Cullman County, Alabama

Cullman County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,406.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Cullman.[2] Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. It is a "moist" county in terms of availability of alcoholic beverages; the cities of Cullman, Good Hope and Hanceville allow sale of alcohol and are "wet" and the rest of the county is dry.

Cullman County
U.S. county
The Cullman County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°08′00″N 86°52′00″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedJanuary 24, 1877
Named forJohn G. Cullmann
SeatCullman
Largest cityCullman
Area
 • Total755 sq mi (1,960 km2)
 • Land735 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  2.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total80,406
 • Estimate 
(2019)
83,768
 • Density110/sq mi (41/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.co.cullman.al.us
 
  • County Number 25 on Alabama Licence Plates

Cullman County comprises the Cullman, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area.

Cullman is served by TV stations and FM radio stations from both Huntsville and Birmingham. Cullman County is a part of the designated market area, or "DMA," of Birmingham. Electricity in Cullman County is provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority and by the Alabama Power Company. For a long time, telephone service in this county was provided by the Southern Bell Company.

There is no commercial air transportation service in Cullman County, and this county is no longer served by intercity commercial buses.

History

This area was inhabited for thousands of years by varying cultures of indigenous peoples. The historic Cherokee and Choctaw lived here at the time of European encounter, with the Cherokee moving in after the American Revolutionary War and in response to pressures from northern area. Their settlements in Alabama were known as the Lower Towns.

People claiming descent from Cherokee who remained in the county after Indian Removal in the 1830s, organized as the "Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama" in the 1980s. The tribe was recognized by the state in 1984 but is not federally recognized. It claims 22,000 members in the state, mostly in northern Alabama.[3]

Cullman County was organized in 1877 primarily by German American immigrants who had moved down from Cincinnati, Ohio. They founded an agricultural community and sought to create an agricultural revolution in what had been a frontier area, in the best traditions of innovation in the New South. However, hard geographical and social realities clashed with the often impractical vision of colonizer John G. Cullmann. His Germans, with their traditional work ethic and willingness to experiment with such new products as wine and strawberries, tried to make practical changes in southern farming. The Germans were outnumbered by more traditional families from neighboring regions, who replicated the traditional southern cotton culture.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 square miles (1,960 km2), of which 735 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (2.7%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways
  • Interstate 65
  • U.S. Highway 31
  • U.S. Highway 231
  • U.S. Highway 278
  • State Route 67
  • State Route 69
  • State Route 91
  • State Route 157

Rail

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18806,355—
189013,439111.5%
190017,84932.8%
191028,32158.7%
192033,03416.6%
193041,05124.3%
194047,34315.3%
195049,0463.6%
196045,572−7.1%
197052,44515.1%
198061,64217.5%
199067,6139.7%
200077,48314.6%
201080,4063.8%
Est. 201983,768[5]4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2018[1]

At the 2000 census there were 77,483 people, 30,706 households, and 22,476 families living in the county. The population density was 105 people per square mile (41/km2). There were 35,233 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.81% White, 0.96% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 2.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[10] Of the 30,706 households 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 24.00% of households were one person and 10.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median household income was $32,256 and the median family income was $39,341. Males had a median income of $30,444 versus $20,436 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,922. About 9.50% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 80,406 people, 31,864 households, and 22,487 families living in the county. The population density was 109 people per square mile (42/km2). There were 37,054 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.7% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 4.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[11] Of the 31,864 households 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.7% of households were one person and 11.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

The age distribution was 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median household income was $38,567 and the median family income was $47,771. Males had a median income of $36,952 versus $27,979 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,284. About 12.8% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education in Cullman County is provided by two systems: the Cullman City School Board and the Cullman County School Board, which governs all municipalities except the City of Cullman.

