Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 103,570.[3] Its county seat is Athens.[4] The county is named after Limestone Creek. Limestone County is included in the Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
See also: History of Athens, Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, and National Register of Historic Places
Limestone County was established by the Alabama 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 on the northwest side of the courthouse
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570km2), of which 560 square miles (1,500km2) is land and 47 square miles (120km2) (7.8%) is water.[6] It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[3]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families living in the county. The population density was 45/km2 (116/sq mi). There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km2 (47/sq ;mi). The racial 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 the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Limestone County were English 66.31%, Scots-Irish 15.12%, and African 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 the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census,[13] there were 82,782 people, 31,446 households, and 22,876 families living in the county. The population density was 57.1/km2 (147.8/sq mi). There were 34,977 housing units at an average density of 24.1/km2 (62.5/sqmi). The racial 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 the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 103,570 people, 32,020 households, and 23,919 families residing in the county.
Government and politics
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.[15][16]
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 is Jimmy Carter, who won it by an absolute majority in 1980.
United States presidential election results for Limestone County, Alabama[17][18]
Limestone County School District operates public schools for students living in most areas of Limestone County not incorporated in the Cities of Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, and/or Madison.
Athens City Schools - K-12 education for the city of Athens
Decatur City School District
Huntsville City School District
Madison City School District
Tertiary education:
Calhoun Community College - 2-year college located in the southern part of the county in Decatur
Athens State University - 2-year upper level university located in Athens
Transportations
Major highways
Interstate 65
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 251
Railways
CSX Transportation—freight line that runs North to South[20]
Norfolk Southern Railway—freight line that runs east–west[20]
Cowford Campground – riverside campground with 48 campsites with full hookups. Next to Cowford Landing.
Cowford Landing – swimming, fishing, and boating. Next to Cowford Campground.
Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail – a 21.9 miles (35.2km) along the Elk River for canoeing with five access sites. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.[21]
Noah Bike and Vintage Car Trail – a road route for bicycles, motorcycles, and vintage cars in Northwest Limestone County that is 89 miles (143km) long. The starts and ends at the Athens-Limestone Visitor's Center at 34.803°N 86.967°W / 34.803; -86.967.
Richard Martin Trail – a 10.2 miles (16.4km) rail trail in northern part of the county for bicycling, horseback riding, and walking.[22] Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.[21]
Antebellum Trail – a trail rich in the Antebellum period architecture that highlights Athens, Belle Mina and Mooresville.
Ardmore Walking Tracks – One .25 miles (0.40km) walking track is located in Ardmore Town Park on Park Avenue. The other 0.5 miles (0.80km) track is locating in Ardmore's John Barns Park on Ardmore Ridge Road
Athens Greenway Walking Trail – This 3.3 miles (5.3km) walking trail starts at the Athens SportsPlex goes by Athens High School and Athens Public Archery Range and continues to U.S. Highway 72 for an additional 1.2 miles (1.9km)
Athens Historic Volksmarch – An American Volksport Association (AVA) sanctioned 10K (6.2 miles) walk.
Beaty Historic District Walking Tour "Step Back In Time" – walking tour of the Robert Beaty Historic District which was placed on the Registry of Historic Places in 1984.
Civil War Trail – Driving/walking trail highlighting the history of the Civil War in the greater Limestone County community.
The Glory Road – Driving tour of historic and community churches of Limestone County
See also: List of Registered Historic Places in Limestone County, Alabama
MUSEUMS
Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives - honoring veterans and their families with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present.
College Inn/Newby Gulf Station Museum - This landmark was restored to look like a 1940s gas station. It has been featured in Southern Living photo spreads.
Donnell House - This historic landmark is the former home of Reverend Donnell and a significant site for the "Sack of Athens"
Houston Memorial Library and Museum - The cornerstone of the Houston Historic District, the building now houses a library and the county museum.
Limestone County Archives - Contains community and genealogical records for Limestone County.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Alabama Welcome Center - Just south of the Alabama/Tennessee border, this facility is home to a Saturn 1B rocket as well as war memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Athens State University - A significant site for the "Sack of Athens". Founders Hall is the original structure of the university and is graced with 4 large pillars. Founders Hall also houses the New Testament Chapel containing life-size carvings depicting Christ and other New Testament figures.
Trinity School - Established by the American Missionary Association to educate the children of freed slaves.
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