Mobile County, Alabama

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

Named: Both the city and the county derive their name from Fort Louis de la Mobile, a French fortification erected near Mount Vernon in 1702.

State & County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Mobile County, Alabama

Formed by proclamation of Gov. Holmes of the Mississippi Territory on 1812 Dec. 18. Mobile County is located in the southwestern corner of the State of Alabama, and is bordered by the State of Mississippi on the west, Washington County on the north, Baldwin County and Mobile Bay on the east, and the Gulf of Mexico on the south. It encompasses 1, 238 square miles. The city of Mobile is the county seat. Both the city and the county derive their name from Fort Louis de la Mobile, a French fortification erected near Mount Vernon in 1702. The word Mobile is believed to come from a Choctaw Indian word for "paddlers." The area was occupied by the French from 1702-63, by the British from 1763-80, and by the Spanish from 1780-1813. Courthouse fires occurred in 1823, 1840, and 1872. Other towns and communities include Citronelle, Bayou LeBatre, and Theodore.

According to the census of 2000, there were 399,843 people, 150,179 households, and 106,777 families living in the county. The population density was 125/km² (324/mi²). There were 165,101 housing units at an average density of 52/km² (134/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.07% White, 33.38% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 1.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 150,179 households out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.50% were married couples living together, 17.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,710, and the median income for a family was $40,378. Males had a median income of $32,329 versus $21,986 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,178. About 15.60% of families and 18.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of that age 65 or over.
 

Neighboring Counties:

• North: Washington County
• East: Baldwin County
• South: Gulf of Mexico
• Southwest: Jackson County, Miss.
• Northwest: George County, Miss.; Greene County, Miss.

Cities:

County Resources:

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Mobile County, Alabama