Franklin County
County
Franklin County Courthouse in Russelville, Alabama
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°26′00″N 87°51′00″W / 34.4333°N 87.85°W / 34.4333; -87.85
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	February 6, 1818
Named for	Benjamin Franklin
Seat	Russellville
Largest city	Russellville
Area
• Total	647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
• Land	634 sq mi (1,640 km2)
• Water	13 sq mi (30 km2)  2.0%
Population  (2020)
• Total	32,113
• Estimate  (2023)	31,802
• Density	50/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	www.franklincountyal.org
County Number 33 on Alabama Licence Plates

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,113.^[1] Its county seat is Russellville.^[2] Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer.^[3] It is a dry county, although the city of Russellville is wet.

History

Franklin County was established on February 6, 1818.

Colbert County

Once part of Franklin 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, 1870.^[4]

Musical history

Many musicians and songwriters are from Franklin County including Billy Sherrill, Ricky Pierce, Kerry Gilbert, Eddie Martin and many others.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680 km²), of which 634 square miles (1,640 km²) is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) (2.0%) is water.^[5]

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)

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 43
• State Route 13
• State Route 17
• State Route 19
• State Route 24
• State Route 172
• State Route 187
• State Route 237
• State Route 241
• State Route 243
• State Route 247

Rail

• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Redmont Railway

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 32,113 people, 11,048 households, and 7,669 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 31,704 people, 12,286 households, and 8,741 families living in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km²). There were 14,022 housing units at an average density of 21.7 units per square mile (8.4 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.0% White (non-Hispanic), 3.9% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 14.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[14] Of the 12,286 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.1% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median household income was $33,942 and the median family income was $44,352. Males had a median income of $31,997 versus $22,747 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,094. About 14.9% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 31,223 people, 12,259 households, and 8,949 families living in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19 people/km²). There were 13,749 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.68% White (non-Hispanic), 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. 5.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[15] Of the 12,259 households 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 households were one person and 12.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $27,177 and the median family income 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.

Education

There are two school systems and one community college in Franklin County; Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools. Northwest Shoals Community College has a campus in Phil Campbell.

Russellville City Schools^[16] include:

• Russellville High School
• Russellville Middle School
• Russellville Elementary School (grades 3 - 5)
• West Elementary School (grades Kindergarten - 2)

Franklin County Schools^[17] 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 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.

Government

Like most rural counties in Alabama, Franklin County has gone solidly Republican in the 21st century, but it has flirted with the party at a federal level since the 1950s. In a pattern typical of most rural Alabama counties, Franklin County supported the Dixiecrats in 1948 and George Wallace in 1968, but unlike other counties, had been won by Republicans in 1956 and 1960, cracking the wall of the Solid South before full-fledged turnover in 1964 and beyond.

As is the case with most rural counties nationwide that supported Bill Clinton in the 1996 election, the county has turned on the Democratic Party. In the 2020 election, Donald Trump won convincingly over Joe Biden, 83–17, continuing a backsliding trend for Democratic candidates in the rural South.