Editing Russell County, Alabama

{{short description|County in Alabama, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Russell County
 | state                = Alabama
 | seal                 = Seal of Russell County, Alabama.png
 | founded year         = 1832
 | founded date         = December 18
 | seat wl              = Phenix City
 | largest city wl      = Phenix City
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 647
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 641
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 6.1
 | area percentage      = 0.9
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 59183
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 58744 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.rcala.com
 | ex image             = New Russell County Courthouse.JPG
 | ex image cap         = County courthouse in Phenix City
 | district             = 2nd
 | named for            = [[Gilbert C. Russell]]
 | footnotes            = 
*County Number '''57''' on Alabama Licence Plates
*Officially in Central Time, but Phenix City unofficially uses Eastern Time
}}

'''Russell County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Southeast Alabama|southeastern]] part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 59,183.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/russellcountyalabama/PST045222|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Phenix City, Alabama|Phenix City]].<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}}</ref> Its name is in honor of Colonel [[Gilbert C. Russell]], who fought in the wars against the [[Creek (people)|Creek]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Indians]].

Russell County is part of the [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|GA]]-AL [[Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

Of all counties in the United States, Russell County has the most people working in a state other than their own, at over 54% of the population, most of whom work in [[Columbus, Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alex |date=2016-02-22 |title=Percent of U.S. Population Working Outside State of Residence |url=https://vividmaps.com/americans-working-outside-state-of-residence/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=Vivid Maps |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
Russell County was established by an act of the state general assembly on December 18, 1832, from lands ceded to the state by the [[Muscogee|Creek]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. The county seat has changed several times: [[Girard, Alabama|Girard]] (1833–1839), [[Crawford, Russell County, Alabama|Crawford]] originally Crockettsville (1839–1868), [[Seale, Alabama|Seale]] (1868–1935) and Phenix City (1935–present). It was named for War of 1812, Col. Gilbert Christian Russell Sr., 1782–1861, 3rd U.S. Infantry.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Russell County and especially its county seat, Phenix City gained a reputation of lawlessness, political corruption and being a den for vice such as organized crime, prostitution, and gambling.<ref name=coakley>{{Harvnb|Coakley|Scheips |Demma|1971 |p=35 }}</ref>  The city police and county deputies also took part in the corruption.<ref>{{Harvnb|Grady |2005|pp=5–6}}</ref> In 1954, the local politician [[Albert Patterson]] won the Democratic nomination for [[Alabama Attorney General]] on a platform of ridding the city of corruption and crime. Patterson ran for a state office since he was unable to run in local elections, as they were rigged. On June 18, 1954, Patterson was shot and killed by an unknown assassin.<ref name=coakley/> The murder set off a series of events that led to Governor [[Gordon Persons]] [[declaration of martial law in Russell County, Alabama|declaring martial law in the county and city]] because of its lawlessness on July 22 that year. That was the only time since the [[Reconstruction era]] that martial law was declared in a US city for reasons other than civil unrest or natural disaster.<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|1998|pp=200–201}}</ref> The [[Alabama National Guard]] was called in to assume the role of the police and clean up the area of illegal activities. The state of martial law was rescinded on January 17, 1955, with Russell County and Phenix City both returning to civilian control.<ref name=c36>{{Harvnb|Coakley |Scheips |Demma|1971 |p=36 }}</ref><ref name=bernstein>{{Harvnb|Bernstein|2009 |p=98}}</ref> In 1974, the ''[[New York Times]]'' noted that the campaign was very successful and led to a relatively-low crime rate in Phenix City for the 20 years since then.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=Ray |title=Phenix City Ala., Is Staying Clean |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/18/archives/phenix-city-ala-is-staying-clean-son-of-murdered-reformer-hails.html |access-date=January 8, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=June 18, 1974}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|647|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|641|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|6.1|sqmi}} (0.9%) 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 [[Gulf Coastal Plain]] region, with a few rolling hills due to its close proximity to the [[Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line|fall line]] of the eastern [[United States]].

