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Barbour County, Alabama

Coordinates: 31°51′57″N 85°23′46″W / 31.86583°N 85.39611°W / 31.86583; -85.39611
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Barbour County
County
Barbour County courthouse in Clayton
Barbour County courthouse in Clayton
Map of Alabama highlighting Barbour County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°51′57″N 85°23′46″W / 31.865833333333°N 85.396111111111°W / 31.865833333333; -85.396111111111
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 18, 1832
Named forJames Barbour
SeatClayton
Largest cityEufaula
Area
[1]
 • Total905 sq mi (2,340 km2)
 • Land885 sq mi (2,290 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  2.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total25,223
 • Estimate 
(2023)
24,585 Decrease
 • Density28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
  • County Number 06 on Alabama License Plates

Barbour County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,223.[2] Its county seat is Clayton. Its largest city is Eufaula. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as Governor of Virginia.

History

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Barbour County was established on December 18, 1832, from former Muscogee homelands and a portion of Pike County. Between the years of 1763 and 1783 the area which is now Barbour County was part of the colony of British West Florida.[3] After 1783 the region fell under the jurisdiction of the newly created United States of America. The Muscogee Creek Confederacy was removed to territory west of the Mississippi River. The fertile land was developed by southern migrants as large cotton plantations dependent on slave labor. Due to the number of slaves, the population was soon majority black, a proportion that continued for decades. In the 21st century, the population has a slight white majority, but blacks make up more than 46% of the residents, which results in highly competitive politics.

In 1833, Louisville was chosen as the first county seat for Barbour County. The county seat was moved in 1834, after an eleven-member committee selected Clayton because of its central geographic location. Its boundaries were altered in 1866 and 1868.[4] The Election Riot of 1874 occurred near Comer.

By the 1870s, the city of Eufaula had surpassed Clayton in size, sparking debate about whether the county seat should be moved to the county's commercial center or remain at its geographic center. Reaching a compromise, the legislature passed Act No. 106 on February 12, 1879, to establish county courts in both Eufaula and Clayton. Today, two county courthouses continue to operate in Barbour County.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 905 square miles (2,340 km2), of which 885 square miles (2,290 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (2.2%) is water.[5][1] The county is located within the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
184012,024—
185023,63296.5%
186030,81230.4%
187029,309−4.9%
188033,97915.9%
189034,8982.7%
190035,1520.7%
191032,728−6.9%
192032,067−2.0%
193032,4251.1%
194032,7220.9%
195028,892−11.7%
196024,700−14.5%
197022,543−8.7%
198024,7569.8%
199025,4172.7%
200029,03814.2%
201027,457−5.4%
202025,223−8.1%
2023 (est.)24,585[6]−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]

2020 Census

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Barbour County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[11] Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 14,788 12,837 11,086 50.93% 46.75% 43.95%
Black or African American alone (NH) 13,369 12,820 11,850 46.04% 46.69% 46.98%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 119 60 58 0.41% 0.22% 0.23%
Asian alone (NH) 83 107 103 0.29% 0.39% 0.41%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 6 24 0 0.02% 0.09% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 4 13 63 0.01% 0.05% 0.25%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 191 209 553 0.66% 0.76% 2.19%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 478 1,387 1,510 1.65% 5.05% 5.99%
Total 29,038 27,457 25,223 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,223 people, 9,345 households, and 6,187 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, there were 27,457 people living in the county. 48.0% were White, 46.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.3% of some other race and 0.9% of two or more races. 5.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

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As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 29,038 people, 10,409 households, and 7,390 families living in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 12,461 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 51.27% White, 46.32% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 1.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 670 people who spoke Spanish in their home. The only other language with over 100 speakers was French at 105.

In 2005 Barbour County had a population that was 49.5% non-Hispanic whites. 46.8% of the population was African-American. 0.3% of the population reported more than one race. Latinos were now 3.1% of the population. 0.4% were Native American and 0.3% were Asian. (Sources census quickfacts)

In 2000 There were 10,409 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.90% were married couples living together, 19.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 106.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,101, and the median income for a family was $31,877. Males had a median income of $28,441 versus $19,882 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,316. About 21.60% of families and 26.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.10% of those under age 18 and 26.40% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, the largest denominational groups were Evangelical Protestants (with 8,935 adherents) and Mainline Protestants (with 2,492 adherents).[15] The largest religious bodies were The Southern Baptist Convention (with 7,576 members) and The United Methodist Church (with 1,811 members).[15]

Education

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Barbour County contains two public school districts. There are approximately 7,100 students in public K-12 schools in Barbour County.[16]

The county contains one public higher education institution. Wallace Community College operates a campus located in Eufaula.

