tishomingo County, Miss.
• Northwest: Hardin County, Tenn.; Wayne County, Tenn.

Cities:

• Anderson
• Cloverdale
• Florence (County Seat)
• Killen
• Lexington
• North Florence
• Rogersville
• Waterloo
• Whitehead

County Resources:

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Lauderdale County, Alabama