Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 103,570. Its county seat is Athens. The county is named after Limestone Creek. Limestone County is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.

History

Limestone County was established by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818.

thumbnail|left|Historical marker on the northwest side of the courthouse

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (7.8%) is water. It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.

River

  • Tennessee River
  • Elk River

Adjacent counties

  • Giles County, Tennessee - north
  • Lincoln County, Tennessee - northeast
  • Madison County - east
  • Morgan County - southeast
  • Lawrence County - southwest
  • Lauderdale County - west

National protected area

  • Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

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Education

School districts include:

  • Limestone County School District operates public schools for students living in most areas of Limestone County not incorporated in the Cities of Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, and/or Madison.
  • Athens City Schools - K-12 education for the city of Athens
  • Decatur City School District
  • Huntsville City School District
  • Madison City School District

Tertiary education:

  • Calhoun Community College - two-year college located in the southern part of the county in Decatur
  • Athens State University - two-year upper level university located in Athens

Transportation

Major highways

  • 20px Interstate 65
  • 23px Interstate 565
  • 20px U.S. Highway 31
  • 20px U.S. Highway 72
  • 20px<br/>20px20px Alternate U.S. Highway 72/State Route 20
  • 20px State Route 53
  • 20px State Route 99
  • 20px State Route 127
  • 20px State Route 251

Railways

  • CSX Transportation—freight line that runs North to South
  • Norfolk Southern Railway—freight line that runs east–west
  • Noah Bike and Vintage Car Trail – a road route for bicycles, motorcycles, and vintage cars in Northwest Limestone County that is long. The starts and ends at the Athens-Limestone Visitor Center at .
  • Richard Martin Trail – a rail trail in northern part of the county for bicycling, horseback riding, and walking. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010.

GOLFING

  • Canebrake Club – membership
  • Southern Gayles Golf Club – community

FISHING

  • Limestone County Alabama offers access to the prime fishing waters of the Elk River, Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake.

HUNTING

  • Limestone Hunting Preserve & Sporting Clays offers deer, dove, quail, pheasant and chukar hunts and sporting clays.
  • Piney Creek Kennels and Hunting Preserve offers 100+ acres of dove and quail hunting land.
  • Swan Creek WMA – 8,870 acres of Alabama Department of Conservation managed area and includes a shooting range
  • Tennessee Valley Federal Property – 11,300 acres of regulated hunting land

FESTIVALS

  • February
  • Hospice Chili Challenge – last weekend
  • March
  • Polk Sallet Follies – second week, Thursday-Saturday
  • Home and Garden Show – second weekend
  • April
  • Athens Cruise In (April–September)
  • Saturday Historic Walking Tours – Athens & Mooresville – each Saturday
  • Cars and Bikes on the Square – last Saturday
  • Singing on the Square (April–September) – third Fridays
  • Earth Day Celebration – third Saturday
  • May
  • Athens-Limestone Relay for Life
  • Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo
  • Athens Bible School Homespun Arts and Crafts Show
  • June
  • Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival (last weekend in June to first weekend August)
  • July
  • Limestone County Week of Independence (last Saturday of June to first Saturday of July)
  • Firework Show
  • Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull – second weekend
  • CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament – third Saturday
  • Alabama Championship Tractor and Truck Pull – Tanner – last weekend
  • August
  • Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival
  • Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo
  • Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days
  • September
  • Athens Grease Festival
  • October
  • Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention – first full weekend
  • Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby – first full weekend
  • Athens Storytelling Festival – last weekend
  • November
  • Hilltop Arts Festival
  • Athens Christmas Open House
  • December
  • Athens Christmas Parade
  • Limestone County Tree Lighting (same night as Athens Parade)
  • Ardmore Christmas Parade
  • Elkmont Lions Club Christmas Parade
  • Sippin' Cider
  • Lincoln Bridgeforth Park Tree Lighting