Calhoun County, Alabama

History Benton County was established on December 18, 1832, named for Thomas Hart Benton[?], a member of the United States Senate from Missouri, with its county seat at Jacksonville. On January 29, 1858, it was renamed Calhoun County. It is not known when its county seat was moved.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,586 km² (612 mi²). 1,576 km² (608 mi²) of it is land and 10 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.63% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 112,249 people, 45,307 households, and 31,307 families residing in the county. The population density is 71/km² (184/mi²). There are 51,322 housing units at an average density of 33/km² (84/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 78.88% White, 18.54% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.56% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 45,307 households out of which 29.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% are married couples living together, 13.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% are non-families. 26.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $31,768, and the median income for a family is $39,908. Males have a median income of $30,847 versus $21,076 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,367. 16.10% of the population and 12.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 22.60% are under the age of 18 and 12.70% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Alexandria
• Anniston
• Blue Mountain
• Bynum
• Glencoe (part - part of Glencoe is located in Etowah County)
• Hobson City
• Jacksonville
• Ohatchee
• Oxford (part - part of Oxford is located in Talladega County)
• Piedmont (part - part of Piedmont is located in Cherokee County)
• Saks
• Southside (part - part of Southside is located in Etowah County)
• Weaver
• West End-Cobb Town