Sumter County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Sumter County is a county located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Georgia
. It was created on December 26, 1831. As of 2000, the population was 33,200. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 32,532. The county seat
is Americus
.
Sumter County is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
. Sumter, the state's eightieth county, was created entirely from Lee County
, now situated to its south. The county was named for former General and United States senator
Thomas Sumter
(1734–1832) of South Carolina. At the time of the county's creation, the general was ninety-seven years old and the last surviving general of the American Revolution
(1775–83).
Shortly thereafter, a committee chose a central site for the county seat and laid out what would become the town of Americus
. Many of the county's earliest white residents acquired their land through an 1827 state land lottery and, like many of those moving into southwest Georgia at the time, quickly turned their property into cotton farms and plantations. The rich black soil combined with ready market access via the Flint River
(bordering the county on the east) or the Chattahoochee River
(farther west) to make Sumter among the state's most prosperous Black Belt counties by the 1840s and 1850s. Slaves, of course, were integral to that formula for economic success, and Sumter residents owned nearly 4,000 of them by 1850.
was built in neighboring Macon County
and became the largest such prison in the South. During the camp's fourteen-month existence, some 45,000 Union prisoners suffered some of the worst conditions and highest casualties of any of the camps. Today Andersonville National Historic Site serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history. The 495 acres (2 km²) park lies in both Macon and Sumter counties and consists of the historic prison site and the National Cemetery.
, where black and white workers lived and worked together for nearly fifty years, generating some hostility among local residents during its early years.
Sumter County counts a U.S. president among its native sons. Jimmy Carter
was born and raised on a peanut farm in Plains
, a small community on the county's western edge. His election to the presidency in 1976 brought the small town considerable attention from journalists and tourists, which it continues to receive as the former president and his wife, and much of their family, still make Plains their home. Carter's birthplace and childhood home has been designated a National Historic Site
and is open for tours.
The headquarters of Habitat for Humanity International
, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate homelessness
, is located in Americus, the home of its founder, Millard Fuller
. In addition to Habitat's socially impactful activities, Koinonia Partners publishes a bimonthly newsletter for the Prison and Jail Project promoting prisoner reform and education. Americus is also home to two colleges: Georgia Southwestern State University
, a public four-year institution established in 1906, is part of the University System of Georgia
. South Georgia Technical College
, which stands near Souther Field
, was a training base for American and British aviators during World War I
(1917–18). Charles Lindbergh
learned to fly here and assembled a military surplus "Jenny" aircraft with the help of mechanics at Souther Field. Downtown Americus boasts two prominent examples of historic restoration: the Windsor Hotel, built in 1892, and the Rylander Theatre, which originally opened in 1921.
Muckalee Creek
flows through Sumter County, which also contains Lake Blackshear
and Kinchafoonee Creek
.
, 49.02% Black
or African American
, 0.30% Native American
, 0.59% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 1.26% from other races
, and 0.59% from two or more races. 2.68% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 12,025 households out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 22.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.80% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,904, and the median income for a family was $35,379. Males had a median income of $27,828 versus $20,439 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,083. About 17.60% of families and 21.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.30% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.
Major employers include Cooper Lighting, Georgia Southwestern State University
, Magnolia Manor, Sumter Regional Hospital, and Wal-Mart
.
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 December 26, 1831. As of 2000, the population was 33,200. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 32,532. 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 Americus
Americus, Georgia
-Early years:Americus, Georgia was named and chartered by Sen. Lovett B. Smith in 1832.For its first two decades, Americus was a small courthouse town. The arrival of the railroad in 1854 and, three decades later, local attorney Samuel H. Hawkins' construction of the only privately financed...
.
Sumter County is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area
Americus micropolitan area
The Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Georgia, anchored by the city of Americus....
.
Foundation and antebellum years
Sumter County was established by an act of the state legislature on December 26, 1831, just four years after the Creek Indians vacated the region when the state acquired the territory from them in the 1825 Treaty of Indian SpringsTreaty of Indian Springs
There are two Treaties of Indian Springs with the Creek Indians. The first treaty was signed January 8, 1821. In it, the Lower Creek ceded land to the state of Georgia in return for cash payments totaling $200,000 over a period of 14 years...
. Sumter, the state's eightieth county, was created entirely from Lee County
Lee County, Georgia
Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 24,757. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 33,050...
, now situated to its south. The county was named for former General and United States senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Thomas Sumter
Thomas Sumter
Thomas Sumter nicknamed the "Carolina Gamecock" , was a hero of the American Revolution and went on to become a longtime member of the Congress of the United States.-Early life:Thomas Sumter was born near Charlottesville in Hanover County, Virginia in 1734...
