Carrollton

James P. Kaetz, Auburn University
Carrollton is the seat of Pickens County. It has a mayor/city council form of government.
History
Pickens County War Memorial
Carrollton was founded on 80 acres of land given to Pickens County by the federal government in 1830 to establish a county seat, land formerly occupied by the Choctaws. The town was named after Charles Carroll of Maryland, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was officially incorporated on January 15, 1831. The first county courthouse was burned by Union troops during the Civil War, and the second in 1876, by arson. It was replaced with a new structure in 1877 that was used until 1994, when a new facility was built. The old courthouse building still stands.
Demographics
Carrollton Post Office Mural
According to 2016 Census estimates, Carrollton recorded a population of 1,082. Of that number, 56.8 percent identified themselves as white, 40.9 as African American, 7.6 percent as Hispanic, and 1.9 percent as two or more races. The city's median household income was $25,192, and per capita income was $19,598.
Employment
The workforce in Carrollton, according to 2016 Census estimates, is divided among the following industrial categories:
  • Educational services, and health care and social assistance (25.9 percent)
  • Manufacturing (17.4 percent)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and extractive (8.2 percent)
  • Construction (7.6 percent)
  • Public administration (7.3 percent)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (7.0 percent)
  • Professional, scientific, management, and administrative and waste management services (6.1 percent)
  • Other services, except public administration (5.5 percent)
  • Wholesale trade (4.9 percent)
  • Finance, insurance, and real estate, rental, and leasing (4.0 percent)
  • Transportation and warehousing and utilities (3.4 percent)
  • Retail trade (2.7 percent)
Education
Face of Henry Wells, Old Pickens County Courthouse
Schools in Carrollton are part of the Pickens County School District; the city has one elementary school and one high school. It also has one private school serving K-12.
Transportation
Carrollton is intersected by State Highways 17 (north-south) and 86 (east-west).
Events and Places of Interest
The historic Pickens County Courthouse is located in Carrollton. Local legend states that the face of Henry Wells, arrested for burning down the second county courthouse in 1876, was etched by lightning in a window pane of the courthouse. The town host's an annual Face in the Window Fest each fall that features a theatrical performance based on the legend, as well as food and live entertainment.

Additional Resources

Clanahan, J. F. The History of Pickens County, Alabama, 1540-1920. Carrollton, Ala.: Clanahan Publication, 1964.
Pickens County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Pickens County, Alabama. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 1999.
Published:  March 29, 2010   |   Last updated:  January 10, 2019