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Baldwin County, Georgia
New Baldwin County Courthouse - panoramio
Baldwin County Courthouse
Map of Georgia highlighting Baldwin County
Location in the state of Georgia (U.S. state)
Map of the U.S
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1803; 221 years ago (1803)
Named for Abraham Baldwin
Seat Milledgeville
Largest city Milledgeville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

267 sq mi (692 km²)
258 sq mi (668 km²)
9.6 sq mi (25 km²), 3.6%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

43,799
177/sq mi (68/km²)
Congressional district 10th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.baldwincountyga.com

Baldwin County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,799.[1] The county seat is Milledgeville,[2] which was developed along the Oconee River.

Baldwin County is part of the Milledgeville, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

For centuries the land was occupied by the Creek Nation, and for thousands of years before them, varying cultures of indigenous peoples.

Part of the land ceded by the Creek Nation in the Treaty of Fort Wilkinson in 1802 was used to create Baldwin County on May 11, 1803, by the Georgia General Assembly, the state's legislative body.

The land west of the Oconee River was organized as Baldwin and Wilkinson counties. The Treaty of Washington with the Creek in 1805 extended the state's western boundary to the Ocmulgee River. A legislative act on June 26, 1806, added some of this additional land to both counties.

The state legislature subsequently passed an act on December 10, 1807, that created four new counties from Baldwin County's 1806 borders. It expanded Baldwin to the east with land from Hancock and Washington counties. The new counties were Morgan, Jones, Putnam, and present-day Jasper (originally named Randolph County at the time of the act).

The county is named for Abraham Baldwin, a signer of the United States Constitution, U.S. congressman representing Georgia, and the founder of the University of Georgia.[3] White settlers moved into the area and developed large cotton plantations, made possible by the labor of slaves. Since the invention of the cotton gin, short-staple cotton could be profitably processed, and it was well-suited to the uplands of Georgia. What became known as the Black Belt of Georgia, an arc of fertile soil, was one of the destinations for slaves being sold from the Upper South, as well as from the Low Country.

The county seat of Milledgeville is the former state capital of Georgia (1804–1868). Other than Washington, DC, it is the only planned capital city in the United States.

Because of its central location within the state and its abundant supply of water from the Oconee River, Milledgeville grew rapidly into a bustling frontier town. On November 2, 1807, the state legislature held its first session in the newly completed statehouse in Milledgeville. Georgia's first state penitentiary was also built within the historic city limits of Milledgeville in 1817. This site is now used as the main campus of Georgia College and State University. In 1837 the General Assembly provided for the establishment of the state's first mental asylum, today known as Central State Hospital.

When the state of Georgia seceded from the Union in January 1861 during a legislative session held in Milledgeville, Baldwin County became a target for Union forces. When Union general William T. Sherman's made his devastating March to the Sea through Georgia, his troops occupied the capital city in November 1864. Sherman and his Union armies burned the state penitentiary, vandalized the city, and held a mock session of the legislature in the statehouse to repeal the state's ordinance of secession.

In 1868, after the Civil War (1861–65), Georgia's capital was moved from Milledgeville to its present location in Atlanta. Today Milledgeville is home to two institutions of higher education: Georgia College and State University and Georgia Military College. Founded in 1889 as the Georgia Normal and Industrial College for Women, Georgia College and State University has since grown to become the state's premier public liberal arts university. Georgia Military College, founded in 1879, now occupies the Old Capitol Building.

In addition to the Old Capitol and Governor's Mansion, visitors to Baldwin County can explore Andalusia, the family farm of writer Flannery O'Connor; Milledgeville's historic district; and the Lockerly Arboretum, a botanical garden and nature education center that hosts the Lockerly Heritage Festival each September.

Notable people[]

  • Carl Vinson, who served for fifty years in the U.S. Congress, was born in Baldwin County.
  • Oliver Hardy, comedian and film director, began his career in the Milledgeville Opera House.
  • Flannery O'Connor, novelist and short-story writer, lived in Milledgeville. She is buried in her family plot in the city's historic Memory Hill Cemetery.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 267 square miles (690 km2), of which 258 square miles (670 km2) is land and 9.6 square miles (25 km2) (3.6%) is water.[4]

The county is located along the fall line of the Eastern United States. The city of Milledgeville, which is located along the Oconee River, is an important city in the region. Because of its location, the northern part of the county tends to be more hilly due to its location in the Piedmont than the southern part of the county, which is in the far northern part of the Atlantic coastal plain.

The majority of Baldwin County, south of Lake Sinclair, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The northern portion of the county is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin.[5]

Adjacent counties[]

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

  • US 441 U.S. Route 441
    • U.S. Route 441 Business
  • Georgia 22 State Route 22
  • Georgia 24 State Route 24
  • Georgia 29 State Route 29
  • Georgia 49 State Route 49
  • Georgia 112 State Route 112
  • Georgia 212 State Route 212
  • Georgia 243 State Route 243
  • Georgia 540 State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway)

Pedestrians and cycling[]

