Familypedia
Register
Advertisement
This article is based on the corresponding article in another wiki. For Familypedia purposes, it requires significantly more historical detail on phases of this location's development. The ideal article for a place will give the reader a feel for what it was like to live at that location at the time their relatives were alive there. Also desirable are links to organizations that may be repositories of genealogical information..
Please help to improve this page yourself if you can.


Washington County, Georgia
Courthouse in Sandersville
County courthouse
Map of Georgia highlighting Washington County
Location in the state of Georgia (U.S. state)
Map of the U.S
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded February 25, 1784; 239 years ago (1784)
Named for George Washington
Seat Sandersville
Largest city Sandersville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

684 sq mi (1,772 km²)
678 sq mi (1,756 km²)
5.9 sq mi (15 km²), 0.9%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

19,988
31/sq mi (12/km²)
Congressional district 10th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website http://washingtoncountyga.gov/

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,988.[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]

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[]

  • Georgia 15 State Route 15
  • Georgia 24 State Route 24
  • Georgia 24 Spur State Route 24 Spur
  • Georgia 57 State Route 57
  • Georgia 68 State Route 68
  • Georgia 88 State Route 88
  • Georgia 102 State Route 102
  • Georgia 231 State Route 231
  • Georgia 242 State Route 242
  • Georgia 272 State Route 272
  • Georgia 540 State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway)

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1790 4,552
1800 10,300 126.3%
1810 9,940 −3.5%
1820 10,627 6.9%
1830 9,820 −7.6%
1840 10,565 7.6%
1850 11,766 11.4%
1860 12,698 7.9%
1870 15,842 24.8%
1880 21,964 38.6%
1890 25,237 14.9%
1900 28,227 11.8%
1910 28,174 −0.2%
1920 28,147 −0.1%
1930 25,030 −11.1%
1940 24,230 −3.2%
1950 21,012 −13.3%
1960 18,903 −10.0%
1970 17,480 −7.5%
1980 18,842 7.8%
1990 19,112 1.4%
2000 21,176 10.8%
2010 21,187 0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census[]

Washington County racial composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 8,412 42.09%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,698 53.52%
Native American 37 0.19%
Asian 76 0.38%
Other/Mixed 431 2.16%
Hispanic or Latino 334 1.67%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,988 people, 7,503 households, and 5,315 families residing in the county.

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 in Washington County, Georgia

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]

  • Ridge Road Elementary School
  • T.J. Elder Middle School
  • Washington County High School.

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

  • Brentwood School

Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

  • Deepstep
  • Harrison
  • Riddleville

Census-designated places[]

  • Warthen

Other unincorporated communities[]

  • Goat Town
  • Irwins Crossroads
  • Pringle
  • Sun Hill

In popular culture[]

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.

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Georgia[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,668 49.24% 4,743 50.03% 69 0.73%
2016 4,149 48.90% 4,200 49.50% 136 1.60%
2012 4,035 45.76% 4,714 53.46% 68 0.77%
2008 4,216 47.49% 4,607 51.89% 55 0.62%
2004 4,081 51.93% 3,733 47.51% 44 0.56%
2000 3,162 47.26% 3,476 51.95% 53 0.79%
1996 2,348 33.94% 4,057 58.64% 514 7.43%
1992 2,384 35.45% 3,508 52.16% 833 12.39%
1988 2,752 51.12% 2,615 48.58% 16 0.30%
1984 2,887 48.76% 3,034 51.24% 0 0.00%
1980 1,822 33.97% 3,452 64.35% 90 1.68%
1976 1,657 30.01% 3,865 69.99% 0 0.00%
1972 3,901 75.79% 1,246 24.21% 0 0.00%
1968 1,247 26.43% 1,443 30.58% 2,029 43.00%
1964 2,296 55.63% 1,830 44.34% 1 0.02%
1960 956 32.30% 2,004 67.70% 0 0.00%
1956 602 19.22% 2,530 80.78% 0 0.00%
1952 795 25.03% 2,381 74.97% 0 0.00%
1948 204 14.79% 1,169 84.77% 6 0.44%
1944 351 24.29% 1,094 75.71% 0 0.00%
1940 253 18.41% 1,112 80.93% 9 0.66%
1936 149 10.34% 1,286 89.24% 6 0.42%
1932 9 0.46% 1,923 99.33% 4 0.21%
1928 472 29.24% 1,142 70.76% 0 0.00%
1924 130 13.47% 758 78.55% 77 7.98%
1920 118 9.42% 1,134 90.58% 0 0.00%
1916 18 1.60% 954 84.57% 156 13.83%
1912 28 2.51% 920 82.51% 167 14.98%
1908 267 19.40% 630 45.78% 479 34.81%
1904 195 11.47% 976 57.41% 529 31.12%
1900 282 25.36% 720 64.75% 110 9.89%
1896 1,023 50.57% 925 45.72% 75 3.71%
1892 765 26.25% 788 27.04% 1,361 46.71%
1888 572 29.55% 1,351 69.78% 13 0.67%
1884 939 46.44% 1,083 53.56% 0 0.00%
1880 939 46.72% 1,071 53.28% 0 0.00%



See also[]

  • Central Savannah River Area
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Georgia

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13303.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. 247. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/w.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. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US13303&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  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/DPDP1/0500000US13303. 
  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.CY07/0500000US13303. 
  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/DP02/0500000US13303. 
  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/DP03/0500000US13303. 
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  16. ^ Kaolin mines in Washington County, Georgia
  17. ^ District, Washington County School. "Washington County Board of Education - Washington County Board of Education Listing". http://www.washington.k12.ga.us/site_listing.aspx?categoryId=All. 
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

Further reading[]

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

External links[]

Coordinates: 32°58′N 82°47′W / 32.97, -82.79


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