Morgan County, Alabama

Morgan County
County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°27′06″N 86°51′26″W
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 8, 1818
Seat	Decatur
Population  (2000)
• Total	111,064
Website	www.co.morgan.al.us

Morgan County the the most populated county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populated county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. Its name is in honor of General Daniel Morgan, of Virginia. As of 2000 the population was 111,064. Its county seat is Decatur, and it is a prohibition or dry county, while the City of Decatur is wet.

History

Cotaco County was established on February 8, 1818, named for Cotaco Creek (or possibly for a local Indian chief), with its county seat at Somerville. The county was renamed Morgan County in 1821. In 1891 the county seat was moved to Decatur.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,552 km² (599 mi²). 1,508 km² (582 mi²) of it is land and 44 km² (17 mi²) of it (2.81%) is water.

Major Highways

• Interstate 65
• U.S. Highway 31
• U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
• U.S. Highway 231
• State Route 20
• State Route 24
• State Route 36
• State Route 67

Adjacent Counties

• Madison County (northeast)
• Marshall County (east)
• Cullman County (south)
• Lawrence County (west)
• Limestone County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 111,064 people, 43,602 households, and 31,437 families residing in the county. The population density was 74/km² (191/mi²). There were 47,388 housing units at an average density of 31/km² (81/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.07% White, 11.24% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 3.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 43,602 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,803, and the median income for a family was $45,827. Males had a median income of $35,759 versus $21,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,223. About 9.70% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Burningtree Mountain
• Decatur (part - part of Decatur is in Limestone County)
• Danville
• Eva
• Falkville
• Hartselle
• Hulaco
• Lacey's Spring
• Morgan City
• Moulton Heights
• Priceville
• Somerville
• Trinity

See also

• Dry county-Morgan County is a Dry County, but the City of Decatur is wet.

External links

• The Decatur Daily
• Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
• Alabama Jubilee - Hot Air Balloon Classic