St. Clair County is a
countyA county is a land area of local government within a country. A county may have cities and towns within its area. Originally, in continental Europe, a county was the land under the jurisdiction of a count .Counts are called earls in post-Celtic Britain, Ireland and France—the term is from Old...
of the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its...
.
Its name is in honor of General
Arthur St. ClairArthur St. Clair was an American soldier and politician. Born in Scotland, he served in the British Army during the French and Indian War before settling in Pennsylvania, where he held local office...
, who came to America from
ScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
as an officer in the
British ArmyThe British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland and...
in the
French and Indian WarThe French and Indian War, also known as the War of the Conquest or referred as part of the larger conflict known as the Seven Years' War, was a war fought in North America between 1754 and 1763...
.
He settled in America and served as a general in the
Continental ArmyThe American Continental Army was an army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen...
during the
American RevolutionThe American Revolution is the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen of Britain's colonies in North America at first rejected the governance of the Parliament of Great Britain, and later the British monarchy itself, to become the sovereign United States of...
. He also was the only Governor of the
Northwest TerritoryThe Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of...
.
As of 2000 the population was 64,742. It has one
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
in
AshvilleAshville is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States part of the Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman Combined Statistical Area. Its population was 2,260 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. This town is the county seat of St. Clair County along with Pell City. According to the 2005 U.S....
and another in
Pell CityPell City is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. The city is the county seat of St. Clair County along with Ashville. At the 2000 census the population was 9,565.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. While other counties in
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its...
have multiple courthouses, St.
St. Clair County is a
countyA county is a land area of local government within a country. A county may have cities and towns within its area. Originally, in continental Europe, a county was the land under the jurisdiction of a count .Counts are called earls in post-Celtic Britain, Ireland and France—the term is from Old...
of the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its...
.
Its name is in honor of General
Arthur St. ClairArthur St. Clair was an American soldier and politician. Born in Scotland, he served in the British Army during the French and Indian War before settling in Pennsylvania, where he held local office...
, who came to America from
ScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
as an officer in the
British ArmyThe British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland and...
in the
French and Indian WarThe French and Indian War, also known as the War of the Conquest or referred as part of the larger conflict known as the Seven Years' War, was a war fought in North America between 1754 and 1763...
.
He settled in America and served as a general in the
Continental ArmyThe American Continental Army was an army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen...
during the
American RevolutionThe American Revolution is the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen of Britain's colonies in North America at first rejected the governance of the Parliament of Great Britain, and later the British monarchy itself, to become the sovereign United States of...
. He also was the only Governor of the
Northwest TerritoryThe Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of...
.
As of 2000 the population was 64,742. It has one
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
in
AshvilleAshville is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States part of the Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman Combined Statistical Area. Its population was 2,260 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. This town is the county seat of St. Clair County along with Pell City. According to the 2005 U.S....
and another in
Pell CityPell City is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. The city is the county seat of St. Clair County along with Ashville. At the 2000 census the population was 9,565.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. While other counties in
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its...
have multiple courthouses, St. Clair County is the only county in
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its...
with more than one
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
.
History
St. Clair County was established on November 20, 1818.
The county seat was incorporated and named "Ashville" in honor of
John AshJohn Ash may refer to:* John Ash , lexicographer and minister* John Ash , 19th century Member of the Legislative Assembly for Comox riding in British Columbia, Canada...
.
In 1836, a portion of St. Clair County was separated to establish
Cherokee CountyCherokee County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named for the Cherokee tribe of American Indians. As of 2000 the population was 23,988. Its county seat is Centre and it is a prohibition or dry county.- History :...
and
DeKalb CountyDeKalb County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Major General Baron Johan DeKalb. As of 2000 its population was 64,452. Its county seat is Fort Payne.- History :...
. In 1866, after the
Civil WarThe American Civil War , also known as the War Between the States and several other names, was a civil war in the United States of America. Eleven Southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America...
, a northeast section of the county was used to create
Etowah CountyEtowah County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is from the Cherokee Indian language, which means "edible tree." It is the center of the 'Gadsden, AL, Metropolitan Statistical Area' which includes Etowah and Cherokee Counties. As of 2000 the population was 103,459. Its county seat...
.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 1,693 km² (654 square miles). 634 square miles (1,641 km²) of it is land and 20 square miles (51 km²) of it (3.04%) is water.
Major highways
.svg.png)
Interstate 20Interstate 20 is a major east-west Interstate Highway in the southeastern United States. I-20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
.svg.png)
Interstate 59Interstate 59 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is near Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, at an intersection with Interstate 10 and Interstate 12, its northern terminus is at Wildwood, Georgia, at an intersection with Interstate 24.The road's...
U.S. Highway 11
U.S. Highway 78
U.S. Highway 231
U.S. Highway 411
State Route 23
State Route 34State Route 34 is a long state highway in Talladega County and St. Clair County. The eastern terminus of the route is at the junction with State Route 77 north of Talladega. The western terminus of the route is at the junction with U.S. Highway 231 just south of the city limits of Pell...
