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Limestone County is a
county A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...
of the
U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...
. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 103,570. Its
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
is
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
. The county is named after Limestone Creek. Limestone County is included in the Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.


History

Limestone County was established by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818. On November 27, 1821, the Alabama State legislature passed an Act that altered the boundary of Limestone County to include the area east of the mouth of the Elk River with the Tennessee River. At the time, that area was a part of Lauderdale County.A digest of the laws of the State of Alabama: containing the statutes and resolutions in force at the end of the General Assembly in January, 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 10. Chapter XXXII. Page 99
An Act to alter and extend the Boundaries of Limestone County—Passed November 27, 1821.
/ref>


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (7.8%) is water. It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.


River

*
Tennessee River The Tennessee River is a long river located in the Southern United States, southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. Flowing through the states of Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky, it begins at the confluence of Fren ...
* Elk River


Adjacent counties

*
Giles County, Tennessee Giles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borde ...
- north * Lincoln County, Tennessee - northeast * Madison County - east * Morgan County - southeast * Lawrence County - southwest * Lauderdale County - west


National protected area

*
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge (NWR) located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. Named after Major General Joseph Wheeler, it was established to provide a habitat for wintering and migrating bi ...
(part)


Demographics


2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 103,570 people, 32,020 households, and 23,919 families residing in the county.


2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 82,782 people, 31,446 households, and 22,876 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 34,977 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 31,446 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.7% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00. The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% 65 or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males. The median household income in the county was $46,682, and the median family income was $55,518. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $31,609 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,007. About 10.3% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.


2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 65,676 people, 24,688 households, and 18,219 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 26,897 housing units at an average density of 18/km2 (47/sq ;mi). The racial makeup of the county was 78.79% White, 15.33% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. According to the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Limestone County were English 66.31%, Scots-Irish 15.12%, and African 13.33% There were 24,688 households, 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.40% of households were one person and 8.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02. The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.80 males. The median household income in the county was $37,405, and the median family income was $45,146. Males had a median income of $35,743 versus $23,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,782. About 9.80% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.


Government and politics

Limestone County comprises the Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit was created in the early 1980s when Limestone County broke away from Morgan County to form its own circuit. The Thirty-Ninth Judicial Circuit has two circuit judges and two district judges. The two circuit judges are Judge Robert M. Baker and Judge B. Chadwick Wise. The two district judges are Judge Matthew R. Huggins and Judge R. Gray West. The current District Attorney is Brian C.T. Jones. The current Sheriff of Limestone County is Joshua McLaughlin. The term for sheriffs is four years, and there is no term limit. Collin Daly ( R) is the Chairman of the County Commission. Limestone County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is
Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party ...
, who won it by an absolute majority in
1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...
.


Education

School districts include:
Text list
/ref> * Limestone County School District operates public schools for students living in most areas of Limestone County not incorporated in the Cities of Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, and/or Madison. * Athens City Schools - K-12 education for the city of Athens * Decatur City School District * Huntsville City School District * Madison City School District Tertiary education: * Calhoun Community College - two-year college located in the southern part of the county in Decatur * Athens State University - two-year upper level university located in
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...


Transportation


Major highways

*
Interstate 65 Interstate 65 (I-65) is a major north–south Interstate Highway System, interstate highway in the central United States. As with most primary interstates ending in 5, it is a major crosscountry, north–south route, connecting between th ...
* Interstate 565 * U.S. Highway 31 * U.S. Highway 72 *
Alternate U.S. Highway 72/ State Route 20 * State Route 53 * State Route 99 * State Route 127 * State Route 251


Railways

*
CSX Transportation CSX Transportation , known colloquially as simply CSX, is a Class I freight railroad company operating in the Eastern United States and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Operating about 21,000 route miles () of track, it is the lead ...
—freight line that runs North to SouthAlabama Railway Map
. 2008. Alabama Department of Transportation. Accessed December 10, 2010.
*
Norfolk Southern Railway The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I freight railroad operating in the Eastern United States. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company was formed in 1982 with the merger of the Norfolk and Western Railway and Southern Railway. The comp ...
—freight line that runs east–west


Airport

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the nearest major commercial airport, 23 miles east. Nashville Airport (BNA) is approximately 104 miles north.


