Russell County, Alabama facts for kids

Russell County
Quick facts for kids Russell County
	U.S. county
	County courthouse in Phenix City
	Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
	Alabama's location within the U.S.
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Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	December 18, 1832
Named for	Gilbert C. Russell
Seat	Phenix City
Largest city	Phenix City
Area
• Total	647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
• Land	641 sq mi (1,660 km2)
• Water	6.1 sq mi (16 km2) 0.9%
Population (2020)
• Total	59,183
• Density	91.47/sq mi (35.318/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	3rd
	County Number 57 on Alabama Licence Plates; Officially in Central Time, but Phenix City unofficially uses Eastern Time;

Russell County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,183. Its county seat is Phenix City. Its name is in honor of Colonel Gilbert C. Russell, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians.

Russell County is part of the Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Russell County was established by an act of the state general assembly on December 18, 1832, from lands ceded to the state by the Creek Indians. The county seat has changed several times: Girard (1833–1839), Crawford originally Crockettsville (1839–1868), Seale (1868–1935) and Phenix City (1935–present). It was named for War of 1812, Col. Gilbert Christian Russell, Sr., 1782–1861, 3rd U.S. Infantry.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680 km²), of which 641 square miles (1,660 km²) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km²) (0.9%) is water.

Major highways

U.S. Highway 80
U.S. Highway 280
U.S. Highway 431
State Route 26
State Route 51
State Route 165
State Route 169
State Route 208

Adjacent counties

Lee County (north)
Muscogee County, Georgia (northeast/EST Border)
Chattahoochee County, Georgia (east/EST Border)
Stewart County, Georgia (southeast/EST Border)
Barbour County (south)
Bullock County (southwest)
Macon County (northwest)

National protected area

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1840	13,513	—
1850	19,548	44.7%
1860	26,592	36.0%
1870	21,636	−18.6%
1880	24,837	14.8%
1890	24,093	−3.0%
1900	27,083	12.4%
1910	25,937	−4.2%
1920	27,448	5.8%
1930	27,377	−0.3%
1940	35,775	30.7%
1950	40,364	12.8%
1960	46,351	14.8%
1970	45,394	−2.1%
1980	47,356	4.3%
1990	46,860	−1.0%
2000	49,756	6.2%
2010	52,947	6.4%
2020	59,183	11.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 52,947 people living in the county. 53.7% were White, 41.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.3% of some other race and 2.1% of two or more races. 3.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census of 2000, there were 49,756 people, 19,741 households, and 13,423 families living in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 22,831 housing units, at an average density of 14/km² (36/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was: 56.69% White, 40.84% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Nearly 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,741 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 44.40% were married couples living together, 18.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49, and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,492, and the median income for a family was $34,004. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $20,882 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,015. About 16.80% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.50% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Phenix City (county seat; partly in Lee County)

Town

Hurtsboro

Census-designated place

Ladonia

Unincorporated communities

Former City

Girard (merged with Phenix City in 1923)

Notable person

James Abercrombie, United States Congressman from Alabama, resided here.