Private educational institutions in the county include:

  • Christ Covenant School - located in Cullman (Grades K-2)
  • Cullman Christian School - located in Cullman (Grades K-12)
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School - located in Cullman (Grades PreK-6)
  • St. Bernard Preparatory School - located in Cullman (Grades 7-12)
  • St. Paul's Lutheran School - located in Cullman (Grades K-6)
  • Vinemont Christian Academy - located in South Vinemont (Grades PreK-12)

Cullman is also the home of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. It was named for the former Governor of Alabama, George C. Wallace. The public, non-profit college opened its doors in 1966 and has grown to become the third largest community college in the state of Alabama, with an enrollment of around 6,000 students. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees. Many programs have additional accreditation from organizations appropriate to the particular disciplines. Wallace State offers hundreds of degree and certificate options in dozens of programs in its Academic, Health and Technical Divisions. The college offers more Health programs than any other community college in the state. The college offers early enrollment through its Dual Enrollment, Fast Track Academy and Fast Track for Industry programs, the latter of which is funded through grants that allow free tuition for qualified students entering the technical, academic and health programs included in the program. The college's current president is Dr. Vicki P. Karolewics, who is the institution's third president in 50 years. She was preceded by Dr. James C. Bailey from 1971 to 2003 and Dr. Ben Johnson from 1965 to 1971. The college is located in the southern portion of Cullman County. Athletic programs at Wallace State include men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, volleyball and cheerleading.

Government
Presidential elections results
Cullman County vote
by party in presidential elections [12]
Year GOP Dem Others
2016 87.1% 32,989 10.0% 3,798 2.9% 1,086
2012 83.9% 28,999 14.6% 5,052 1.5% 504
2008 81.9% 28,896 16.6% 5,864 1.5% 545
2004 76.2% 26,818 22.9% 8,045 0.9% 328
2000 64.9% 19,157 33.1% 9,758 2.1% 610
1996 53.9% 14,308 35.9% 9,544 10.2% 2,701
1992 49.6% 14,411 36.0% 10,451 14.4% 4,181
1988 61.9% 14,351 36.7% 8,517 1.4% 329
1984 63.9% 14,782 34.6% 7,989 1.5% 355
1980 45.9% 10,212 51.8% 11,525 2.3% 503
1976 34.4% 6,899 64.6% 12,961 1.0% 195
1972 79.5% 14,390 19.7% 3,571 0.7% 130
1968 28.8% 4,964 6.5% 1,115 64.8% 11,186
1964 58.3% 7,152 41.7% 5,110
1960 40.1% 4,248 59.9% 6,346 0.1% 5
1956 44.1% 4,381 55.5% 5,510 0.4% 38
1952 39.1% 3,391 60.6% 5,254 0.3% 22
1948 32.7% 1,755 67.3% 3,609
1944 35.8% 2,202 63.4% 3,898 0.7% 45
1940 35.2% 3,057 64.5% 5,603 0.3% 26
1936 31.0% 1,703 68.8% 3,781 0.3% 15
1932 24.2% 956 73.8% 2,910 2.0% 78
1928 65.3% 2,959 34.7% 1,574 0.0% 0
1924 45.1% 1,639 49.8% 1,809 5.1% 185
1920 57.2% 3,492 42.1% 2,566 0.7% 43
1916 48.9% 1,351 50.5% 1,396 0.6% 16
1912 9.1% 264 42.5% 1,230 48.4% 1,401[lower-alpha 1]
1908 52.4% 1,521 42.7% 1,239 4.9% 143
1904 41.0% 1,238 49.6% 1,497 9.4% 283

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Alabama Indian Affairs Commission. "Tribes Recognized by the State of Alabama". Archived from the original on 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  12. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

Notes
  1. 1,374 votes or 47.46 percent for Progressive Theodore Roosevelt and 27 for Socialist Eugene Debs

Further reading
  • Davis, Robert S., “The Old World in the New South: Entrepreneurial Ventures and the Agricultural History of Cullman County, Alabama,” Agricultural History, 79 (Fall 2005), 439–61.

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