Houston County, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Houston County
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County
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Houston County courthouse in Dothan
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Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
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 Alabama's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Alabama |
| Founded | February 9, 1903 |
| Named for | George S. Houston |
| Seat | Dothan |
| Largest city | Dothan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 582 sq mi (1,510 km2) |
| • Land | 580 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
| • Water | 1.8 sq mi (5 km2) 0.3% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 107,202 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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108,462  |
| • Density | 184.20/sq mi (71.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
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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. Its county seat is Dothan, which is located on the border and partially in adjacent Henry County.
Houston County is part of the Dothan, Alabama metropolitan area.
Contents
History
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.
Geography
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. The county is located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.
Major highways
US 84
US 231
US 431
SR 52
SR 53
SR 92
SR 95
SR 103
SR 123
SR 134
SR 210
SR 605
Adjacent counties
- Henry County (north)
- Early County, Georgia (east)
- Seminole County, Georgia (southeast)
- Jackson County, Florida (south)
- Geneva County (west)
- Dale County (northwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 32,414 | — | |
| 1920 | 37,334 | 15.2% | |
| 1930 | 45,935 | 23.0% | |
| 1940 | 45,665 | −0.6% | |
| 1950 | 46,522 | 1.9% | |
| 1960 | 50,718 | 9.0% | |
| 1970 | 56,574 | 11.5% | |
| 1980 | 74,632 | 31.9% | |
| 1990 | 81,331 | 9.0% | |
| 2000 | 88,787 | 9.2% | |
| 2010 | 101,547 | 14.4% | |
| 2020 | 107,202 | 5.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 108,462 | 6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| 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% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 55 | 96 | 354 | 0.06% | 0.09% | 0.33% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (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
As of the census 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.
Communities
City
- Dothan (county seat; partly in Dale County and Henry County)
Towns
Unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Houston (Alabama) para niños
