Etowah County, Alabama

History Baine County was established on December 7, 1866, named for General David W. Baine of the Confederate Army, with its county seat at Gadsden. The county was abolished in 1867, but a year later, Etowah County was created from the same territory.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,421 km² (549 mi²). 1,385 km² (535 mi²) of it is land and 36 km² (14 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.54% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 103,459 people, 41,615 households, and 29,463 families residing in the county. The population density is 75/km² (193/mi²). There are 45,959 housing units at an average density of 33/km² (86/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 82.87% White, 14.68% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 41,615 households out of which 29.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% are married couples living together, 13.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% are non-families. 26.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 2.93.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $31,170, and the median income for a family is $38,697. Males have a median income of $31,610 versus $21,346 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,783. 15.70% of the population and 12.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.60% are under the age of 18 and 13.70% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Altoona (part - part of Altoona is in Blount County)
• Attalla
• Boaz (part - part of Boaz is in Marshall County)
• Gadsden
• Glencoe (part - part of Glencoe is in Calhoun County)
• Hokes Bluff
• Mountainboro
• Rainbow City
• Reece City
• Ridgeville
• Sardis City
• Southside (part - part of Southside is in Calhoun County)
• Walnut Grove