Washington County, Alabama

Washington County
The Washington County Courthouse in September 2007
The Washington County Courthouse in September 2007
Flag of Washington County
Map of Alabama highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°24′33″N 88°12′41″W / 31.4092°N 88.2114°W / 31.4092; -88.2114
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedJune 4, 1801
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatChatom
Largest townChatom
Area
 • Total
1,089 sq mi (2,820 km2)
 • Land1,080 sq mi (2,800 km2)
 • Water8.4 sq mi (22 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
15,388
 • Estimate 
(2023)
15,022 Decrease
 • Density14/sq mi (5.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
  • County Number 65 on Alabama Licence Plates

Washington County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,388.[1] The county seat is Chatom.[2] The county was named in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. In September 2018 The United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) added Washington County to the Mobile, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area but was removed in effective July 2023.[3]

The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians is the first state-recognized tribe in Alabama. It is based in Washington County, with some members also in Mobile County, Alabama. A total of nine tribes have received state recognition since 1979.

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01" (PDF). www.whitehouse.gov. July 21, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2024.