Bullock County, Alabama

Last updated

Bullock County
Bullock County Courthouse.jpg
Bullock County courthouse in Union Springs
Flag of Bullock County, Alabama.png
Seal of Bullock County, Alabama.png
Map of Alabama highlighting Bullock County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama in United States.svg
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°05′52″N85°43′02″W / 32.0978°N 85.7172°W / 32.0978; -85.7172
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Alabama.svg  Alabama
FoundedDecember 5 (created), 1866
Named for Edward Bullock
Seat Union Springs
Largest cityUnion Springs
Area
  Total625 sq mi (1,620 km2)
  Land623 sq mi (1,610 km2)
  Water2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
  Total10,357
  Estimate 
(2023)
9,897 Decrease2.svg
  Density17/sq mi (6.4/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website bullockcountyalrev.com
  • County Number 09 on Alabama Licence Plates

Bullock County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,357. [1] Union Springs was chosen as the county seat in 1867, and presently is the county's only incorporated city. [2] The county was named for Confederate Army Colonel Edward C. Bullock who was a state senator and outspoken secessionist who died during the American Civil War. [3]

Contents

A National Center for Education Statistics report released in January 2009 showed that Bullock County had the highest illiteracy rate in Alabama at 34 percent. [4]

History

Bullock County was established by act of the state legislature dated December 5, 1866, with areas partitioned from Macon, Pike, Montgomery, and Barbour counties. [5] The boundaries were changed in February 1867.

Prior to the arrival of white settlers, the future Bullock County was inhabited by Creek Indians. The Treaty of Fort Jackson (1814) ceded much of Alabama and Georgia to the US government, and the Creeks were removed completely after 1830. From 1818 through the 1830s, white settlers poured into the area, turning the rich soil into cotton-producing plantations and the area into one of the state's richest.

Bullock County was devastated by the Civil War. Its once-enslaved population (about seventy percent of the total population) had sustained its output, but their emancipation caused a sharp decline in the economy. In the aftermath, Bullock County elected two former slaves to the state legislature, but with end of Reconstruction, the black population were severely restricted and kept down. [5]

By 1877 the boll weevil had migrated into Bullock County cotton fields from Mexico, and the area's economy was further depressed. A significant portion of the once-cotton-producing area was converted to a site of the Amateur Field Trial competition for bird dogs and a game preserve. [5]

Geography

Prior to white settlement, the future Bullock County terrain was completely wooded. It still bears a significant coverage of trees, [6] with the remainder having been cleared for agricultural or urban usage. [7] A range of hills, called Chunnenugga Ridge, bisects the county running east to west. It forms the watershed for the Tallapoosa River on the north, and streams on the south that flow to the Gulf of Mexico, including the Conecuh River, which flows through the extreme west end of Florida to reach the Gulf. The highest point on this ridge (approximately 670 feet/200 meters ASL) lies about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Sehoy Lake. [8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 625 square miles (1,620 km2), of which 623 square miles (1,610 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.4%) is water. [9]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Airport

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870 24,474
1880 29,06618.8%
1890 27,063−6.9%
1900 31,94418.0%
1910 30,196−5.5%
1920 25,333−16.1%
1930 20,016−21.0%
1940 19,810−1.0%
1950 16,054−19.0%
1960 13,462−16.1%
1970 11,824−12.2%
1980 10,596−10.4%
1990 11,0424.2%
2000 11,7146.1%
2010 10,914−6.8%
2020 10,357−5.1%
2023 (est.)9,897 [12] −4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]
1790–1960 [14] 1900–1990 [15]
1990–2000 [16] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 Census

Bullock 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.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [17] Pop 2010 [18] Pop 2020 [19] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)2,7642,3922,28123.60%21.92%22.02%
Black or African American alone (NH)8,4867,6377,38872.44%69.97%71.33%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)372010.32%0.18%0.01%
Asian alone (NH)212090.18%0.18%0.09%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)1470.01%0.04%0.07%
Some Other Race alone (NH)65310.05%0.05%0.30%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)77591370.66%0.54%1.32%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3227775032.75%7.12%4.86%
Total11,71410,91410,357100.00%100.00%100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,357 people, 3,521 households, and 2,504 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 10,914 people in the county. 70.2% were Black or African American, 23.0% White, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 5.2% of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 7.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). [20]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, [21] there were 11,714 people, 3,986 households, and 2,730 families in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7.3 people/km2). There were 4,727 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.11% Black or African American, 25.25% White, 0.38% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 2.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,986 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.50% were married couples living together, 28.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 26.10% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 110.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $20,605, and the median income for a family was $23,990. Males had a median income of $22,560 versus $19,069 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,163. About 29.80% of families and 33.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.70% of those under age 18 and 29.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Bullock County contains one public school district. There are approximately 1,400 students in public PK-12 schools in Bullock County. [22]

