The county is named in honor of brothersGeorge andLevi Colbert, who wereChickasaw chiefs in the early 19th century in this territory.[4] Ultimately the federal government forced theremoval of most of the Chickasaw and other historic tribes from the Southeast.
The Chickasaw and Cherokee peoples are the earliest known inhabitants of Colbert County, an area that was part of their territories for hundreds of years. Before they emerged, there were earlier cultures of indigenous peoples who established settlements and seasonal villages for thousands of years in the area.
In the 1810s, settlers began to settle in an area at a crossroads that developed asLeighton, Alabama. Colbert County was originally established during the Reconstruction era after theAmerican Civil War on February 6, 1867. The state legislature split it fromFranklin County over political issues. It was abolished eight months later on November 29, 1867[5] by an Alabamaconstitutional convention. The general assembly on December 29, 1869 authorized an election to determine if the former county residents wanted their county restored. A vote then took place on January 6, 1870. The county was then reestablished by the legislature on February 24, 1870.[6]
In 1890, the eastern boundary of Colbert County was changed from County Line Road to Town Creek; this resulted in all of the town of Leighton placed within Colbert County.[4]
Colbert County is the location ofIvy Green, thebirthplace of noted author and activistHelen Keller.[4] Colbert County includes the cities of Sheffield and Muscle Shoals, where many popular American and British musicians, such asAretha Franklin and theRolling Stones, respectively, recorded music.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 622 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 593 square miles (1,540 km2) is land and 30 square miles (78 km2) (4.7%) is water.[8] The county's elevation ranges from 410 feet at the Tennessee River in northwestern Colbert County to 980 feet in southeastern Colbert County at the broadcast facility's tower of WQPR-FM/WFIQ-TV.
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 57,227. The median age was 42.6 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.8 males age 18 and over.[15][16]
59.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.3% lived in rural areas.[17]
There were 24,425 households in the county, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 31.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 27,666 housing units, of which 11.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.1% were owner-occupied and 30.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%.[15]
Colbert County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition 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.
There were 22,461 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% weremarried couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,954, and the median income for a family was $39,294. Males had a median income of $32,112 versus $20,107 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,533. About 11.10% of families and 14.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.40% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.
As of thecensus[21] of 2000, there were 54,984 people, 22,461 households, and 16,037 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 92 people per square mile (36 people/km2). There were 24,980 housing units at an average density of 42 units per square mile (16 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 78.52%White orEuropean American (non-Hispanic), 16.62%Black orAfrican American, 0.37%Native American, 0.24%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.34% fromother races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
Although historically a Democratic stronghold, Colbert County is now heavily Republican. The last Democrat to carry the county in a presidential election wasAl Gore, who won its votes with a narrow 49% plurality.
United States presidential election results for Colbert County, Alabama[22]
