Limestone County, Alabama | |
|---|---|
 Limestone County Courthouse in Athens | |
 Seal  Logo | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofAlabama | |
| Coordinates:34°48′40″N86°59′03″W / 34.811111111111°N 86.984166666667°W /34.811111111111; -86.984166666667 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Alabama |
| Founded | February 6[1], 1818[1] |
| Named after | Limestone Creek |
| Seat | Athens |
| Largest city | Athens[a] |
| Government | |
| • Chairman | Collin Daly[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 607 sq mi (1,570 km2) |
| • Land | 560 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
| • Water | 47 sq mi (120 km2) 7.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 103,570 |
• Estimate (2024) | 118,942 |
| • Density | 180/sq mi (71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | limestonecounty-al |
| |
Limestone County is acounty of theU.S. state ofAlabama. As of the2020 census, the county's population was 103,570.[3] Itscounty seat isAthens.[4] The county is named afterLimestone Creek. Limestone County is included in theHuntsville Metropolitan Area.
Limestone County was established by theAlabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818.[1] On November 27, 1821, the Alabama State legislature passed an Act that altered the boundary of Limestone County to include the area east of the mouth of the Elk River with the Tennessee River. At the time, that area was a part of Lauderdale County.[5]
_Historical_Marker.jpg)
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km2), of which 560 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (7.8%) is water.[6] It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 9,871 | — | |
| 1830 | 14,807 | 50.0% | |
| 1840 | 14,374 | −2.9% | |
| 1850 | 16,483 | 14.7% | |
| 1860 | 15,306 | −7.1% | |
| 1870 | 15,017 | −1.9% | |
| 1880 | 21,600 | 43.8% | |
| 1890 | 21,201 | −1.8% | |
| 1900 | 22,387 | 5.6% | |
| 1910 | 26,880 | 20.1% | |
| 1920 | 31,341 | 16.6% | |
| 1930 | 36,629 | 16.9% | |
| 1940 | 35,642 | −2.7% | |
| 1950 | 35,766 | 0.3% | |
| 1960 | 36,513 | 2.1% | |
| 1970 | 41,699 | 14.2% | |
| 1980 | 46,005 | 10.3% | |
| 1990 | 54,135 | 17.7% | |
| 2000 | 65,676 | 21.3% | |
| 2010 | 82,782 | 26.0% | |
| 2020 | 103,570 | 25.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 118,942 | [7] | 14.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[3][10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[3] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[12] | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 54,142 | 65,112 | 75,692 | 82.44% | 78.65% | 73.08% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 8,703 | 10,350 | 13,177 | 13.25% | 12.50% | 12.72% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 293 | 487 | 458 | 0.45% | 0.59% | 0.44% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 228 | 911 | 1,857 | 0.35% | 1.10% | 1.79% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 11 | 26 | 70 | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 28 | 83 | 319 | 0.04% | 0.10% | 0.31% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 531 | 1,222 | 4,749 | 0.81% | 1.48% | 4.59% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,740 | 4,591 | 7,248 | 2.65% | 5.55% | 7.00% |
| Total | 65,676 | 82,782 | 103,570 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 103,570. The median age was 39.9 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.3 males age 18 and over.[15][16]
The racial makeup of the county was 74.4% White, 12.8%Black or African American, 0.7%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Asian, 0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 3.7% from some other race, and 6.5% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.0% of the population.[16]
49.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.0% lived in rural areas.[17]
There were 39,365 households in the county, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 42,692 housing units, of which 7.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.5% were owner-occupied and 23.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.[15]
As of the2010 census,[18] there were 82,782 people, 31,446 households, and 22,876 families living in the county. The population density was 57.1/km2 (148/mi2). There were 34,977 housing units at an average density of 24.1/km2 (62/mi2). Theracial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 31,446 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.7% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.
The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% 65 or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males.
The median household income in the county was $46,682, and the median family income was $55,518. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $31,609 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,007. About 10.3% of families and 13.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
As of the2000 census,[19] there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families living in the county. The population density was 45/km2 (120/mi2). There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km2 (47/sq mi). Theracial makeup of the county was 78.79% White, 15.33% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to thecensus of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Limestone County wereEnglish 66.31%,Scots-Irish 15.12%, andAfrican 13.33%
There were 24,688 households, 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.40% of households were one person and 8.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.80 males.
The median household income in the county was $37,405, and the median family income was $45,146. Males had a median income of $35,743 versus $23,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,782. About 9.80% of families and 12.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.
Limestone County comprises the Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit was created in the early 1980s when Limestone County broke away from Morgan County to form its own circuit.
The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit has two circuit judges and two district judges. The two circuit judges are Judge Robert M. Baker and Judge B. Chadwick Wise. The two district judges are Judge Matthew R. Huggins and Judge R. Gray West.
The current District Attorney is Brian C.T. Jones.
