Macon County, Alabama
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| Macon County, Alabama | |
|---|---|
| County | Macon County |
| State | Alabama |
| Founded | December 18, 1832 |
| Seat | Tuskegee |
| Largest city | Tuskegee |
| Area total sq mi | 609 |
| Area land sq mi | 608 |
| Area water sq mi | 1.0 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 19632 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Time zone | Central |
| Named for | Nathaniel Macon |
| District | 2nd |
Macon County, Alabama. Located in the east-central part of the state, Macon County is a region steeped in African American history and educational legacy. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1832 from land ceded by the Creek people in the Treaty of Cusseta and named for Nathaniel Macon, a prominent North Carolina senator. The county is internationally renowned as the home of Tuskegee University and the associated Tuskegee Airmen.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Creek Confederacy before European American settlement expanded following the Creek War and subsequent treaties. The county seat, Tuskegee, was established shortly after the county's formation. Macon County's history is profoundly shaped by the post-Civil War establishment of the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers in 1881 by Booker T. Washington. This institution evolved into the famed Tuskegee Institute, a cornerstone of African American education. The 20th century saw the county become the site of the controversial Tuskegee syphilis experiment conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service and, more honorably, the training base for the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The Civil Rights Movement was also active here, with figures like Rosa Parks being born in the county and Gomillion v. Lightfoot challenging electoral boundaries.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 609 square miles, nearly all of which is land. It lies within the East Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic region. The county is bordered by Bullock County to the south, Russell County to the east, Tallapoosa County to the north, and Elmore County and Montgomery County to the west. Major waterways include Uphapee Creek and Tallapoosa River, which forms part of its western border. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and fertile plains.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 19,632. The population density is approximately 32 people per square mile. The racial makeup is overwhelmingly African American, representing one of the highest percentages in the United States. The largest community and only incorporated city is the county seat of Tuskegee. Other significant communities include Notasulga and Franklin. Population peaks occurred in the early 20th century before declining due to agricultural changes and the Great Migration.
Government and infrastructure
Macon County operates under a commission government. It is part of Alabama's 2nd congressional district. Key infrastructure includes the Tuskegee Municipal Airport, which has historical ties to the Tuskegee Airmen training program. The county is served by State Route 81 and U.S. Route 80 in Alabama. Significant federal facilities have included the Tuskegee Veterans Administration Medical Center and the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University.
Economy
The economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, particularly cotton production in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the primary economic drivers are education, healthcare, and public administration, largely centered around Tuskegee University and the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System. The university is a major employer and fosters research in fields like engineering and veterinary medicine. Some light manufacturing and retail sectors support the local economy, while tourism related to the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site provides additional revenue.
Education
Education is dominated by the presence of Tuskegee University, a private, historically black university founded by Booker T. Washington. The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine is notable. Public primary and secondary education is managed by the Macon County School District, which includes schools like Tuskegee Institute Middle School and Booker T. Washington High School. The county is also served by the Tuskegee Public Library.
Culture and notable people
Macon County holds a pivotal place in African American culture and history. The Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site preserves the campus of Tuskegee University, including The Oaks, home of Booker T. Washington. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site commemorates the first African American military aviators. Notable natives and residents include civil rights icon Rosa Parks; scientist George Washington Carver, who taught at Tuskegee; Lionel Richie of the Commodores; and Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X. The county is also the setting for the novel *The Wedding* by Danielle Steel.