# Marshall County, Alabama

Marshall County is a county of the state of Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 97,612. Its county seat is Guntersville. A second courthouse is in Albertville. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. Marshall County is a dry county, with the exception of the five cities of Albertville, Arab, Grant, Guntersville, and Boaz. Marshall County comprises the Albertville, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area.

## History

Marshall County was established on January 9, 1836.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,610 km$^2$), of which 566 square miles (1,470 km$^2$) is land and 57 square miles (150 km$^2$) (9.2%) is water. The Tennessee River runs both north and south within the county.

### River

Tennessee River

### Adjacent counties

* Jackson County - northeast
* DeKalb County - east
* Etowah County - southeast
* Blount County - south
* Cullman County - southwest
* Morgan County - west
* Madison County - northwest

### Adjacent city

* Huntsville - northwest

## Transportation
### Major highways

* U.S. Highway 231
* U.S. Highway 431
* State Route 68
* State Route 69
* State Route 75
* State Route 79
* State Route 168
* State Route 179
* State Route 205
* State Route 227

### Rail

* Alabama and Tennessee River Railway

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Marshall 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) | 75,081 | 78,060 | 74,666 | 91.30% | 83.92% | 76.49% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,194 | 1,389 | 2,293 | 1.45% | 1.49% | 2.35% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 408 | 570 | 418 | 0.50% | 0.61% | 0.43% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 196 | 475 | 579 | 0.24% | 0.51% | 0.59% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 20 | 63 | 128 | 0.02% | 0.07% | 0.13% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 35 | 63 | 199 | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.20% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 641 | 1,161 | 3,671 | 0.78% | 1.25% | 3.76% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4,656 | 11,238 | 15,658 | 5.66% | 12.08% | 16.04% |
| Total | 82,231 | 93,019 | 97,612 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census of 2020, there were 97,612 people, 35,330 households, and 25,078 families residing in the county.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 93,019 people, 35,810 households, and 25,328 families living in the county. The population density was 164 people per square mile (63 people/km$^2$). There were 40,342 housing units at an average density of 71 units per square mile (27 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 12.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 35,810 households 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.4% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.
The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.58% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% 65 or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median household income was $37,661 and the median family income was $47,440. Males had a median income of $36,024 versus $27,478 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,875. About 15.3% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 82,231 people, 32,547 households, and 23,531 families living in the county. The population density was 145 people per square mile (56 people/km$^2$). There were 36,331 housing units at an average density of 64 units per square mile (25 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 93.38% White, 1.47% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 5.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Marshall County were English 68.2%, Scots-Irish 12.31%, Scottish 5.1%, Irish 4.22%, Welsh 2.3% and African 1.47%.
Of the 32,547 households 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.60% of households were one person and 10.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median household income was $32,167 and the median family income was $38,788. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $20,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,089. About 11.70% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

## Religion

At the 2010 census:
* Southern Baptist Convention (35556)
* Catholic Church (8382)
* The United Methodist Church (6908)
* Church of God (Cleveland) (2810)
* Churches of Christ (2495)
* Assemblies of God (692)
* Episcopal Church (669)
* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (609)

## Politics

Marshall County is a strongly Republican county. The last Democrat to win the county was Jimmy Carter in 1980.
United States presidential election results for Marshall County, Alabama :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 34,434 | 85.26% | 5,553 | 13.75% | 401 | 0.99% |
| 2020 | 33,191 | 83.70% | 5,943 | 14.99% | 521 | 1.31% |
| 2016 | 29,233 | 82.78% | 4,917 | 13.92% | 1,166 | 3.30% |
| 2012 | 25,867 | 79.24% | 6,299 | 19.30% | 478 | 1.46% |
| 2008 | 25,727 | 77.57% | 7,038 | 21.22% | 401 | 1.21% |
| 2004 | 22,783 | 72.35% | 8,452 | 26.84% | 256 | 0.81% |
| 2000 | 17,084 | 61.04% | 10,381 | 37.09% | 524 | 1.87% |
| 1996 | 12,323 | 52.89% | 8,722 | 37.43% | 2,255 | 9.68% |
| 1992 | 12,249 | 45.85% | 10,421 | 39.01% | 4,047 | 15.15% |
| 1988 | 12,148 | 60.90% | 7,357 | 36.88% | 442 | 2.22% |
| 1984 | 12,330 | 60.47% | 7,704 | 37.78% | 357 | 1.75% |
| 1980 | 8,159 | 40.93% | 10,854 | 54.45% | 920 | 4.62% |
| 1976 | 6,006 | 29.88% | 13,696 | 68.14% | 398 | 1.98% |
| 1972 | 12,090 | 74.45% | 3,894 | 23.98% | 254 | 1.56% |
| 1968 | 2,725 | 16.34% | 955 | 5.73% | 13,000 | 77.94% |
| 1964 | 5,712 | 56.33% | 0 | 0.00% | 4,428 | 43.67% |
| 1960 | 3,398 | 33.98% | 6,595 | 65.94% | 8 | 0.08% |
| 1956 | 3,071 | 32.34% | 6,329 | 66.66% | 95 | 1.00% |
| 1952 | 2,069 | 25.55% | 6,011 | 74.22% | 19 | 0.23% |
| 1948 | 870 | 25.69% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,517 | 74.31% |
| 1944 | 1,200 | 26.31% | 3,356 | 73.58% | 5 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 913 | 17.98% | 4,142 | 81.55% | 24 | 0.47% |
| 1936 | 925 | 17.95% | 4,208 | 81.68% | 19 | 0.37% |
| 1932 | 904 | 18.64% | 3,836 | 79.09% | 110 | 2.27% |
| 1928 | 2,511 | 51.84% | 2,322 | 47.94% | 11 | 0.23% |
| 1924 | 1,718 | 38.75% | 2,629 | 59.31% | 86 | 1.94% |
| 1920 | 3,879 | 48.74% | 4,041 | 50.78% | 38 | 0.48% |
| 1916 | 1,183 | 37.32% | 1,944 | 61.32% | 43 | 1.36% |
| 1912 | 428 | 13.84% | 1,457 | 47.11% | 1,208 | 39.06% |
| 1908 | 923 | 39.43% | 1,313 | 56.09% | 105 | 4.49% |
| 1904 | 966 | 37.03% | 1,336 | 51.21% | 307 | 11.77% |

## Communities
### Cities

* Albertville
* Arab (partly in Cullman County)
* Boaz (partly in Etowah County)
* Guntersville (county seat)

### Towns

* Cherokee Ridge
* Douglas
* Grant
* Union Grove

### Census-designated place

* Joppa (partly in Cullman County)

### Unincorporated communities

* Asbury
* Bucksnort
* Claysville
* Cottonville
* Eddy
* Egypt
* Grassy
* Hog Jaw
* Horton
* Hustleville
* Kennamer Cove
* Little New York
* Morgan City (partly in Morgan County)
* Mount Hebron
* Pinedale Shores
* Rayburn
* Red Hill
* Ruth
* Scant City
* Swearengin
* Warrenton

### Ghost town

* Red Apple

## Education

School districts include:
* Albertville City School District
* Marshall County School District
* Boaz City School District
* Arab City School District
* Guntersville City School District

## Places of interest

Marshall County is home to numerous outdoor recreation areas including Lake Guntersville State Park, Cathedral Caverns State Park, and Buck's Pocket State Park.