Lamar County, Alabama | |
|---|---|
 Lamar County Courthouse in Vernon | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofAlabama | |
| Coordinates:33°46′50″N88°05′47″W / 33.780555555556°N 88.096388888889°W /33.780555555556; -88.096388888889 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Alabama |
| Founded | February 8, 1877 |
| Named after | Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar |
| Seat | Vernon |
| Largest city | Vernon |
| Area | |
• Total | 605 sq mi (1,570 km2) |
| • Land | 605 sq mi (1,570 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) 0.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 13,972 |
• Estimate (2024) | 13,543 |
| • Density | 23.1/sq mi (8.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | www |
| |
Lamar County (formerlyJones County andSanford County) is acounty in theU.S. state ofAlabama. As of the2020 census, the population was 13,972.[1] Itscounty seat isVernon and it is adry county.[2] It is named in honor ofLucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a former Confederate officer and former member of both houses of theUnited States Congress fromMississippi.[3]
Jones County, Alabama was established on February 4, 1867, with land taken from the southern part ofMarion County and the western part ofFayette County. It was named for E. P. Jones of Fayette County, with itscounty seat inVernon. This county was abolished on November 13, 1867. On October 8, 1868, the area was again organized into a county, but as Covington County had been renamed "Jones County" the same year (a change that lasted only a few months),[4] the new county was named Sanford, in honor of H. C. Sanford ofCherokee County. On February 8, 1877, the county was renamed Lamar in honor of Congressman and Senator L.Q.C. Lamar of Mississippi.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 605 square miles (1,570 km2), of which 605 square miles (1,570 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 8,893 | — | |
| 1880 | 12,142 | 36.5% | |
| 1890 | 14,187 | 16.8% | |
| 1900 | 16,084 | 13.4% | |
| 1910 | 17,487 | 8.7% | |
| 1920 | 18,149 | 3.8% | |
| 1930 | 18,001 | −0.8% | |
| 1940 | 19,708 | 9.5% | |
| 1950 | 16,441 | −16.6% | |
| 1960 | 14,271 | −13.2% | |
| 1970 | 14,335 | 0.4% | |
| 1980 | 16,453 | 14.8% | |
| 1990 | 15,715 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 15,904 | 1.2% | |
| 2010 | 14,564 | −8.4% | |
| 2020 | 13,972 | −4.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 13,543 | [6] | −3.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 13,972. The median age was 45.3 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.9 males age 18 and over.[11][12]
The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% White, 10.2%Black or African American, 0.3%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.0%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 3.2% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.5% of the population.[12]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13]
There were 5,958 households in the county, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 7,071 housing units, of which 15.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.0% were owner-occupied and 26.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.7%.[11]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 13,695 | 12,542 | 11,924 | 86.11% | 86.12% | 85.34% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,899 | 1,635 | 1,421 | 11.94% | 11.23% | 10.17% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 15 | 24 | 28 | 0.09% | 0.16% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 9 | 4 | 6 | 0.06% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 2 | 4 | 22 | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.16% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 77 | 174 | 360 | 0.48% | 1.19% | 2.58% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 207 | 180 | 208 | 1.30% | 1.24% | 1.49% |
| Total | 15,904 | 14,564 | 13,972 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[17] of 2010, there were 14,564 people, 6,103 households, and 4,207 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 7,354 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.7%White, 11.3%Black orAfrican American, 0.2%Native American, 0.0%Asian, 0.6% fromother races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 6,103 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% weremarried couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.8.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,887, and the median income for a family was $42,492. Males had a median income of $36,833 versus $25,125 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $19,789. About 13.2% of families and 18.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
As of thecensus[18] of 2000, there were 15,904 people, 6,468 households, and 4,715 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 7,517 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.87%White, 11.98%Black orAfrican American, 0.11%Native American, 0.06%Asian, 0.46% fromother races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 6,468 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% weremarried couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 25.40% 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 2.43 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,059, and the median income for a family was $33,050. Males had a median income of $30,453 versus $18,947 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,435. About 13.30% of families and 16.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 18.60% of those age 65 or over.
