Editing Choctaw County, Alabama

{{Short description|County in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Choctaw County
 | state                = Alabama
 | seal                 = 
 | logo                 = Logo of Choctaw County, Alabama.png
 | founded year         = 1847
 | founded date         = December 29
 | seat wl              = Butler
 | largest city wl      = Butler
 | city type            = town
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 921
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 914
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 7.4
 | area percentage      = 0.8
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 12665
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 12252 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.choctawcountyal.org
 | ex image             = Choctaw County Alabama Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Choctaw County Courthouse and Confederate monument in Butler
 | district             = 7th
 | named for            = [[Choctaw]] tribe
 | footnotes            = 
*County Number '''15''' on Alabama Licence Plates
}}

'''Choctaw County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the southwestern portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 12,665.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/choctawcountyalabama/PST045222|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 9, 2023}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Butler, Alabama|Butler]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503072804/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 3, 2015 }}</ref> The county was established on December 29, 1847, and named for the [[Choctaw]] tribe of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archives.state.al.us/counties/choctaw.html |title=Alabama Counties: Choctaw County |publisher=Alabama Department of Archives and History |access-date=June 21, 2011}}</ref>

==History==
Choctaw County was originally part of the [[Choctaw Nation]], with Choctaw settlements known to be in the vicinity of [[Pushmataha, Alabama|Pushmataha]] prior to the removal of Native Americans from the southeastern United States during the [[Trail of Tears]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1312|title=Choctaw County|encyclopedia=THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ALABAMA|access-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref>

Most of the early European American pioneers of Choctaw County were farmers from [[North Carolina|North]] and [[South Carolina]]. In 1912 the [[Alabama, Tennessee and Northern Railroad]] was completed through the county from north to south, connecting the area to the [[Port of Mobile]] and northern Alabama. It induced a population shift from areas near the [[Tombigbee River]] to the central part of the county.<ref name="chochist">{{cite web |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alccgs/history.html |title=County History |publisher=Choctaw County Genealogy Society |access-date=June 21, 2011}}</ref>

The county's population reached its peak in the 1920s, due in part from jobs created by a [[sawmill]] boom with companies as the E. E. Jackson Lumber Company and Choctaw Lumber Company. The sawmill industry collapsed during the [[Great Depression]]. The first successful oil well in Alabama was drilled at [[Gilbertown, Alabama|Gilbertown]] in 1944, with [[Crude oil|oil]] and [[natural gas|gas]] becoming the county's most important industry. This industry waned by the 1970s as the wells lost profitability.<ref name="chochist" />

An [[African-American]] family, the Thorntons of [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]], was featured in the September 24, 1956, issue of [[Life (magazine)|''Life'']]. The article included an interview with the Thorntons' daughter, Allie Lee Causey, of Shady Grove in Choctaw County. In the article, Mrs. Causey, a schoolteacher, spoke openly about her family's life, stating that "integration is the only way in which Negroes will receive justice. We cannot get it as a separate people. If we can get justice on our jobs, and equal pay, then we'll be able to afford better homes and good education."<ref name="Inc1956">{{cite journal|last1=Wallace|first1=Robert|last2=Parks|first2=Gordon|author-link2=Gordon Parks|title=The Restraints: Open and Hidden; Both are Seen in the Study of One Negro Family|journal=Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=70cEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98|access-date=September 14, 2011|date=September 24, 1956|publisher=Life Magazine|pages=98–109|issn=0024-3019}}</ref>  When the magazine was seen in Choctaw County, the Causeys were subjected to brutal economic retaliation by white residents, who tried to coerce Mrs. Causey into recanting her remarks. Their loans were called in, local stores refused to sell them food and gasoline, Willie Causey was cut off from his employment as a woodcutter, and Mrs. Causey was fired from her job as a teacher. The Causeys left Shady Grove and Alabama for good in October 1956.<ref name="Inc1956-1">{{cite journal|last=Stolley|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Stolley|title=A Sequel to Segregation|journal=Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x0EEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA77|access-date=14 September 2011|date=10 December 1956|publisher=Life Magazine|pages=77–90|issn=0024-3019}} Reprinted in {{cite book|last1=Carson|first1=Clayborne|author-link1=Clayborne Carson|last2=Garrow|first2=David J.|author-link2=David J. Garrow|last3=Kovach|first3=Bill|author-link3=Bill Kovach|title=Reporting Civil Rights: American journalism, 1941-1963|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9j8OAQAAMAAJ|access-date=September 14, 2011|year=2003|publisher=Library of America|pages=342–354|isbn=9781931082280}}</ref>

