Russell County, Alabama facts for kids
| Russell County, Alabama | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Alabama |
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 Alabama's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | December 18, 1832 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Phenix City |
| Largest City | Phenix City |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
647 sq mi (1,676 km²) 641 sq mi (1,660 km²) 6.1 sq mi (16 km²), 0.9% |
| PopulationEst. - (2015) - Density |
59,660 93/sq mi (36/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website: www.rcala.com | |
| Named for: Gilbert C. Russell | |
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Russell County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,947. 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.
Contents
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% | |
| Est. 2015 | 59,660 | 12.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2015 |
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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 52,947 people residing 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 residing 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
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Former City
- Girard (merged with Phenix City in 1923)