Districts

School districts include: [23]

Government and infrastructure

Bullock County is powerfully Democratic. It was one of only six Wallace counties [lower-alpha 1] to vote for George McGovern against Richard Nixon's 3,000-plus-county landslide of 1972 and it was only one of nine counties to back Goldwater and McGovern, all of which are located in the Deep South. [lower-alpha 2]

United States presidential election results for Bullock County, Alabama [24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 1,14624.84%3,44674.70%210.46%
2016 1,14024.20%3,53074.95%400.85%
2012 1,25123.51%4,06176.31%100.19%
2008 1,39125.69%4,01174.07%130.24%
2004 1,49431.67%3,21068.05%130.28%
2000 1,43329.22%3,39569.23%761.55%
1996 1,15426.32%3,07870.21%1523.47%
1992 1,25326.02%3,25967.67%3046.31%
1988 1,42131.00%3,12268.11%410.89%
1984 1,69732.02%3,53766.75%651.23%
1980 1,44625.65%3,96070.25%2314.10%
1976 1,48229.10%3,53669.44%741.45%
1972 2,17847.44%2,32150.56%922.00%
1968 1904.37%1,96445.18%2,19350.45%
1964 1,51657.64%00.00%1,11442.36%
1960 41235.09%75764.48%50.43%
1956 30424.28%81264.86%13610.86%
1952 44232.50%91867.50%00.00%
1948 101.24%00.00%79998.76%
1944 242.22%1,05697.78%00.00%
1940 181.36%1,30198.64%00.00%
1936 50.42%1,18899.50%10.08%
1932 121.18%1,00498.72%10.10%
1928 24926.27%69973.73%00.00%
1924 81.04%76398.83%10.13%
1920 20.23%87799.66%10.11%
1916 40.53%74399.20%20.27%
1912 40.54%73699.19%20.27%
1908 101.26%78298.74%00.00%
1904 00.00%72699.73%20.27%
1900 26914.42%1,58684.99%110.59%
1896 74927.11%1,86767.57%1475.32%
1892 752.20%1,84454.20%1,48343.59%
1888 46539.37%71660.63%00.00%
1884 29633.67%58065.98%30.34%
1880 65684.10%12415.90%00.00%
1876 95937.97%1,56762.03%00.00%
1872 3,10171.68%1,22528.32%00.00%
1868 2,10356.28%1,63443.72%00.00%

Alabama Department of Corrections operates the Bullock Correctional Facility in an unincorporated area in the county. [25] [26]

Climate

Bullock County
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
116
 
 
12
3
 
 
242
 
 
14
4
 
 
158
 
 
21
8
 
 
156
 
 
23
12
 
 
101
 
 
26
16
 
 
121
 
 
26
19
 
 
204
 
 
27
21
 
 
127
 
 
26
20
 
 
92
 
 
25
18
 
 
45
 
 
22
12
 
 
55
 
 
18
7
 
 
183
 
 
13
5
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [27]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
4.6
 
