About Calhoun County Alabama

Formerly know as Benton County, Calhoun County rests in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Located on Interstate 20 approximately 50 miles East of Birmingham Alabama and 80 miles West of Atlanta Georgia. Calhoun County has numerous activities and recreation located within the county in addition to the "Big City" life located only a stones throw in either direction.

Calhoun County was created in 1839 from land ceded by the Creek Indians. It was originally named after Col. Thomas Hart Benton, but it was later changed in 1858 in memory of South Carolina Sen. John C. Calhoun. The county seat was established at Jacksonville in 1833, but it was moved to Anniston in 1899.

The county is largely urbanized and has a population of more than 117,000 with 19 percent black, 79 percent white, 1 percent latino and 1 percent other. Sixty-seven percent of adults have completed high school. The county has 19 elementary schools, five middle schools,15 high schools, a technical school, two-year college and a four-year university.

Tourist attractions include numerous areas for outdoor recreation, the Knox Concert Series, Neely Henry Dam, the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the Berman Museum, Janney Furnace Museum and Memorial Park, Cheif Ladiga Bike and Walking Trail and Silver Lakes Golf Course.

See our Calhoun County History Page for additional information on our county.