(1734–1832) of South Carolina. At the time of the county's creation, the general was ninety-seven years old and the last surviving general of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
(1775–83).
Shortly thereafter, a committee chose a central site for the county seat and laid out what would become the town of Americus
Americus, Georgia
-Early years:Americus, Georgia was named and chartered by Sen. Lovett B. Smith in 1832.For its first two decades, Americus was a small courthouse town. The arrival of the railroad in 1854 and, three decades later, local attorney Samuel H. Hawkins' construction of the only privately financed...
. Many of the county's earliest white residents acquired their land through an 1827 state land lottery and, like many of those moving into southwest Georgia at the time, quickly turned their property into cotton farms and plantations. The rich black soil combined with ready market access via the Flint River
Flint River (Georgia)
The Flint River is a river in the U.S. state of Georgia. The river drains of western Georgia, flowing south from the upper Piedmont region south of Atlanta to the wetlands of the Gulf Coastal Plain in the southwestern corner of the state. Along with the Apalachicola and the Chattahoochee rivers,...
(bordering the county on the east) or the Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
(farther west) to make Sumter among the state's most prosperous Black Belt counties by the 1840s and 1850s. Slaves, of course, were integral to that formula for economic success, and Sumter residents owned nearly 4,000 of them by 1850.
Civil War years
The Civil War (1861–65) brought one of Georgia's most notable and notorious landmarks to the area, when a small village named Andersonville, nine miles (14 km) north of Americus on the county's northern edge, was selected by Confederate authorities as the site for a prisoner of war camp. The Andersonville prisonAndersonville prison
The Andersonville prison, officially known as Camp Sumter, served as a Confederate Prisoner-of-war camp during the American Civil War. The site of the prison is now Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, Georgia. Most of the site actually lies in extreme southwestern Macon County,...
was built in neighboring Macon County
Macon County, Georgia
Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,074. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,542. The county seat is Oglethorpe.-History:...
and became the largest such prison in the South. During the camp's fourteen-month existence, some 45,000 Union prisoners suffered some of the worst conditions and highest casualties of any of the camps. Today Andersonville National Historic Site serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history. The 495 acres (2 km²) park lies in both Macon and Sumter counties and consists of the historic prison site and the National Cemetery.
Into modernity
Other areas of the county have attracted national attention in the twentieth century for very different reasons. In 1942 two Baptist ministers chose a farm in the western part of the county as the location for a Christian commune named KoinoniaKoinonia Partners
Koinonia Partners is a Christian farming intentional community in Sumter County, Georgia.-History:The farm was founded in 1942 by two couples, Clarence and Florence Jordan and Martin and Mabel England, as a “demonstration plot for the Kingdom of God.” For them, this meant following the example of...
, where black and white workers lived and worked together for nearly fifty years, generating some hostility among local residents during its early years.
Sumter County counts a U.S. president among its native sons. Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
was born and raised on a peanut farm in Plains
Plains, Georgia
Plains is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 776 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Notable people:...
, a small community on the county's western edge. His election to the presidency in 1976 brought the small town considerable attention from journalists and tourists, which it continues to receive as the former president and his wife, and much of their family, still make Plains their home. Carter's birthplace and childhood home has been designated a National Historic Site
National Historic Sites (United States)
National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject...
and is open for tours.
The headquarters of Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat For Humanity International , generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat, is an international, non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing, a self-described "Christian housing ministry." The international...
, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, is located in Americus, the home of its founder, Millard Fuller
Millard Fuller
Millard Dean Fuller was the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization known globally for building houses for those in need, and the founder and former president of The Fuller Center for Housing...
. In addition to Habitat's socially impactful activities, Koinonia Partners publishes a bimonthly newsletter for the Prison and Jail Project promoting prisoner reform and education. Americus is also home to two colleges: Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the University System of Georgia.-The College of Arts and Sciences:The College of Arts and Sciences at GSW offers undergraduate degrees in art Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the...
, a public four-year institution established in 1906, is part of the University System of Georgia
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
. South Georgia Technical College
South Georgia Technical College
South Georgia Technical College is a residential college located in southwest Georgia, teaching the latest educational programs of today. There are two campuses within the main college. The main college is located in Americus, Georgia, while the satellite campus located in Cordele, Georgia offers...
, which stands near Souther Field
Souther Field
Jimmy Carter Regional Airport aka Souther Field is a public airport located four miles northeast of the central business district of Americus, in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. It owned by the City of Americus.Although most U.S...
