Lamar County, Alabama
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Lamar County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, member of the United States Senate from Mississippi. As of 2000 the population was 15,904. Its county seat is Vernon.
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History
Jones County was established on February 4, 1867, from Marion County, named for E. P. Jones of Fayette County, with its county seat at Vernon. It was abolished on November 3, 1867. On October 8, 1868, the area was again organized into a county, Sanford County, in honor of H. C. Sanford of Cherokee County. In 1877, the county was named Lamar County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,568 km² (605 mi²). 1,567 km² (605 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.10% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 15,904 people, 6,468 households, and 4,715 families residing in the county. The population density is 10/km² (26/mi²). There are 7,517 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 86.87% White, 11.98% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,468 households out of which 31.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% are married couples living together, 10.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% are non-families. 25.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.89.
In the county the population is spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $28,059, and the median income for a family is $33,050. Males have a median income of $30,453 versus $18,947 for females. The per capita income for the county is $14,435. 16.10% of the population and 13.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.10% of those under the age of 18 and 18.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
