Russell County, Alabama

Russell County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,947.[1] Its county seat is Phenix City.[2] Its name is in honor of Colonel Gilbert C. Russell, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians.

Russell County
U.S. county
County courthouse in Phenix City
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°17′12″N 85°11′38″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 18, 1832
Named forGilbert C. Russell
SeatPhenix City
Largest cityPhenix City
Area
 • Total647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Land641 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Water6.1 sq mi (16 km2)  0.9%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total52,947
 • Estimate 
(2019)
57,961
 • Density82/sq mi (32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.rcala.com
 
  • County Number 57 on Alabama Licence Plates
  • Officially in Central Time, but Phenix City unofficially uses Eastern Time

Russell County is part of the Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Russell County was established by an act of the state general assembly on December 18, 1832, from lands ceded to the state by the Creek Native Americans. The county seat has changed several times: Girard (1833–1839), Crawford originally Crockettsville (1839–1868), Seale (1868–1935) and Phenix City (1935–present). It was named for War of 1812, Col. Gilbert Christian Russell, Sr., 1782–1861, 3rd U.S. Infantry.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Russell County and especially its capital, Phenix City gained a reputation of lawlessness, political corruption and being a den for vice such as organized crime, prostitution, and gambling.[3] The city police and county deputies also took part in the corruption.[4] In 1954, the local politician Albert Patterson won the Democratic nomination for Alabama Attorney General on a platform of ridding the city of corruption and crime. Patterson ran for a state office since he was unable to run in local elections, as they were rigged. On June 18, 1954, Patterson was shot and killed by an unknown assassin.[3] The murder set off a series of events that led to Governor Gordon Persons declaring martial law in the county and city because of its lawlessness on July 22 that year. That was tge only time since the Reconstruction era that martial law was declared in a US city for reasons other than civil unrest or natural disaster.[5] The Alabama National Guard was called in to assume the role of the police and clean up the area of illegal activities. The state of martial law was rescinded on 17 January 1955, with Russell County and Phenix City both returning to civilian control.[6][7] In 1974, the New York Times noted that the campaign as very successful and led to a relatively-low crime rate in Phenix City for the 20 years since then.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680 km2), of which 641 square miles (1,660 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) (0.9%) is water.[9] The county is located in the Gulf Coastal Plain region, with a few rolling hills due to its close proximity to the fall line of the eastern United States.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
184013,513—
185019,54844.7%
186026,59236.0%
187021,636−18.6%
188024,83714.8%
189024,093−3.0%
190027,08312.4%
191025,937−4.2%
192027,4485.8%
193027,377−0.3%
194035,77530.7%
195040,36412.8%
196046,35114.8%
197045,394−2.1%
198047,3564.3%
199046,860−1.0%
200049,7566.2%
201052,9476.4%
2019 (est.)57,961[10]9.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2018[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 52,947 people living in the county. 53.7% were White, 41.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.3% of some other race and 2.1% of two or more races. 3.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census of 2000, there were 49,756 people, 19,741 households, and 13,423 families living in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30/km2). There were 22,831 housing units, at an average density of 14/km2 (36/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was: 56.69% White, 40.84% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Nearly 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,741 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 44.40% were married couples living together, 18.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49, and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,492, and the median income for a family was $34,004. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $20,882 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,015. About 16.80% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.50% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Russell County trends Democratic in presidential elections; having last supported a Republican in 1972 when it voted for President Nixon. President Bush came within 38 votes of carrying the county in 2004.

Presidential elections results
Russell County vote
by party in presidential elections [15]
Year GOP Dem Others
2020 46.3% 9,864 52.6% 11,228 1.1% 237
2016 47.8% 9,210 49.8% 9,579 2.4% 467
2012 43.8% 8,278 55.5% 10,500 0.7% 132
2008 46.0% 8,705 53.3% 10,085 0.7% 125
2004 49.6% 8,337 49.8% 8,375 0.6% 97
2000 42.0% 6,198 56.8% 8,396 1.2% 181
1996 36.7% 5,025 57.2% 7,834 6.1% 836
1992 35.6% 5,587 55.1% 8,647 9.3% 1,455
1988 48.4% 6,333 50.4% 6,589 1.3% 164
1984 46.0% 6,654 52.7% 7,610 1.3% 188
1980 33.2% 4,485 60.2% 8,123 6.6% 892
1976 33.0% 4,150 64.1% 8,077 2.9% 365
1972 66.7% 6,034 29.2% 2,644 4.0% 365
1968 6.3% 704 24.1% 2,707 69.7% 7,834
1964 76.0% 4,877 24.0% 1,537
1960 33.4% 1,770 65.7% 3,480 0.9% 48
1956 28.2% 1,265 68.3% 3,060 3.4% 154
1952 19.6% 867 80.4% 3,564 0.1% 3
1948 5.3% 94 94.7% 1,682
1944 5.2% 115 94.7% 2,109 0.2% 4
1940 1.9% 48 98.0% 2,435 0.1% 3
1936 2.9% 66 96.7% 2,181 0.4% 9
1932 2.3% 46 97.4% 1,984 0.3% 7
1928 27.8% 333 70.7% 846 1.5% 18
1924 2.7% 14 91.3% 474 6.0% 31
1920 3.9% 29 89.7% 671 6.4% 48
1916 0.4% 3 99.1% 752 0.5% 4
1912 0.3% 4 96.2% 1,553 3.5% 57
1908 5.6% 32 91.0% 516 3.4% 19
1904 3.5% 21 94.1% 558 2.4% 14

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Former City
  • Girard (merged with Phenix City in 1923)

Notable person

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Coakley, Scheips & Demma 1971, p. 35
  4. Grady 2005, pp. 5–6
  5. Stewart 1998, pp. 200–201
  6. Coakley, Scheips & Demma 1971, p. 36
  7. Bernstein 2009, p. 98
  8. Jenkins, Ray (18 June 1974). "Phenix City Ala., Is Staying Clean". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  13. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  15. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  16. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.

Sources

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