Morgan County, Alabama

County in Alabama, United States

County in Alabama

Morgan County

County

Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Alabama

Alabama's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 34°27′06″N 86°51′26″W﻿ / ﻿34.451666666667°N 86.857222222222°W﻿ / 34.451666666667; -86.857222222222
Country|  United States
State|  Alabama
Founded| February 6[1], 1818[1]
Named after| Daniel Morgan
Seat| Decatur
Largest city| Decatur
Area

• Total

| 599 sq mi (1,550 km2)
• Land| 579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Water| 20 sq mi (50 km2)  3.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 123,421

• Estimate

(2023)

| 125,133
• Density| 210/sq mi (80/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 5th
Website| morgancounty-al.gov

* County Number 52 on Alabama Licence Plates

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.[2] The county seat is Decatur.[3] On June 14, 1821, it was renamed in honor of American Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan of Virginia.[4] 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.

## History

[edit]

The county was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Cherokee people in the Treaty of Turkeytown, and was originally called Cotaco County.[1]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 599 square miles (1,550 km2), of which 20 square miles (52 km2) (3.3%) are covered by water.[5]

### River

[edit]

* Tennessee River

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Madison County (northeast)
* Marshall County (east)
* Cullman County (south)
* Lawrence County (west)
* Limestone County (northwest)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1820| 5,263| | —
1830| 9,062| | 72.2%
1840| 9,841| | 8.6%
1850| 10,125| | 2.9%
1860| 11,335| | 12.0%
1870| 12,187| | 7.5%
1880| 16,428| | 34.8%
1890| 24,089| | 46.6%
1900| 28,820| | 19.6%
1910| 33,781| | 17.2%
1920| 40,196| | 19.0%
1930| 46,176| | 14.9%
1940| 48,148| | 4.3%
1950| 52,924| | 9.9%
1960| 60,454| | 14.2%
1970| 77,306| | 27.9%
1980| 90,231| | 16.7%
1990| 100,043| | 10.9%
2000| 111,064| | 11.0%
2010| 119,490| | 7.6%
2020| 123,421| | 3.3%
2023 (est.)| 125,133| [6]| 1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Morgan 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[11] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 92,584  | 92,585  | 88,238  | 83.36%  | 77.48%  | 71.49%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 12,383  | 14,059  | 15,307  | 11.15%  | 11.77%  | 12.40%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 727  | 928  | 631  | 0.65%  | 0.78%  | 0.51%
Asian alone (NH)  | 491  | 665  | 829  | 0.44%  | 0.56%  | 0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 25  | 69  | 79  | 0.02%  | 0.06%  | 0.06%
Other race alone (NH)  | 62  | 80  | 376  | 0.06%  | 0.07%  | 0.30%
Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH)  | 1,147  | 1,948  | 5,584  | 1.03%  | 1.63%  | 4.52%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 3,645  | 9,156  | 12,377  | 3.28%  | 7.66%  | 10.03%
Total | 111,064 | 119,490 | 123,421 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 123,421 people, 46,470 households, and 31,752 families residing in the county.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 119,490 people, 47,030 households, and 33,135 families living in the county. The population density was 206.4 inhabitants per square mile (79.7 inhabitants/km2). There were 51,193 housing units at an average density of 88 units per square mile (34 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 11.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 7.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14] Of the 47,030 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 9.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median household income was $44,349 and the median family income was $54,653. Males had a median income of $43,455 versus $29,270 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,090. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 111,064 people, 43,602 households, and 31,437 families living in the county. The population density was 191 inhabitants per square mile (74 inhabitants/km2). There were 47,388 housing units at an average density of 81 units per square mile (31 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.07% White, 11.24% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 3.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[15] According to the census[16] of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Morgan County were English 60.1%, Scots-Irish 12.71%, and African 11.24%

Of the 43,602 households 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 9.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median household income was $37,803 and the median family income was $45,827. Males had a median income of $35,759 versus $21,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,223. About 9.70% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

[edit]

Morgan County is a heavily Republican county. The last Democrat to win the county was Jimmy Carter in 1980.

