Editing Houston County, Alabama

{{short description|County in Alabama, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Houston County
 | state                = Alabama
 | type                 = County
 | seal                 = Seal of Houston County, Alabama.png
 | founded year         = 1903
 | founded date         = February 9
 | seat wl              = Dothan
 | largest city wl      = Dothan
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 582
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 580
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.8
 | area percentage      = 0.3
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 107202
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 108462 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = https://houstoncountyal.gov/
 | ex image             = Houston County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Houston County courthouse in Dothan
 | district             = 1st
 | named for            = [[George S. Houston]]
 | footnotes            = 
*County Number '''38''' on Alabama Licence Plates
}}

'''Houston County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the southeastern corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] the population was 107,202.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncountyalabama/PST045222|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan]], which is located on the border and partially in adjacent [[Henry County, Alabama|Henry County]].<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/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

Houston County is part of the [[Dothan, Alabama metropolitan area]].

==History==
Houston County was established on February 9, 1903, from parts of [[Dale County, Alabama|Dale]], [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva]], and [[Henry County, Alabama|Henry]] counties. It was named after [[George Smith Houston]], the 24th [[Governor of Alabama]]. This area of the state was historically developed for the pine timber and turpentine industries, as well as cotton plantations. The latter, especially, depended on enslaved African Americans for labor.

Because of this history, African Americans predominated in the population until after the early 20th century, when many [[Great Migration (African American)|migrated]] to northern and midwestern cities for better economic opportunities and to escape [[Jim Crow]] discrimination. They were essentially disenfranchised after the turn of the 20th century because of constitutional amendments and other laws that made voter registration nearly impossible. Many poor whites were disenfranchised at the same time.

[[File:Court-house.jpg|thumb|Original Courthouse]]

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|582|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|580|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.8|sqmi}} (0.3%) 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> The county is located in the [[Wiregrass Region|Wiregrass region]] of southeast Alabama.

===Major highways===
*{{jct|state=AL|US|84}}
*{{jct|state=AL|US|231}}
*{{jct|state=AL|US|431}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|52}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|53}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|92}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|95}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|103}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|123}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|134}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|210}}
*{{jct|state=AL|AL|605}}

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Henry County, Alabama|Henry County]] (north)
*[[Early County, Georgia]] (east)
*[[Seminole County, Georgia]] (southeast)
*[[Jackson County, Florida]] (south)
*[[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva County]] (west)
*[[Dale County, Alabama|Dale County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 32414
|1920= 37334
|1930= 45935
|1940= 45665
|1950= 46522
|1960= 50718
|1970= 56574
|1980= 74632
|1990= 81331
|2000= 88787
|2010= 101547
|2020= 107202
|estyear=2023
|estimate=108462
|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;"
|+'''Houston 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 – Houston County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=050XX00US01069&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) – Houston County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01069&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) – Chilton County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01069&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|64,312
|69,731
|style='background: #ffffe6; |68,251
|72.43%
|68.67%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |63.67%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|21,703
|26,038
|style='background: #ffffe6; |28,232
|24.44%
|25.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |26.34%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|318
|393
|style='background: #ffffe6; |321
|0.36%
|0.39%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|548
|806
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,260
|0.62%
|0.79%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.18%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|13
|43
|style='background: #ffffe6; |59
|0.01%
|0.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.06%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|55
|96
|style='background: #ffffe6; |354
|0.06%
|0.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.33%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|716
|1,445
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,244
|0.81%
|1.42%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.96%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,122
|2,995
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,481
|1.26%
|2.95%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.18%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''88,787'''
|'''101,547'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''107,202'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 107,202 people, 39,761 households, and 25,893 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 25, 2015|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 101,547 people, 40,969 households, and 28,041 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|175|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 45,319 housing units at an average density of {{convert|77.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 70.0% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 25.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.0% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.2% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.7% from two or more races. 2.9% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 40,969 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,022, and the median income for a family was $51,741. Males had a median income of $41,021 versus $28,240 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,725. About 12.7% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

===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 88,787 people, 35,834 households, and 25,119 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|153|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 39,571 housing units at an average density of {{convert|68|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 73.08% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 24.60% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.37% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.39% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 35,834 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,431, and the median income for a family was $42,437. Males had a median income of $32,092 versus $21,409 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,759. About 11.80% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
{{as of|2023}}, the County Chairman is Brandon Shoupe, while Peter Covert is the Chief Administrative Officer. The County Commission is District 1, Curtis Harvey; District 2, Tracy Adams; District 3, Rickey Herring; and District 4, James Ivey. Donald Valenza serves as Sheriff, Probate Judge is Patrick Davenport, Revenue Commissioner is Starla Moss, and Coroner is Robert Byrd. The county engineer is Barkley Kirkland.

