Washington County, Georgia

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,187.[1] The county seat is Sandersville.[2] The county was established on February 25, 1784. It was named for Revolutionary War general (and afterward President of the United States) George Washington.[3]

For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Washington, Georgia.

Washington County
U.S. county
County courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°58′N 82°47′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedFebruary 25, 1784
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatSandersville
Largest citySandersville
Area
 • Total684 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Land678 sq mi (1,760 km2)
 • Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
20,386
 • Density31/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewashingtoncountyga.gov

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 684 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 678 square miles (1,760 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

The western portion of Washington County, west of a north-to-south line running through Sandersville, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The northeastern portion of the county, north of Riddleville, is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin, while the southeastern portion, centered on Harrison, is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
17904,552—
180010,300126.3%
18109,940−3.5%
182010,6276.9%
18309,820−7.6%
184010,5657.6%
185011,76611.4%
186012,6987.9%
187015,84224.8%
188021,96438.6%
189025,23714.9%
190028,22711.8%
191028,174−0.2%
192028,147−0.1%
193025,030−11.1%
194024,230−3.2%
195021,012−13.3%
196018,903−10.0%
197017,480−7.5%
198018,8427.8%
199019,1121.4%
200021,17610.8%
201021,1870.1%
2018 (est.)20,386[6]−3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,187 people, 7,547 households, and 5,269 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 31.2 inhabitants per square mile (12.0/km2). There were 9,047 housing units at an average density of 13.3 per square mile (5.1/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 52.7% black or African American, 45.0% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 10.4% were American.[13]

Of the 7,547 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 38.9 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $31,382 and the median income for a family was $41,055. Males had a median income of $35,699 versus $24,860 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,033. About 19.0% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.6% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 21,176 people, 7,435 households, and 5,382 families living in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 8,327 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 53.20% Black or African American, 45.73% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,435 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.70% were married couples living together, 21.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.80% 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 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 81.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.20 males. The median income for a household in the county was $29,910, and the median income for a family was $36,325. Males had a median income of $33,263 versus $21,388 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,565. About 18.70% of families and 22.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.00% of those under age 18 and 23.20% of those age 65 or over.

Kaolin mines are a major industry in Washington County. Kaolin has had a particularly strong impact on the town of Sandersville which brands itself as the “kaolin capital of the world.” Each October, the town hosts a festival that includes a parade of heavy mining machinery, kaolin mine tours, and a beauty pageant that crowns Miss Kaolin.[16]

Education

The county is served by the Washington County School District, which includes:[17]

The county is also the location of one privately run school:

  • Brentwood School

Communities

The 1933 short story The People's Choice by Erskine Caldwell is set in Washington County, where the story's protagonist is a popular local politician elected again and again as the county's tax assessor.

The biography of one of the main characters (Grant Alexander) in the 2011 console game "X-Men: Destiny" states that they were born in Sandersville, Georgia.

Politics

Like most other majority-minority counties in the South, Washington County has primarily backed Democratic Party candidates for most of its history. Democratic margins of victory in presidential elections were far greater prior to 1964, but the county has only failed to back a Democratic presidential candidate five times in its history. However, no candidate of any party since Bill Clinton in 1996 has managed to win the county by a margin of 1,000 votes or greater.

Presidential election results
Previous presidential election results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 49.3% 4,663 50.0% 4,730 0.7% 66
2016 49.0% 4,149 49.6% 4,200 1.3% 112
2012 45.8% 4,035 53.5% 4,714 0.8% 68
2008 47.5% 4,216 51.9% 4,607 0.6% 55
2004 51.9% 4,081 47.5% 3,733 0.6% 44
2000 47.3% 3,162 52.0% 3,476 0.8% 53
1996 33.9% 2,348 58.6% 4,057 7.4% 514
1992 35.5% 2,384 52.2% 3,508 12.4% 833
1988 51.1% 2,752 48.6% 2,615 0.3% 16
1984 48.8% 2,887 51.2% 3,034
1980 34.0% 1,822 64.4% 3,452 1.7% 90
1976 30.0% 1,657 70.0% 3,865
1972 75.8% 3,901 24.2% 1,246
1968 26.4% 1,247 30.6% 1443 43.0% 2,029
1964 55.6% 2,296 44.3% 1,830 0.0% 1
1960 32.3% 956 67.7% 2,004
1956 19.2% 602 80.8% 2,530
1952 25.0% 795 75.0% 2,381
1948 14.8% 204 84.8% 1,169 0.4% 6
1944 24.3% 351 75.7% 1,094
1940 18.4% 253 80.9% 1,112 0.7% 9
1936 10.3% 149 89.2% 1,286 0.4% 6
1932 0.5% 9 99.3% 1,923 0.2% 4
1928 29.2% 472 70.8% 1,142
1924 13.5% 130 78.6% 758 8.0% 77
1920 9.4% 118 90.6% 1,134
1916 13.8% 156 84.6% 954 1.6% 18
1912 9.8% 160 88.5% 1,440 1.7% 27

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. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 247. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  11. "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.
  12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  13. "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.
  14. "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.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. Kaolin mines in Washington County, Georgia
  17. District, Washington County School. "Washington County Board of Education - Washington County Board of Education Listing". Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

Further reading
  • Ella Mitchell, History of Washington County. Atlanta, GA: Byrd Printing Company, 1924. —Reissued 1973.

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