 
54
37
 
 
9.5
 
 
57
39
 
 
6.2
 
 
70
46
 
 
6.1
 
 
73
54
 
 
4
 
 
79
61
 
 
4.8
 
 
79
66
 
 
8
 
 
81
70
 
 
5
 
 
79
68
 
 
3.6
 
 
77
64
 
 
1.8
 
 
72
54
 
 
2.2
 
 
64
45
 
 
7.2
 
 
55
41
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Clay County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,848, making it the fourth-least populous county in Georgia. The county seat is Fort Gaines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbour County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Barbour County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,223. Its county seat is Clayton. Its largest city is Eufaula. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as Governor of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bibb County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Bibb County is a county in the central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. The county is included in the ARC's definition of Appalachia. As of the 24th decennial 2020 census, its population was 22,293. The county seat is Centreville. The county is named in honor of William W. Bibb (1781–1820), the Governor of Alabama Territory (1817–1819) and the first Governor of Alabama. He is also the namesake for Bibb County, Georgia, where he began his political career. It is a "prohibition" or dry county; however, a few towns have become "wet" by allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages: Woodstock, West Blocton, Centreville, and Brent. The Bibb County Courthouse is located in the county seat of Centreville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butler County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Butler County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,051. Its county seat is Greenville. Its name is in honor of Captain William Butler, who was born in Virginia and fought in the Creek War, and who was killed in May 1818.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Morgan County is a county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, its population was 123,421. The county seat is Decatur. On June 14, 1821, it was renamed in honor of American Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan of Virginia. It is a prohibition or dry county, although alcohol sales are allowed in the cities of Decatur, Hartselle, and Priceville. Morgan County is included in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. It is a part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coosa County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Coosa County is located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 10,387. Its county seat is Rockford. Its name derives from a town of the Creek tribe and the Coosa River, which forms one of the county borders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crenshaw County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Crenshaw County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located immediately south of the Montgomery metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,194. Its county seat is Luverne. Its name is in honor of an Alabama judge, Anderson Crenshaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escambia County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Escambia County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,757. Its county seat is Brewton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,113. Its county seat is Russellville. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. It is a dry county, although the city of Russellville is wet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geneva County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Geneva County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,659. Its county seat is Geneva. The county was named after its county seat, which in turn was named after Geneva, New York which was named after Geneva, Switzerland, by Walter H. Yonge, an early town resident and Swiss native. Geneva County is a dry county. However, beer and wine are sold in the city limits of Geneva, Samson, Slocomb, and most recently in Hartford, after residents voted to become wet in a 2022 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hale County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Hale County is a county located in the west central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,785. Its county seat is Greensboro. It is named in honor of Confederate officer Stephen Fowler Hale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Henry County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,146. Its county seat is Abbeville. The county was named for Patrick Henry (1736–1799), famous orator and Governor of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pike County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Pike County is located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 33,009. Its county seat is Troy. Its name is in honor of General Zebulon Pike, of New Jersey, who led an expedition to southern Colorado and encountered Pikes Peak in 1806.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Russell County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,183. Its county seat is Phenix City. Its name is in honor of Colonel Gilbert C. Russell, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tallapoosa County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Tallapoosa County is located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,311. Its county seat is Dadeville. Its largest city is Alexander City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilcox County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

Wilcox County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,600. Its county seat is Camden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardeman County, Tennessee</span> County in Tennessee, United States

Hardeman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,462. Its county seat is Bolivar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clio, Alabama</span> City in Alabama, United States

Clio is a city in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. The population was 1,399 at the 2010 census, down from 2,206 in 2000, at which time it was a town. It is the birthplace of former Alabama governor George C. Wallace, as well as Baseball Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Braves broadcaster Don Sutton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midway, Alabama</span> Town in Alabama, United States

Midway is a town located in eastern Bullock County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 421.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Springs, Alabama</span> City in Alabama, United States

Union Springs is a city in and county seat of Bullock County, Alabama, United States. The population was 3,980 at the 2010 census.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Bullock County, Alabama History, ADAH". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  4. The Associated Press (January 8, 2009). "Study finds Alabama literacy rate improved, Shelby County has state's lowest illiteracy". AL.com.
  5. 1 2 3 "Bullock County". Auburn University Outreach/Encyclopedia of Alabama. June 28, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  6. "The forests support an abundance of such growth as pine, red, post, and white oak, together with elm, poplar, gum, ash. hickory, walnut, chestnut, magnolia, cottonwood, maple, and dogwood." (History of Bullock County, Alabama/Genealogy Trails - accessed September 13, 2020)
  7. Bullock County AL (Google Maps, accessed September 13, 2020)
  8. Bullock County High Point, Alabama (PeakBagger.com, accessed September 13, 2020)
  9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. FAA Airport Form 5010 for 07A PDF . Federal Aviation Administration. Effective June 3, 2010.
  11. Franklin Field (Google Maps, accessed September 13, 2020)
  12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  15. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  17. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bullock County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
  18. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bullock County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
  19. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bullock County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau .
  20. 2010 census report for Bullock County, Alabama
  21. "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  22. "Search for Public School Districts - Bullock County, AL". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences . Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  23. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Bullock County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . Retrieved September 4, 2022. Text list.
  24. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  25. Bullock Correctional Facility Archived October 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on July 1, 2011.
  26. Union Springs city, Alabama. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on July 4, 2011.
  27. "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2016.

Notes

  1. The others were the fellow Alabama counties of Lowndes and Wilcox with similarly delayed black registration after 1965; and the white majority, historically secessionist Middle Tennessee trio of Houston County, Perry County, and Stewart County.
  2. The other counties to vote for both Goldwater and McGovern were the nearby "Black Belt" counties of Greene, Lowndes, Sumter, and Wilcox in Alabama, the majority-black Mississippi counties of Claiborne, Holmes, and Jefferson, and West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

32°05′52″N85°43′02″W / 32.09778°N 85.71722°W / 32.09778; -85.71722