Tallapoosa County, Alabama | |
|---|---|
 Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofAlabama | |
 Alabama's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:32°51′41″N85°47′50″W / 32.8614°N 85.7972°W /32.8614; -85.7972 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Alabama |
| Founded | December 18, 1832[1] |
| Named after | Tallapoosa River |
| Seat | Dadeville |
| Largest city | Alexander City |
| Area | |
• Total | 766 sq mi (1,980 km2) |
| • Land | 717 sq mi (1,860 km2) |
| • Water | 50 sq mi (130 km2) 6.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 41,311 |
• Estimate (2024) | 40,699 |
| • Density | 57.6/sq mi (22.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
| |
Tallapoosa County is acounty located in the east-central portion of theU.S. state ofAlabama.[1] As of the2020 census, the population was 41,311.[2] Itscounty seat isDadeville.[3] Its largest city isAlexander City.
The name Tallapoosa is ofCreek origin; many Creek villages were located along the banks of the lower river beforeIndian Removal in the 19th century. Tallapoosa County, Alabama is named after the Tallapoosa River, which may mean "pulverized rock" in the Choctaw language. Tallapoosa is ofCreek origin and may mean "grandmother town" in theMuscogee language. The Tallapoosa branch of the Muscogee tribe is considered one of the oldest groups in the Southeast. The river was a major population center for the Creek Indians before the early 19th century.
In 1832, Tallapoosa County was created from lands ceded by the Creek Indians in the Treaty of Cusseta. The first county seat was the Creek town of Okfuskee. The forced removal of the Creeks in 1836 and 1837 was followed by a frantic gold rush, bringing a flood of profit seekers and settlers.
Established on December 18, 1832.[1] Tallapoosa County's southwest strip of the county was detached from Tallapoosa County to become a portion ofElmore County when it was established on February 15, 1866.
TheBattle of Horseshoe Bend was fought in the territory that would become Tallapoosa County in 1814. This battle effectively ended theCreek War.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 766 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 50 square miles (130 km2) (6.5%) is water.[4] The county is located in thePiedmont region of the state.
The county is intersected by theTallapoosa River.[5]
U.S. Highway 280
State Route 14
State Route 22
State Route 49
State Route 50
State Route 63
State Route 120
State Route 128
State Route 259| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 6,444 | — | |
| 1850 | 15,584 | 141.8% | |
| 1860 | 23,827 | 52.9% | |
| 1870 | 16,963 | −28.8% | |
| 1880 | 23,401 | 38.0% | |
| 1890 | 25,460 | 8.8% | |
| 1900 | 29,675 | 16.6% | |
| 1910 | 31,034 | 4.6% | |
| 1920 | 29,744 | −4.2% | |
| 1930 | 31,188 | 4.9% | |
| 1940 | 35,270 | 13.1% | |
| 1950 | 35,074 | −0.6% | |
| 1960 | 35,007 | −0.2% | |
| 1970 | 33,840 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 38,766 | 14.6% | |
| 1990 | 38,826 | 0.2% | |
| 2000 | 41,475 | 6.8% | |
| 2010 | 41,616 | 0.3% | |
| 2020 | 41,311 | −0.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 40,699 | [6] | −1.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[11] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 30,342 | 28,838 | 28,252 | 73.16% | 69.30% | 68.39% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 10,488 | 11,050 | 10,366 | 25.29% | 26.55% | 25.09% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 107 | 119 | 84 | 0.26% | 0.29% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 74 | 197 | 222 | 0.18% | 0.47% | 0.54% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 22 | 91 | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 214 | 346 | 1,152 | 0.52% | 0.83% | 2.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 242 | 1,042 | 1,144 | 0.58% | 2.50% | 2.77% |
| Total | 41,475 | 41,616 | 41,311 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 41,311 people, 16,205 households, and 11,183 families residing in the county.