Recreation

*Antebellum Trail – a trail rich in the Antebellum period architecture that highlights Athens, Belle Mina and Mooresville. * Ardmore Walking Tracks – One walking track is located in Ardmore Town Park on Park Avenue. The other track is locating in Ardmore's John Barns Park on Ardmore Ridge Road * Athens Greenway Walking Trail – This walking trail starts at the Athens SportsPlex goes by Athens High School and Athens Public Archery Range and continues to U.S. Highway 72 for an additional *Athens Historic Volksmarch – An American Volksport Association (AVA) sanctioned 10K (6.2 miles) walk. *Beaty Historic District Walking Tour "Step Back In Time" – walking tour of the Robert Beaty Historic District which was placed on the Registry of Historic Places in 1984. *Civil War Trail – Driving/walking trail highlighting the history of the Civil War in the greater Limestone County community. *Cowford Landing – swimming, fishing, and boating. *The Glory Road – Driving tour of historic and community churches of Limestone County * Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail – a along the Elk River for canoeing with five access sites. Designated a
National Recreation Trail The National Trails System is a series of trails in the United States designated "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nati ...
in 2010.2010 NRT designations
. National Recreation Trails. June 2, 2010. U.S. Department of Interior. Accessed March 15, 2012.
* Noah Bike and Vintage Car Trail – a road route for bicycles, motorcycles, and vintage cars in Northwest Limestone County that is long. The starts and ends at the Athens-Limestone Visitor Center at . * Richard Martin Trail – a
rail trail A rail trail or railway walk is a shared-use path on a Right of way#Rail right of way, railway right of way. Rail trails are typically constructed after a railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed but may also share the rail corr ...
in northern part of the county for bicycling, horseback riding, and walking.Richard Martin Trail
National Recreation Trails Database. American Trails. Last Updated 06/09/2011.
Designated a
National Recreation Trail The National Trails System is a series of trails in the United States designated "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nati ...
in 2010. GOLFING * Canebrake Club – membership * Southern Gayles Golf Club – community FISHING *Limestone County Alabama offers access to the prime fishing waters of the Elk River, Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake. HUNTING * Limestone Hunting Preserve & Sporting Clays offers deer, dove, quail, pheasant and chukar hunts and sporting clays. * Piney Creek Kennels and Hunting Preserve offers 100+ acres of dove and quail hunting land. * Swan Creek WMA – 8,870 acres of Alabama Department of Conservation managed area and includes a shooting range * Tennessee Valley Federal Property – 11,300 acres of regulated hunting land FESTIVALS * February ** Hospice Chili Challenge – last weekend * March **Polk Sallet Follies – second week, Thursday-Saturday **Home and Garden Show – second weekend *April **Athens Cruise In (April–September) **Saturday Historic Walking Tours – Athens & Mooresville – each Saturday **Cars and Bikes on the Square – last Saturday **Singing on the Square (April–September) – third Fridays **Earth Day Celebration – third Saturday *May **Athens-Limestone Relay for Life **Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo **Athens Bible School Homespun Arts and Crafts Show *June **Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival (last weekend in June to first weekend August) *July **Limestone County Week of Independence (last Saturday of June to first Saturday of July) **Firework Show **Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull – second weekend **CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament – third Saturday **Alabama Championship Tractor and Truck Pull – Tanner – last weekend *August **Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival **Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo **Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days *September **Athens Grease Festival *October **Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention – first full weekend **Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby – first full weekend **Athens Storytelling Festival – last weekend *November **Hilltop Arts Festival **Athens Christmas Open House *December **Athens Christmas Parade **Limestone County Tree Lighting (same night as Athens Parade) **Ardmore Christmas Parade **Elkmont Lions Club Christmas Parade **Sippin' Cider **Lincoln Bridgeforth Park Tree Lighting


Points of interest

Museums * Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives - honoring veterans and their families with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present. * College Inn/Newby Gulf Station Museum - This landmark was restored to look like a 1940s gas station. It has been featured in Southern Living photo spreads. * Donnell House - This historic landmark is the former home of Reverend Donnell and a significant site for the "Sack of Athens" * Houston Memorial Library and Museum - The cornerstone of the Houston Historic District, the building now houses a library and the county museum. * Limestone County Archives - Contains community and genealogical records for Limestone County. Other * Alabama Welcome Center - Just south of the Alabama/Tennessee border, this facility is home to a Saturn 1B rocket as well as war memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam. * Athens State University - A significant site for the "Sack of Athens". Founders Hall is the original structure of the university and is graced with 4 large pillars. Founders Hall also houses the New Testament Chapel containing life-size carvings depicting Christ and other New Testament figures. * Trinity School - Established by the American Missionary Association to educate the children of freed slaves. * Limestone County Confederate Soldiers Memorial


Communities

The largest city entirely in Limestone County is Athens, Which had 25,406 people in 2020. The city of Madison is the second largest city in population located in the county, and Huntsville in third. The least most populous town in Limestone county is Mooresville with 47 people in 2020.


Cities

*
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
(county seat) * Decatur (mostly in Morgan County) * Huntsville (mostly in Madison County) * Madison (mostly in Madison County)


Towns

* Ardmore * Elkmont * Lester * Mooresville


Unincorporated communities

* Belle Mina * Burgreen Gin * Capshaw * Coxey * French Mill * Good Springs * Greenbrier * Holland Gin * Oakland (near Athens) * Oakland (near Madison) * Pettusville * Scarce Grease * Tanner * Thach *
Veto A veto is a legal power to unilaterally stop an official action. In the most typical case, a president (government title), president or monarch vetoes a bill (law), bill to stop it from becoming statutory law, law. In many countries, veto powe ...


See also

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


Notes


References


External links

*
University of Alabama's Cartographic Research Laboratory Historic Aerial Photos Collection
for Athens and Limestone County

for Athens and Limestone County {{authority control 1818 establishments in Alabama Territory Populated places established in 1818 Huntsville-Decatur, AL Combined Statistical Area