Marshall County, Alabama

Marshall County is a county of the state of Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 97,612.^[1] Its county seat is Guntersville.^[2] A second courthouse is in Albertville. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States.^[3] Marshall County is a dry county, with the exception of the five cities of Albertville, Arab, Grant, Guntersville, and Boaz. Marshall County comprises the Albertville, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area.

Marshall County
County
Marshall County Courthouse in Guntersville
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°22′05″N 86°18′14″W
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	January 9, 1836
Named after	John Marshall
Seat	Guntersville
Largest city	Albertville
Area
• Total	623 sq mi (1,610 km2)
• Land	566 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Water	57 sq mi (150 km2)  9.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	97,612
• Estimate  (2023)	100,756
• Density	160/sq mi (60/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	www.marshallco.org
County Number 50 on Alabama Licence Plates

History

Marshall County was established on January 9, 1836.^[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,610 km²), of which 566 square miles (1,470 km²) is land and 57 square miles (150 km²) (9.2%) is water.^[5] The Tennessee River runs both north and south within the county.

River

Tennessee River

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County - northeast
• DeKalb County - east
• Etowah County - southeast
• Blount County - south
• Cullman County - southwest
• Morgan County - west
• Madison County - northwest

Adjacent city

• Huntsville - northwest

Transportation

Major highways

U.S. Highway 431 over the Tennessee River

• U.S. Highway 231
• U.S. Highway 431
• State Route 68
• State Route 69
• State Route 75
• State Route 79
• State Route 168
• State Route 179
• State Route 205
• State Route 227

Rail

• Alabama and Tennessee River Railway

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	7,553		—
1850	8,846		17.1%
1860	11,472		29.7%
1870	9,871		−14.0%
1880	14,585		47.8%
1890	18,935		29.8%
1900	23,289		23.0%
1910	28,553		22.6%
1920	32,669		14.4%
1930	39,802		21.8%
1940	42,395		6.5%
1950	45,090		6.4%
1960	48,018		6.5%
1970	54,211		12.9%
1980	65,622		21.0%
1990	70,832		7.9%
2000	82,231		16.1%
2010	93,019		13.1%
2020	97,612		4.9%
2023 (est.)	100,756	[6]	3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

Marshall 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)	75,081	78,060	74,666	91.30%	83.92%	76.49%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1,194	1,389	2,293	1.45%	1.49%	2.35%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	408	570	418	0.50%	0.61%	0.43%
Asian alone (NH)	196	475	579	0.24%	0.51%	0.59%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	20	63	128	0.02%	0.07%	0.13%
Other race alone (NH)	35	63	199	0.04%	0.07%	0.20%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	641	1,161	3,671	0.78%	1.25%	3.76%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	4,656	11,238	15,658	5.66%	12.08%	16.04%
Total	82,231	93,019	97,612	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 97,612 people, 35,330 households, and 25,078 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 93,019 people, 35,810 households, and 25,328 families living in the county. The population density was 164 people per square mile (63 people/km²). There were 40,342 housing units at an average density of 71 units per square mile (27 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 12.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[14] Of the 35,810 households 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.4% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.

The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.58% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% 65 or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median household income was $37,661 and the median family income was $47,440. Males had a median income of $36,024 versus $27,478 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,875. About 15.3% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 82,231 people, 32,547 households, and 23,531 families living in the county. The population density was 145 people per square mile (56 people/km²). There were 36,331 housing units at an average density of 64 units per square mile (25 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.38% White, 1.47% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 5.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[15] According to the census^[16] of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Marshall County were English 68.2%, Scots-Irish 12.31%, Scottish 5.1%, Irish 4.22%, Welsh 2.3% and African 1.47%.

Of the 32,547 households 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.60% of households were one person and 10.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median household income was $32,167 and the median family income was $38,788. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $20,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,089. About 11.70% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

At the 2010 census:^[17]

• Southern Baptist Convention (35556)
• Catholic Church (8382)
• The United Methodist Church (6908)
• Church of God (Cleveland) (2810)
• Churches of Christ (2495)
• Assemblies of God (692)
• Episcopal Church (669)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (609)

Politics

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

United States presidential election results for Marshall County, Alabama^[18][19]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	34,434	85.26%	5,553	13.75%	401	0.99%
2020	33,191	83.70%	5,943	14.99%	521	1.31%
2016	29,233	82.78%	4,917	13.92%	1,166	3.30%
2012	25,867	79.24%	6,299	19.30%	478	1.46%
2008	25,727	77.57%	7,038	21.22%	401	1.21%
2004	22,783	72.35%	8,452	26.84%	256	0.81%
2000	17,084	61.04%	10,381	37.09%	524	1.87%
1996	12,323	52.89%	8,722	37.43%	2,255	9.68%
1992	12,249	45.85%	10,421	39.01%	4,047	15.15%
1988	12,148	60.90%	7,357	36.88%	442	2.22%
1984	12,330	60.47%	7,704	37.78%	357	1.75%
1980	8,159	40.93%	10,854	54.45%	920	4.62%
1976	6,006	29.88%	13,696	68.14%	398	1.98%
1972	12,090	74.45%	3,894	23.98%	254	1.56%
1968	2,725	16.34%	955	5.73%	13,000	77.94%
1964	5,712	56.33%	0	0.00%	4,428	43.67%
1960	3,398	33.98%	6,595	65.94%	8	0.08%
1956	3,071	32.34%	6,329	66.66%	95	1.00%
1952	2,069	25.55%	6,011	74.22%	19	0.23%
1948	870	25.69%	0	0.00%	2,517	74.31%
1944	1,200	26.31%	3,356	73.58%	5	0.11%
1940	913	17.98%	4,142	81.55%	24	0.47%
1936	925	17.95%	4,208	81.68%	19	0.37%
1932	904	18.64%	3,836	79.09%	110	2.27%
1928	2,511	51.84%	2,322	47.94%	11	0.23%
1924	1,718	38.75%	2,629	59.31%	86	1.94%
1920	3,879	48.74%	4,041	50.78%	38	0.48%
1916	1,183	37.32%	1,944	61.32%	43	1.36%
1912	428	13.84%	1,457	47.11%	1,208	39.06%
1908	923	39.43%	1,313	56.09%	105	4.49%
1904	966	37.03%	1,336	51.21%	307	11.77%

Communities

Marshall County courthouse in Albertville.

Cities

• Albertville
• Arab (partly in Cullman County)
• Boaz (partly in Etowah County)
• Guntersville (county seat)
• Huntsville (Mostly in Madison County)^[20]

Towns

• Cherokee Ridge^[21]
• Douglas
• Grant
• Union Grove

Census-designated place

• Joppa (partly in Cullman County)

Unincorporated communities

• Asbury
• Bucksnort
• Claysville
• Cottonville
• Eddy
• Egypt
• Grassy
• Hog Jaw
• Horton
• Hustleville
• Kennamer Cove
• Little New York
• Morgan City (partly in Morgan County)
• Mount Hebron
• Pinedale Shores
• Rayburn
• Red Hill
• Ruth
• Scant City
• Swearengin
• Warrenton

Ghost town

• Red Apple

Education

School districts include:^[22]

• Albertville City School District
• Marshall County School District
• Boaz City School District
• Arab City School District
• Guntersville City School District

Places of interest

Marshall County is home to numerous outdoor recreation areas including Lake Guntersville State Park, Cathedral Caverns State Park, and Buck's Pocket State Park.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Marshall County, Alabama
• Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Marshall County, Alabama