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Walker County, Georgia
Walker County (GA) Courthouse
Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette
Map of Georgia highlighting Walker County
Location in the state of Georgia (U.S. state)
Map of the U.S
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded December 18, 1833; 190 years ago (1833)
Named for Freeman Walker
Seat LaFayette
Largest city LaFayette
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

447 sq mi (1,158 km²)
446 sq mi (1,155 km²)
0.6 sq mi (2 km²), 0.1%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

67,654
154/sq mi (59/km²)
Congressional district 14th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website http://www.walkercountyga.gov/

Walker County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,654.[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 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:

  • Second Battle of Chattanooga, August 21.
  • Battle of Davis's Cross Roads, September 10–11.
  • Battle of Chickamauga, September 19–20.

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[]

  • Chattahoochee National Forest (part)
  • Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (part)
  • Ellison's Cave (12th deepest cave in the United States)
  • Lookout Mountain (part)
  • McLemore Cove
  • Petty John's Cave
  • Pigeon Mountain
  • Rocktown
  • Rock City
  • Lula Lake Land Trust

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]

  • District 1: Rossville
  • District 2: Chickamauga
  • District 3: LaFayette
  • District 4: Lookout Mountain

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

  • US 27 U.S. Route 27
  • Business plate
    US 27 U.S. Route 27 Business
  • Georgia 1 State Route 1
  • Georgia 1 Business State Route 1 Business
  • Georgia 2 State Route 2
  • Georgia 95 State Route 95
  • Georgia 136 State Route 136
  • Georgia 151 State Route 151
  • Georgia 157 State Route 157
  • Georgia 189 State Route 189
  • Georgia 193 State Route 193
  • Georgia 201 State Route 201
  • Georgia 337 State Route 337
  • Georgia 341 State Route 341

Railroads[]

Current[]

  • Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway
  • Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (occasional tourist excursions)

Defunct[]

  • Chattanooga Southern Railway (became Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway)
  • Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway (merged into Southern Railway, then abandoned )
  • Chickamauga and Durham Railroad (merged into Chattanooga & Durham)
  • Chattanooga and Durham Railroad (merged by Chattanooga, Rome and Southern)
  • Chattanooga, Rome and Southern Railroad (merged into Central of GA Railway)
  • Central of Georgia Railway (merged into Southern Railway)
  • Southern Railway (merged into Norfolk Southern, Walker County line transferred to State of Georgia, leased to Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1840 6,572
1850 13,109 99.5%
1860 10,082 −23.1%
1870 9,925 −1.6%
1880 11,056 11.4%
1890 13,282 20.1%
1900 15,661 17.9%
1910 18,692 19.4%
1920 23,370 25.0%
1930 26,206 12.1%
1940 31,024 18.4%
1950 38,198 23.1%
1960 45,264 18.5%
1970 50,691 12.0%
1980 56,470 11.4%
1990 58,340 3.3%
2000 61,053 4.7%
2010 68,756 12.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the census[15] 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.

Of the 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. The median age was 37 years.

The county's population age groups were 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. 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.[16] 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).[17] 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.[16] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were American, 15.3% were Irish, 11.2% were English, and 9.3% were German.[18]

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.[16]

The county's population age groups were spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 20 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The gender ratio of the county's population was 50.9% female versus 49.1% male.

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.[19]

2020 census[]

Walker County racial composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 59,654 88.18%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,840 4.2%
Native American 149 0.22%
Asian 293 0.43%
Pacific Islander 25 0.04%
Other/Mixed 3,008 4.45%
Hispanic or Latino 1,685 2.49%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 67,654 people, 26,760 households, and 17,810 families residing in the county.

