Chilton County, Alabama is a rural county located in the central part of the state. It is bordered to the north by Autauga County, to the east by Elmore County, to the south by Shelby County and to the west by Coosa and Talladega Counties. The county has an area of 671 square miles and a population of 43,643 as of 2019.
Chilton County is largely rural with rolling hills and low mountains in its northern part. The county has several small lakes including Lay Lake, Mitchell Lake, Lake Purdy and Logan Martin Lake which are popular spots for fishing and other recreational activities. The climate of Chilton County is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 40°F in January to 90°F in July while average precipitation ranges from 3 inches per month in winter months to 5 inches per month during summer months.
The largest city and county seat is Clanton which has a population of 8,619 as of 2019 according to census data. Other notable towns include Jemison (population 2,494) Maplesville (population 1,827) Thorsby (population 1,071) Isabella (population 654) Verbena (population 591) Billingsley (population 459) Marbury (population 443) Lawley (population 372) Randolph (population 336). The majority of residents are white with African-Americans representing 15% of the population followed by Hispanics/Latinos at 4%. Other ethnic groups make up less than 5% each.
Economy of Chilton County, Alabama
Chilton County, Alabama is a rural county located in the central part of the state. The economy of Chilton County is largely based on agriculture and manufacturing. The county’s agricultural sector includes poultry, cattle, hogs, corn, hay and cotton. Manufacturing is centered around food processing and automotive parts production.
The county’s largest employer is the Clanton-based poultry processor Wayne Farms LLC which employs over 1,000 people in the area. Other major employers include Clanton-based auto parts manufacturer Autocar LLC (350 employees) Maplesville-based food processor Southern Foods Inc (250 employees) Clanton-based auto parts manufacturer Advance Auto Parts Inc (200 employees) and Jemison-based automotive supplier JEMCO Inc (150 employees).
The unemployment rate in Chilton County was 3.7% as of August 2020 which is lower than the state average of 4.0%. The median household income for 2019 was $41,895 which is slightly lower than the state average of $44,758 according to census data from 2019.
The county has several educational institutions including the University of Montevallo at the Clanton campus and Central Alabama Community College at Chilton/Clanton campus both offering degree programs for local students as well as distance education for students from other parts of Alabama and beyond. There are also several private schools in the area offering K-12 education for local students including Jemison High School, Thorsby High School and Isabella High School among others.
Libraries in Chilton County, Alabama
According to babyinger, Chilton County, Alabama is home to a variety of libraries that serve the educational and recreational needs of its residents. The Clanton Public Library is the largest library in the county and offers a wide range of services, including books, magazines, newspapers, audio-visual materials, online databases and public computers. The library also hosts a variety of programs such as book clubs, story times and computer classes.
The Verbena Public Library serves the residents of Verbena with books, magazines, newspapers and audio-visual materials. It also has internet access for patrons to use for research or recreational activities. The library hosts regular events such as author visits and book clubs for adults as well as story times and craft activities for children.
The Billingsley Public Library has a collection of books, magazines, newspapers and audio-visual materials for patrons to use. It also offers public computers with internet access for research or recreational activities. The library also hosts regular events such as film screenings and author talks for adults as well as story times and arts & crafts activities for children.
Marbury Public Library provides its patrons with books, magazines, newspapers and audio-visual materials along with computers with internet access. It regularly hosts events such as book club meetings and author visits along with story times and art classes for children.
Lawley Public Library serves the residents of Lawley with books, magazines, newspapers and audio-visual materials along with public computers offering internet access. The library regularly hosts events such as film screenings or author talks in addition to various activities aimed at children including story times or arts & crafts classes.
Randolph Public Library offers its patrons books (including ebooks), magazines (including digital subscriptions), newspapers (including digital subscriptions) in addition to audio-visual materials (CDs/DVDs). It also has internet access available on public computers where patrons can do research or enjoy recreational activities online. The library regularly hosts events such as book club meetings or author talks in addition to various programs aimed at children including story times or arts & crafts classes.
Landmarks in Chilton County, Alabama
According to DIRECTORYAAH, Chilton County, Alabama is a rural area that is home to some of the most unique and beautiful landmarks in the state. From historical sites to natural wonders, there is something for everyone to admire.
The Chilton County Courthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks in the county. This two-story red brick building was constructed in 1868 and still stands today as a symbol of justice and law. The courthouse is surrounded by a lush lawn that hosts a variety of events including concerts, festivals, and more.
The Chilton County Historical Museum is another popular landmark in the area. It houses artifacts from all over the county ranging from Native American artifacts to Civil War memorabilia. There are also interactive exhibits about local history and culture, as well as educational programs for children and adults alike.
The Clanton City Park is an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of daily life in Chilton County. It offers plenty of activities for visitors such as hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing ponds, basketball courts, and more. The park also has several historic buildings including a log cabin dating back to 1810 that has been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Another charming landmark in Chilton County is Maplesville’s Town Square. This charming square features several unique shops such as antique stores selling vintage items or boutiques selling handmade goods from local artisans. Visitors can also find restaurants serving up classic southern cuisine or enjoy coffee at one of the many cafes here on the square.
Finally, no trip to Chilton County would be complete without visiting Lay Lake Wildlife Refuge & Nature Trail System located near Clanton Lake Dam. This wildlife refuge features several trails perfect for hiking or biking through lush forests filled with native flora and fauna such as deer, wild turkeys, foxes, beavers, herons, egrets and more. The refuge also offers visitors a chance to observe wildlife up close with its observation tower overlooking Lay Lake where bald eagles can often be seen soaring above its waters or perched atop trees nearby.