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
*[[Image:US 80.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 80]]
*[[Image:US 280.svg|24px]] [[U.S. Highway 280]]
*[[Image:US 431.svg|24px]] [[U.S. Highway 431]]
*[[image:Alabama 26.svg|20px]] [[State Route 26 (Alabama)|State Route 26]]
*[[image:Alabama 51.svg|20px]] [[State Route 51 (Alabama)|State Route 51]]
*[[image:Alabama 165.svg|24px]] [[Alabama State Route 165|State Route 165]]
*[[image:Alabama 169.svg|24px]] [[Alabama State Route 169|State Route 169]]
*[[image:Alabama 208.svg|24px]] [[State Route 208 (Alabama)|State Route 208]]
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[Phenix City Express]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Lee County, Alabama|Lee County]] (north)
*[[Muscogee County, Georgia]] (northeast/EST Border)
*[[Chattahoochee County, Georgia]] (east/EST Border)
*[[Stewart County, Georgia]] (southeast/EST Border)
*[[Barbour County, Alabama|Barbour County]] (south)
*[[Bullock County, Alabama|Bullock County]] (southwest)
*[[Macon County, Alabama|Macon County]] (northwest)

===National protected area===
* [[Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 13513
|1850= 19548
|1860= 26592
|1870= 21636
|1880= 24837
|1890= 24093
|1900= 27083
|1910= 25937
|1920= 27448
|1930= 27377
|1940= 35775
|1950= 40364
|1960= 46351
|1970= 45394
|1980= 47356
|1990= 46860
|2000= 49756
|2010= 52947
|2020= 59183
|estyear=2023
|estimate=58744
|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/prod/www/decennial.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;"
|+'''Russell 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 – Russell County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=050XX00US01113&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) – Russell County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01113&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) – Russell County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01113&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|27,925
|27,591
|style='background: #ffffe6; |26,679
|56.12%
|52.11%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |45.08%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|20,217
|21,926
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25,930
|40.63%
|41.41%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |43.81%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|164
|189
|style='background: #ffffe6; |180
|0.33%
|0.36%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|173
|223
|style='background: #ffffe6; |408
|0.35%
|0.42%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.69%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|34
|112
|style='background: #ffffe6; |128
|0.07%
|0.21%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|43
|55
|style='background: #ffffe6; |234
|0.09%
|0.10%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.40%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|456
|905
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,429
|0.92%
|1.71%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.10%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|744
|1,946
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,195
|1.50%
|3.68%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.40%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''49,756'''
|'''52,947'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''59,183'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 59,183 people, 23,262 households, and 14,948 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 52,947 people living in the county. 53.7% were [[White American|White]], 41.8% [[African American|Black or African American]], 0.4% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.4% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.2% [[Pacific Islands American|Pacific Islander]], 1.3% of some other race and 2.1% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 3.7% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 49,756 people, 19,741 households, and 13,423 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|78|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants&nbsp;|inhabitants|}}. There were 22,831 housing units, at an average density of {{convert|14|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. The racial makeup of the county was: 56.69% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 40.84% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.37% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.36% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.59% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.07% from two or more races. Nearly 1.50% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 19,741 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 44.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49, and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,492, and the median income for a family was $34,004. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $20,882 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,015. About 16.80% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.50% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Russell County trends Democratic in presidential elections; having last supported a Republican in 1972 when it voted for [[Richard Nixon]]. [[George W. Bush]] came within 38 votes of carrying the county in 2004.

{{PresHead|place=Russell 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 21, 2016}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|10,078|10,422|218|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|9,864|11,228|237|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|9,210|9,579|467|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|8,278|10,500|132|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|8,705|10,085|125|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|8,337|8,375|97|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|6,198|8,396|181|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,025|7,834|836|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,587|8,647|1,455|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|6,333|6,589|164|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|6,654|7,610|188|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|4,485|8,123|892|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|4,150|8,077|365|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,034|2,644|365|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|704|2,707|7,834|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|4,877|0|1,537|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,770|3,480|48|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,265|3,060|154|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|867|3,564|3|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|94|0|1,682|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|115|2,109|4|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|48|2,435|3|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|66|2,181|9|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|46|1,984|7|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|333|846|18|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|14|474|31|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|29|671|48|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|3|752|4|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|4|1,553|57|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|32|516|19|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|21|558|14|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|135|1,416|20|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|773|1,645|38|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|10|2,150|1,506|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,088|1,970|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|1,347|1,998|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|1,402|1,678|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|1,022|2,051|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1872|Republican|2,531|1,671|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1868|Republican|1,746|1,230|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1860|Southern Democratic|0|53|1,847|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1856|Democratic|0|994|855|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1852|Democratic|434|522|24|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1848|Whig|970|577|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1844|Whig|736|624|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1840|Whig|691|406|0|Alabama}}
{{PresFoot|1836|Whig|154|40|0|Alabama}}

