Marengo County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of a battlefield in Italy, near Turin, Italy, where the French beat the Austrians on June 14, 1800. As of 2000 the population was 22,539. Its county seat is Linden.

History

• Marengo County was established on February 6, 1818.
• The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979 due to damage from Hurricane Frederic.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,546 km² (983 mi²). 2,531 km² (977 mi²) of it is land and 15 km² (6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.59% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 22,539 people, 8,767 households, and 6,277 families residing in the county. The population density is 9/km² (23/mi²). There are 10,127 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 47.28% White, 51.71% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,767 households out of which 34.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.40% are married couples living together, 19.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% are non-families. 26.50% 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 2.55 and the average family size is 3.08.

In the county the population is spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 88.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $27,025, and the median income for a family is $35,475. Males have a median income of $36,053 versus $19,571 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,308. 25.90% of the population and 22.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 33.70% of those under the age of 18 and 25.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Dayton
• Demopolis
• Faunsdale
• Linden
• Myrtlewood
• Providence
• Sweet Water
• Thomaston