Houston County, Alabama

Houston County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census the population was 101,547.[1] Its county seat is Dothan, which is located on the border and partially in adjacent Henry County.[2]

Houston County
County
Houston County
Houston County courthouse in Dothan
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°09′08″N 85°17′36″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 9, 1903
Named forGeorge S. Houston
SeatDothan
Largest cityDothan
Area
 • Total582 sq mi (1,510 km2)
 • Land580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total101,547
 • Estimate 
(2019)
105,882
 • Density170/sq mi (67/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.houstoncounty.org
 
  • County Number 38 on Alabama Licence Plates

Houston County is part of the Dothan, Alabama metropolitan area.

History

Houston County was established on February 9, 1903, from parts of Dale, Geneva and Henry counties. It was named after George Smith Houston, the 24th Governor of Alabama. This area of the state was historically developed for the pine timber and turpentine industries, as well as cotton plantations. It held a high proportion of African Americans in the population until after the early 20th century, when many migrated to northern and midwestern cities for better economic opportunities and to escape Jim Crow discrimination.

Original Courthouse

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.3%) is water.[3] The county is located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
191032,414—
192037,33415.2%
193045,93523.0%
194045,665−0.6%
195046,5221.9%
196050,7189.0%
197056,57411.5%
198074,63231.9%
199081,3319.0%
200088,7879.2%
2010101,54714.4%
Est. 2019105,882[4]4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2018[1]

At the 2000 census there were 88,787 people, 35,834 households, and 25,119 families living in the county. The population density was 153 people per square mile (59/km2). There were 39,571 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.08% White, 24.60% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9] Of the 35,834 households 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.40% of households were one person and 10.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution was 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.20 males.

The median household income was $34,431 and the median family income was $42,437. Males had a median income of $32,092 versus $21,409 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,759. About 11.80% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 101,547 people, 40,969 households, and 28,041 families living in the county. The population density was 175 people per square mile (67.5/km2). There were 45,319 housing units at an average density of 77.9 per square mile (30.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.0% White, 25.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 2.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[10] Of the 40,969 households 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.2% of households were one person and 9.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% 65 or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median household income was $41,022 and the median family income was $51,741. Males had a median income of $41,021 versus $28,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,725. About 12.7% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

As of 2016, the County Chairman is Mark Culver, while Peter Covert is the Chief Administrative Officer. The County Commission is District 1, Curtis Harvey; District 2, Doug Sinquefield; District 3, Rickey Herring; and District 4, Brandon Shoupe. Donald Valenza serves as Sheriff, Probate Judge is Patrick Davenport, Revenue Commissioner is Starla Moss, and Coroner is Robert Byrd. The county engineer is Barkley Kirkland.

The District Attorney serves as prosecutor for cases in both Houston and Henry counties.

Houston County is located in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District; its current Representative (as of 2016) is Martha Roby (R).

Presidential election results
Houston County vote
by party in presidential elections [11]
Year GOP Dem Others
2016 72.1% 30,728 25.0% 10,664 2.9% 1,247
2012 69.7% 29,270 29.5% 12,367 0.8% 347
2008 70.1% 29,254 29.3% 12,225 0.6% 256
2004 74.2% 26,874 25.3% 9,144 0.5% 183
2000 69.1% 22,150 29.4% 9,412 1.5% 495
1996 62.3% 17,476 31.3% 8,791 6.4% 1,796
1992 58.3% 17,360 29.8% 8,857 11.9% 3,543
1988 73.9% 19,989 25.9% 7,001 0.3% 71
1984 75.8% 20,854 23.6% 6,488 0.6% 163
1980 64.1% 14,884 33.8% 7,848 2.2% 506
1976 54.1% 10,672 44.5% 8,787 1.4% 279
1972 83.5% 12,622 15.6% 2,358 1.0% 144
1968 5.9% 974 9.0% 1,488 85.1% 14,074
1964 87.9% 10,353 12.1% 1,421
1960 50.6% 4,055 48.6% 3,897 0.8% 65
1956 38.5% 2,632 53.1% 3,630 8.5% 579
1952 39.6% 2,517 59.4% 3,779 1.1% 68
1948 13.5% 426 86.5% 2,739
1944 7.7% 282 91.8% 3,349 0.5% 17
1940 10.9% 483 88.8% 3,941 0.3% 15
1936 6.1% 230 93.5% 3,538 0.4% 15
1932 3.9% 157 95.8% 3,863 0.3% 11
1928 46.1% 1,963 53.8% 2,290 0.1% 3
1924 11.7% 242 83.9% 1,731 4.4% 91
1920 21.5% 571 77.0% 2,045 1.5% 40
1916 21.2% 466 76.1% 1,670 2.7% 60
1912 5.0% 82 70.2% 1,160 24.9% 411
1908 29.0% 423 66.2% 965 4.7% 69
1904 22.3% 384 72.5% 1,248 5.2% 90

Communities

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  11. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.

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