Morgan County, Alabama

Morgan County, Alabama
Morgan County is a county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, its population was 123,421. The county seat is Decatur. On June 14, 1821, it was renamed in honor of American Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan of Virginia. It is a prohibition or dry county, although alcohol sales are allowed in the cities of Decatur, Hartselle, and Priceville. Morgan County is included in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. It is a part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.
History
The county was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Cherokee people in the Treaty of Turkeytown, and was originally called Cotaco County.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which (3.3%) are covered by water.
River
Tennessee River
Adjacent counties
Madison County (northeast)
Marshall County (east)
Cullman County (south)
Lawrence County (west)
Limestone County (northwest)
National protected area
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 123,421 people, 46,470 households, and 31,752 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 119,490 people, 47,030 households, and 33,135 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 51,193 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 11.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 7.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 47,030 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 9.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.
The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.
The median household income was $44,349 and the median family income was $54,653. Males had a median income of $43,455 versus $29,270 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,090. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 111,064 people, 43,602 households, and 31,437 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 47,388 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 85.07% White, 11.24% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 3.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Morgan County were English 60.1%, Scots-Irish 12.71%, and African 11.24%
Of the 43,602 households 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 9.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.
The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.
The median household income was $37,803 and the median family income was $45,827. Males had a median income of $35,759 versus $21,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,223. About 9.70% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Transportation
Major highways
Interstate 65
U.S. Route 31
U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
U.S. Highway 231
State Route 20
State Route 24
State Route 36
State Route 67
State Route 157
Rail
CSX Transportation
Norfolk Southern Railway
Communities
Cities
Decatur (county seat; part of Decatur is in Limestone County)
Hartselle
Huntsville, (has land within Morgan County, but most of its population is in Madison County)
Towns
Eva
Falkville
Priceville
Somerville
Trinity
Unincorporated communities
Basham
Brooksville
Burningtree Mountain
Danville
Hulaco
Lacey's Spring
Massey
Morgan City (partly in Marshall County)
Moulton Heights
Neel
Pence
Ryan Crossroads
Six Mile
Six Way
Union Hill
Valhermoso Springs
Woodland Mills
Former city
Albany/New Decatur
Former town
Austinville
Cedar Lake
Ghost town
Lacon
Education
School districts include:
Decatur City School District
Hartselle City School District
Morgan County School District
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Morgan County, Alabama
Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Morgan County, Alabama
Water contamination in Lawrence and Morgan Counties, Alabama
References
External links
Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
1818 establishments in Alabama Territory
Populated places established in 1818
Huntsville-Decatur, AL Combined Statistical Area
Decatur metropolitan area, Alabama
Counties of Appalachia