In a 2000 referendum to repeal Alabama's constitutional prohibition ofinterracial marriage, Lamar County voters showed the highest rate of opposition in the state, with 65.69% opposing repeal of the provision.[19]
SinceRonald Reagan in1984, Lamar County has been reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election isJimmy Carter, who won it by a majority in1980.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 172 | 16.73% | 856 | 83.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 234 | 22.03% | 828 | 77.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1888 | 243 | 17.65% | 1,133 | 82.28% | 1 | 0.07% |
| 1892 | 31 | 1.49% | 1,458 | 70.20% | 588 | 28.31% |
| 1896 | 509 | 27.32% | 1,263 | 67.79% | 91 | 4.88% |
| 1900 | 509 | 35.06% | 890 | 61.29% | 53 | 3.65% |
| 1904 | 215 | 19.98% | 848 | 78.81% | 13 | 1.21% |
| 1908 | 160 | 15.84% | 839 | 83.07% | 11 | 1.09% |
| 1912 | 61 | 5.83% | 816 | 77.94% | 170 | 16.24% |
| 1916 | 303 | 18.53% | 1,299 | 79.45% | 33 | 2.02% |
| 1920 | 576 | 25.95% | 1,628 | 73.33% | 16 | 0.72% |
| 1924 | 262 | 19.14% | 1,087 | 79.40% | 20 | 1.46% |
| 1928 | 804 | 36.28% | 1,412 | 63.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 258 | 10.43% | 2,207 | 89.24% | 8 | 0.32% |
| 1936 | 195 | 7.52% | 2,393 | 92.25% | 6 | 0.23% |
| 1940 | 275 | 9.32% | 2,665 | 90.28% | 12 | 0.41% |
| 1944 | 310 | 13.18% | 2,025 | 86.10% | 17 | 0.72% |
| 1948 | 180 | 11.10% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,442 | 88.90% |
| 1952 | 605 | 19.40% | 2,512 | 80.56% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1956 | 867 | 25.51% | 2,501 | 73.58% | 31 | 0.91% |
| 1960 | 964 | 28.43% | 2,386 | 70.36% | 41 | 1.21% |
| 1964 | 2,734 | 72.42% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,041 | 27.58% |
| 1968 | 364 | 6.14% | 302 | 5.10% | 5,259 | 88.76% |
| 1972 | 3,283 | 80.56% | 766 | 18.80% | 26 | 0.64% |
| 1976 | 1,739 | 30.38% | 3,860 | 67.44% | 125 | 2.18% |
| 1980 | 2,778 | 44.91% | 3,366 | 54.41% | 42 | 0.68% |
| 1984 | 3,943 | 67.21% | 1,910 | 32.55% | 14 | 0.24% |
| 1988 | 3,214 | 58.48% | 2,274 | 41.38% | 8 | 0.15% |
| 1992 | 3,262 | 47.29% | 2,849 | 41.30% | 787 | 11.41% |
| 1996 | 2,955 | 46.10% | 2,843 | 44.35% | 612 | 9.55% |
| 2000 | 4,470 | 61.66% | 2,653 | 36.60% | 126 | 1.74% |
| 2004 | 4,894 | 71.08% | 1,956 | 28.41% | 35 | 0.51% |
| 2008 | 5,419 | 76.59% | 1,614 | 22.81% | 42 | 0.59% |
| 2012 | 5,457 | 76.05% | 1,646 | 22.94% | 73 | 1.02% |
| 2016 | 5,823 | 83.59% | 1,036 | 14.87% | 107 | 1.54% |
| 2020 | 6,174 | 85.83% | 978 | 13.60% | 41 | 0.57% |
| 2024 | 6,033 | 87.56% | 806 | 11.70% | 51 | 0.74% |
Places adjacent to Lamar County, Alabama | |
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Municipalities and communities ofLamar County, Alabama,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
33°46′50″N88°05′47″W / 33.78056°N 88.09639°W /33.78056; -88.09639
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