Cullman County, Alabama

Cullman County
County
Cullman County Courthouse in Cullman
Seal Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°08′00″N 86°52′00″W / 34.1333°N 86.8667°W / 34.1333; -86.8667
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Founded	January 24, 1877
Named for	John G. Cullmann
Seat	Cullman
Largest city	Cullman
Area
• Total	755 sq mi (1,960 km2)
• Land	735 sq mi (1,900 km2)
• Water	20 sq mi (50 km2)  2.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	87,866
• Estimate  (2023)	92,016
• Density	120/sq mi (45/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	www.co.cullman.al.us
County Number 25 on Alabama Licence Plates

Cullman County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 87,866.^[1] Its county seat and largest city is Cullman.^[2] Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann.

Cullman County comprises the Cullman, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area.

It is served by TV stations and FM radio stations from both Huntsville and Birmingham and is part of the designated market area, or "DMA," of Birmingham. Cullman is a "moist" county in terms of availability of alcoholic beverages; the cities of Cullman, Good Hope, and Hanceville allow sale of alcohol and are "wet" and the rest of the county is dry.

This area was inhabited for thousands of years by varying cultures of indigenous peoples. The historic Cherokee and Choctaw lived here at the time of European encounter, with the Cherokee moving in after the American Revolutionary War and in response to pressures from northern areas. Their settlements in Alabama were known as the Lower Towns.

People claiming descent from Cherokee who remained in the county after Indian Removal in the 1830s, organized as the "Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama" in the 1980s. The tribe was recognized by the state in 1984 but is not federally recognized. It claims 22,000 members in the state, mostly in northern Alabama.^[3]

Cullman County was organized in 1877 primarily by German American immigrants who had moved down from Cincinnati, Ohio. They founded an agricultural community and sought to create an agricultural revolution in what had been a frontier area, in the best traditions of innovation in the New South. However, hard geographical and social realities clashed with the often impractical vision of colonizer John G. Cullmann. His Germans, with their traditional work ethic and willingness to experiment with such new products as wine and strawberries, tried to make practical changes in southern farming. The Germans were outnumbered by more traditional families from neighboring regions, who replicated the traditional southern cotton culture.

On April 27, 2011, Cullman was hit by the 2011 Cullman tornado, which took place during the 2011 Super Outbreak.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 square miles (1,960 km²), of which 735 square miles (1,900 km²) is land and 20 square miles (52 km²) (2.7%) is water.^[4]

• Morgan County (north)
• Marshall County (northeast)
• Blount County (east)
• Walker County (southwest)
• Winston County (west)
• Lawrence County (northwest)

• CSX Transportation

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	6,355		—
1890	13,439		111.5%
1900	17,849		32.8%
1910	28,321		58.7%
1920	33,034		16.6%
1930	41,051		24.3%
1940	47,343		15.3%
1950	49,046		3.6%
1960	45,572		−7.1%
1970	52,445		15.1%
1980	61,642		17.5%
1990	67,613		9.7%
2000	77,483		14.6%
2010	80,406		3.8%
2020	87,866		9.3%
2023 (est.)	92,016	[5]	4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8] 1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

Cullman County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[10]	Pop 2010[11]	Pop 2020[12]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	73,940	74,568	78,298	95.43%	92.74%	89.11%
Black or African American alone (NH)	726	821	914	0.94%	1.02%	1.04%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	277	397	287	0.36%	0.49%	0.33%
Asian alone (NH)	136	339	522	0.18%	0.42%	0.59%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	26	18	64	0.03%	0.02%	0.07%
Other race alone (NH)	22	41	151	0.03%	0.05%	0.17%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	668	768	3,484	0.86%	0.96%	3.97%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,688	3,454	4,146	2.18%	4.30%	4.72%
Total	77,483	80,406	87,866	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 87,866 people, 32,090 households, and 23,212 families residing in the county.

As of the census^[13] of 2010, there were 80,406 people, 31,864 households, and 22,487 families living in the county. The population density was 109 people per square mile (42 people/km²). There were 37,054 housing units at an average density of 49 units per square mile (19 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.7% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 4.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,864 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,567, and the median income for a family was $47,771. Males had a median income of $36,952 versus $27,979 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,284. About 12.8% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census^[14] of 2000, there were 77,483 people, 30,706 households, and 22,476 families living in the county. The population density was 105 people per square mile (41 people/km²). There were 35,233 housing units at an average density of 48 units per square mile (19 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.81% White, 0.96% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 2.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,706 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,256, and the median income for a family was $39,341. Males had a median income of $30,444 versus $20,436 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,922. About 9.50% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Public education in Cullman County is provided by three systems: the Cullman City School Board, Arab City School District, and the Cullman County School Board, which includes unincorporated areas and in all municipalities except the cities of Arab and (the vast majority of) Cullman.^[15]

• Cullman High School - under the governance of the Cullman City School Board

Private educational institutions in the county include:

• Christ Covenant School - located in Cullman (Grades K-2)
• Cullman Christian School - located in Cullman (Grades K-12)
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School - located in Cullman (Grades PreK-6)
• St. Bernard Preparatory School - located in Cullman (Grades 7–12)
• St. Paul's Lutheran School - located in Cullman (Grades K-6)
• Vinemont Christian Academy - located in South Vinemont (Grades PreK-12)

Cullman is also the home of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. It was named for the former Governor of Alabama, George C. Wallace. The public, non-profit college opened its doors in 1966 and has grown to become the third largest community college in the state of Alabama, with an enrollment of around 6,000 students. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees. Many programs have additional accreditation from organizations appropriate to the particular disciplines. Wallace State offers hundreds of degree and certificate options in dozens of programs in its Academic, Health and Technical Divisions. The college offers more Health programs than any other community college in the state. The college offers early enrollment through its Dual Enrollment, Fast Track Academy and Fast Track for Industry programs, the latter of which is funded through grants that allow free tuition for qualified students entering the technical, academic and health programs included in the program. The college's current president is Dr. Vicki P. Karolewics, who is the institution's third president in 50 years. She was preceded by Dr. James C. Bailey from 1971 to 2003 and Dr. Ben Johnson from 1965 to 1971. The college is located in the southern portion of Cullman County. Athletic programs at Wallace State include men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball and cheerleading. The college also has a robust intramural sports department offering volleyball, flag football, pickleball, basketball, wallyball, indoor soccer, ping pong, pool, disc golf, tennis, and cornhole.

Cullman County is overwhelmingly Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by a slim majority in 1980 despite losing the state of Alabama to Ronald Reagan.

United States presidential election results for Cullman County, Alabama^[16]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	38,704	89.70%	4,039	9.36%	403	0.93%
2020	36,880	88.12%	4,478	10.70%	493	1.18%
2016	32,989	87.10%	3,798	10.03%	1,086	2.87%
2012	28,999	83.92%	5,052	14.62%	504	1.46%
2008	28,896	81.85%	5,864	16.61%	545	1.54%
2004	26,818	76.21%	8,045	22.86%	328	0.93%
2000	19,157	64.88%	9,758	33.05%	610	2.07%
1996	14,308	53.88%	9,544	35.94%	2,701	10.17%
1992	14,411	49.62%	10,451	35.98%	4,181	14.40%
1988	14,351	61.87%	8,517	36.72%	329	1.42%
1984	14,782	63.92%	7,989	34.55%	355	1.54%
1980	10,212	45.92%	11,525	51.82%	503	2.26%
1976	6,899	34.40%	12,961	64.63%	195	0.97%
1972	14,390	79.54%	3,571	19.74%	130	0.72%
1968	4,964	28.75%	1,115	6.46%	11,186	64.79%
1964	7,152	58.33%	0	0.00%	5,110	41.67%
1960	4,248	40.08%	6,346	59.87%	5	0.05%
1956	4,381	44.12%	5,510	55.49%	38	0.38%
1952	3,391	39.13%	5,254	60.62%	22	0.25%
1948	1,755	32.72%	0	0.00%	3,609	67.28%
1944	2,202	35.83%	3,898	63.43%	45	0.73%
1940	3,057	35.19%	5,603	64.51%	26	0.30%
1936	1,703	30.97%	3,781	68.76%	15	0.27%
1932	956	24.24%	2,910	73.78%	78	1.98%
1928	2,959	65.28%	1,574	34.72%	0	0.00%
1924	1,639	45.11%	1,809	49.79%	185	5.09%
1920	3,492	57.24%	2,566	42.06%	43	0.70%
1916	1,351	48.90%	1,396	50.52%	16	0.58%
1912	264	9.12%	1,230	42.49%	1,401	48.39%
1908	1,521	52.39%	1,239	42.68%	143	4.93%
1904	1,238	41.02%	1,497	49.60%	283	9.38%

• Arab (mostly in Marshall County)
• Cullman (county seat)
• Good Hope
• Hanceville

• East Point
• Joppa (partly in Marshall County)

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

• Cullman County
• Cullman Live Community Forum

• Davis, Robert S., “The Old World in the New South: Entrepreneurial Ventures and the Agricultural History of Cullman County, Alabama,” Agricultural History, 79 (Fall 2005), 439–61.

34°08′N 86°52′W / 34.133°N 86.867°W / 34.133; -86.867