Shelby County, Alabama

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

Named: The county is named for Isaac Shelby, first governor of Kentucky.

State & County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Shelby County, Alabama

Formed by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 7, 1818, from former Creek Indian territory ceded in the Treaty of Fort Jackson on August 9, 1814. It is located in the north-central part of the state and is bounded on the north by Jefferson and St. Clair counties, on the south by Chilton and Bibb counties, on the east by Talladega County and on the west by Bibb and Jefferson counties. About one-half of the counties are in the mineral belt. Shelby County encompasses 800 square miles.

The county is named for Isaac Shelby, first governor of Kentucky. The location of the first county seat was Shelbyville. In 1826 the town of Columbia changed its name to Columbiana and became the permanent county seat. Other towns and communities include: Alabaster, Calera, Pelham, and Montevallo, home of the University of Montevallo.

According to the census of 2000, there were 143,293 people, 54,631 households, and 40,590 families living in the county. The population density was 70/km² (180/mi²). There were 59,302 housing units at an average density of 29/km² (75/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.80% White, 7.40% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 54,631 households out of which 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,440, and the median income for a family was $64,105. Males had a median income of $45,798 versus $31,242 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,176. About 4.60% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of that age 65 or over.

Neighboring Counties:

• Northeast: St. Clair County; Talladega County
• Southeast: Coosa County
• South: Chilton County
• Southwest: Bibb County
• Northwest: Jefferson County

Cities:

County Resources:

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Shelby County, Alabama