Jefferson County Alabama Best Guide
Jefferson County Alabama is one of the most popular and populous counties of the United States. It is located in the state of Alabama. The county is rapidly growing in the industrial and manufacturing sector, which tends to attract more people. Moreover, it is rich in heritage, and you can find people of all races living with peace and harmony.
All that is said, but do you know Jefferson County Alabama is a terrific place to spend your holidays? You can visit various tourist places here from a zoo, museums to parks.
Let us get you a complete guide to this mesmerizing county from government, laws to religion, outstanding landmarks, and almost everything.
Jefferson County Alabama is the most populated county in Alabama, and it is located in the north-central region of the state. It has a population of 674,721 people according to the 2020 census. Birmingham is the county seat.
Its supremacy was established by its fast rise as an industrial metropolis in the twentieth century, centered on heavy production in steel and iron.
Today, the county serves as a corporate hub, particularly for the banking and medical industries. It also has a number of outdoor parks and other amenities, as well as performance venues and prominent history, science, and art museums.
What are the demographics and the geographics of Jefferson County Alabama ?
Let’s start with the demographics of Jefferson County Alabama; it has a mixed and unique form. The majority is composed of White and Blacks. But you can also find a significant percentage of Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Irish, European, and many more.
The population density of the county is 600 per square mile. This indicates that the areas are not overly populated, and every person can enjoy the resources effectively. The mediocre population density does not put much pressure on the land and its resources.
The whole county has a land area of 2,940 square kilometers. It is situated in the Ridge-And-Valley Appalachians. Shades Mountain is the highest point that can be located 1,150 ft tall. From north to south along with west you can find various other counties.
According to 2016 Census projections, Jefferson County Alabama has a population of 659,096, making it Alabama’s most populous county.
52.4 percent of respondents said they were white, 42.5 percent said they were African American, 3.7 percent said they were Hispanic, 1.5 percent said they were Asian, 1.5 percent said they were two or more races, and 0.2 percent said they were Native American.
With a population of 212,424, the county capital Birmingham is Jefferson County’s largest city. Hoover, Bessemer, Homewood, Cardiff, and Mountain Brook are also large population hubs.
Jefferson County Alabama had a median household income of $47,220, compared to $44,758 for the entire state, and a per capita income of $28,162, compared to $24,736 for the entire state.
Economy of Jefferson County Alabama
Farming was the most common employment in Jefferson County until well into the twentieth century.
Cotton was the most important agricultural crop until the early twentieth century when farmers began to diversify their crops to include corn, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and vegetables.
The area’s substantial mineral reserves, particularly iron ore and coal, were extensively exploited by early immigrants.
Throughout the nineteenth century, iron production rose, and Jefferson County Alabama became a significant coal supplier to the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
By 1865, the county had established itself as a significant iron and steel supplier in the South, with Alabama supplying more iron to the Confederacy than the rest of the southern states combined.
Following the war, the county invested a significant amount of time and money improving its transportation infrastructure, notably its rail lines, resulting in the iron and steel industries’ continued importance up to the current day.
Textile mills benefited from better transportation as well, and they remained a vital part of the county’s economy far into the twentieth century.
By the mid-twentieth century, Jefferson County Alabama had also profited from a surge in the healthcare business, and by the start of the twenty-first century, it had risen to the top of the state.
History and Geography of Jefferson County Alabama
The Alabama Legislature formed Jefferson County Alabama on December 13, 1819. Former President Thomas Jefferson was honored with the name. On the southernmost border of the Appalachian Mountains, the county is located in the north-central part of the state.
It is located in the heart of the Southern United States (former) iron, coal, and limestone mining zone. The county is located in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, with Shades Mountain, at an elevation of 1,150 feet, being the highest point in the county.
Red Mountain, which runs to the south of downtown Birmingham and divides the city from the suburb of Homewood, is another prominent mountain in the county. The majority of the county’s diversified terrain is made up of mountains and valleys.
How is the government structure?
In today’s time, before shifting to any place, it is very important to know well about its government and politics. And here we have all the significant and essential information about Jefferson’s government, taxes, and laws.
Jefferson County Alabama has a council-manager type of government in which a five-member committee governs the county. They also enjoy control over the legislative and executive power. From among them, a President is elected who has some special duties and authority to govern the citizens. If we take a look at the political history of the county, then it is clearly visible that they are collectively supportive of Democratic candidates. The county seat of Jefferson is Birmingham.
Law and order fall under the Sheriff’s department. The voters elect the Sheriff by the election process. And if we talk about the tax, then let us tell you that the total within the county sales can rise up to 12%. As per the law, in Jefferson, out of the total tax paid, 1% of the sale tax goes towards building the education facilities.
Which religion is prevalent in Alabama’s county, Jefferson?
Jefferson County Alabama, has a massive section of Baptist religion groups. But you can also find many Catholics, congregations, and Methodists. People are free to follow the religion in which they have belief.
