Marshall County is a county of the state of Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 97,612. Its county seat is Guntersville. A second courthouse is in Albertville. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. Marshall County is a dry county, with the exception of the four cities of Albertville, Arab, Guntersville, and Boaz. Marshall County comprises the Albertville, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area.
History
Marshall County was established on January 9, 1836.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (9.2%) is water. The Tennessee River runs both north and south within the county.
River
Tennessee River
Adjacent counties
Jackson County - northeast
DeKalb County - east
Etowah County - southeast
Blount County - south
Cullman County - southwest
Morgan County - west
Madison County - northwest
Transportation
Major highways
24px U.S. Highway 231
24px U.S. Highway 431
20px State Route 68
20px State Route 69
20px State Route 75
20px State Route 79
20px State Route 168
20px State Route 179
20px State Route 205
20px State Route 227
Rail
Alabama and Tennessee River Railway
Demographics
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 82,231 people, 32,547 households, and 23,531 families living in the county. The population density was 145 people per square mile (56/km2). There were 36,331 housing units at an average density of 64 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.38% White, 1.47% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 5.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Marshall County were English 68.2%, Scots-Irish 12.31%, Scottish 5.1%, Irish 4.22%, Welsh 2.3% and African 1.47%.
Of the 32,547 households 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.60% of households were one person and 10.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median household income was $32,167 and the median family income was $38,788. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $20,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,089. About 11.70% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 93,019 people, 35,810 households, and 25,328 families living in the county. The population density was 164 people per square mile (63/km2). There were 40,342 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (28/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 12.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 35,810 households 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.4% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.
The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.58% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% 65 or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median household income was $37,661 and the median family income was $47,440. Males had a median income of $36,024 versus $27,478 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,875. About 15.3% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 97,612 people, 35,330 households, and 25,078 families residing in the county.
Religion
At the 2010 census:
Southern Baptist Convention (35556)
Catholic Church (8382)
The United Methodist Church (6908)
Church of God (Cleveland) (2810)
Churches of Christ (2495)
Assemblies of God (692)
Episcopal Church (669)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (609)
Government
Communities
Cities
Albertville
Arab (partly in Cullman County)
Boaz (partly in Etowah County)
Guntersville (county seat)
Towns
Cherokee Ridge
Douglas
Grant
Sardis City (partly in Etowah County)
Union Grove
Census-designated place
Joppa (partly in Cullman County)
Unincorporated communities
Asbury
Bucksnort
Claysville
Cottonville
Eddy
Egypt
Grassy
Hog Jaw
Horton
Hustleville
Kennamer Cove
Little New York
Morgan City (partly in Morgan County)
Mount Hebron
Pinedale Shores
Rayburn
Red Hill
Ruth
Scant City
Swearengin
Warrenton
Ghost town
Red Apple
Places of interest
Marshall County is home to numerous outdoor recreation areas including Lake Guntersville State Park, Cathedral Caverns State Park, and Buck's Pocket State Park.