| Etowah County is a county of the U.S. | | | | 9, 1836 and was the southern part of the |
| state of Alabama. Its name is from the | | | | original Cherokee Nation and was the one |
| Cherokee Indian language, of unknown | | | | time home of the famous Cherokee |
| significance. It is part of the 'Gasden, | | | | Sequoyah. |
| AL Metropolitan Statistical Area' which | | | | The county's eastern edge, along the |
| includes Etowah County. As of 2000 the | | | | state line, was also the epicenter of a |
| population was 103,459. Its county seat | | | | strong earthquake on 2003 April 29, |
| is Gadsden | | | | measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale. |
| Etowah was originally the southern part | | | | Power was knocked out in the area, |
| of DeKalb County, Alabama however Baine | | | | mirrors and pictures thrown to the |
| County was established on December 7, | | | | floor, foundations cracked, and one |
| 1866, named for General David W. Baine | | | | chimney fell to the ground. It was felt |
| of the Confederate Army, with its county | | | | over a significant portion of the |
| seat at Gadsden. The county was | | | | southeastern states, including quite |
| abolished in 1867, but a year later, | | | | strongly in northeastern Alabama and |
| Etowah County was created from the same | | | | neighboring northwestern Georgia, and |
| territory. | | | | nearby eastern Tennessee (especially |
| As of the census2 of 2000, there were | | | | near Chattanooga). It was also felt |
| 103,459 people, 41,615 households, and | | | | slightly in western upstate South |
| 29,463 families residing in the county. | | | | Carolina, far west-southwestern North |
| The population density was 75/km2 (193 | | | | Carolina, south and southeastern |
| mi2). There were 45,959 housing units at | | | | Kentucky, and east-northeastern |
| an average density of 33/km2 (86/mi2). | | | | Mississippi. |
| The racial makeup of the county was | | | | As of the census2 of 2000, there were |
| 82.87% White, 14.68% Black or African | | | | 64,452 people, 25,113 households, and |
| American, 0.33% Native American, 0.42% | | | | 18,432 families residing in the county. |
| Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.73% | | | | The population density was 32/km2 (83 |
| from other races, and 0.93% from two or | | | | mi2). There were 28,051 housing units at |
| more races. 1.70% of the population were | | | | an average density of 14/km2 (36/mi2). |
| Hispanic or Latino of any race. | | | | The racial makeup of the county was |
| There were 41,615 households out of | | | | 92.55% White, 1.68% Black or African |
| which 29.90% had children under the age | | | | American, 0.80% Native American, 0.19% |
| of 18 living with them, 54.20% were | | | | Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.10% |
| married couples living together, 13.10% | | | | from other races, and 1.62% from two or |
| had a female householder with no husband | | | | more races. 5.55% of the population were |
| present, and 29.20% were non-families. | | | | Hispanic or Latino of any race. |
| 26.30% of all households were made up of | | | | There were 25,113 households out of |
| individuals and 12.40% had someone | | | | which 33.20% had children under the age |
| living alone who was 65 years of age or | | | | of 18 living with them, 59.50% were |
| older. The average household size was | | | | married couples living together, 9.90% |
| 2.44 and the average family size was | | | | had a female householder with no husband |
| 2.93. | | | | present, and 26.60% were non-families. |
| In the county the population was spread | | | | 23.80% of all households were made up of |
| out with 23.80% under the age of 18, | | | | individuals and 10.80% had someone |
| 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to | | | | living alone who was 65 years of age or |
| 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who | | | | older. The average household size was |
| were 65 years of age or older. The | | | | 2.53 and the average family size was |
| median age was 38 years. For every 100 | | | | 2.98. |
| females there were 91.80 males. For | | | | In the county the population was spread |
| every 100 females age 18 and over, there | | | | out with 24.70% under the age of 18, |
| were 87.90 males. | | | | 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to |
| The median income for a household in the | | | | 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who |
| county was $31,170, and the median | | | | were 65 years of age or older. The |
| income for a family was $38,697. Males | | | | median age was 36 years. For every 100 |
| had a median income of $31,610 versus | | | | females there were 95.60 males. For |
| $21,346 for females. The per capita | | | | every 100 females age 18 and over, there |
| income for the county was $16,783. About | | | | were 92.50 males. |
| 12.30% of families and 15.70% of the | | | | The median income for a household in the |
| population were below the poverty line, | | | | county was $30,137, and the median |
| including 21.60% of those under age 18 | | | | income for a family was $35,801. Males |
| and 13.70% of those age 65 or over. | | | | had a median income of $28,878 versus |
| DeKalb County is a county of the U.S. | | | | $19,103 for females. The per capita |
| state of Alabama. Its name is in honor | | | | income for the county was $15,818. About |
| of Major General Baron Johan DeKalb. As | | | | 11.70% of families and 15.40% of the |
| of 2000 its population was 64,452. Its | | | | population were below the poverty line, |
| county seat is Fort Payne and it's a | | | | including 18.60% of those under age 18 |
| prohibition or dry county. | | | | and 20.50% of those age 65 or over. |
| DeKalb County was established on January | | | | |