As per the recent reports, there are around 714 different religious groups in Jefferson. And there are no such conflicts among them. Every group has equal rights to follow and celebrate their religion openly. The religious diversification of Jefferson is one of its most outstanding features. The peace and harmony drive more people toward this county.
Employment in Jefferson County Alabama
According to 2016 Census data, Jefferson County Alabama saw its workforce to be divided into the following categories:
- Services such as education, health care, and social aid are all available (25.7 percent)
- The retail industry (11.0 percent)
- Services in professional, scientific, managerial, administrative, and waste management (10.3 percent)
- Accommodation and food services, as well as the arts, entertainment, and recreation (9.2 percent)
- Real estate, renting, and leasing, as well as finance and insurance (8.8 percent)
- Industrial production (8.7 percent)
- Aside from public administration, there are a variety of other services available (5.6 percent)
- Work on the building (5.5 percent)
- Utilities, transportation, and warehousing (5.4 percent)
- Administration of the state (3.8 percent)
- Trade-in bulk (3.0 percent)
- Obtaining information (2.3 percent)
- Agribusiness, forestry, fishing, and hunting, as well as extractive industries (0.7 percent)
How is the education system of Jefferson County Alabama?
The Jefferson County Alabama Board of Education recognizes both the local school districts and public schools. Many wealthy towns have formed their own education system. The government of the county pays much attention to educating its people. Out of the total tax paid the 1% of it goes toward building education facilities.
The Jefferson County School System is in charge of 57 elementary and secondary schools in Jefferson County. Birmingham City Schools is responsible for 42 primary and secondary schools, Hoover City Schools for 15, Bessemer City Schools for nine, Trussville City Schools for four, Homewood City Schools for five, and Mountain Brook City Schools for six.
A variety of colleges and universities may be found in Jefferson County Alabama. The public University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as Lawson State and Jefferson State Community Colleges, are major employers in the city.
Samford University, Birmingham-Southern College, the old Southeastern Bible College (now part of Carolina University with a Birmingham campus), and HBCUs Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College and Miles College are among the private colleges.
What are the landmarks and tourist places of the county?
If you are planning a trip to Jefferson County Alabama, then you can find many tourist landmarks to enjoy. Some of them are:
Birmingham Zoo: it is a non-profit zoo situated in Birmingham. You can find thousands of animals. The atmosphere here is always mesmerizing. The zoo is also a step to protect endangered animals. Various exhibits like Predator zone, Reptiles Building, Alabama Wilds, and many more are present here. If you go to Jefferson County Alabama , The Birmingham Zoo is a must to visit place.
Vulcan Park and Museum: This is an ideal place to spend some quality with your loved ones. The scenic beauty here cannot be described in simple words. There is also a very famous small gift shop that sells outstanding fun gifts and books. The place will let you know all about the intriguing history of the place.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy: The most breathtaking place of Jefferson County Alabama, is the Appalachian Trail. You will find lush green valleys all around you. The place is perfect for adventurous activities like hiking. The scenic beauty will surely make you fall in love with the place.
Birmingham Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden of Birmingham is the most colorful and beautiful place in Jefferson County Alabama . You will see numerous different varieties of flowers here. Along with the flowers and plants, you will find many other birds.
Railroad Park Foundation: It is a large park of around 19-acre land. The Park celebrates the rich heritage of the county. You do various fun activities here. The Park is beautifully architecture, making it a perfect place to visit and enjoy.
Places To Visit In Jefferson County Alabama
Jefferson County Alabama features a lot of historic sites to visit in addition to outdoor recreational options.
The West Jefferson Pioneer Homes provide tourists the opportunity to view three early nineteenth-century buildings.
The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, located in the Birmingham Civil Rights District, was bombed in 1963, killing four young African American girls. Sloss Furnaces is a 32-acre blast furnace and plant that produced iron and steel for almost a century.
There are several museums in Jefferson County for visitors to enjoy. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, located across from historic Kelly Ingram Park, hosts exhibitions ranging from early twentieth-century segregation to contemporary racial concerns.
The Birmingham Museum of Art is the southeastern United States’ largest municipal museum. It houses around 24,000 artifacts ranging from antiquity to the present day. Artifacts, records, images, and nineteenth-century furniture and farm tools are on display in the Bessemer Hall of History, which is situated in a refurbished railway terminal.
Final Words
So that was all about Jefferson County Alabama. It is one of the most beautiful counties in the United States. The places, people, and the government are all worth appreciating.
Jefferson County Alabama has political peace; they have a rich heritage. People of different communities and races live here in harmony. Apart from that, you can find various places to spend time with your friends and family.
This blog gives your insight into the complete system of Jefferson County Alabama. So, if you plan to visit Jefferson County Alabama, you’ll know everything about the place and exactly know what you’ll do there.
Web Reference:
Jefferson County Alabama – Wikipedia
