Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 103,570. Its county seat is Athens. The county is named after Limestone Creek. Limestone County is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.
Contents
History
Limestone County was established by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818. On November 27, 1821, the Alabama State legislature passed an Act that altered the boundary of Limestone County to include the area east of the mouth of the Elk River with the Tennessee River. At the time, that area was a part of Lauderdale County.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km2), of which 560 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (7.8%) is water. It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.
River
Tennessee River
Elk River
Adjacent counties
Giles County, Tennessee - north
Lincoln County, Tennessee - northeast
Madison County - east
Morgan County - southeast
Lawrence County - southwest
Lauderdale County - west
National protected area
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 103,570. The median age was 39.9 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.3 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 74.4% White, 12.8% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.7% from some other race, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.0% of the population.
49.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 39,365 households in the county, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 42,692 housing units, of which 7.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.5% were owner-occupied and 23.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 82,782 people, 31,446 households, and 22,876 families living in the county. The population density was 57.1/km2 (148/mi2). There were 34,977 housing units at an average density of 24.1/km2 (62/mi2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 31,446 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.7% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.
The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% 65 or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males.
The median household income in the county was $46,682, and the median family income was $55,518. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $31,609 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,007. About 10.3% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families living in the county. The population density was 45/km2 (120/mi2). There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km2 (47/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 78.79% White, 15.33% 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.
According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Limestone County were English 66.31%, Scots-Irish 15.12%, and African 13.33%
There were 24,688 households, 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 households were one person and 8.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income in the county was $37,405, and the median family income 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.
Government and politics
Limestone County comprises the 39th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The 39th Judicial Circuit was created in the early 1980s when Limestone County broke away from Morgan County to form its own circuit.
The 39th Judicial Circuit has two circuit judges and two district judges. The two circuit judges are Judge B. Chadwick Wise and Judge Matthew R. Huggins. The two district judges are Judge David T. Puckett and Judge R. Gray West.
The current District Attorney is Brian C.T. Jones.
The current Sheriff of Limestone County is Joshua McLaughlin. The term for sheriffs is four years, and there is no term limit.
Collin Daly (R) is the Chairman of the County Commission.
Limestone County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by an absolute majority in 1980.
Education
School districts include:
Limestone County School District operates public schools for students living in most areas of Limestone County not incorporated in the Cities of Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, and/or Madison.
Athens City Schools - K-12 education for the city of Athens
Decatur City School District
Huntsville City School District
Madison City School District
Tertiary education:
Calhoun Community College - two-year college located in the southern part of the county in Decatur
Athens State University - two-year upper level university located in Athens
Transportation
Major highways
Interstate 65
Interstate 565
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 72
Alternate U.S. Highway 72/State Route 20
State Route 53
State Route 99
State Route 127
State Route 251
Railways
CSX Transportation—freight line that runs North to South
Norfolk Southern Railway—freight line that runs east–west
Airport
Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the nearest major commercial airport, 23 miles east.
Nashville Airport (BNA) is approximately 104 miles north.
Recreation
Antebellum Trail – a trail rich in the Antebellum period architecture that highlights Athens, Belle Mina and Mooresville.
Ardmore Walking Tracks – One .25 miles (0.40 km) walking track is located in Ardmore Town Park on Park Avenue. The other 0.5 miles (0.80 km) track is locating in Ardmore's John Barns Park on Ardmore Ridge Road
Athens Greenway Walking Trail – This 3.3 miles (5.3 km) walking trail starts at the Athens SportsPlex goes by Athens High School and Athens Public Archery Range and continues to U.S. Highway 72 for an additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
Athens Historic Volksmarch – An American Volksport Association (AVA) sanctioned 10K (6.2 miles) walk.
Beaty Historic District Walking Tour "Step Back In Time" – walking tour of the Robert Beaty Historic District which was placed on the Registry of Historic Places in 1984.
Civil War Trail – Driving/walking trail highlighting the history of the Civil War in the greater Limestone County community.
Cowford Landing – swimming, fishing, and boating.
The Glory Road – Driving tour of historic and community churches of Limestone County
Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail – a 21.9 miles (35.2 km) along the Elk River for canoeing with five access sites. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.
Noah Bike and Vintage Car Trail – a road route for bicycles, motorcycles, and vintage cars in Northwest Limestone County that is 89 miles (143 km) long. The starts and ends at the Athens-Limestone Visitor Center at 34.803°N 86.967°W / 34.803; -86.967.
Points of interest
Museums
Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives - honoring veterans and their families with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present.
College Inn/Newby Gulf Station Museum - This landmark was restored to look like a 1940s gas station. It has been featured in Southern Living photo spreads.
Donnell House - This historic landmark is the former home of Reverend Donnell and a significant site for the "Sack of Athens"
Houston Memorial Library and Museum - The cornerstone of the Houston Historic District, the building now houses a library and the county museum.
Limestone County Archives - Contains community and genealogical records for Limestone County.
Other
Alabama Welcome Center - Just south of the Alabama/Tennessee border, this facility is home to a Saturn 1B rocket as well as war memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Athens State University - A significant site for the "Sack of Athens". Founders Hall is the original structure of the university and is graced with 4 large pillars. Founders Hall also houses the New Testament Chapel containing life-size carvings depicting Christ and other New Testament figures.
Trinity School - Established by the American Missionary Association to educate the children of freed slaves.
Limestone County Confederate Soldiers Memorial
Communities
The largest city entirely in Limestone County is Athens, which had 25,406 people in 2020. The city of Madison is the second largest city in population, and Huntsville is third. The least populous town in Limestone County is Mooresville, with 47 people in 2020.
Cities
Athens (county seat)
Decatur (mostly in Morgan County)
Huntsville (mostly in Madison County)
Madison (mostly in Madison County)
Towns
Ardmore
Elkmont
Lester
Mooresville