United States presidential election results for Morgan County, Alabama[17][18] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 40,449  | 75.54% | 12,392  | 23.14%  | 702  | 1.31%
2020 | 39,664  | 73.83% | 13,234  | 24.63%  | 824  | 1.53%
2016 | 37,486  | 74.02% | 11,254  | 22.22%  | 1,904  | 3.76%
2012 | 35,391  | 71.56% | 13,439  | 27.17%  | 629  | 1.27%
2008 | 36,014  | 71.26% | 13,895  | 27.49%  | 633  | 1.25%
2004 | 32,477  | 69.09% | 14,131  | 30.06%  | 399  | 0.85%
2000 | 25,774  | 60.39% | 16,060  | 37.63%  | 847  | 1.98%
1996 | 21,765  | 54.39% | 14,616  | 36.53%  | 3,632  | 9.08%
1992 | 21,073  | 47.92% | 15,091  | 34.31%  | 7,814  | 17.77%
1988 | 18,679  | 63.54% | 10,594  | 36.04%  | 124  | 0.42%
1984 | 24,301  | 67.99% | 11,324  | 31.68%  | 116  | 0.32%
1980 | 13,214  | 45.14%  | 14,703  | 50.23% | 1,354  | 4.63%
1976 | 9,058  | 34.86%  | 16,547  | 63.68% | 381  | 1.47%
1972 | 18,100  | 76.85% | 5,004  | 21.25%  | 449  | 1.91%
1968 | 3,043  | 13.66%  | 1,878  | 8.43%  | 17,356  | 77.91%
1964 | 7,013  | 56.64% | 0  | 0.00%  | 5,368  | 43.36%
1960 | 4,357  | 35.71%  | 7,822  | 64.11% | 21  | 0.17%
1956 | 2,974  | 27.35%  | 7,671  | 70.56% | 227  | 2.09%
1952 | 2,335  | 24.89%  | 7,029  | 74.94% | 16  | 0.17%
1948 | 512  | 11.68%  | 0  | 0.00%  | 3,870  | 88.32%
1944 | 664  | 13.72%  | 4,124  | 85.24% | 50  | 1.03%
1940 | 500  | 8.51%  | 5,345  | 90.93% | 33  | 0.56%
1936 | 432  | 7.13%  | 5,597  | 92.39% | 29  | 0.48%
1932 | 656  | 11.43%  | 4,986  | 86.88% | 97  | 1.69%
1928 | 4,085  | 54.76% | 3,366  | 45.12%  | 9  | 0.12%
1924 | 519  | 16.53%  | 2,247  | 71.58% | 373  | 11.88%
1920 | 1,201  | 22.54%  | 4,057  | 76.13% | 71  | 1.33%
1916 | 364  | 14.19%  | 2,120  | 82.62% | 82  | 3.20%
1912 | 241  | 10.16%  | 1,686  | 71.11% | 444  | 18.73%
1908 | 497  | 22.48%  | 1,548  | 70.01% | 166  | 7.51%
1904 | 416  | 20.83%  | 1,437  | 71.96% | 144  | 7.21%
1900 | 1,500  | 45.03%  | 1,747  | 52.45% | 84  | 2.52%
1896 | 1,462  | 38.10%  | 2,128  | 55.46% | 247  | 6.44%
1892 | 3  | 0.07%  | 2,160  | 50.07% | 2,151  | 49.86%
1888 | 507  | 22.77%  | 1,707  | 76.65% | 13  | 0.58%
1884 | 853  | 32.78%  | 1,573  | 60.45% | 176  | 6.76%
1880 | 644  | 27.53%  | 1,420  | 60.71% | 275  | 11.76%
1876 | 773  | 35.06%  | 1,432  | 64.94% | 0  | 0.00%
1872 | 1,018  | 50.30% | 1,006  | 49.70%  | 0  | 0.00%
1868 | 518  | 43.49%  | 673  | 56.51% | 0  | 0.00%
1860 | 0  | 0.00%  | 545  | 44.02%  | 693  | 55.98%
1856 | 0  | 0.00%  | 808  | 78.45% | 222  | 21.55%
1852 | 208  | 30.14%  | 482  | 69.86% | 0  | 0.00%
1848 | 361  | 51.87% | 335  | 48.13%  | 0  | 0.00%
1844 | 271  | 28.44%  | 682  | 71.56% | 0  | 0.00%
1840 | 358  | 30.81%  | 804  | 69.19% | 0  | 0.00%
1836 | 476  | 45.59%  | 568  | 54.41% | 0  | 0.00%
1832 | 0  | 0.00%  | 531  | 100.00% | 0  | 0.00%

