Population49,912 (2025 est.)
Wiregrass Roots Beneath a Tradition of Flight
Dale County, AlabamaDale County sits in southeastern Alabama’s Wiregrass region, where Ozark, Daleville and smaller communities share a strong connection to Army aviation. Ozark is the county seat, while Newton and Daleville preserve earlier chapters in the county’s civic history. The landscape belongs to Alabama’s coastal plain, with U.S. highways 84 and 231 among its major routes. This guide connects that regional setting with the communities and services that make up everyday life here.
Dale County at a Glance
Population49,912 (2025 est.)
County SeatOzark
Largest CityOzark
Established1824
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water563 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 84; U.S. Highway 231; State Route 27; State Route 51; State Route 85; State Route 92
Area CodesVaries by community
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Discover Dale County
Dale County
Dale County was established in 1824, with boundaries that once included land later assigned to neighboring counties. Its seat began at Dale Court House, the community now known as Daleville, before moving to Newton in 1841 and Ozark in 1870. Those moves provide a useful thread through local history. In a later chapter, Army aviation became closely associated with the area around Ozark and Daleville, adding a military connection to a county rooted in the Wiregrass landscape.
Understanding Dale County starts with its separate communities. Ozark is the place to begin for county government, Daleville has close ties to the military installation, and Newton offers another connection to the county's earlier history. Smaller places such as Ariton and Midland City round out the picture. Use the local service links to plan practical stops, and check the responsible office or destination before setting out across the county.
What Shapes Us
Aviation Connections
Ozark and Daleville share close geographic ties to Army aviation, an important part of the county's identity alongside its older towns and rural communities.
Changing County Seats
Daleville, Newton and Ozark mark successive chapters in county government, creating a clear route through the history of how this part of Alabama developed.
Wiregrass Communities
Ariton, Midland City and other smaller communities give the county a wider local identity than its two principal cities or its military connections alone.
Explore the communities beneath the Wiregrass skies.
A Closer Look
Dale County
Places and perspectives from Dale County
Dale County headlines via Google News
Dale County CERT Seeks Volunteers to Help Neighbors - Wiregrass Daily News
Dale County CERT Seeks Volunteers to Help Neighbors Wiregrass Daily News
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Dale County
Stories from every corner of Dale County.
Dale County CERT Seeks Volunteers to Help Neighbors - Wiregrass Daily News
Dale County CERT Seeks Volunteers to Help Neighbors Wiregrass Daily News
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Mrs. Mary Louise Maund Hughes, a resident of the Chalkhead Community - Rickey Stokes News
Mrs. Mary Louise Maund Hughes, a resident of the Chalkhead Community Rickey Stokes News
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Anvil Industrial Group expands operations in Dale County - Dothan Eagle
Anvil Industrial Group expands operations in Dale County Dothan Eagle
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
VIDEO: Tree falls on Dale County deputy responding to wreck - 1819 News
VIDEO: Tree falls on Dale County deputy responding to wreck 1819 News
Oct 11, 2026 • 2 min read
Hurricane Isaias' Aftermath: Dale County - WSFA
Hurricane Isaias' Aftermath: Dale County WSFA
Oct 10, 2026 • 2 min read
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Ariton School – Other; grades PK-12. 264 Creel Richardson Drive, Ariton, AL 36311. 334-762-2371.
Daleville Middle School – Middle; grades 05-08. 626 N Daleville Ave, Dalevile, AL 36322. 334-598-4463.
Harry N Mixon Intermediate School – Elementary; grades 01-06. 349 Sherrill Ln, Ozark, AL 36360. 334-774-4912.
Midland City Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 48 Second Street, Midland City, AL 36350. 334-983-4591.
Dale County High School – High; grades 09-12. 11470 County Road 59, Midland City, AL 36350. 334-983-3541.
Newton Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 523 South College St, Newton, AL 36352. 334-445-5564.
South Dale Middle School – Middle; grades 05-08. 309 Randolph Street, Pinckard, AL 36371. 334-983-3077.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Dale Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 126 Hospital Ave, Ozark, AL 36360. 334-774-2601.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Daleville Public Library – 308 Donnell Boulevard, Daleville, AL 36322. 334-503-9119.
Midland City – Mary Berry Brown Memorial Library – 1318 Hinton Waters Avenue, Midland City, AL 36350. 334-983-1191.
Newton Public Library – 209 Oates Drive, Newton, AL 36352. 334-299-3361.
Ozark – Dale County Public Library – 296 North Union Avenue, Ozark, AL 36360. 334-774-5480.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Alabama — Driver License Offices
Alabama — License and ID Cards
Alabama — Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Dale County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Dale County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
49,912 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
562.677 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
The original seat was Dale Court House, now Daleville. It moved to Newton in 1841 and to Ozark in 1870. Those communities provide three useful points for understanding the county’s civic history. Dale County Commission.
Dale County’s own introduction identifies the area as part of southeastern Alabama’s Wiregrass region, named for a hardy grass that grew abundantly there. The term describes a wider region, not a separate municipality. Dale County regional introduction.
Start with these official Alabama resources: Driver License Offices; License and ID Cards; Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Dale County was established in 1824, with boundaries that once included land later assigned to neighboring counties. Its seat began at Dale Court House, the community now known as Daleville, before moving to Newton in 1841 and Ozark in 1870. Those moves provide a useful thread through local history. In a later chapter, Army aviation became closely associated with the area around Ozark and Daleville, adding a military connection to a county rooted in the Wiregrass landscape.
Understanding Dale County starts with its separate communities. Ozark is the place to begin for county government, Daleville has close ties to the military installation, and Newton offers another connection to the county's earlier history. Smaller places such as Ariton and Midland City round out the picture. Use the local service links to plan practical stops, and check the responsible office or destination before setting out across the county.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 561.113 square miles of land and 1.564 square miles of water in Dale County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Dale CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Dale County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Dale County