Barbour County was established on December 18, 1832, from formerMuscogee homelands and a portion ofPike County. Between the years of 1763 and 1783 the area which is now Barbour County was part of the colony ofBritish West Florida.[3] After 1783 the region fell under the jurisdiction of the newly created United States of America. The Muscogee Creek Confederacy wasremoved to territory west of the Mississippi River. The fertile land was developed by southern migrants as large cottonplantations dependent onslave labor. Due to the number of slaves, the population was soon majority black, a proportion that continued for decades. In the 21st century, the population has a slight white majority, but blacks make up more than 46% of the residents, which results in highly competitive politics.
In 1833,Louisville was chosen as the first county seat for Barbour County. The county seat was moved in 1834, after an eleven-member committee selectedClayton because of its central geographic location. Its boundaries were altered in 1866 and 1868.[4] TheElection Riot of 1874 occurred near Comer.
By the 1870s, the city ofEufaula had surpassed Clayton in size, sparking debate about whether the county seat should be moved to the county's commercial center or remain at its geographic center. Reaching a compromise, the legislature passed Act No. 106 on February 12, 1879, to establish county courts in both Eufaula and Clayton. Today, two county courthouses continue to operate in Barbour County.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 905 square miles (2,340 km2), of which 885 square miles (2,290 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (2.2%) is water.[5][1] The county is located within theWiregrass region of southeast Alabama.
Barbour 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.
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 25,223. The median age was 42.9 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.0 males age 18 and over.[14][15]
34.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 65.9% lived in rural areas.[16]
There were 9,677 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 38.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]
There were 11,618 housing units, of which 16.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.0% were owner-occupied and 36.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.4%.[14]
As of thecensus[17] of 2000, there were 29,038 people, 10,409 households, and 7,390 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 33 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 12,461 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 51.27%White, 46.32%Black orAfrican American, 0.45%Native American, 0.29%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.91% fromother races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 1.65% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. There were 670 people who spoke Spanish in their home. The only other language with over 100 speakers was French at 105.
In 2005 Barbour County had a population that was 49.5% non-Hispanic whites. 46.8% of the population was African-American. 0.3% of the population reported more than one race. Latinos were now 3.1% of the population. 0.4% were Native American and 0.3% were Asian. (Sources census quickfacts)
In 2000 There were 10,409 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.90% weremarried couples living together, 19.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 106.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,101, and the median income for a family was $31,877. Males had a median income of $28,441 versus $19,882 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $13,316. About 21.60% of families and 26.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 37.10% of those under age 18 and 26.40% of those age 65 or over.
Having been a historically Democratic county for much of the 20th century, the county has become more competitive. It has now voted for the Republican presidential candidate in four of the last five elections.
United States presidential election results for Barbour County, Alabama[21]
As a center of the planter elite class, Barbour County has produced more Alabama governors than any other county in the state. Six elected governors as well as two acting governors have lived in the county. In 2000, theBarbour County Governors' Trail was established by an act of the Alabama Legislature to honor the eight distinguished men and women who have served as governor from the county.
Marking changes in 20th-century politics, Chauncey Sparks, the Wallaces, and Jere Beasley were not from the planter elite.
Trayvick, J.C. (2005).Soil survey of Barbour County, Alabama. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
