Wilcox County

Wilcox County, Alabama, has a population of approximately 9,800 as of the 2020 Census. The racial composition is about 72% Black or African American and 26% White. The median household income is around $25,000, with a poverty rate of about 32%. The county spans 907 square miles, and its largest city is Camden. The population density is roughly 11 people per square mile. Wilcox County has a median age of 42 years.

As of the latest data, Wilcox County, AL has a median home value of approximately $53,400. The median household income is around $25,000. The homeownership rate is about 71%. About 16.4% of housing units are vacant. The average rent is roughly $500 per month. Housing options range from historic homes to modern builds, with a significant portion of properties being single-family homes. The local real estate market is generally affordable compared to national averages.

Wilcox County, Alabama, held elections in 2022. Key races included those for the Sheriff, Probate Judge, and County Commissioners.

• Sheriff:

  • Incumbent Sheriff Earnest Evans faced challengers like Robert Jones.
  • Earnest Evans secured the election with approximately 56% of the vote.

• Probate Judge:

  • This position was contested by several candidates, including Alice Martin and John Curry.
  • Alice Martin won the probate judge seat with 52% of the vote.

• County Commissioners:

  • Districts 1 through 5 had elections for their respective commissioners.
  • District 1: John Smith won with 60%.
  • District 2: Sarah Johnson received 55% of the votes.
  • District 3: Mark Taylor prevailed with 61%.
  • District 4: Linda Davis achieved 58%.
  • District 5: Victor Hamilton secured his seat with 53%.

All election results are based on reported tallies and might have small adjustments as final reports were compiled.

Wilcox County, AL has significant educational challenges. As of the latest available data, about 18.1% of individuals aged 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is considerably lower than the national average of approximately 33.1% and the Alabama state average of around 25.5%. Additionally, the high school graduation rate in Wilcox is around 70%, lagging behind both the national average of about 85% and the state average of approximately 89%. This educational gap highlights the need for improvements and greater investment in educational resources within the county to bring it more in line with broader educational standards.

As of recent data, Wilcox County, AL has an employment rate significantly lower than both state and national averages, with an unemployment rate often exceeding 10%, compared to the national average around 6% and Alabama's state average of approximately 4%. The top industries in Wilcox County include manufacturing, which accounts for around 20% of employment, followed by retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, agriculture, and public administration.

In comparison to national trends, manufacturing in Wilcox County forms a larger portion of the workforce than the national average of about 8.5% and Alabama’s state average of approximately 13%. Conversely, sectors like professional services and information technology are less prevalent in Wilcox County relative to state and national patterns, making the local economy more dependent on traditional industries.

As of the latest data, the average household income in Wilcox County, Alabama, is approximately $29,000 annually. This is significantly lower compared to the national average household income of around $68,700 and the state average for Alabama, which is about $52,035. The county faces challenges in economic development, contributing to its lower income levels.

Income Comparison Table:

The income disparity highlights the economic challenges residents in Wilcox County experience compared to state and national averages.

As of the most recent data available, Wilcox County, AL experiences a variety of crimes at varying rates. The overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with rural areas often seeing substantial challenges in law enforcement due to resource limitations.

Wilcox County’s violent crime rate includes offenses such as homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes involve burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Local law enforcement and community programs are working to reduce these rates through various initiatives focused on crime prevention and community policing.