Perry County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, of Rhode Island, United States Navy. As of 2000 the population was 11,861. Its county seat is Marion.

History

Perry County was established on December 13, 1819.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,875 km² (724 mi²). 1,863 km² (719 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.63% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 11,861 people, 4,333 households, and 3,046 families residing in the county. The population density is 6/km² (16/mi²). There are 5,406 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (8/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 30.86% White, 68.38% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,333 households out of which 33.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.40% are married couples living together, 25.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% are non-families. 27.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the county the population is spread out with 29.80% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 83.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $20,200, and the median income for a family is $26,150. Males have a median income of $26,272 versus $16,839 for females. The per capita income for the county is $10,948. 35.40% of the population and 31.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 48.90% of those under the age of 18 and 25.80% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Marion
• Uniontown