Adjacent counties

• Calhoun County – north
• Cleburne County – northeast
• Clay County – east
• Coosa County – south
• Shelby County – southwest
• St. Clair County – northwest

National protected area

• Talladega National Forest (part)

2020 Census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 82,149 people, 30,602 households, and 20,515 families residing in the county.

2010 Census

As of the census^[16] of 2010, there were 82,291 people, 31,890 households, and 22,191 families living in the county. The population density was 112 inhabitants per square mile (43 inhabitants/km²). There were 37,088 housing units at an average density of 50 units per square mile (19 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.3% White, 31.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Nearly 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,890 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 47.2% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,948, and the median income for a family was $44,695. Males had a median income of $38,430 versus $27,404 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,713. About 15.3% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the census^[17] of 2000, there were 80,321 people, 30,674 households, and 21,901 families living in the county. The population density was 109 inhabitants per square mile (42 inhabitants/km²). There were 34,469 housing units at an average density of 47 units per square mile (18 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 67.02% White, 31.55% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Nearly 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Talladega County were:

• English American 53%
• African American 32%
• Irish American 8.5%
• German American 6%
• Scottish American 2.4%
• Scots-Irish American 2.1%

There were 30,674 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 52.40% were married couples living together, 15.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,628, and the median income for a family was $38,004. Males had a median income of $30,526 versus $21,040 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,704. About 13.90% of families and 17.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Major highways

Rail

• CSX Transportation
• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Amtrak
• Eastern Alabama Railway

Cities

• Childersburg
• Lincoln
• Oxford (part of Oxford is in Calhoun County)
• Sylacauga
• Talladega (county seat)

Towns

• Bon Air
• Munford
• Oak Grove
• Talladega Springs
• Vincent (part of Vincent is in Shelby County and in St. Clair County)
• Waldo

Census-designated places

• Fayetteville
• Mignon

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

• Gantts Quarry