Monroe County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,772.[1] Its county seat is Monroeville.[2] Its name is in honor of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.[3] It is a dry county, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or prohibited, but Frisco City and Monroeville are wet cities.
Monroe County | |
|---|---|
The Old Monroe County Courthouse in Monroeville | |
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama | |
Alabama's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 31°34′15″N 87°22′11″W / 31.570833333333°N 87.369722222222°W | |
| Country | |
| State | |
| Founded | June 29, 1815 |
| Named for | James Monroe |
| Seat | Monroeville |
| Largest city | Monroeville |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,034 sq mi (2,680 km2) |
| • Land | 1,026 sq mi (2,660 km2) |
| • Water | 8.7 sq mi (23 km2) 0.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 19,772 |
• Estimate (2023) | 19,229 |
| • Density | 19/sq mi (7.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
| |
In 1997, the Alabama Legislature designated Monroeville and Monroe County as the "Literary Capital of Alabama". It is the birthplace of notable writer Harper Lee and served as the childhood home for Truman Capote, her lifelong friend and a fellow writer. Lee lived here most of her life. The enduring popularity of her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), as well as its film and stage adaptations, has attracted tourists to the city and area. Monroeville is also central to the 2019 film Just Mercy, based upon the 2014 eponymous book by Bryan Stevenson, recounting the wrongful conviction and sentencing to death of African American Walter McMillian.
History
editFor thousands of years the area was inhabited by indigenous peoples. In historic times, it was primarily the territory of the Muscogee or Creek peoples, who became known to European-American settlers as one of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast.
The prominent Upper Creek chief Red Eagle (also known as William Weatherford), of the Wind Clan, settled here after the Creek War (1813-1814). At the time, the United States was also involved in the War of 1812 against Great Britain. Red Eagle established a successful cotton plantation. He was of Creek and European descent, and had adopted the system of chattel slavery to gain workers for his plantation and horse breeding. In the 1830s the United States forced the removal of most of the Creek people from Alabama to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), in order to take over their territory.
The area was settled by European Americans, primarily of English and Scots-Irish descent. It was largely developed as cotton plantations in the antebellum years. Planters moving from the Upper South sometimes brought slave workers with them, or purchased more slaves from traders and markets after acquiring land. The population was made up of numerous slaves, who in some sections outnumbered the whites.
Following the American Civil War and Emancipation, in the period after the Reconstruction era and into the early 20th century, white Democrats regained control of the state legislature and worked to restore and maintain white supremacy. The legislature passed a new constitution in 1901 that disenfranchised most blacks and tens of thousands of poor whites, excluding them from the political system. The legislators also passed laws imposing racial segregation and other forms of Jim Crow, and centralized power in the legislature.
Late 19th century to present
editPhysical violence by whites against blacks was part of the oppressive social system. Racial terrorism was perpetrated through lynchings of African Americans, mostly of men, which took place outside the justice system. They were often conducted as public displays on the courthouse square, spectacles attended by large white mobs in an enactment of their power. Monroe had a total of seventeen lynchings from 1877 to 1950, the second highest number of any county in Alabama.[4]
The county seat, Monroeville, is the home of two notable 20th-century authors, Truman Capote and Nelle Harper Lee, who were childhood neighbors. The novelist Mark Childress and journalist Cynthia Tucker are also Monroe County natives. In 1997 the Alabama Legislature designated Monroeville and Monroe County as the "Literary Capital of Alabama".
The county is near the Gulf Coast and is affected by storms from the Gulf. It has twice been declared a disaster area by the federal government due to extensive hurricane damage: in September 1979 due to Hurricane Frederic, and in September 2004 due to Hurricane Ivan.
Attorney Bryan Stevenson published his memoir, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption in 2014. He has worked since his early 20s in Montgomery, establishing the Equal Justice Initiative and serving as legal counsel for people on death row in Alabama prisons. He has succeeded in gaining freedom for more than 100 men who were wrongfully convicted. Among the cases he discusses is that of Walter McMillian of Monroeville, who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1989. McMillian, an African American man, was sentenced to death by the trial judge, who overrode the lesser sentence reached by the jury. McMillian was kept on death row for 6 years, nearly 2 of which were prior to his trial, in an effort to make him confess. In 1993 the Alabama Appeals Court ruled that McMillian should be freed because of the lack of evidence, his alibi, the unreliability of witnesses, and mishandling of the trial.[5]
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,034 square miles (2,680 km2), of which 1,026 square miles (2,660 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6]
Major highways
editU.S. Highway 84
State Route 21
State Route 41
State Route 47
State Route 59
State Route 83
State Route 136
Adjacent counties
edit- Wilcox County (north)
- Butler County (east-northeast)
- Conecuh County (east)
- Escambia County (southeast)
- Baldwin County (southwest)
- Clarke County (west)
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 8,838 | — | |
| 1830 | 8,782 | −0.6% | |
| 1840 | 10,680 | 21.6% | |
| 1850 | 12,013 | 12.5% | |
| 1860 | 15,667 | 30.4% | |
| 1870 | 14,214 | −9.3% | |
| 1880 | 17,091 | 20.2% | |
| 1890 | 18,990 | 11.1% | |
| 1900 | 23,666 | 24.6% | |
| 1910 | 27,155 | 14.7% | |
| 1920 | 28,884 | 6.4% | |
| 1930 | 30,070 | 4.1% | |
| 1940 | 29,465 | −2.0% | |
| 1950 | 25,732 | −12.7% | |
| 1960 | 22,372 | −13.1% | |
| 1970 | 20,883 | −6.7% | |
| 1980 | 22,651 | 8.5% | |
| 1990 | 23,968 | 5.8% | |
| 2000 | 24,324 | 1.5% | |
| 2010 | 23,068 | −5.2% | |
| 2020 | 19,772 | −14.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 19,229 | [7] | −2.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1] | |||
2020
edit| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[12] | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 13,962 | 12,621 | 10,334 | 57.40% | 54.71% | 52.27% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 9,683 | 9,581 | 8,253 | 39.81% | 41.53% | 41.74% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 232 | 256 | 281 | 0.95% | 1.11% | 1.42% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 69 | 67 | 88 | 0.28% | 0.29% | 0.45% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 8 | 44 | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 174 | 311 | 565 | 0.72% | 1.35% | 2.86% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 190 | 220 | 207 | 0.78% | 0.95% | 1.05% |
| Total | 24,324 | 23,068 | 19,772 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,772 people, 8,166 households, and 5,124 families residing in the county.
