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Houston County, Alabama

Coordinates: 31°09′08″N 85°17′36″W / 31.15222°N 85.29333°W / 31.15222; -85.29333
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Houston County
County
Houston County courthouse in Dothan
Houston County courthouse in Dothan
Official seal of Houston County
Seal
Map of Alabama highlighting Houston 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°09′08″N 85°17′36″W / 31.152222222222°N 85.293333333333°W / 31.152222222222; -85.293333333333
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedFebruary 9, 1903
Named forGeorge S. Houston
SeatDothan
Largest cityDothan
Area
 • Total
582 sq mi (1,510 km2)
 • Land580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
107,202
 • Estimate 
(2023)
108,462 Increase
 • Density180/sq mi (71/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitehoustoncountyal.gov
  • County Number 38 on Alabama Licence Plates

Houston County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 107,202.[1] Its county seat is Dothan, which is located on the border and partially in adjacent Henry County.[2]

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

History

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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. The latter, especially, depended on enslaved African Americans for labor.

Because of this history, African Americans predominated 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. They were essentially disenfranchised after the turn of the 20th century because of constitutional amendments and other laws that made voter registration nearly impossible. Many poor whites were disenfranchised at the same time.

Original Courthouse

Geography

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According to the United States 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

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
2020107,2025.6%
2023 (est.)108,462[4]1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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Houston 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[9] Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 64,312 69,731 68,251 72.43% 68.67% 63.67%
Black or African American alone (NH) 21,703 26,038 28,232 24.44% 25.64% 26.34%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 318 393 321 0.36% 0.39% 0.30%
Asian alone (NH) 548 806 1,260 0.62% 0.79% 1.18%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 13 43 59 0.01% 0.04% 0.06%
Other race alone (NH) 55 96 354 0.06% 0.09% 0.33%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 716 1,445 4,244 0.81% 1.42% 3.96%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,122 2,995 4,481 1.26% 2.95% 4.18%
Total 88,787 101,547 107,202 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 107,202 people, 39,761 households, and 25,893 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the census[12] of 2010, 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 (68 people/km2). There were 45,319 housing units at an average density of 77.9 units per square mile (30.1 units/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.

There were 40,969 households, out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the county was $41,022, and the median income for a family 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.

2000 census

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As of the census[13] of 2000, 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 people/km2). There were 39,571 housing units at an average density of 68 units per square mile (26 units/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.

There were 35,834 households, out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the county was $34,431, and the median income for a family 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.

Government

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As of 2023, the County Chairman is Brandon Shoupe, while Peter Covert is the Chief Administrative Officer. The County Commission is District 1, Curtis Harvey; District 2, Tracy Adams; District 3, Rickey Herring; and District 4, James Ivey. 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 2021) is Barry Moore (R).

Houston County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election was Adlai Stevenson, who won it by a majority in 1956.

United States presidential election results for Houston County, Alabama[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 32,469 73.21% 11,352 25.60% 528 1.19%
2020 32,618 70.64% 12,917 27.98% 638 1.38%
2016 30,728 72.07% 10,664 25.01% 1,247 2.92%
2012 29,270 69.72% 12,367 29.46% 347 0.83%
2008 29,254 70.09% 12,225 29.29% 256 0.61%
2004 26,874 74.24% 9,144 25.26% 183 0.51%
2000 22,150 69.10% 9,412 29.36% 495 1.54%
1996 17,476 62.27% 8,791 31.33% 1,796 6.40%
1992 17,360 58.33% 8,857 29.76% 3,543 11.91%
1988 19,989 73.87% 7,001 25.87% 71 0.26%
1984 20,854 75.82% 6,488 23.59% 163 0.59%
1980 14,884 64.05% 7,848 33.77% 506 2.18%
1976 10,672 54.07% 8,787 44.52% 279 1.41%
1972 12,622 83.46% 2,358 15.59% 144 0.95%
1968 974 5.89% 1,488 9.00% 14,074 85.11%
1964 10,353 87.93% 0 0.00% 1,421 12.07%
1960 4,055 50.58% 3,897 48.61% 65 0.81%
1956 2,632 38.47% 3,630 53.06% 579 8.46%
1952 2,517 39.55% 3,779 59.38% 68 1.07%
1948 426 13.46% 0 0.00% 2,739 86.54%
1944 282 7.73% 3,349 91.80% 17 0.47%
1940 483 10.88% 3,941 88.78% 15 0.34%
1936 230 6.08% 3,538 93.52% 15 0.40%
1932 157 3.89% 3,863 95.83% 11 0.27%
1928 1,963 46.12% 2,290 53.81% 3 0.07%
1924 242 11.72% 1,731 83.87% 91 4.41%
1920 571 21.50% 2,045 77.00% 40 1.51%
1916 466 21.22% 1,670 76.05% 60 2.73%
1912 82 4.96% 1,160 70.18% 411 24.86%
1908 423 29.03% 965 66.23% 69 4.74%
1904 384 22.30% 1,248 72.47% 90 5.23%

Communities

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City

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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There are two school districts including parts of the county: Dothan City School District and Houston County School District.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  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. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  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. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Houston County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Houston County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chilton County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Houston County, AL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2024. - Text list
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31°09′08″N 85°17′36″W / 31.15222°N 85.29333°W / 31.15222; -85.29333

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