The current Sheriff of Limestone County is Joshua McLaughlin. The term for sheriffs is four years, and there is no term limit.[20][21]
Collin Daly (R) is the Chairman of the County Commission.[2]
Limestone County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election isJimmy Carter, who won it by an absolute majority in1980.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1824 | 20 | 4.06% | 418 | 84.79% | 55 | 11.16% |
| 1828 | 73 | 7.16% | 946 | 92.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1832 | 0 | 0.00% | 912 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1836 | 319 | 30.85% | 715 | 69.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1840 | 356 | 28.41% | 897 | 71.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1844 | 325 | 25.19% | 965 | 74.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1848 | 374 | 30.99% | 833 | 69.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1852 | 227 | 25.53% | 662 | 74.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1856 | 0 | 0.00% | 790 | 73.76% | 281 | 26.24% |
| 1860 | 0 | 0.00% | 325 | 26.75% | 890 | 73.25% |
| 1868 | 355 | 23.17% | 1,177 | 76.83% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 893 | 51.95% | 826 | 48.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1876 | 1,343 | 44.37% | 1,684 | 55.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1880 | 1,623 | 49.50% | 1,600 | 48.80% | 56 | 1.71% |
| 1884 | 1,450 | 49.56% | 1,430 | 48.87% | 46 | 1.57% |
| 1888 | 1,183 | 43.93% | 1,489 | 55.29% | 21 | 0.78% |
| 1892 | 18 | 0.54% | 1,447 | 43.40% | 1,869 | 56.06% |
| 1896 | 1,520 | 44.94% | 1,812 | 53.58% | 50 | 1.48% |
| 1900 | 1,157 | 50.68% | 1,063 | 46.56% | 63 | 2.76% |
| 1904 | 187 | 14.88% | 1,053 | 83.77% | 17 | 1.35% |
| 1908 | 238 | 16.38% | 1,188 | 81.76% | 27 | 1.86% |
| 1912 | 90 | 7.38% | 1,012 | 83.02% | 117 | 9.60% |
| 1916 | 92 | 5.84% | 1,450 | 92.12% | 32 | 2.03% |
| 1920 | 285 | 13.48% | 1,812 | 85.71% | 17 | 0.80% |
| 1924 | 136 | 8.40% | 1,415 | 87.35% | 69 | 4.26% |
| 1928 | 407 | 19.42% | 1,689 | 80.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 107 | 3.85% | 2,667 | 95.94% | 6 | 0.22% |
| 1936 | 108 | 3.61% | 2,861 | 95.69% | 21 | 0.70% |
| 1940 | 95 | 3.12% | 2,941 | 96.58% | 9 | 0.30% |
| 1944 | 129 | 4.70% | 2,605 | 94.93% | 10 | 0.36% |
| 1948 | 112 | 5.65% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,870 | 94.35% |
| 1952 | 549 | 12.46% | 3,844 | 87.24% | 13 | 0.30% |
| 1956 | 589 | 12.40% | 4,145 | 87.26% | 16 | 0.34% |
| 1960 | 991 | 19.26% | 4,147 | 80.59% | 8 | 0.16% |
| 1964 | 2,377 | 43.99% | 0 | 0.00% | 3,027 | 56.01% |
| 1968 | 870 | 8.39% | 889 | 8.57% | 8,616 | 83.05% |
| 1972 | 6,188 | 73.21% | 2,079 | 24.60% | 185 | 2.19% |
| 1976 | 2,997 | 24.98% | 8,803 | 73.36% | 200 | 1.67% |
| 1980 | 4,574 | 34.18% | 8,180 | 61.12% | 630 | 4.71% |
| 1984 | 8,423 | 60.12% | 5,410 | 38.62% | 177 | 1.26% |
| 1988 | 9,086 | 61.56% | 5,455 | 36.96% | 219 | 1.48% |
| 1992 | 9,862 | 45.66% | 8,087 | 37.45% | 3,648 | 16.89% |
| 1996 | 10,862 | 52.52% | 8,045 | 38.90% | 1,775 | 8.58% |
| 2000 | 14,204 | 60.10% | 8,992 | 38.05% | 438 | 1.85% |
| 2004 | 19,702 | 67.77% | 9,126 | 31.39% | 245 | 0.84% |
| 2008 | 23,598 | 70.33% | 9,536 | 28.42% | 417 | 1.24% |
| 2012 | 25,295 | 71.17% | 9,829 | 27.66% | 416 | 1.17% |
| 2016 | 29,067 | 72.14% | 9,468 | 23.50% | 1,759 | 4.37% |
| 2020 | 34,640 | 70.36% | 13,672 | 27.77% | 923 | 1.87% |
| 2024 | 37,887 | 71.04% | 14,581 | 27.34% | 864 | 1.62% |
School districts include:[24]
Tertiary education:
.svg)
Interstate 65.svg)
Interstate 565
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 72
Alternate U.S. Highway 72/State Route 20
State Route 53
State Route 99
State Route 127
State Route 251Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the nearest major commercial airport, 23 miles east.Nashville Airport (BNA) is approximately 104 miles north.
GOLFING
FISHING
HUNTING
FESTIVALS
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The largest city entirely in Limestone County is Athens, Which had 25,406 people in 2020. The city of Madison is the second largest city in population located in the county, and Huntsville in third. The least most populous town in Limestone county is Mooresville with 47 people in 2020.
Places adjacent to Limestone County, Alabama | |
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Municipalities and communities ofLimestone County, Alabama,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
34°48′40″N86°59′03″W / 34.81111°N 86.98417°W /34.81111; -86.98417
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| Other | |
