Limestone County, Alabama

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




map size = 150
founded =February 6, 1818
seat =Athens| largest city = Huntsville (most of Huntsville is in Madison County); Largest self-contained city is Athens
area_total_sq_mi =607
area_land_sq_mi =568
area_water_sq_mi =39
area percentage =(6.43%)
census yr = 2000
pop = 69387
density_km2 = 18
web =
|

Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. As of 2000 the population was 65,676. The 2004 for the United States Census Bureau estimated the county's population at 69,387. Its county seat is Athens and it is a prohibition or dry county except for Athens, Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur which are wet cities.

History

Limestone County was established on February 6, 1818.

Local Government

Limestone County comprises the Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit was created in the early 1980s when Limestone County broke away from Morgan County to form its own circuit.

The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit has two circuit judges and two district judges. The two circuit judges are Judge James W. Woodruff and Judge Robert M. Baker. The two district judges are Judge Jeanne W. Anderson and Judge Jerry L. Batts.

The current District Attorney is Kristi A. Valls.

The current Sheriff of Limestone County is Mike Blakely, who has been sheriff for 7 terms (28 years at the end of this term). The term for sheriff is 4 years and there is no term limit.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,572 km² (607 sq mi). 1,471 km² (568 sq mi) of it is land and 101 km² (39 sq mi) of it (6.43%) is water.

Major highways

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Rail

*CSX Transportation
*Norfolk Southern Railway

River

*Tennessee River

Adjacent counties

*Giles County, Tennessee - north
*Lincoln County, Tennessee - northeast
*Madison County, Alabama - east
*Morgan County, Alabama - southeast across the Tennessee River
*Lawrence County, Alabama - southwest across the Tennessee River (no bridges or ferries connect the two counties)
*Lauderdale County, Alabama - west across the Elk River

National protected area

* Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families residing in the county. The population density was 45/km² (116/sq mi). There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (47/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 83.79% White, 13.33% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 24,688 households out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,405, and the median income for a family was $45,146. Males had a median income of $35,743 versus $23,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,782. About 9.80% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.

Points of Interest

See the List of Registered Historic Places in Limestone County, Alabama.

Cities and towns

*Ardmore
*Athens
*Decatur (part - most of Decatur is in Morgan County)
*Elkmont
*Huntsville (part - most of Huntsville is in Madison County)
*Lester
*Madison (part - most of Madison is in Madison County)
*Mooresville
*Tanner

Education

* [http://www.lcsk12.org/ Limestone County Schools] K-12 education for the County
*Calhoun Community College 2 year college located in the southern part of the county in Decatur
*Athens State University 2 year university located in AthensSee also Athens education links.

References

External links

* [http://www.co.limestone.al.us/ Limestone County Government]
* [http://www.lceda.com/ Limestone County Economic Development Association, Inc.] promotes economic growth in the county by recruiting new businesses and industry to create jobs.
* [http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/aerials/Counties/Limestone/index.html University of Alabama's Cartographic Research Laboratory Historic Aerial Photos Collection] for Athens and Limestone County
* [http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/counties/limestone.html University of Alabama's Cartographic Research Laboratory Historic Map Collection] for Athens and Limestone County