State Route 144
State Route 174
Adjacent counties
- Etowah County, Alabama
Etowah County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is from the Cherokee Indian language, which means "edible tree." It is the center of the 'Gadsden, AL, Metropolitan Statistical Area' which includes Etowah and Cherokee Counties. As of 2000 the population was 103,459. Its county seat...
- north
- Calhoun County, Alabama
Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina. As of 2000 the population was 112,249. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- east
- Talladega County, Alabama
Talladega County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Talladega is a Muscogee Native American word derived from TVLVTEKE, which means "border town." As of 2000, the population was 80,321...
- southeast
- Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2005 U.S. Census estimated the population was 171,465. Shelby County ranks among the 100 highest-income counties in the...
- southwest
- Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of Alabama, the county seat being Birmingham.As of 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 662,047. Jefferson County is the most populous and principal county in the Greater Birmingham area.-History:Jefferson...
- west
- Blount County, Alabama
Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2000 United States Census, the population was 51,024. In 2006, the Bureau of the Census estimated Blount County's population has risen to approximately 56,436...
- northwest
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 64,742 people, 24,143 households, and 18,445 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 102 people per square mile (39/km²). There were 27,303 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.03%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 8.13%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.41% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 24,143 households out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.80% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,285, and the median income for a family was $43,152. Males had a median income of $33,914 versus $24,433 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
for the county was $17,960. About 9.60% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Argo
Argo is a town in Jefferson and St. Clair Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 1,780. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 1,892. -Geography:...
(part of Argo is in Jefferson CountyJefferson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of Alabama, the county seat being Birmingham.As of 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 662,047. Jefferson County is the most populous and principal county in the Greater Birmingham area.-History:Jefferson...
)
- Ashville
Ashville is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States part of the Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman Combined Statistical Area. Its population was 2,260 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. This town is the county seat of St. Clair County along with Pell City. According to the 2005 U.S....
- Branchville
Branchville is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 825.-Geography:Branchville is located at .According to the U.S...
- Leeds
Leeds is a city located in Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 10,455.-History:Named for Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, Leeds was incorporated on April 27, 1887...
(part of Leeds is in Jefferson CountyJefferson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of Alabama, the county seat being Birmingham.As of 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 662,047. Jefferson County is the most populous and principal county in the Greater Birmingham area.-History:Jefferson...
and in Shelby CountyShelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2005 U.S. Census estimated the population was 171,465. Shelby County ranks among the 100 highest-income counties in the...
)
- Margaret
Margaret is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,169.-Geography:Margaret is located at .According to the U.S...
- Moody
Moody is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 8,053.-Geography:Moody is located at .According to the U.S...
- Odenville
Odenville is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,131.-Geography:Odenville is located at ....
- Pell City
Pell City is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. The city is the county seat of St. Clair County along with Ashville. At the 2000 census the population was 9,565.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- Pinedale Shores
Pinedale Shores is an unincorporated community in Saint Clair County, Alabama, United States. It is situated at 587 feet above mean sea level, near Ashville.-References:*...
- Ragland
Ragland is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,918.-Geography:Ragland is located at .According to the U.S...
- Riverside
Riverside is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,564.-Geography:Riverside is located at .According to the U.S...
- Springville
Springville is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,521.-Geography:Springville is located at .According to the U.S...
- Steele
Steele is a town in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,093. The town is a part of the 'Gadsden, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area'-Geography:Steele is located at ....
- Trussville
Trussville is a city in Jefferson and St. Clair County counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 12,924 at the 2000 census. Trussville is ranked as number 56 out of 100 in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live 2005....
(part - most of Trussville is in Jefferson CountyJefferson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of Alabama, the county seat being Birmingham.As of 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 662,047. Jefferson County is the most populous and principal county in the Greater Birmingham area.-History:Jefferson...
)
- Vincent
Vincent is a town in Shelby, St. Clair, and Talladega Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 1,853.-Geography:Vincent is located at .According to the U.S...
(part - most of Vincent is in Shelby CountyShelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2005 U.S. Census estimated the population was 171,465. Shelby County ranks among the 100 highest-income counties in the...
)
Places of Interest
St. Clair County is home to
Logan Martin LakeLogan Martin Lake is located in east central Alabama on the Coosa River approximately east of Birmingham, Alabama. This 17,000 acre Coosa River reservoir was built in 1965 by Alabama Power Company...
. It also contains
Horse Pens 40Horse Pens 40 is a privately-owned outdoor nature park located in St. Clair County near Steele, Alabama. The park is situated atop Alabama's third-highest mountain, Chandler Mountain in the foothills of The Appalachian Mountains. The park is known among the rock climbing community as a premier...
, a private outdoor park on top of Chandler Mountain.
External links