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Fayette County, Alabama facts for kids

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Fayette County
U.S. county
Fayette County Courthouse in Fayette
Fayette County Courthouse in Fayette
Map of Alabama highlighting Fayette 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 20, 1824
Named for Marquis de Lafayette
Seat Fayette
Largest city Fayette
Area
 • Total 629 sq mi (1,630 km2)
 • Land 628 sq mi (1,630 km2)
 • Water 1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 16,321
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 15,967 Decrease
 • Density 25.948/sq mi (10.018/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th
  • County Number 32 on Alabama Licence Plates

Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,321. Its county seat is Fayette. Its name is in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette (or de la Fayette), who aided General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War.

History

Fayette County was established on December 20, 1824, during Lafayette's historic tour of the 24 United States

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 629 square miles (1,630 km2), of which 628 square miles (1,630 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.3%) is water.

Sheriffs Department

Sheriff-Byron Yerby

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1830 3,547 —
1840 6,942 95.7%
1850 9,681 39.5%
1860 12,850 32.7%
1870 7,136 −44.5%
1880 10,135 42.0%
1890 12,823 26.5%
1900 14,132 10.2%
1910 16,248 15.0%
1920 18,365 13.0%
1930 18,443 0.4%
1940 21,651 17.4%
1950 19,388 −10.5%
1960 16,148 −16.7%
1970 16,252 0.6%
1980 18,809 15.7%
1990 17,962 −4.5%
2000 18,495 3.0%
2010 17,241 −6.8%
2020 16,321 −5.3%
2023 (est.) 15,967 −7.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

Fayette County, Alabama – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
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 Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 15,994 14,832 13,552 86.48% 86.03% 83.03%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,199 1,958 1,720 11.89% 11.36% 10.54%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 35 47 43 0.19% 0.27% 0.26%
Asian alone (NH) 28 37 49 0.15% 0.21% 0.30%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 1 0.00% 0.00% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 1 11 29 0.01% 0.06% 0.18%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 86 152 531 0.46% 0.88% 3.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 152 204 396 0.82% 1.18% 2.43%
Total 18,495 17,241 16,321 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,321 people, 6,802 households, and 4,774 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,241 people, 7,493 households, and 5,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 8,472 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.92% White, 11.93% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of 2012 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Fayette County were:

  • 44.9% English
  • 16.9% "American"
  • 4.1% Irish

There were 7,493 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,539, and the median income for a family was $34,560. Males had a median income of $29,239 versus $20,606 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,439. About 13.10% of families and 17.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

Life expectancy

Of 3,143 counties in the United States in 2013, Fayette County ranked 2,882 in the longevity of male residents and 3,091 of female residents. Males in Fayette County lived an average of 71.2 years and females lived an average of 75.3 years compared to the national average for longevity of 76.5 for males and 81.2 for females. The average longevity of men in Fayette County increased by 2.0 years from 1985 to 2013 compared to a national average for the same period of an increased life span for men of 5.5 years. The average longevity, however, for females in Fayette County declined by 4.2 years between 1985 and 2013 compared to the national average for the same period of an increased life span of 3.1 years for women. High rates of smoking and obesity and a low rate of physical activity appear to be contributing factors to the low level of longevity for both sexes.

One study concluded that Fayette County between 1985 and 2010 was one of the few U.S. counties which saw a decline in the longevity of women and that the decline in female longevity in Fayette Country was the largest of any county in the nation.

Education

  • Berry High School
  • Berry Elementary School
  • Fayette County High School
  • Fayette Middle School
  • Fayette Elementary School
  • Hubbertville School

Transportation

Major highways

  • US 43.svg U.S. Highway 43
  • Alabama 13.svg State Route 13
  • Alabama 18.svg State Route 18
  • Alabama 96.svg State Route 96
  • Alabama 102.svg State Route 102
  • Alabama 107.svg State Route 107
  • Alabama 129.svg State Route 129
  • Alabama 171.svg State Route 171
  • Alabama 233.svg State Route 233

Airport

Richard Arthur Field (Municipal)- A 5,000 ft (1,500 m) paved runway with JET A and 100LL fuel service. Located about 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the city center.

Rail

  • BNSF Railway
  • Norfolk Southern Railway
  • Luxapalila Valley Railroad

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

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

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