The District Attorney serves as prosecutor for cases in both Houston and Henry counties.

Houston County is located in [[Alabama's 2nd congressional district]]; its current Representative ({{as of|2021|lc=y}}) is [[Barry Moore (American politician)|Barry Moore]] (R).

Houston County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election was [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai Stevenson]], who won it by a majority in [[1956 United States presidential election in Alabama|1956]].
{{PresHead|place=Houston 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|32,469|11,352|528|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|32,618|12,917|638|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|30,728|10,664|1,247|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|29,270|12,367|347|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|29,254|12,225|256|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|26,874|9,144|183|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|22,150|9,412|495|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|17,476|8,791|1,796|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|17,360|8,857|3,543|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|19,989|7,001|71|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|20,854|6,488|163|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|14,884|7,848|506|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|10,672|8,787|279|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|12,622|2,358|144|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|974|1,488|14,074|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|10,353|0|1,421|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,055|3,897|65|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,632|3,630|579|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,517|3,779|68|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|426|0|2,739|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|282|3,349|17|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|483|3,941|15|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|230|3,538|15|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|157|3,863|11|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,963|2,290|3|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|242|1,731|91|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|571|2,045|40|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|466|1,670|60|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|82|1,160|411|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|423|965|69|Alabama}}
{{PresFoot|1904|Democratic|384|1,248|90|Alabama}}

==Communities==

===City===
*[[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan]] (county seat; partly in [[Dale County, Alabama|Dale County]] and [[Henry County, Alabama|Henry County]])

===Towns===
{{div col}}
*[[Ashford, Alabama|Ashford]]
*[[Avon, Alabama|Avon]]
*[[Columbia, Alabama|Columbia]]
*[[Cottonwood, Alabama|Cottonwood]]
*[[Cowarts, Alabama|Cowarts]]
*[[Gordon, Alabama|Gordon]]
*[[Kinsey, Alabama|Kinsey]]
*[[Madrid, Alabama|Madrid]]
*[[Rehobeth, Alabama|Rehobeth]]
*[[Taylor, Alabama|Taylor]] (partly in [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva County]])
*[[Webb, Alabama|Webb]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
*[[Ardilla, Alabama|Ardilla]]
*[[Big Creek, Alabama|Big Creek]]
*[[Crosby, Alabama|Crosby]]
*[[Grangeburg, Alabama|Grangeburg]]
*[[Love Hill, Alabama|Love Hill]]
*[[Lucy, Alabama|Lucy]]
*[[Pansey, Alabama|Pansey]]
*[[Peterman, Houston County, Alabama|Peterman]]
*[[Pleasant Plains, Alabama|Pleasant Plains]]
*[[Wicksburg, Alabama|Wicksburg]]
{{div col end}}

==Education==
There are two school districts including parts of the county: [[Dothan City School District]] and [[Houston County School District (Alabama)|Houston County School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01069_houston/DC20SD_C01069.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Houston County, AL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-09-05}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01069_houston/DC20SD_C01069_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

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

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.houstoncounty.org/ Houston County web site]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Houston County, Alabama
|North     = [[Henry County, Alabama|Henry County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Early County, Georgia]]
|Southeast = [[Seminole County, Georgia]]
|South     = [[Jackson County, Florida]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva County]]
|Northwest = [[Dale County, Alabama|Dale County]]
}} 
{{Houston County, Alabama}}
{{Alabama}}
{{authority control}}

{{coord|31|09|08|N|85|17|36|W|region:US-AL_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}


[[Category:Houston County, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Dothan metropolitan area, Alabama]]
[[Category:1903 establishments in Alabama]]