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Franklin County, Alabama facts for kids

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Franklin County
Franklin County Courthouse in Russellville
Franklin County Courthouse in Russellville
Map of Alabama highlighting Franklin 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 February 6, 1818
Named for Benjamin Franklin
Seat Russellville
Largest city Russellville
Area
 • Total 647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Land 634 sq mi (1,640 km2)
 • Water 13 sq mi (30 km2)  2.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 32,113
 • Estimate 
(2023)
31,802 Decrease
 • Density 49.63/sq mi (19.164/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th
  • County Number 33 on Alabama Licence Plates

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,113. Its county seat is Russellville. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. It is a dry county, although the city of Russellville is wet.

History

Franklin County was established on February 6, 1818.

Colbert County

Once part of Franklin County, Colbert County was originally established on February 6, 1867, after it split from Franklin County over political issues after the American Civil War. It was abolished eight months later by an Alabama constitutional convention and then reestablished on February 24, 1870.

Musical history

Many musicians and songwriters are from Franklin County including Billy Sherrill, Ricky Pierce, Kerry Gilbert, Eddie Martin and many others.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680 km2), of which 634 square miles (1,640 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (2.0%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

National protected area

  • William B. Bankhead National Forest (part)

Transportation

Major highways

  • US 43.svg U.S. Highway 43
  • Alabama 13.svg State Route 13
  • Alabama 17.svg State Route 17
  • Alabama 19.svg State Route 19
  • Alabama 24.svg State Route 24
  • Alabama 172.svg State Route 172
  • Alabama 187.svg State Route 187
  • Alabama 237.svg State Route 237
  • Alabama 241.svg State Route 241
  • Alabama 243.svg State Route 243
  • Alabama 247.svg State Route 247

Rail

  • Norfolk Southern Railway
  • Redmont Railway

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 4,988
1830 11,078 122.1%
1840 14,270 28.8%
1850 19,610 37.4%
1860 18,627 −5.0%
1870 8,006 −57.0%
1880 9,155 14.4%
1890 10,681 16.7%
1900 16,511 54.6%
1910 19,369 17.3%
1920 22,011 13.6%
1930 25,372 15.3%
1940 27,552 8.6%
1950 25,705 −6.7%
1960 21,988 −14.5%
1970 23,933 8.8%
1980 28,350 18.5%
1990 27,814 −1.9%
2000 31,223 12.3%
2010 31,704 1.5%
2020 32,113 1.3%
2023 (est.) 31,802 0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

Franklin 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) 27,268 25,249 23,581 87.33% 79.64% 73.43%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,307 1,211 1,139 4.19% 3.82% 3.55%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 87 121 128 0.28% 0.38% 0.40%
Asian alone (NH) 32 51 67 0.10% 0.16% 0.21%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 2 2 0.01% 0.01% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 5 32 77 0.02% 0.10% 0.24%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 205 328 860 0.66% 1.03% 2.68%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,316 4,710 6,259 7.42% 14.86% 19.49%
Total 31,223 31,704 32,113 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 32,113 people, 11,048 households, and 7,669 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 31,704 people, 12,286 households, and 8,741 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 14,022 housing units at an average density of 21.7 units per square mile (8.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.0% White (non-Hispanic), 3.9% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 14.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 12,286 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median household income was $33,942 and the median family income was $44,352. Males had a median income of $31,997 versus $22,747 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,094. About 14.9% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

There are two school systems and one community college in Franklin County; Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools. Northwest Shoals Community College has a campus in Phil Campbell.

Russellville City Schools include:

  • Russellville High School
  • Russellville Middle School
  • Russellville Elementary School (grades 3 - 5)
  • West Elementary School (grades Kindergarten - 2)

Franklin County Schools include:

  • Belgreen High School (grades K - 12)
  • East Franklin Junior High School (grades K - 9)
  • Phil Campbell High School (two separate buildings serving grades K - 12)
  • Red Bay High School (grades K - 12)
  • Tharptown High School (grades K-12)
  • Vina High School (grades K - 12)

There is also the Franklin County Career-Technical Center, located next to Belgreen High School.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

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

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