Houston County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of George S. Houston, a Governor of Alabama. As of 2000 the population was 88,787. Its county seat is Dothan.

History

Houston County was established on February 9, 1903.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,506 km² (582 mi²). 1,503 km² (580 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.22% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 88,787 people, 35,834 households, and 25,119 families residing in the county. The population density is 59/km² (153/mi²). There are 39,571 housing units at an average density of 26/km² (68/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 73.08% White, 24.60% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 35,834 households out of which 33.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% are married couples living together, 14.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% are non-families. 26.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.95.

In the county the population is spread out with 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 90.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $34,431, and the median income for a family is $42,437. Males have a median income of $32,092 versus $21,409 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,759. 15.00% of the population and 11.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.10% of those under the age of 18 and 16.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Ashford
• Avon
• Columbia
• Cottonwood
• Cowarts
• Dothan (parts of Dothan are in Dale County and in Henry County)
• Gordon
• Kinsey
• Madrid
• Rehobeth
• Taylor
• Webb

External link

• Houston County web site