Chambers County, Alabama
County in Alabama, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chambers 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 34,772.[1] Its county seat is LaFayette. Its largest city is Valley. Its name is in honor of Henry H. Chambers,[2] who served as a United States Senator from Alabama.
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Chambers County, Alabama | |
|---|---|
Chambers County Courthouse in LaFayette, 2012 | |
 Logo | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Alabama | |
| Coordinates: 32°54′40″N 85°23′38″W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Alabama |
| Founded | December 18, 1832 |
| Named after | Henry H. Chambers |
| Seat | LaFayette |
| Largest city | Valley |
| Area | |
• Total | 603 sq mi (1,560 km2) |
| • Land | 597 sq mi (1,550 km2) |
| • Water | 6.6 sq mi (17 km2) 1.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 34,772 |
• Estimate (2024) | 33,813  |
| • Density | 58.2/sq mi (22.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | chamberscountyal.gov |
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Chambers County is included in the LaGrange, GA-AL Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Atlanta–Athens-Clarke–Sandy Springs Combined Statistical Area.[3]
History
Prior to contact with people of European descent, what is now Chambers County was inhabited by the Creek nation.[4]
Chambers County was established on December 18, 1832.
Pat Garrett, the lawman famed for killing outlaw Billy the Kid, was born near the town of Cusseta in 1850.
Joe Louis "The Brown Bomber", renowned heavyweight boxing champion, was born near LaFayette, on Buckalew Mountain, May 13, 1914.
In 1980, Chambers County joined its four mill villages to make the city of Valley. Today, it is the largest city in the county.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 603 square miles (1,560 km2), of which 597 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]
Major highways
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Adjacent counties
- Randolph County (north)
- Troup County, Georgia (east/EST Border)
- Harris County, Georgia (southeast/EST Border)
- Lee County (south)
- Tallapoosa County (west)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 17,333 | — | |
| 1850 | 23,960 | 38.2% | |
| 1860 | 23,214 | −3.1% | |
| 1870 | 17,562 | −24.3% | |
| 1880 | 23,440 | 33.5% | |
| 1890 | 26,319 | 12.3% | |
| 1900 | 32,554 | 23.7% | |
| 1910 | 36,056 | 10.8% | |
| 1920 | 41,201 | 14.3% | |
| 1930 | 39,313 | −4.6% | |
| 1940 | 42,146 | 7.2% | |
| 1950 | 39,528 | −6.2% | |
| 1960 | 37,828 | −4.3% | |
| 1970 | 36,356 | −3.9% | |
| 1980 | 39,191 | 7.8% | |
| 1990 | 36,876 | −5.9% | |
| 2000 | 36,583 | −0.8% | |
| 2010 | 34,215 | −6.5% | |
| 2020 | 34,772 | 1.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 33,813 | [6] | −2.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 34,772. The median age was 43.3 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.6 males age 18 and over.[11][12]
The racial makeup of the county was 54.2% White, 38.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.6% of the population.[12]
49.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 50.7% lived in rural areas.[13]
There were 14,238 households in the county, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 33.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 16,373 housing units, of which 13.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.1% were owner-occupied and 33.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%.[11]
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 22,111 | 19,893 | 18,616 | 60.44% | 58.14% | 53.34% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 13,872 | 13,206 | 13,441 | 37.92% | 38.60% | 38.65% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 49 | 57 | 71 | 0.13% | 0.17% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 68 | 166 | 385 | 0.19% | 0.49% | 1.11% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 7 | 11 | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 23 | 115 | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.33% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 190 | 327 | 896 | 0.52% | 0.96% | 2.58% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 280 | 536 | 1,237 | 0.77% | 1.57% | 3.56% |
| Total | 36,583 | 34,215 | 34,772 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010
As of the 2010 census, there were 34,215 people, 13,933 households, and 9,391 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 17,004 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 38.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[17] Of the 13,933 households 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% 65 or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median household income was $31,467 and the median family income was $39,475. Males had a median income of $34,176 versus $29,140 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,626. About 16.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
2000
As of the 2000 census, there were 36,583 people, 14,522 households, and 10,194 families living in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (24 people/km2). There were 16,256 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.88% White (non-Hispanic), 43.11% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 3.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] Of the 14,522 households 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of households were one person and 12.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.
