Morgan County, Alabama - Wikipedia

County in Alabama, United States County in Alabama

Morgan County, Alabama
County
Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
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 (52 km2)  3.3%
Population (2020)
• Total	123,421
• Estimate (2024)	126,084
• Density	213/sq mi (82.3/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%
2024 (est.)	126,084	[6]	2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 123,421. The median age was 40.9 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.0 males age 18 and over.[11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 72.8% White, 12.5% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 6.5% from some other race, and 6.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.0% of the population.[12]

61.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 38.4% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 49,241 households in the county, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 53,265 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.1% were owner-occupied and 29.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[11]

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit] Morgan County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic compositionNote: 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[14]	Pop 2010[15]	Pop 2020[16]	% 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%

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.[17] 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.[18] According to the census[19] 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[20][21]

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

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
• Penn
• 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:[22]

• 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. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
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. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
12. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
14. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Morgan County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
15. ^ "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.
16. ^ "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.
17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
20. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
21. ^ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved June 22, 2025.
22. ^ "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

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
Towns	Eva Falkville Priceville Somerville Trinity
Unincorporatedcommunities	Basham Brooksville Danville Hulaco Lacey's Spring Massey Morgan City‡ Moulton Heights Neel Pence Penn 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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34°27′06″N 86°51′26″W / 34.45167°N 86.85722°W / 34.45167; -86.85722

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