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Chickamauga
  • Fort Oglethorpe
  • LaFayette (county seat)
  • Lookout Mountain
  • Rossville

Census-designated places[]

  • Chattanooga Valley
  • Fairview
  • Lakeview
  • Rock Spring

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Flintstone
  • High Point
  • Kensington
  • Naomi
  • Villanow

Politics[]

United States presidential election results for Walker County, Georgia[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 23,173 78.89% 5,770 19.64% 431 1.47%
2016 18,950 77.73% 4,215 17.29% 1,214 4.98%
2012 16,247 73.86% 5,274 23.98% 475 2.16%
2008 17,110 72.33% 6,095 25.77% 449 1.90%
2004 15,340 71.34% 5,986 27.84% 176 0.82%
2000 12,326 65.23% 6,341 33.56% 228 1.21%
1996 8,817 50.10% 6,743 38.32% 2,038 11.58%
1992 8,489 48.54% 6,217 35.55% 2,782 15.91%
1988 10,487 68.63% 4,753 31.11% 40 0.26%
1984 10,734 68.22% 5,000 31.78% 0 0.00%
1980 7,088 50.16% 6,809 48.18% 235 1.66%
1976 4,807 37.51% 8,007 62.49% 0 0.00%
1972 8,728 84.72% 1,574 15.28% 0 0.00%
1968 3,664 25.59% 1,930 13.48% 8,725 60.93%
1964 5,939 52.09% 5,454 47.84% 8 0.07%
1960 4,027 46.86% 4,566 53.14% 0 0.00%
1956 3,552 49.03% 3,693 50.97% 0 0.00%
1952 2,866 39.63% 4,366 60.37% 0 0.00%
1948 980 20.02% 3,418 69.83% 497 10.15%
1944 765 21.74% 2,753 78.23% 1 0.03%
1940 558 16.30% 2,859 83.50% 7 0.20%
1936 458 16.50% 2,313 83.32% 5 0.18%
1932 405 15.05% 2,255 83.80% 31 1.15%
1928 1,786 62.91% 1,053 37.09% 0 0.00%
1924 878 32.86% 1,740 65.12% 54 2.02%
1920 1,069 44.25% 1,347 55.75% 0 0.00%
1916 300 11.44% 1,883 71.82% 439 16.74%
1912 404 29.06% 771 55.47% 215 15.47%
1908 925 53.50% 754 43.61% 50 2.89%
1904 512 35.46% 858 59.42% 74 5.12%
1900 566 41.25% 752 54.81% 54 3.94%
1896 569 34.30% 1,045 62.99% 45 2.71%
1892 300 18.09% 1,138 68.64% 220 13.27%
1888 260 26.26% 718 72.53% 12 1.21%
1884 248 24.36% 770 75.64% 0 0.00%
1880 341 22.21% 1,194 77.79% 0 0.00%



See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Walker County, Georgia
  • Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13295.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "Walker County". Calhoun Times: pp. 106. 1 September 2004. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IP4vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2jsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4151%2C598534. 
  4. ^ Hart, Ariel (20 November 2004). "Georgia Crematory manager Pleads Guilty and Gives Apology". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/20/national/20cremate.html?ref=raybrentmarsh&_r=0. 
  5. ^ "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. 
  6. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/. 
  7. ^ "NACO County Government Structure: A State by State Report". National Association of Counties. March 2009. https://www.pfw.edu/dotAsset/98216b7d-e66c-4da6-a78b-1871b6c1f439.pdf. 
  8. ^ "‘Sole Commissioner’ Wins in Georgia" (in en-US). 2012-11-09. https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/11/09/sole-commissioner-wins-in-georgia/. 
  9. ^ "Changing Walker County’s Form of Government" (in en-US). 2018-12-06. https://walkercountyga.gov/2018/12/06/changing-walker-countys-form-of-government/. 
  10. ^ "Walker County commission districts". Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office. December 2018. https://walkercountyga.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/walkercc-2017-map.pdf. 
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ga190090.txt. 
  14. ^ "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. 
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  16. ^ 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/DPDP1/0500000US13295. 
  17. ^ "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.CY07/0500000US13295. 
  18. ^ "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/DP02/0500000US13295. 
  19. ^ "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/DP03/0500000US13295. 
  20. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US13295&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 34°44′N 85°18′W / 34.73, -85.30


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Walker 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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