[[Textile industry|Apparel factories]] opened during the 1950s–60s in Silas, Toxey, and Butler, although the plants had largely closed by the 21st century. The 1950s also saw the building a [[paper mill]] at [[Naheola, Alabama|Naheola]], now owned and operated by [[Georgia-Pacific]].<ref name="chochist" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gp.com/foryourbusiness/forestry/southeastern.html#pulp |title=Southeastern Facilities and Wood Specifications |work=Georgia-Pacific |access-date=June 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612180145/http://www.gp.com/forYourBusiness/forestry/southeastern.html#pulp |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979, due to damage from [[Hurricane Frederic]]. The 1980s saw the main railroad close and the tracks removed.<ref name="chochist" />

===Historic sites===
Choctaw County has one site listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], the [[Mount Sterling Methodist Church]].<ref>{{cite book |title=America's Religious Architecture: Sacred Places For Every Community |last=Chiat |first=Marilyn Joyce Segal |year=1997 |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |isbn=978-0-471-14502-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/americasreligiou0000chia/page/279 279] |url=https://archive.org/details/americasreligiou0000chia |url-access=registration |quote=Mount Sterling Methodist Church Choctaw County Historical Society.}}</ref><ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref> Additionally, [[Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by county (Autauga–Choctaw)#Choctaw County|five sites]] are listed on the [[Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage]].<ref>{{ARLHref|version=201105|accessdate=June 6, 2011}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|921|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|914|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.4|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 22, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Major highways===
*[[File:US 84.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 84]]
*[[File:Alabama 10.svg|20px]] [[State Route 10 (Alabama)|State Route 10]]
*[[File:Alabama 17.svg|20px]] [[State Route 17 (Alabama)|State Route 17]]
*[[Image:Alabama 114.svg|20px]] [[State Route 114 (Alabama)|State Route 114]]
*[[Image:Alabama 156.svg|20px]] [[State Route 156 (Alabama)|State Route 156]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Sumter County, Alabama|Sumter County]] (north)
*[[Marengo County, Alabama|Marengo County]] (northeast)
*[[Clarke County, Alabama|Clarke County]] (southeast)
*[[Washington County, Alabama|Washington County]] (south)
*[[Wayne County, Mississippi]] (southwest)
*[[Clarke County, Mississippi]] (west)
*[[Lauderdale County, Mississippi]] (northwest)

===National protected area===
* [[Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 8389
|1860= 13877
|1870= 12676
|1880= 15731
|1890= 17526
|1900= 18136
|1910= 18483
|1920= 20753
|1930= 20513
|1940= 20195
|1950= 19152
|1960= 17870
|1970= 16589
|1980= 16839
|1990= 16018
|2000= 15922
|2010= 13859
|2020= 12665
|estyear=2023
|estimate=12252
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/al190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 24, 1995|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Choctaw County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Choctaw County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=050XX00US01023&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Choctaw County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01023&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Choctaw County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01023&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|8,724
|7,700
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,039
|54.79%
|55.56%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |55.58%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|6,985
|5,990
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,217
|43.87%
|43.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |41.19%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|24
|18
|style='background: #ffffe6; |24
|0.15%
|0.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|6
|12
|style='background: #ffffe6; |19
|0.04%
|0.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.15%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|15
|10
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13
|0.09%
|0.07%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|61
|56
|style='background: #ffffe6; |240
|0.38%
|0.40%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.89%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|107
|73
|style='background: #ffffe6; |113
|0.67%
|0.53%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.89%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''15,922'''
|'''13,859'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''12,665'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 12,665 people, 5,300 households, and 3,440 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 13,859 people living in the county. 55.8% were [[White American|White]], 43.4% [[African American|Black or African American]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.2% of some other race and 0.4% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 0.5% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 15,922 people, 6,363 households, and 4,574 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|17|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 7,839 housing units at an average density of {{convert|9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 55.14% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 44.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.11% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 6,363 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,749, and the median income for a family was $31,870. Males had a median income of $32,316 versus $18,760 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,635. About 20.70% of families and 24.50% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.80% of those under age 18 and 26.10% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Choctaw County contains one [[Public education|public school]] district. There are approximately 1,100 students in public [[K–12|PK–12]] schools in Choctaw County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search for Public School Districts – Choctaw County, AL |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_list.asp?Search=1&State=01&County=Choctaw+County |access-date=2 October 2022 |website=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |publisher=[[Institute of Education Sciences]]}}</ref>

