Franklin County, Alabama

Infobox U.S. County
county = Franklin County
state = Alabama


founded year = 1818
founded date = February 6
seat wl = Russellville
largest city wl = Russellville
area_total_sq_mi = 647
area_total_km2 = 1674
area_land_sq_mi = 636
area_land_km2 = 1646
area_water_sq_mi = 11
area_water_km2 = 28
area percentage = 1.68%
census yr = 2000
pop = 31223
density_sq_mi = 49
density_km2 = 19
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
footnotes =
web =
named for = Benjamin Franklin

Franklin County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. As of the 2006 census estimates, the population was 30,847. Its county seat is Russellville and it is a dry county.

History

Franklin County was established on February 6, 1818.

Colbert County

Colbert County was originally established on February 6, 1867 after it split from Franklin County over political issues after the American Civil War. It was abolished eight months later by an Alabama constitutional convention and then reestablished on February 24, 1870cite web | title = Colbert County Website | url = http://www.colbertcounty.org | accessdate = 2007-05-16 ] .

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,674 km²), of which, 636 square miles (1,646 km²) of it is land and 11 square miles (28 km²) of it (1.68%) is water.

Major Highways

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Rail

*Norfolk Southern Railway
*Redmont Railway

Adjacent Counties

*Colbert County (north)
*Lawrence County (east)
*Winston County (southeast)
*Marion County (south)
*Itawamba County, Mississippi (southwest)
*Tishomingo County, Mississippi (northwest)

National protected area

* William B. Bankhead National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 31,223 people, 12,259 households, and 8,949 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 13,749 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.68% White, 4.21% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.62% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 7.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,259 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,177, and the median income for a family was $34,274. Males had a median income of $27,497 versus $18,631 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,814. About 15.20% of families and 18.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 24.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Belgreen
*Hodges
*Phil Campbell
*Red Bay
*Russellville
*Vina

Schools

There are two school systems in Franklin County; Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools.

Russellville City Schoolscite web | title = Russellville City Schools Website | url = http://www.rcs.k12.al.us/rcs/Our%20Schools/rcs_schools.htm | accessdate = ] include:
*Russellville High School
*Russellville Middle School
*Russellville Elementary School (grades 3 - 5)
*West Elementary School (grades Kindergarten - 2)

Franklin County Schoolscite web | title = Franklin County Schools Website | url = http://www.franklin.k12.al.us | accessdate = ] include:
*Belgreen High School (grades K - 12)
*East Franklin Junior High School (grades K - 9)
*Phil Campbell High School (two separate buildings serving grades K - 12)
*Red Bay High School (grades K - 12)
*Tharptown Junior High School (grades K-12)
*Vina High School (grades K - 12)

There is also the Franklin County Career-Technical Center, located next to Belgreen High School.

See also

*Dry counties

References

External links

* [http://www.franklincountychamber.org/index.html Franklin County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.baytreecouncil.org/ Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts]