Cherokee County, Alabama

county in Alabama, United States

Cherokee County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named for the Cherokee tribe. As of 2020 the population was 24,971.[1] Its county seat is Centre. It is a prohibition or dry county which means alcoholic drinks cannot be sold.

Cherokee County
Cherokee County Courthouse in Centre
Cherokee County Courthouse in Centre
Flag of Cherokee County
Official seal of Cherokee County
Map of Alabama highlighting Cherokee County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°10′11″N 85°35′39″W / 34.169722222222°N 85.594166666667°W / 34.169722222222; -85.594166666667
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedJanuary 9, 1836
Named forCherokee Nation
SeatCentre
Largest cityCentre
Area
 • Total600 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land554 sq mi (1,430 km2)
 • Water46 sq mi (120 km2)  7.7%
Population
 • Total24,971
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Websitewww.cherokeecounty-al.gov

History change

Cherokee County was formed by European Americans on January 9, 1836. The county was created on territory of the Cherokee Nation.[2] The Cherokee were forceably removed by the US government in what was known as the Trail of Tears in 1838. Cherokee County was created by the Alabama legislature on 1836 January 9 following the Treaty of New Echota, 1835 December 29.[3] The Cherokee people did not accept the Treaty because the people who signed were not authorized.

An F4 tornado struck here on Palm Sunday March 27, 1994. It destroyed Goshen United Methodist Church twelve minutes after the National Weather Service of Birmingham issued a tornado warning for northern Calhoun, southeastern Etowah, and southern Cherokee counties. 22 people were killed, including the groom's 4-year-old daughter.

Geography change

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 599.95 square miles (1,553.9 km2). 553.12 square miles (1,432.6 km2) (or 92.19%) is land and 46.83 square miles (121.3 km2) (or 7.81%) is water.[4]

Major highways change

Border counties change

National protected areas change

Cities and towns change

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "QuickFacts: Cherokee County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  2. "Cherokees in Alabama". Alabama Humanities Foundation and Auburn University. Archived from the original on 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  3. "Alabama Counties: Cherokee County". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  4. "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13.