Wilcox County, Georgia

Wilcox County, Georgia

Wilcox County Courthouse in Abbeville
Map of Georgia highlighting Wilcox County
Location in the state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded December 22, 1857
Seat Abbeville
Largest city Abbeville
Area
 • Total 382 sq mi (989 km2)
 • Land 378 sq mi (979 km2)
 • Water 4.4 sq mi (11 km2), 1.2%
Population
 • (2010) 9,255
 • Density 25/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 8th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Wilcox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,255.[1] The county seat is Abbeville.[2]

History

It is unclear whether Wilcox County is named for General Mark Wilcox, a Georgia state legislator and one of the founders of the Georgia Supreme Court, or if it is named for his son John Wilcox. The formation of the county was led by Norman McDuffie of Pulaski County, Georgia. It was formed on December 22, 1857 from parts of Irwin, Pulaski, and Dooly counties. Wilcox County, was given land from Dooly County, Irwin County, and Pulaski County in 1857. When the county seat was named Abbeville the early settlers paid respect to their earlier home in Abbeville, South Carolina.

The first county courthouse was built in 1858; the present courthouse dates from 1903.[3]

Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America spent his last night in Wilcox County, before being captured by Union troops. His capture marked the end of the Confederacy. An annual marathon, Chasing Jefferson Davis, is held on the Saturday in May closest to the actual departure date of Jefferson Davis, May 9. The marathon departs from Abbeville and travels to the historic capture site near Irwinville in Irwin County, which follows the historical route very closely.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 382 square miles (990 km2), of which 378 square miles (980 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4]

The northern and eastern three-quarters of Wilcox County, from State Route 215 southeast to Rochelle, then due south, are located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The southwestern portion of the county, west of Rochelle, and roughly centered on Pitts, is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18602,115—
18702,43915.3%
18803,10927.5%
18907,980156.7%
190011,09739.1%
191013,48621.5%
192015,51115.0%
193013,439−13.4%
194012,755−5.1%
195010,167−20.3%
19607,905−22.2%
19706,998−11.5%
19807,6829.8%
19907,008−8.8%
20008,57722.4%
20109,2557.9%
Est. 20148,847[6]−4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,577 people, 2,785 households, and 1,977 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,320 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.61% White, 36.21% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 1.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,785 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 123.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,483, and the median income for a family was $34,968. Males had a median income of $27,171 versus $20,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,014. About 16.80% of families and 21.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.80% of those under age 18 and 21.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 9,255 people, 2,891 households, and 2,027 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 24.5 inhabitants per square mile (9.5/km2). There were 3,510 housing units at an average density of 9.3 per square mile (3.6/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 61.7% white, 35.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 11.1% were American, 10.1% were Irish, 9.2% were English, and 6.1% were German.[13]

Of the 2,891 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 39.7 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $30,784 and the median income for a family was $40,552. Males had a median income of $30,755 versus $26,641 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,692. About 18.4% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 24.9% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Education

The county is served by Wilcox County Schools. The district headquarters are in Abbeville while the schools, including Wilcox County High School, are in Rochelle. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal found himself in an embarrassing political squabble about whether to endorse a racially integrated prom dance at the high school or not in 2013.[15] Deal, a Republican, thought that an integrated prom would bring whites and blacks together, something his constituents would not agree to.

Notable events

The Ocmulgee Wild Hog Festival takes place in Abbeville, Georgia every year on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 215. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  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 2015-11-25.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  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. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  13. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  14. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  15. ↑ http://www.salon.com/2013/04/04/georgia_high_school_students_fight_for_first_ever_integrated_prom/

External links

Dooly County Pulaski County
Crisp County Dodge County and Telfair County
   Wilcox County, Georgia  
Turner County Ben Hill County

Coordinates: 31°58′N 83°26′W / 31.97°N 83.44°W / 31.97; -83.44

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