Morgan County, Alabama Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Morgan County

U.S. county

Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Alabama

Alabama's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Alabama

Founded

February 6, 1818

Largest city

Decatur

Area

• Total

599 sq mi (1,550 km²)

• Land

579 sq mi (1,500 km²)

• Water

20 sq mi (50 km²) 3.3%

Population

(2020)

• Total

123,421

• Estimate

(2023)

125,133

• Density

206.05/sq mi (79.55/km²)

Time zone

UTC−6 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−5 (CDT)

Congressional district

5th

County Number 52 on Alabama Licence Plates

Morgan County is a county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, its population was 123,421. The county seat is Decatur. On June 14, 1821, it was renamed in honor of American Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan of Virginia. It is a prohibition or dry county, although alcohol sales are allowed in the cities of Decatur, Hartselle, and Priceville. Morgan County is included in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. It is a part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

History

The county was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Cherokee people in the Treaty of Turkeytown, and was originally called Cotaco County.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 599 square miles (1,550 km²), of which 20 square miles (52 km²) (3.3%) are covered by water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	5,263	—
1830	9,062	72.2%
1840	9,841	8.6%
1850	10,125	2.9%
1860	11,335	12.0%
1870	12,187	7.5%
1880	16,428	34.8%
1890	24,089	46.6%
1900	28,820	19.6%
1910	33,781	17.2%
1920	40,196	19.0%
1930	46,176	14.9%
1940	48,148	4.3%
1950	52,924	9.9%
1960	60,454	14.2%
1970	77,306	27.9%
1980	90,231	16.7%
1990	100,043	10.9%
2000	111,064	11.0%
2010	119,490	7.6%
2020	123,421	3.3%
2023 (est.)	125,133	4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

**Morgan County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition**
*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 (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	92,584	92,585	88,238	83.36%	77.48%	71.49%
Black or African American alone (NH)	12,383	14,059	15,307	11.15%	11.77%	12.40%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	727	928	631	0.65%	0.78%	0.51%
Asian alone (NH)	491	665	829	0.44%	0.56%	0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	25	69	79	0.02%	0.06%	0.06%
Other race alone (NH)	62	80	376	0.06%	0.07%	0.30%
Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH)	1,147	1,948	5,584	1.03%	1.63%	4.52%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3,645	9,156	12,377	3.28%	7.66%	10.03%
Total	111,064	119,490	123,421	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 123,421 people, 46,470 households, and 31,752 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 119,490 people, 47,030 households, and 33,135 families living in the county. The population density was 206.4 inhabitants per square mile (79.7 inhabitants/km²). There were 51,193 housing units at an average density of 88 units per square mile (34 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 11.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 7.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 47,030 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 9.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median household income was $44,349 and the median family income was $54,653. Males had a median income of $43,455 versus $29,270 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,090. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major highways

Interstate 65
U.S. Route 31
U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
U.S. Highway 231
State Route 20
State Route 24
State Route 36
State Route 67
State Route 157

Rail

CSX Transportation
Norfolk Southern Railway

Communities

Cities

Decatur (county seat; part of Decatur is in Limestone County)
Hartselle
Huntsville, (has land within Morgan County, but most of its population is in Madison County)

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Former city

Albany/New Decatur

Former town

Austinville
Cedar Lake

Ghost town

Lacon

Education

School districts include:

Decatur City School District
Hartselle City School District
Morgan County School District

Morgan County, Alabama facts for kids

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