===Districts===
School districts include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Choctaw County, AL |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01023_choctaw/DC20SD_C01023.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2022 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |format=PDF}} [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01023_choctaw/DC20SD_C01023_SD2MS.txt Text list].</ref>

* [[Choctaw County School District (Alabama)|Choctaw County School District]]

==Government==
Choctaw County leans Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is [[Al Gore]], who won it by a slim majority in [[2000 United States presidential election in Alabama|2000]].
{{PresHead|place=Choctaw County, Alabama|source=<ref name="DL">{{cite web|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,103|2,515|38|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,296|3,127|41|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,106|3,109|77|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,152|3,786|38|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,223|3,636|35|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,897|3,303|27|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|3,600|3,707|67|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,623|4,074|434|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,069|3,941|550|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,629|3,491|11|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,960|3,373|16|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,859|3,680|41|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,033|3,911|28|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,055|1,934|41|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|176|1,641|4,276|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|2,497|0|413|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|612|1,094|92|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|457|1,250|72|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|593|1,583|9|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|16|0|1,441|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|86|1,243|3|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|73|2,023|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|74|1,507|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|48|1,533|1|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|429|1,242|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|19|1,021|4|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|82|1,071|3|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|21|765|14|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|7|489|70|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|44|590|27|Alabama}}
{{PresFoot|1904|Democratic|45|558|27|Alabama}}

==Communities==

===Towns===
*[[Butler, Alabama|Butler]] (county seat)
*[[Gilbertown, Alabama|Gilbertown]]
*[[Lisman, Alabama|Lisman]]
*[[Needham, Alabama|Needham]]
*[[Pennington, Alabama|Pennington]]
*[[Silas, Alabama|Silas]]
*[[Toxey, Alabama|Toxey]]

===Census-designated place===
*[[Cullomburg, Alabama|Cullomburg]] (partly in [[Washington County, Alabama|Washington County]])

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
*[[Barrytown, Alabama|Barrytown]]
*[[Bladon Springs, Alabama|Bladon Springs]]
*[[Cromwell, Alabama|Cromwell]]
*[[Edna, Alabama|Edna]]
*[[Jachin, Alabama|Jachin]]
*[[Melvin, Alabama|Melvin]]
*[[Mount Sterling, Alabama|Mount Sterling]]
*[[Pushmataha, Alabama|Pushmataha]]
*[[Riderwood, Alabama|Riderwood]]
*[[Robjohn, Alabama|Robjohn]]
*[[Spring Hill, Choctaw County, Alabama|Spring Hill]]
*[[Yantley, Alabama|Yantley]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama#Choctaw County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Choctaw County, Alabama]]
*[[Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by county (Autauga–Choctaw)#Choctaw County|Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Choctaw County, Alabama]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://choctawsun.com/ The Choctaw Sun-Advocate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140518131254/http://www.cgeda.net/ Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance]
*Choctaw County [http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/contemporarymaps/alabama/counties/choctaw.jpg map of roads/towns] (map © 2007 [[University of Alabama|Univ. of Alabama]]).
*[http://www.choctawcounty.com Choctaw County Tourism and Business Directory]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Choctaw County, Alabama
|North     = [[Sumter County, Alabama|Sumter County]]
|Northeast = [[Marengo County, Alabama|Marengo County]]
|East      = 
|Southeast = [[Clarke County, Alabama|Clarke County]]
|South     = [[Washington County, Alabama|Washington County]]
|Southwest = [[Wayne County, Mississippi]]
|West      = [[Clarke County, Mississippi]]
|Northwest = [[Lauderdale County, Mississippi]]
}} 
{{Choctaw County, Alabama}}
{{Alabama}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|32|01|13|N|88|15|47|W|region:US-AL_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Alabama placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Choctaw County, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1847]]