kids encyclopedia robot

Chambers County, Alabama facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Chambers County
County Courthouse in LaFayette in 2012
County Courthouse in LaFayette in 2012
Map of Alabama highlighting Chambers County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Alabama
Founded December 18, 1832
Named for Henry H. Chambers
Seat LaFayette
Largest city Valley
Area
 • Total 603 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Land 597 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water 6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 34,772
 • Estimate 
(2021)
34,541 Decrease
 • Density 57.67/sq mi (22.265/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 3rd
  • County Number 12 on Alabama Licence Plates

Chambers County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 34,772. Its county seat is Lafayette. Its largest city is Valley. Its name is in honor of Henry H. Chambers, who served as a United States Senator from Alabama.

Chambers County is included in the LaGrange, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, AL Combined Statistical Area.

History

Prior to contact with people of European descent, what is now Chambers County was inhabited by the Creek nation.

Chambers County was established on December 18, 1832.

Pat Garrett, the lawman famed for killing outlaw Billy the Kid, was born near the town of Cusseta in 1850.

Joe Louis "The Brown Bomber", renowned heavyweight boxing champion, was born near LaFayette, on Buckalew Mountain, May 13, 1914.

Chambers County joined the four mill cities to make The Valley (which is now the largest city). Valley is rapidly increasing in size and located between Montgomery, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 603 square miles (1,560 km2), of which 597 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.1%) is water.

Major highways

  • I-85 (AL).svg Interstate 85
  • US 29.svg U.S. Highway 29
  • US 280.svg U.S. Highway 280
  • US 431.svg U.S. Highway 431
  • Alabama 50.svg State Route 50
  • Alabama 77.svg State Route 77
  • Alabama 147.svg State Route 147

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1840 17,333
1850 23,960 38.2%
1860 23,214 −3.1%
1870 17,562 −24.3%
1880 23,440 33.5%
1890 26,319 12.3%
1900 32,554 23.7%
1910 36,056 10.8%
1920 41,201 14.3%
1930 39,313 −4.6%
1940 42,146 7.2%
1950 39,528 −6.2%
1960 37,828 −4.3%
1970 36,356 −3.9%
1980 39,191 7.8%
1990 36,876 −5.9%
2000 36,583 −0.8%
2010 34,215 −6.5%
2020 34,772 1.6%
2021 (est.) 34,541 1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020

Chambers County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 18,616 53.54%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 13,441 38.65%
Native American 71 0.2%
Asian 385 1.11%
Pacific Islander 11 0.03%
Other/Mixed 1,011 2.91%
Hispanic or Latino 1,237 3.56%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,772 people, 13,448 households, and 8,553 families residing in the county.

2010

At the 2010 census there were 34,215 people, 13,933 households, and 9,391 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km2). There were 17,004 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 38.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 13,933 households 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% 65 or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median household income was $31,467 and the median family income was $39,475. Males had a median income of $34,176 versus $29,140 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,626. About 16.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000

At the 2000 census there were 36,583 people, 14,522 households, and 10,194 families living in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (24/km2). There were 16,256 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.88% White (non-Hispanic), 43.11% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 3.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 14,522 households 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of households were one person and 12.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.30 males.

The median household income was $29,667 and the median family income was $36,598. Males had a median income of $28,771 versus $21,159 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,147. About 14.30% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.50% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

In popular culture

Chambers County has been the back drop of several movies including Mississippi Burning.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Chambers (Alabama) para niños

kids search engine
Chambers County, Alabama Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.