Districts

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School districts include:[17]

Government

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Having been a historically Democratic county for much of the 20th century, the county has become more competitive. It has now voted for the Republican presidential candidate in four of the last five elections.

United States presidential election results for Barbour County, Alabama[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,622 53.45% 4,816 45.79% 80 0.76%
2016 5,454 52.10% 4,871 46.53% 144 1.38%
2012 5,550 48.19% 5,912 51.33% 55 0.48%
2008 5,866 50.44% 5,697 48.99% 67 0.58%
2004 5,899 54.74% 4,832 44.84% 46 0.43%
2000 5,096 49.02% 5,188 49.91% 111 1.07%
1996 3,627 40.51% 4,787 53.47% 539 6.02%
1992 4,475 42.90% 4,836 46.36% 1,120 10.74%
1988 4,958 55.71% 3,836 43.11% 105 1.18%
1984 5,459 53.73% 4,591 45.18% 111 1.09%
1980 4,171 46.34% 4,458 49.53% 372 4.13%
1976 3,758 43.25% 4,730 54.43% 202 2.32%
1972 4,985 70.92% 1,846 26.26% 198 2.82%
1968 386 4.86% 1,898 23.89% 5,662 71.26%
1964 3,853 79.76% 0 0.00% 978 20.24%
1960 1,166 34.99% 2,148 64.47% 18 0.54%
1956 777 22.53% 2,530 73.35% 142 4.12%
1952 798 26.16% 2,250 73.77% 2 0.07%
1948 101 5.65% 0 0.00% 1,687 94.35%
1944 67 2.84% 2,237 94.91% 53 2.25%
1940 90 3.71% 2,328 95.88% 10 0.41%
1936 50 2.04% 2,386 97.47% 12 0.49%
1932 64 2.81% 2,207 96.88% 7 0.31%
1928 845 35.59% 1,506 63.44% 23 0.97%
1924 78 5.33% 1,340 91.59% 45 3.08%
1920 203 11.37% 1,568 87.79% 15 0.84%
1916 45 3.45% 1,235 94.64% 25 1.92%
1912 18 1.41% 1,155 90.38% 105 8.22%
1908 43 3.06% 1,303 92.81% 58 4.13%
1904 49 3.40% 1,356 94.04% 37 2.57%

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Places of interest

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Barbour County is home to Lakepoint Resort State Park, Blue Springs State Park, and the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge.

Notable people

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Governors from Barbour County

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As a center of the planter elite class, Barbour County has produced more Alabama governors than any other county in the state. Six elected governors as well as two acting governors have lived in the county. In 2000, the Barbour County Governors' Trail was established by an act of the Alabama Legislature to honor the eight distinguished men and women who have served as governor from the county.

Marking changes in 20th-century politics, Chauncey Sparks, the Wallaces, and Jere Beasley were not from the planter elite.

Alabama governors from Barbour County
Name In Office Hometown
John Gill Shorter 1861–1863 Eufaula, AL
William Dorsey Jelks 1901–1907 Eufaula, AL
Braxton Bragg Comer 1907–1911 Spring Hill, AL
Charles S. McDowell July 10,11, 1924 Eufaula, AL
Chauncey Sparks 1943–1947 Eufaula, AL
George Corley Wallace 1963–1967, 1971–1979, 1983–1987 Clio, AL
Jere Beasley June 5 – July 7, 1972 Clayton, AL

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2019 Gazetteer Files for Counties: Alabama" (text). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  3. ^ The Economy of British West Florida, 1763-1783 by Robin F. A. Fabel (University of Alabama Press, 2002)
  4. ^ "Alabama Counties: Barbour". Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2007.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Barbour County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Barbour County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Barbour County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "County Membership Reports". thearda.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  16. ^ "Search for Public School Districts - Barbour County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  17. ^ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Barbour County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2022. Text list.
  18. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 15, 2016.

Further reading

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  • Trayvick, J.C. (2005). Soil survey of Barbour County, Alabama. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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31°51′57″N 85°23′46″W / 31.86583°N 85.39611°W / 31.86583; -85.39611

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