Walker County, Georgia

Walker County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,756.[1] The county seat is LaFayette.[2] The county was created on December 18, 1833, from land formerly belonging to the Cherokee Indian Nation.

Walker County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°44′N 85°18′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 18, 1833
Named forFreeman Walker
SeatLaFayette
Largest cityLaFayette
Area
 • Total447 sq mi (1,160 km2)
 • Land446 sq mi (1,160 km2)
 • Water0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
69,410
 • Density154/sq mi (59/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district14th
Websitewww.walkercountyga.gov

Walker County is part of the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Walker County was named after Georgia's U.S. Senator, Freeman Walker (1780-1827).[3]

Civil War battles fought in Walker County were part of the Chickamauga Campaign fought between August 21 and September 20, 1863:

In 2002 the Tri-State Crematory scandal in Noble came to national attention when 339 bodies that were consigned to be cremated were discovered on the property. The owner, Ray Brent Marsh, was convicted of several charges and sentenced to twelve years in prison.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 446 square miles (1,160 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5] The northern two-thirds of Walker County is located in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. Most of the southeastern portion of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a very small southeastern sliver located in the Conasauga River sub-basin in the larger ACT River Basin. The rest of the southern portion of Walker County is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin.[6]

Adjacent counties

Natural attractions and features

Government and politics

As of 2020, Walker County is one of only nine counties in the United States still employing the sole commissioner form of government.[7] Georgia is the last remaining state that allows sole commissioners.[8] In a 2018 referendum, Walker County voters approved with an 80% margin a transition to a five-member board of commissioners, consisting of four commissioners elected by district and a chairperson. The first members of the board will be elected in November 2020 and take office in January 2021 with Districts 1 and 2 commissioners serving an initial 2-year term and Districts 3 and 4 commissioners and the chairperson serving an initial 4-year term. From 2022, every commissioner will serve 4 year terms, therefore ensuring that half the commission is up for reelection every 2 years. The commission will meet in LaFayette, the county seat.[9]

The commissioners of each district will represent the following areas:[10]

Transportation

Major highways

Current

Defunct

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18406,572—
185013,10999.5%
186010,082−23.1%
18709,925−1.6%
188011,05611.4%
189013,28220.1%
190015,66117.9%
191018,69219.4%
192023,37025.0%
193026,20612.1%
194031,02418.4%
195038,19823.1%
196045,26418.5%
197050,69112.0%
198056,47011.4%
199058,3403.3%
200061,0534.7%
201068,75612.6%
2018 (est.)69,410[11]1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 61,053 people, 23,605 households, and 17,467 families living in the county. The population density was 137 people per square mile (53/km2). There were 25,577 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.43% White, 3.78% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 23,605 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,406, and the median income for a family was $39,034. Males had a median income of $29,448 versus $21,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,867. About 10.00% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 68,756 people, 26,497 households, and 18,898 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 154.0 inhabitants per square mile (59.5/km2). There were 30,100 housing units at an average density of 67.4 per square mile (26.0/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 4.1% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were American, 15.3% were Irish, 11.2% were English, and 9.3% were German.[19]

Of the 26,497 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.7% were non-families, and 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years.[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,723 and the median income for a family was $46,307. Males had a median income of $38,297 versus $29,285 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,440. About 11.6% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.[20]

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Politics
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 79.0% 23,174 19.6% 5,769 1.4% 411
2016 79.1% 18,950 17.6% 4,215 3.3% 791
2012 73.9% 16,247 24.0% 5,274 2.2% 475
2008 72.3% 17,110 25.8% 6,095 1.9% 449
2004 71.3% 15,340 27.8% 5,986 0.8% 176
2000 65.2% 12,326 33.6% 6,341 1.2% 228
1996 50.1% 8,817 38.3% 6,743 11.6% 2038
1992 48.5% 8,489 35.6% 6,217 15.9% 2782
1988 68.6% 10,487 31.1% 4,753 0.3% 40
1984 68.2% 10,734 31.8% 5,000
1980 50.2% 7,088 48.2% 6,809 1.7% 235
1976 37.5% 4,807 62.5% 8,007
1972 84.7% 8,728 15.3% 1,574
1968 25.6% 3,664 13.5% 1,930 60.9% 8,725
1964 52.1% 5,939 47.8% 5,454 0.1% 8
1960 46.9% 4,027 53.1% 4,566
1956 49.0% 3,552 51.0% 3,693
1952 39.6% 2,866 60.4% 4,366
1948 20.0% 980 69.8% 3,418 10.2% 497
1944 21.7% 765 78.2% 2,753 0.0% 1
1940 16.3% 558 83.5% 2,859 0.2% 7
1936 16.5% 458 83.3% 2,313 0.2% 5
1932 15.1% 405 83.8% 2,255 1.2% 31
1928 62.9% 1,786 37.1% 1,053
1924 32.9% 878 65.1% 1,740 2.0% 54
1920 44.3% 1,069 55.8% 1,347
1916 11.4% 300 71.8% 1,883 16.7% 439
1912 29.1% 404 55.5% 771 15.5% 215

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Walker County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 106. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  4. Hart, Ariel (November 20, 2004). "Georgia Crematory manager Pleads Guilty and Gives Apology". New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  7. "NACO County Government Structure: A State by State Report" (PDF). National Association of Counties. March 2009.
  8. "'Sole Commissioner' Wins in Georgia". WSJ. November 9, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  9. "Changing Walker County's Form of Government". Walker County, Georgia. December 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  10. "Walker County commission districts" (PDF). Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office. December 2018.
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  18. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  19. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  20. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.

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