==Communities==

===City===
*[[Phenix City, Alabama|Phenix City]] (county seat; partly in [[Lee County, Alabama|Lee County]])

===Town===
*[[Hurtsboro, Alabama|Hurtsboro]]

===Census-designated place===
*[[Ladonia, Alabama|Ladonia]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
*[[Cottonton, Alabama|Cottonton]]
*[[Crawford, Russell County, Alabama|Crawford]]
*[[Fort Mitchell, Alabama|Fort Mitchell]]
*[[Glenville, Alabama|Glenville]]
*[[Hatchechubbee, Alabama|Hatchechubbee]]
*[[Holy Trinity, Alabama|Holy Trinity]]
*[[Hooks, Alabama|Hooks]]
*[[Jernigan, Alabama|Jernigan]]
*[[Mahrt, Alabama|Mahrt]]
*[[Pittsview, Alabama|Pittsview]]
*[[Sandfort, Alabama|Sandfort]]
*[[Seale, Alabama|Seale]]
*[[Uchee, Alabama|Uchee]]
*[[Wende, Alabama|Wende]]
{{div col end}}

===Former city===
*[[Girard, Alabama|Girard]] (merged with Phenix City in 1923)

==Notable person==
*[[James Abercrombie (congressman)|James Abercrombie]], [[United States Congressman]] from Alabama, resided here.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>

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

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

==Sources==
*{{citation|last1=Bernstein |first1=Lee |title=The Greatest Menace: Organized Crime in Cold War America |date=2009 |publisher=University of Massachusetts Press |isbn=978-1-55849-747-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cyqe9P0g5BkC |language=en}}
*{{citation|last1=Coakley |first1=Robert W. |last2=Scheips |first2=Paul J. |last3=Demma |first3=Vincent H. |title=Use of Troops in Civil Disturbances Since World War II, 1945–1965 |date=1971 |publisher=Office of Military History, U.S. Army |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-xQUMBseEIQC |language=en}}
*{{citation|last1=Grady |first1=Alan |title=When Good Men Do Nothing: The Assassination Of Albert Patterson |date=2005 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |isbn=978-0-8173-5192-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvlJCgAAQBAJ |language=en}}
*{{citation|last1=Stewart |first1=John Craig |title=The Governors of Alabama |publisher=Pelican Publishing |isbn=978-1-4556-0519-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DaUshSD8J4UC |date=1998|language=en}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rcala.com/index.html Official Russell County website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713090537/http://www.rcala.com/index.html |date=July 13, 2010 }}
* Russell County [http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/contemporarymaps/alabama/counties/russell.jpg map of roads/towns] (map © 2007 [[University of Alabama|Univ. of Alabama]]).
* [http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/enquirer ''Columbus Enquirer'' Archive] Digital Library of Georgia

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Russell County, Alabama
|North     = [[Lee County, Alabama|Lee County]]
|Northeast = [[Muscogee County, Georgia]]
|East      = [[Chattahoochee County, Georgia]]
|Southeast = [[Stewart County, Georgia]]
|South     = [[Barbour County, Alabama|Barbour County]]
|Southwest = [[Bullock County, Alabama|Bullock County]]
|West      = 
|Northwest = [[Macon County, Alabama|Macon County]]
}}

{{Russell County, Alabama}}
{{Columbus Auburn Opelika}}
{{Alabama}}

{{coord|32|17|12|N|85|11|38|W|region:US-AL_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Russell County, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Columbus metropolitan area, Georgia]]
[[Category:1832 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1832]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in Alabama]]