2010
editAccording to the 2010 United States census:
- 55.1% White
- 41.7% Black
- 1.1% Native American
- 0.3% Asian
- 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- 1.4% Two or more ethnicities
- 1.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any ethnicity)
2000
editAs of the census[15] of 2000, there were 24,324 people, 9,383 households and 6,774 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 11,343 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The ethnic makeup of the county was 57.75% White, 40.07% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more ethnicities while 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity.
There were 9,383 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% married couples living together, 16.10% with a female householder and no husband present and 27.80% non-families. Slightly more than a quarter (25.70%) of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years old. For every 100 females, there were 90.80 males. For every 100 females, aged 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,093, and the median income for a family was $34,569. Males had a median income of $31,096 versus $18,767 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,862. About 18.20% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.00% of those under age 18 and 21.40% of those aged 65 or over.
Government
editSince 2018, the elected sheriff of Monroe County has been Democrat Tom Boatwright.[16][17]
On November 2, 2020, Charles Andrews was sworn in as Monroeville's first elected African-American mayor.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 6,007 | 61.20% | 3,740 | 38.10% | 68 | 0.69% |
| 2020 | 6,147 | 57.62% | 4,455 | 41.76% | 66 | 0.62% |
| 2016 | 5,795 | 56.42% | 4,332 | 42.18% | 144 | 1.40% |
| 2012 | 5,741 | 53.57% | 4,914 | 45.85% | 62 | 0.58% |
| 2008 | 6,175 | 54.88% | 5,025 | 44.66% | 52 | 0.46% |
| 2004 | 5,831 | 61.16% | 3,666 | 38.45% | 37 | 0.39% |
| 2000 | 5,153 | 57.57% | 3,741 | 41.79% | 57 | 0.64% |
| 1996 | 4,382 | 50.38% | 3,815 | 43.86% | 501 | 5.76% |
| 1992 | 4,919 | 50.48% | 3,872 | 39.73% | 954 | 9.79% |
| 1988 | 5,379 | 60.07% | 3,509 | 39.19% | 66 | 0.74% |
| 1984 | 5,917 | 60.65% | 3,725 | 38.18% | 114 | 1.17% |
| 1980 | 4,615 | 50.87% | 4,262 | 46.98% | 195 | 2.15% |
| 1976 | 3,476 | 47.86% | 3,669 | 50.52% | 118 | 1.62% |
| 1972 | 5,155 | 74.82% | 1,636 | 23.74% | 99 | 1.44% |
| 1968 | 375 | 5.12% | 1,673 | 22.84% | 5,276 | 72.04% |
| 1964 | 3,870 | 81.37% | 0 | 0.00% | 886 | 18.63% |
| 1960 | 989 | 31.37% | 2,130 | 67.55% | 34 | 1.08% |
| 1956 | 759 | 25.66% | 2,069 | 69.95% | 130 | 4.39% |
| 1952 | 637 | 19.72% | 2,587 | 80.07% | 7 | 0.22% |
| 1948 | 31 | 1.80% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,694 | 98.20% |
| 1944 | 46 | 2.25% | 1,991 | 97.55% | 4 | 0.20% |
| 1940 | 40 | 1.33% | 2,953 | 98.17% | 15 | 0.50% |
| 1936 | 29 | 1.12% | 2,558 | 98.54% | 9 | 0.35% |
| 1932 | 66 | 3.23% | 1,972 | 96.52% | 5 | 0.24% |
| 1928 | 1,074 | 44.44% | 1,343 | 55.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 22 | 1.83% | 1,155 | 96.09% | 25 | 2.08% |
| 1920 | 20 | 1.51% | 1,295 | 97.52% | 13 | 0.98% |
| 1916 | 17 | 1.62% | 1,029 | 98.09% | 3 | 0.29% |
| 1912 | 2 | 0.22% | 878 | 97.12% | 24 | 2.65% |
| 1908 | 18 | 2.03% | 856 | 96.61% | 12 | 1.35% |
| 1904 | 46 | 5.16% | 836 | 93.72% | 10 | 1.12% |
Communities
editCity
edit- Monroeville (county seat)
Towns
editCensus-designated places
editUnincorporated communities
editGhost town
editEducation
editThere is one school district in the county: Monroe County School District.[19]
Places of interest
editMonroe County is home to several attractions, such as the Alabama River Museum, the Monroe County Heritage Museum, and the Courthouse Museum which hosts the annual stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird. The county also contains Claude Kelly State Park.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 212.
- ^ "Supplement: Lynchings by County/ Alabama: Lowndes", 3nd edition Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, from Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror, 2015 (3rd edition), Montgomery, Alabama: Equal Justice Initiative
- ^ See the stories: "Walter McMillian", Bryan Stevenson website
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Monroe County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monroe County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monroe County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ "New sheriff in town: Alabama has 20 of them, actually". January 18, 2019.
- ^ "Sheriffs Directory - Alabama Sheriffs Association - Alabama". www.alabamasheriffs.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Monroe County, AL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 9, 2024. - Text list