Bibb County Extension Office

Alabama Gray Rat Snake

About Bibb County

Bibb County, a rural county in west-central Alabama, is bisected by a geological fall line separating the foothills of the Appalachians in northern Bibb County from the rolling, sandy hills of the Gulf Coastal Plain to the south. The natural diversity of these unique settings is highlighted by two major resources for nature-based tourism---the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest and the Cahaba River, Alabama's longest free flowing river. The Cahaba River is noted for its rapids that are ideal for canoeing, as well as for the rare Cahaba Lily and many species of aquatic life listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Ample locations offer excellent hiking, canoeing and nature photography opportunities.

Bibb County was created by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on February 7, 1818.  The county was originally named Cahawba, a word derived from the Choctaw words oka aba (the river above) for the rapids and waterfalls on the Cahaba River.  On December 4, 1820, the state legislature renamed the county in honor of Alabama’s first Governor, William Wyatt Bibb.

Incorporated municipalities are Brent, Centreville, West Blocton and Woodstock. Centreville is the county seat.

According to the 2010 Census, Bibb County's total population is 22,919, a ten percent increase from 20,826 in 2000.  22 percent of the population is black, 76 percent is white, and most of the remaining 2 percent is of Hispanic or Latino origin.  

The educational, healthcare/social assistance, retail trade, accommodation/food services and manufacturing sectors provide employment for most of the county’s residents.  Forestry and related industries also continue to be a major component of the county's economy.  County leaders are also developing capacity for historical and nature based tourism as a tool to grow the local economy and improve quality of life.

Public and private K-12 education is available in Bibb County. The Bibb County Public School District is comprised of four elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and a technical school.  Private schools include Cahawba Christian Academy and McCulley Hill Christian School.

The Bibb County Extension Office houses four full-time and one part-time staff, and it supports numerous volunteers who help to deliver Extension programs. Please visit the links above for more information about Bibb County.