Jefferson County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. It was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population was 17,266. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,454. The county seat
is Louisville
.
, the third president of the United States
.
of 2000, there were 17,266 people, 6,339 households, and 4,545 families residing in the county. The population density
was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 7,221 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.28% Black
or African American
, 42.09% White
, 0.12% Native American
, 0.16% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.83% from other races
, and 0.52% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 6,339 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.20% were married couples
living together, 23.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% 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 28.40% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,120, and the median income for a family was $31,380. Males had a median income of $27,649 versus $18,686 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,491. About 19.30% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 28.80% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population was 17,266. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,454. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Louisville
Louisville, Georgia
Louisville is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. It is the former capital of Georgia and is the county seat of Jefferson County. It is located southwest of Augusta on the Ogeechee River, and its population was 2,712 at the 2000 census. The local pronunciation is the Americanized...
.
History
The county was named for Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, the third president of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 529.56 square miles (1,371.6 km²), of which 527.65 square miles (1,366.6 km²) (or 99.64%) is land and 1.91 square miles (4.9 km²) (or 0.36%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 1
U.S. Highway 221
U.S. Highway 319
Georgia State Route 17Georgia State Route 17State Route 17 is a north–south route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route runs from its southern terminus at I-16 south of Bloomingdale north to the North Carolina border north of Hiawassee.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 24
Georgia State Route 80
Georgia State Route 88Georgia State Route 88State Route 88 is a north-south state route located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from U.S. Route 25 in Hephzibah to State Route 24 in Sandersville....
Georgia State Route 171
Adjacent counties
- McDuffie CountyMcDuffie County, GeorgiaMcDuffie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on October 18, 1870. As of 2000, the population was 21,231. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,551. The county seat is Thomson....
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- north - Richmond CountyRichmond County, GeorgiaRichmond County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. As of 2010, the population was 200,549. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 199,486....
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- northeast - Burke CountyBurke County, GeorgiaBurke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- east - Emanuel CountyEmanuel County, GeorgiaEmanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469. The county seat is Swainsboro.-History:...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- south - Johnson CountyJohnson County, GeorgiaJohnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 8,560. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,533...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- southwest - Glascock CountyGlascock County, GeorgiaGlascock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1857. As of 2000, the population is 2,556. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 2,771. The county seat is Gibson.-History:...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- northwest - Washington CountyWashington County, GeorgiaWashington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on February 25, 1784. As of 2000, the population was 21,176. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,937. The county seat is Sandersville....
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- west - Warren CountyWarren County, GeorgiaWarren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1793. As of 2000, the population was 6,336. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 5,908...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- north-northwest
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 17,266 people, 6,339 households, and 4,545 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 7,221 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.28% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 42.09% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.12% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.83% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.52% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 6,339 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 23.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% 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 28.40% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,120, and the median income for a family was $31,380. Males had a median income of $27,649 versus $18,686 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $13,491. About 19.30% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 28.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- AveraAvera, GeorgiaAvera is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 217 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Avera is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
- BartowBartow, GeorgiaBartow is a town in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 223 at the 2000 census. Initially the town was known as "Spier's Turnout", but was changed to honor the first Confederate officer to die in battle, Colonel Francis S...
- LouisvilleLouisville, GeorgiaLouisville is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. It is the former capital of Georgia and is the county seat of Jefferson County. It is located southwest of Augusta on the Ogeechee River, and its population was 2,712 at the 2000 census. The local pronunciation is the Americanized...
- StapletonStapleton, GeorgiaStapleton is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 318 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stapleton is located at ....
- WadleyWadley, GeorgiaWadley is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,088 at the 2000 census. The community was named for William Morill Wadley.-Geography:Wadley is located at ....
- WrensWrens, GeorgiaWrens is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,187 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Wrens is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.33% is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
See also
- The Jefferson County Information Center Website
- The Friends of Historic Downtown Louisville Website
- The Fire House Gallery Website - Contemporary art in Jefferson County
- Videos about life in Jefferson County by Fire Team Productions
- Central Savannah River AreaCentral Savannah River AreaThe Central Savannah River Area is a 13-county region in the U.S. state of Georgia, and is also considered to include five to eight counties in South Carolina. The term was coined in 1950 by C.C. McCollum, the winner of a $250 contest held by The Augusta Chronicle to generate the best name for the...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, Georgia
External links
- The Jefferson County Information Center Website
- The Friends of Historic Downtown Louisville Website
- The Fire House Gallery Website - Contemporary art in Jefferson County
- Videos about life in Jefferson County by Fire Team Productions
- A Genealogy table for Jefferson County, Georgia
- USA Today Q&A with Jefferson County High principal Molly Howard
- The News and Farmer and Wadley Herald/ Jefferson Reporter, the county's weekly newspaper and the oldest weekly newspaper in Georgia.
- The Official Jefferson County Economic Development Website