The age distribution was 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.30 males.
The median household income was $29,667 and the median family income was $36,598. Males had a median income of $28,771 versus $21,159 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,147. About 14.30% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.50% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Chambers County contains two public school districts. There are approximately 4,350 students in public PK-12 schools in Chambers County.[19]
Districts
School districts include:[20]
Government
Chambers is a Republican-leaning county, although it has a sufficient Black minority to return a respectable Democratic vote. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1980, although Bill Clinton won pluralities in it in both 1992 and 1996.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 74 | 4.73% | 1,421 | 90.80% | 70 | 4.47% |
| 1908 | 50 | 4.53% | 1,025 | 92.84% | 29 | 2.63% |
| 1912 | 28 | 1.71% | 1,486 | 90.83% | 122 | 7.46% |
| 1916 | 168 | 8.99% | 1,679 | 89.88% | 21 | 1.12% |
| 1920 | 322 | 13.82% | 1,994 | 85.58% | 14 | 0.60% |
| 1924 | 146 | 6.91% | 1,922 | 91.00% | 44 | 2.08% |
| 1928 | 1,732 | 63.42% | 999 | 36.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 342 | 11.78% | 2,550 | 87.84% | 11 | 0.38% |
| 1936 | 112 | 2.99% | 3,626 | 96.90% | 4 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 110 | 2.58% | 4,141 | 97.16% | 11 | 0.26% |
| 1944 | 194 | 5.30% | 3,458 | 94.43% | 10 | 0.27% |
| 1948 | 218 | 12.34% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,549 | 87.66% |
| 1952 | 990 | 13.77% | 6,155 | 85.61% | 45 | 0.63% |
| 1956 | 1,448 | 21.49% | 5,165 | 76.67% | 124 | 1.84% |
| 1960 | 1,865 | 26.26% | 5,165 | 72.74% | 71 | 1.00% |
| 1964 | 4,630 | 64.42% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,557 | 35.58% |
| 1968 | 1,082 | 10.17% | 1,358 | 12.77% | 8,196 | 77.06% |
| 1972 | 8,716 | 79.21% | 2,076 | 18.87% | 211 | 1.92% |
| 1976 | 5,488 | 46.32% | 6,164 | 52.03% | 196 | 1.65% |
| 1980 | 4,864 | 40.88% | 6,649 | 55.88% | 386 | 3.24% |
| 1984 | 8,024 | 59.60% | 5,302 | 39.38% | 137 | 1.02% |
| 1988 | 7,694 | 59.39% | 5,103 | 39.39% | 159 | 1.23% |
| 1992 | 5,682 | 43.40% | 5,938 | 45.36% | 1,471 | 11.24% |
| 1996 | 4,707 | 42.42% | 5,515 | 49.70% | 875 | 7.89% |
| 2000 | 6,037 | 51.01% | 5,616 | 47.46% | 181 | 1.53% |
| 2004 | 7,622 | 58.49% | 5,347 | 41.03% | 63 | 0.48% |
| 2008 | 8,067 | 53.94% | 6,799 | 45.46% | 90 | 0.60% |
| 2012 | 7,626 | 52.13% | 6,871 | 46.97% | 132 | 0.90% |
| 2016 | 7,843 | 56.42% | 5,784 | 41.61% | 273 | 1.96% |
| 2020 | 8,753 | 57.27% | 6,365 | 41.64% | 166 | 1.09% |
| 2024 | 8,711 | 61.15% | 5,405 | 37.94% | 129 | 0.91% |
Communities
Cities
Towns
- Cusseta
- Five Points
- Waverly (Partly in Lee County)
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town
In popular culture
Chambers County has been the backdrop of several movies including Mississippi Burning.