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 41,616 people, 16,985 households, and 11,762 families living in the county. The population density was 58 inhabitants per square mile (22 inhabitants/km2). There were 22,111 housing units at an average density of 31 units per square mile (12 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 69.9% White, 26.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 1.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Nearly 2.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14]There were 16,985 households, 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. Nearly 27.2% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% 65 or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median household income was $36,904 and the median family income was $47,918. Males had a median income of $34,625 versus $28,616 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,542. About 13.4% of families and 17.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
As of thecensus of 2000. there were 41,475 people, 16,656 households, and 11,809 families living in the county. The population density was 58 inhabitants per square mile (22 inhabitants/km2). There were 20,510 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 73.48% White, 25.36% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Nearly 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[15]There were 16,656 households, 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. Nearly 26.50% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.94.
The age distribution was 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.10 males.
The median household income was $30,745 and the median family income was $38,148. Males had a median income of $28,557 versus $19,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,909. About 13.50% of families and 16.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 15.60% of those age 65 or over.
Tallapoosa County is a Republican county. The last Democrat to win the county wasJimmy Carter in 1980.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 234 | 10.99% | 1,791 | 84.08% | 105 | 4.93% |
| 1908 | 104 | 6.32% | 1,343 | 81.59% | 199 | 12.09% |
| 1912 | 84 | 4.56% | 1,586 | 86.06% | 173 | 9.39% |
| 1916 | 129 | 6.27% | 1,892 | 91.98% | 36 | 1.75% |
| 1920 | 269 | 10.54% | 2,257 | 88.44% | 26 | 1.02% |
| 1924 | 1 | 0.06% | 1,713 | 99.59% | 6 | 0.35% |
| 1928 | 1,257 | 40.46% | 1,849 | 59.51% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1932 | 138 | 3.90% | 3,391 | 95.87% | 8 | 0.23% |
| 1936 | 141 | 3.74% | 3,625 | 96.10% | 6 | 0.16% |
| 1940 | 139 | 3.11% | 4,325 | 96.65% | 11 | 0.25% |
| 1944 | 136 | 3.92% | 3,326 | 95.88% | 7 | 0.20% |
| 1948 | 156 | 6.31% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,318 | 93.69% |
| 1952 | 1,187 | 19.00% | 5,055 | 80.89% | 7 | 0.11% |
| 1956 | 1,879 | 26.68% | 5,070 | 72.00% | 93 | 1.32% |
| 1960 | 2,150 | 28.11% | 5,460 | 71.39% | 38 | 0.50% |
| 1964 | 5,530 | 76.14% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,733 | 23.86% |
| 1968 | 1,205 | 10.19% | 1,331 | 11.26% | 9,285 | 78.55% |
| 1972 | 8,535 | 78.71% | 2,113 | 19.49% | 195 | 1.80% |
| 1976 | 5,237 | 39.79% | 7,614 | 57.84% | 312 | 2.37% |
| 1980 | 5,958 | 43.80% | 7,260 | 53.37% | 385 | 2.83% |
| 1984 | 9,045 | 66.19% | 4,458 | 32.62% | 163 | 1.19% |
| 1988 | 8,502 | 63.93% | 4,598 | 34.58% | 198 | 1.49% |
| 1992 | 8,140 | 52.67% | 5,703 | 36.90% | 1,613 | 10.44% |
| 1996 | 7,627 | 51.48% | 6,071 | 40.98% | 1,117 | 7.54% |
| 2000 | 9,805 | 60.33% | 6,183 | 38.04% | 265 | 1.63% |
| 2004 | 12,392 | 69.03% | 5,451 | 30.36% | 109 | 0.61% |
| 2008 | 13,116 | 67.92% | 6,063 | 31.40% | 132 | 0.68% |
| 2012 | 12,396 | 65.76% | 6,319 | 33.52% | 136 | 0.72% |
| 2016 | 13,594 | 69.76% | 5,519 | 28.32% | 373 | 1.91% |
| 2020 | 14,963 | 71.28% | 5,859 | 27.91% | 169 | 0.81% |
| 2024 | 14,884 | 74.33% | 4,975 | 24.85% | 164 | 0.82% |
School districts in the county include:[18]
Places adjacent to Tallapoosa County, Alabama | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofTallapoosa County, Alabama,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
32°51′41″N85°47′50″W / 32.86139°N 85.79722°W /32.86139; -85.79722
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