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Tallapoosa County, Alabama facts for kids

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Tallapoosa County
Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville
Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville
Map of Alabama highlighting Tallapoosa 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 December 18, 1832
Named for Tallapoosa River
Seat Dadeville
Largest city Alexander City
Area
 • Total 766 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Land 717 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water 50 sq mi (100 km2)  6.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 41,311
 • Estimate 
(2023)
40,677 Decrease
 • Density 53.93/sq mi (20.823/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 3rd
  • County Number 62 on Alabama Licence Plates

Tallapoosa County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,311. Its county seat is Dadeville. Its largest city is Alexander City.

Etymology

The name Tallapoosa is of Creek origin; many Creek villages were located along the banks of the lower river before Indian Removal in the 19th century. Tallapoosa County, Alabama is named after the Tallapoosa River, which may mean "pulverized rock" in the Choctaw language. Tallapoosa is of Creek origin and may mean "grandmother town" in the Muscogee language. The Tallapoosa branch of the Muscogee tribe is considered one of the oldest groups in the Southeast. The river was a major population center for the Creek Indians before the early 19th century.

History

In 1832, Tallapoosa County was created from lands ceded by the Creek Indians in the Treaty of Cusseta. The first county seat was the Creek town of Okfuskee. The forced removal of the Creeks in 1836 and 1837 was followed by a frantic gold rush, bringing a flood of profit seekers and settlers.

Established on December 18, 1832. Tallapoosa County's southwest strip of the county was detached from Tallapoosa County to become a portion of Elmore County when it was established on February 15, 1866.

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was fought in the territory that would become Tallapoosa County in 1814. This battle effectively ended the Creek War.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 766 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 50 square miles (130 km2) (6.5%) is water. The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The county is intersected by the Tallapoosa River.

Major highways

  • US 280.svg U.S. Highway 280
  • Alabama 14.svg State Route 14
  • Alabama 22.svg State Route 22
  • Alabama 49.svg State Route 49
  • Alabama 50.svg State Route 50
  • Alabama 63.svg State Route 63
  • Alabama 120.svg State Route 120
  • Alabama 128.svg State Route 128
  • Alabama 259.svg State Route 259

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1840 6,444
1850 15,584 141.8%
1860 23,827 52.9%
1870 16,963 −28.8%
1880 23,401 38.0%
1890 25,460 8.8%
1900 29,675 16.6%
1910 31,034 4.6%
1920 29,744 −4.2%
1930 31,188 4.9%
1940 35,270 13.1%
1950 35,074 −0.6%
1960 35,007 −0.2%
1970 33,840 −3.3%
1980 38,766 14.6%
1990 38,826 0.2%
2000 41,475 6.8%
2010 41,616 0.3%
2020 41,311 −0.7%
2023 (est.) 40,677 −2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 Census

Tallapoosa 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) 30,342 28,838 28,252 73.16% 69.30% 68.39%
Black or African American alone (NH) 10,488 11,050 10,366 25.29% 26.55% 25.09%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 107 119 84 0.26% 0.29% 0.20%
Asian alone (NH) 74 197 222 0.18% 0.47% 0.54%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 2 0 0.01% 0.00% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 5 22 91 0.01% 0.05% 0.22%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 214 346 1,152 0.52% 0.83% 2.79%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 242 1,042 1,144 0.58% 2.50% 2.77%
Total 41,475 41,616 41,311 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 41,311 people, 16,205 households, and 11,183 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 41,616 people, 16,985 households, and 11,762 families living in the county. The population density was 58 inhabitants per square mile (22 inhabitants/km2). There were 22,111 housing units at an average density of 31 units per square mile (12 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.9% White, 26.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 1.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Nearly 2.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 16,985 households, 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. Nearly 27.2% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% 65 or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median household income was $36,904 and the median family income was $47,918. Males had a median income of $34,625 versus $28,616 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,542. About 13.4% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts in the county include:

  • Alexander City City School District
  • Tallapoosa County School District
  • Tallassee City School District

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Tallapoosa para niños

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