  • Oconee River Greenway

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1810 6,356
1820 7,734 21.7%
1830 7,295 −5.7%
1840 7,250 −0.6%
1850 8,148 12.4%
1860 9,078 11.4%
1870 10,618 17.0%
1880 13,806 30.0%
1890 14,608 5.8%
1900 17,768 21.6%
1910 18,354 3.3%
1920 19,791 7.8%
1930 22,878 15.6%
1940 24,190 5.7%
1950 29,706 22.8%
1960 34,064 14.7%
1970 34,240 0.5%
1980 34,686 1.3%
1990 39,530 14.0%
2000 44,700 13.1%
2010 45,720 2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 46,337 people, 14,758 households, and 9,843 families living in the county. The population density was 173 people per square mile (67/km2). There were 17,173 housing units at an average density of 66 per square mile (26/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 54.17% White, 43.38% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,758 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.90% were married couples living together, 18.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% 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 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.70% under the age of 18, 14.50% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,159, and the median income for a family was $42,736. Males had a median income of $31,227 versus $22,718 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,271. About 11.80% of families and 16.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.80% of those under age 18 and 13.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 45,720 people, 16,788 households, and 10,373 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 177.3 inhabitants per square mile (68.5 /km2). There were 20,159 housing units at an average density of 78.2 per square mile (30.2 /km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 54.9% white, 41.5% black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 41.5% were African, 24.0% were American, 7.9% were English, and 6.8% were Irish.[13]

Of the 16,788 households, 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 34.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $37,237 and the median income for a family was $47,714. Males had a median income of $36,158 versus $26,576 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,488. About 16.8% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2020 census[]

Baldwin County racial composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 22,432 51.22%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 18,318 41.82%
Native American 64 0.15%
Asian 599 1.37%
Pacific Islander 27 0.06%
Other/Mixed 1,220 2.79%
Hispanic or Latino 1,139 2.6%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 43,799 people, 16,191 households, and 9,568 families residing in the county.

Government[]

Members of the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners are responsible for administering the government to residents. There are five members on the board, elected from single-member districts. They serve four-year terms, and are up for election in a staggered fashion. The members of the board elect the chair from amongst themselves.

Board of Commissioners
District Commissioner Party
District 1 Emily Davis Democratic
District 2 Kendrick Butts Democratic
District 3 Sammy Hall Republican
District 4 Henry Craig Republican
District 5 John Westmoreland Republican

Politics[]

Baldwin County has been a Democratic-leaning swing county in recent presidential elections, with no candidate receiving more than 52.9% of the vote in any presidential election from 1992 onward. The county was the only one in Georgia that failed to give a majority to either major-party candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial election, with Democrat Stacey Abrams only winning the county by 58 votes over Republican Brian Kemp.[16] Possibly due to rural shifts rightward nationwide, Baldwin County has become far more competitive, as Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential race by a margin around 1%.

United States presidential election results for Baldwin County, Georgia[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 8,903 48.75% 9,140 50.05% 218 1.19%
2016 7,697 47.76% 7,970 49.45% 449 2.79%
2012 7,589 46.64% 8,483 52.14% 198 1.22%
2008 7,823 47.23% 8,587 51.84% 154 0.93%
2004 7,709 52.89% 6,775 46.48% 91 0.62%
2000 6,041 49.82% 5,893 48.60% 192 1.58%
1996 4,570 40.79% 5,740 51.23% 895 7.99%
1992 4,262 36.16% 5,813 49.31% 1,713 14.53%
1988 5,852 59.05% 4,008 40.44% 51 0.51%
1984 5,717 59.74% 3,853 40.26% 0 0.00%
1980 3,639 43.71% 4,368 52.46% 319 3.83%
1976 3,612 43.59% 4,674 56.41% 0 0.00%
1972 4,826 77.08% 1,435 22.92% 0 0.00%
1968 2,318 32.60% 2,115 29.74% 2,678 37.66%
1964 3,430 55.59% 2,740 44.41% 0 0.00%
1960 1,264 35.85% 2,262 64.15% 0 0.00%
1956 1,080 32.19% 2,275 67.81% 0 0.00%
1952 1,023 30.62% 2,318 69.38% 0 0.00%
1948 559 26.68% 1,132 54.03% 404 19.28%
1944 307 19.02% 1,307 80.98% 0 0.00%
1940 203 13.36% 1,313 86.38% 4 0.26%
1936 113 12.20% 811 87.58% 2 0.22%
1932 45 5.27% 801 93.79% 8 0.94%
1928 270 27.49% 712 72.51% 0 0.00%
1924 107 10.87% 826 83.94% 51 5.18%
1920 92 14.24% 554 85.76% 0 0.00%
1916 42 6.12% 579 84.40% 65 9.48%
1912 47 6.79% 621 89.74% 24 3.47%
1908 201 28.71% 417 59.57% 82 11.71%
1904 15 2.48% 494 81.65% 96 15.87%
1900 76 12.36% 500 81.30% 39 6.34%
1896 410 42.09% 516 52.98% 48 4.93%
1892 120 15.89% 541 71.66% 94 12.45%
1888 271 39.79% 403 59.18% 7 1.03%
1884 108 16.85% 533 83.15% 0 0.00%
1880 317 26.93% 860 73.07% 0 0.00%



Education[]

Communities[]

City[]

Census-designated place[]

  • Hardwick

Unincorporated community[]

  • Scottsboro

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Baldwin County, Georgia

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13009.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins. Macon, GA: Winship Press. pp. 13. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/b.pdf. 
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html. 
  5. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ga190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13009. 
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13009. 
  13. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13009. 
  14. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13009. 
  15. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US13009&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  16. ^ "Georgia Governor Election Results" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/georgia-governor. 
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

Further reading[]

  • Anna Maria Green Cook, The History of Baldwin County, Georgia. (1925) Spartanburg, SC: Reprint Co., 1978.

External links[]

Coordinates: 33°04′N 83°15′W / 33.07, -83.25


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Baldwin County, Georgia. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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