Limestone County, Alabama facts for kids

Limestone County
Quick facts for kids Limestone County
	U.S. county
	Limestone County Courthouse in Athens
	Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
	; Alabama's location within the U.S.;
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 6, 1818
Named for	Limestone Creek
Seat	Athens
Largest city	Athens
Area
• Total	607 sq mi (1,570 km2)
• Land	560 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Water	47 sq mi (120 km2) 7.8%%
Population
• Estimate (2015)	91,663
• Density	162/sq mi (63/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	5th
	County Number 44 on Alabama Licence Plates;

Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 82,782. Its county seat is Athens. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream.

Limestone County is included in the Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

See also: History of Athens, Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, and National Register of Historic Places

Limestone County was established by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818. On November 27, 1821, the Alabama State legislature passed an Act that altered the boundary of Limestone County to include the area east of the mouth of the Elk River with the Tennessee River. At the time, that area was a part of Lauderdale County.

Historical marker on the northwest side of the courthouse

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km²), of which 560 square miles (1,500 km²) is land and 47 square miles (120 km²) (7.8%) is water. It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.

River

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	9,871	—
1830	14,807	50.0%
1840	14,374	−2.9%
1850	16,483	14.7%
1860	15,306	−7.1%
1870	15,017	−1.9%
1880	21,600	43.8%
1890	21,201	−1.8%
1900	22,387	5.6%
1910	26,880	20.1%
1920	31,341	16.6%
1930	36,629	16.9%
1940	35,642	−2.7%
1950	35,766	0.3%
1960	36,513	2.1%
1970	41,699	14.2%
1980	46,005	10.3%
1990	54,135	17.7%
2000	65,676	21.3%
2010	82,782	26.0%
Est. 2015	91,663	10.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2015

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families residing in the county. The population density was 45/km² (116/sq mi). There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (47/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 78.79% White, 15.33% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Limestone County were English 66.31%, Scots-Irish 15.12%, and African 13.33%

There were 24,688 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.80 males.

The median household income in the county was $37,405, and the median income for a family was $45,146. Males had a median income of $35,743 versus $23,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,782. About 9.80% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 82,782 people, 31,446 households, and 22,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 57.1/km² (147.8/sq mi). There were 34,977 housing units at an average density of 24.1/km² (62.5/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,446 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males.

The median household income in the county was $46,682, and the median income for a family was $55,518. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $31,609 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,007. About 10.3% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major highways

Interstate 65
Interstate 565
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 72
Alternate U.S. Highway 72/State Route 20
State Route 53
State Route 99
State Route 127
State Route 251

Rail

CSX Transportation—freight line that runs North to South
Norfolk Southern Railway—freight line that runs East-West

Recreation

Cowford Campground — riverside campground with 48 campsites with full hookups. Next to Cowford Landing.
Cowford Landing — swimming, fishing, and boating. Next to Cowford Campground.
Limestone County Canoe & Kayak Trail — a 21.9 miles (35.2 km) along the Elk River for canoeing with 5 access sites. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.
Noah Bike & Vintage Car Trail — a road route for bicycles, motorcycles, and vintage cars in Northwest Limestone County that is 89 miles (143 km) long. The starts and ends at the Athens-Limestone Visitor's Center at 34°48′11″N 86°58′01″W / 34.803°N 86.967°W / 34.803; -86.967.
Richard Martin Trail — a 10.2 miles (16.4 km) rail trail in northern part of the county for bicycling, horseback riding, and walking. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.
Antebellum Trail - a trail rich in the Antebellum period architecture that highlights Athens, Belle Mina and Mooresville.
Ardmore Walking Tracks - One .25 miles (0.40 km) walking track is located in Ardmore Town Park on Park Avenue. The other .5 miles (0.80 km) track is locating in Ardmore's John Barns Park on Ardmore Ridge Road
Athens Greenway Walking Trail - This 3.3 miles (5.3 km) walking trail starts at the Athens SportsPlex goes by Athens High School and Athens Public Archery Range and continues to U.S. Highway 72 for an additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
Athens Historic Volksmarch - An American Volksport Association (AVA) sanctioned 10K (6.2 miles) walk.
Beaty Historic District Walking Tour "Step Back In Time" - walking tour of the Robert Beaty Historic District which was placed on the Registry of Historic Places in 1984.
Civil War Trail - Driving/walking trail highlighting the history of the Civil War in the greater Limestone County community.
The Glory Road - Driving tour of historic and community churches of Limestone County

GOLF

Canebrake Club - membership
Chriswood Golf Course - community
Southern Gayles Golf Club - community

FISHING

Limestone County Alabama offers access to the prime fishing waters of the Elk River, Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake.

HUNTING

Limestone Hunting Preserve & Sporting Clays offers deer, dove, quail, pheasant and chukar hunts and sporting clays.
Piney Creek Kennels and Hunting Preserve offers 100+ acres of dove and quail hunting land.
Swan Creek WMA - 8,870 acres of Alabama Department of Conservation managed area and includes a shooting range
Tennessee Valley Federal Property - 11,300 acres of regulated hunting land

FESTIVALS

February
- Hospice Chili Challenge - last weekend
March
- Polk Sallet Follies - second week, Thursday-Saturday
- Home and Garden Show - second weekend
April
- Athens Cruise In (April–September)
- Saturday Historic Walking Tours - Athens & Mooresville—each Saturday
- Cars and Bikes on the Square - last Saturday
- Singing on the Square (April–September) - third Fridays
- Earth Day Celebration - third Saturday
May
- Athens-Limestone Relay for Life
- Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo
- Athens Bible School Homespun Arts and Crafts Show
June
- Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival (last weekend in June to first weekend August)
July
- Limestone County Week of Independence (last Saturday of June to first Saturday of July)
- Firework Show
- Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull - second weekend
- CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament - third Saturday
- Alabama Championship Tractor and Truck Pull - Tanner—last weekend
August
- Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival
- Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo
- Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days
September
- Athens Grease Festival
October
- Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention - first full weekend
- Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby - first full weekend
- Athens Storytelling Festival - last weekend
November
- Hilltop Arts Festival
- Athens Christmas Open House
December
- Athens Christmas Parade
- Limestone County Tree Lighting (same night as Athens Parade)
- Ardmore Christmas Parade
- Elkmont Lions Club Christmas Parade
- Sippin' Cider
- Lincoln Bridgeforth Park Tree Lighting

Points of interest

See also: List of Registered Historic Places in Limestone County, Alabama

MUSEUMS

Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives - honoring veterans and their families with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present.
College Inn/Newby Gulf Station Museum - This landmark was restored to look like a 1940s gas station. It has been featured in Southern Living photo spreads.
Donnell House - This historic landmark is the former home of Reverend Donnell and a significant site for the "Sack of Athens"
Houston Memorial Library and Museum - The cornerstone of the Houston Historic District, the building now houses a library and the county museum.
Limestone County Archives - Contains community and genealogical records for Limestone County.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Alabama Welcome Center - Just south of the Alabama/Tennessee border, this facility is home to a Saturn 1B rocket as well as war memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Athens State University - A significant site for the "Sack of Athens". Founders Hall is the original structure of the university and is graced with 4 large pillars. Founders Hall also houses the New Testament Chapel containing life-size carvings depicting Christ and other New Testament figures.
Trinity School - Established by the American Missionary Association to educate the children of freed slaves.
Belle Chevre Creamery - Tour and sample fresh goat cheese in the heart of Elkmont
Humble Heart Farms - Choose from 4 themed tours about the farm and creamery.