# Tallapoosa County, Alabama

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 km$^2$), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km$^2$) is land and 50 square miles (130 km$^2$) (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

* U.S. Highway 280
* State Route 14
* State Route 22
* State Route 49
* State Route 50
* State Route 63
* State Route 120
* State Route 128
* State Route 259

### Adjacent counties

* Clay County (north)
* Randolph County (northeast)
* Chambers County (east)
* Lee County (southeast)
* Macon County (south)
* Elmore County (southwest)
* Coosa County (west)

### National protected area

* Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

## Demographics
### 2020 Census

Tallapoosa 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) | 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% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 22 | 91 | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (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/km$^2$). There were 22,111 housing units at an average density of 31 units per square mile (12 units/km$^2$). 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.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000. there were 41,475 people, 16,656 households, and 11,809 families living in the county. The population density was 58 inhabitants per square mile (22 inhabitants/km$^2$). There were 20,510 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 73.48% White, 25.36% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Nearly 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 16,656 households, 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. Nearly 26.50% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.94.
The age distribution was 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.10 males.
The median household income was $30,745 and the median family income was $38,148. Males had a median income of $28,557 versus $19,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,909. About 13.50% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 15.60% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

Tallapoosa County is a Republican county. The last Democrat to win the county was Jimmy Carter in 1980.
United States presidential election results for Tallapoosa County, Alabama :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 14,884 | 74.33% | 4,975 | 24.85% | 164 | 0.82% |
| 2020 | 14,963 | 71.28% | 5,859 | 27.91% | 169 | 0.81% |
| 2016 | 13,594 | 69.76% | 5,519 | 28.32% | 373 | 1.91% |
| 2012 | 12,396 | 65.76% | 6,319 | 33.52% | 136 | 0.72% |
| 2008 | 13,116 | 67.92% | 6,063 | 31.40% | 132 | 0.68% |
| 2004 | 12,392 | 69.03% | 5,451 | 30.36% | 109 | 0.61% |
| 2000 | 9,805 | 60.33% | 6,183 | 38.04% | 265 | 1.63% |
| 1996 | 7,627 | 51.48% | 6,071 | 40.98% | 1,117 | 7.54% |
| 1992 | 8,140 | 52.67% | 5,703 | 36.90% | 1,613 | 10.44% |
| 1988 | 8,502 | 63.93% | 4,598 | 34.58% | 198 | 1.49% |
| 1984 | 9,045 | 66.19% | 4,458 | 32.62% | 163 | 1.19% |
| 1980 | 5,958 | 43.80% | 7,260 | 53.37% | 385 | 2.83% |
| 1976 | 5,237 | 39.79% | 7,614 | 57.84% | 312 | 2.37% |
| 1972 | 8,535 | 78.71% | 2,113 | 19.49% | 195 | 1.80% |
| 1968 | 1,205 | 10.19% | 1,331 | 11.26% | 9,285 | 78.55% |
| 1964 | 5,530 | 76.14% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,733 | 23.86% |
| 1960 | 2,150 | 28.11% | 5,460 | 71.39% | 38 | 0.50% |
| 1956 | 1,879 | 26.68% | 5,070 | 72.00% | 93 | 1.32% |
| 1952 | 1,187 | 19.00% | 5,055 | 80.89% | 7 | 0.11% |
| 1948 | 156 | 6.31% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,318 | 93.69% |
| 1944 | 136 | 3.92% | 3,326 | 95.88% | 7 | 0.20% |
| 1940 | 139 | 3.11% | 4,325 | 96.65% | 11 | 0.25% |
| 1936 | 141 | 3.74% | 3,625 | 96.10% | 6 | 0.16% |
| 1932 | 138 | 3.90% | 3,391 | 95.87% | 8 | 0.23% |
| 1928 | 1,257 | 40.46% | 1,849 | 59.51% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1924 | 1 | 0.06% | 1,713 | 99.59% | 6 | 0.35% |
| 1920 | 269 | 10.54% | 2,257 | 88.44% | 26 | 1.02% |
| 1916 | 129 | 6.27% | 1,892 | 91.98% | 36 | 1.75% |
| 1912 | 84 | 4.56% | 1,586 | 86.06% | 173 | 9.39% |
| 1908 | 104 | 6.32% | 1,343 | 81.59% | 199 | 12.09% |
| 1904 | 234 | 10.99% | 1,791 | 84.08% | 105 | 4.93% |

## Communities
### Cities

* Alexander City
* Dadeville (county seat)
* Tallassee (partly in Elmore County)

### Towns

* Camp Hill
* Daviston
* Goldville
* Jackson's Gap
* New Site

### Census-designated places

* Hackneyville
* Our Town
* Reeltown

### Unincorporated communities

* Andrew Jackson
* Bulgers
* Cherokee Bluffs
* Church Hill
* Dudleyville
* Fosheeton
* Frog Eye

## Education

School districts in the county include:
* Alexander City City School District
* Tallapoosa County School District
* Tallassee City School District