## Transportation

[edit]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 65
* U.S. Route 31

U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
* U.S. Highway 231
* State Route 20
* State Route 24
* State Route 36
* State Route 67
* State Route 157

### Rail

[edit]

* CSX Transportation
* Norfolk Southern Railway

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Decatur (county seat; part of Decatur is in Limestone County)
* Hartselle
* Huntsville, (has land within Morgan County, but most of its population is in Madison County)

### Towns

[edit]

* Eva
* Falkville
* Priceville
* Somerville
* Trinity

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Basham
* Brooksville
* Burningtree Mountain
* Danville
* Hulaco
* Lacey's Spring
* Massey
* Morgan City (partly in Marshall County)
* Moulton Heights
* Neel
* Pence
* Ryan Crossroads
* Six Mile
* Six Way
* Union Hill
* Valhermoso Springs
* Woodland Mills

### Former city

[edit]

* Albany/New Decatur

### Former town

[edit]

* Austinville
* Cedar Lake

### Ghost town

[edit]

* Lacon

## Education

[edit]

School districts include:[19]

* Decatur City School District
* Hartselle City School District
* Morgan County School District

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Morgan County, Alabama
* Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Morgan County, Alabama
* Water contamination in Lawrence and Morgan Counties, Alabama

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Acts Passed at the First Session of the First General Assembly, of the Alabama Territory: In the Forty Second Year of American Independence (1818). St. Stephens, Alabama, printed by Thomas Eastin. Reprinted T.L. Cole, Washington, D.C., July 1912. Pages 8-12. "An Act to establish the counties of Cotaco, Lawrence and Franklin...Approved-6th February, 1818." Archived December 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ Acts Passed at the Called Session of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama Begun and Held in the Town of Cahawba, on the First Monday in June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty One (1821). Cahawba, Alabama: Printed by Allen & Brickell, State Printers. Reprint by Statute Law Book Co., Washington, D.C. Nov. 1913. Page 40. "An Act to change the name of Ococoposa, and for other purposes...Approved, June 14, 1821." Archived December 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
11. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
12. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
18. ^ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved June 22, 2025.
19. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Morgan County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2022. \- Text list

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Morgan County, Alabama.

* Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Morgan County, Alabama

| Limestone County |  | Madison County

|
|

|  |
Lawrence County |

Morgan County, Alabama

| Marshall County
|  |
| Cullman County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Morgan County, Alabama, United States

County seat: Decatur

Cities|

* Decatur‡
* Hartselle

Map of Alabama highlighting Morgan County

Towns|

* Eva
* Falkville
* Priceville
* Somerville
* Trinity

Unincorporated
communities|

* Basham
* Brooksville
* Danville
* Hulaco
* Lacey's Spring
* Massey
* Morgan City‡
* Moulton Heights
* Neel
* Pence
* Ryan Crossroads
* Six Mile
* Six Way
* Union Hill
* Valhermoso Springs
* Woodland Mills

Ghost town|

* Lacon

Former city|

* Albany/New Decatur

Former town|

* Austinville
* Cedar Lake

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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* t
* e

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34°27′06″N 86°51′26″W﻿ / ﻿34.45167°N 86.85722°W﻿ / 34.45167; -86.85722

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