, was a training base for American and British aviators during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(1917–18). Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
learned to fly here and assembled a military surplus "Jenny" aircraft with the help of mechanics at Souther Field. Downtown Americus boasts two prominent examples of historic restoration: the Windsor Hotel, built in 1892, and the Rylander Theatre, which originally opened in 1921.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 492.54 square miles (1,275.7 km²), of which 485.28 square miles (1,256.9 km²) (or 98.53%) is land and 7.26 square miles (18.8 km²) (or 1.47%) is water.Muckalee Creek
Muckalee creek
Muckalee Creek is a creek in southwest Georgia . It originates southeast of Buena Vista and flows south-southeast for and into Kinchafoonee Creek north of Albany, just upstream of that creek's confluence with the Flint River.-References:*...
flows through Sumter County, which also contains Lake Blackshear
Lake Blackshear
Lake Blackshear is a man-made lake on the Flint River in Georgia created by a dam that was constructed in the late 1920s. It is approximately long and varies in width but is rarely more than one mile wide; it covers approximately . Interestingly, when the dam was constructed, little to no...
and Kinchafoonee Creek
Kinchafoonee Creek
Kinchafoonee Creek is a creek in southwest Georgia. It originates near Buena Vista and flows southeasterly for to the Flint River near Albany, Georgia....
.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 19
U.S. Highway 280
Georgia State Route 3Georgia State Route 3State Route 3 runs in a generally north–south orientation from Georgia's northern border to its southern border. Its northern terminus is at the Tennessee state line just southeast of Chattanooga , and its southern terminus is at the Florida state line about twelve miles south-southeast of...
Georgia State Route 27Georgia State Route 27State Route 27 is a west–east state route located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from SR 39 east of Georgetown to U.S. 17/SR 25 in Brunswick.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 30Georgia State Route 30State Route 30 is an east–west route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route runs from SR 41 in Marion County east to SR 25 in Port Wentworth. The route is cosigned with U.S. Route 280 for a majority of its length....
Georgia State Route 45Georgia State Route 45State Route 45 is a north–south state route located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from U.S. Route 84/State Route 38 east of Donalsonville north to U.S. Route 280/State Route 27 in Plains.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 49Georgia State Route 49State Route 49 is a north–south state route located in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from State Route 45 north of Dawson to State Route 22/State Route 24 and State Route 112 in Milledgeville.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 118
Georgia State Route 153
Georgia State Route 195
Georgia State Route 308Georgia State Route 308State Route 308 is a northwest-southeast route located entirely in Sumter County, Georgia. From its southern terminus at U.S. 19/S.R. 3 north of Smithville, the route travels northwest to its northern terminus at S.R. 45 in Plains....
Georgia State Route 377
Adjacent counties
- Macon CountyMacon County, GeorgiaMacon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,074. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,542. The county seat is Oglethorpe.-History:...
(north-northeast) - Dooly CountyDooly County, GeorgiaDooly County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 11,525. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,592. The county seat is Vienna....
(east) - Crisp CountyCrisp County, GeorgiaCrisp County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905 and named for Charles Frederick Crisp. As of 2000, the population was 21,996. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,125...
(southeast) - Lee CountyLee County, GeorgiaLee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 24,757. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 33,050...
(south) - Terrell CountyTerrell County, GeorgiaTerrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 United States Census reported the county's population at 10,970. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,260...
(southwest) - Webster CountyWebster County, GeorgiaWebster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census reflected a population of 2,390. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 2,192. The county seat is Preston.-History:...
(west) - Marion CountyMarion County, GeorgiaMarion County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2000 Census reflected a population of 7,144. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,995...
(northwest) - Schley CountySchley County, GeorgiaSchley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the county's population was 3,766. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 4,123...
(north-northwest)
National protected areas
- Andersonville National Historic Site (part)
- Jimmy Carter National Historic SiteJimmy Carter National Historic SiteThe Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, located in Plains, Georgia, preserves sites associated with James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. , 39th President of the United States. These include his residence, boyhood farm, school, and the town railroad depot, which served as his campaign headquarters during...
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,200 people, 12,025 households, and 8,501 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 13,700 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 48.22% WhiteRace (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...
, 49.02% 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...
, 0.30% 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...
, 0.59% 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...
, 0.02% 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...
, 1.26% 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 0.59% from two or more races. 2.68% 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 12,025 households out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 22.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.80% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,904, and the median income for a family was $35,379. Males had a median income of $27,828 versus $20,439 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,083. About 17.60% of families and 21.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.30% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.
Economics
Sumter remains largely a rural county. According to USDA/Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service 2001 figures, cotton remains its major crop, with up to 35000 acres (141.6 km²) under cultivation, followed by wheat, peanuts, and corn, which combined approximately equal the county's acreage in cotton.Major employers include Cooper Lighting, Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the University System of Georgia.-The College of Arts and Sciences:The College of Arts and Sciences at GSW offers undergraduate degrees in art Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the...
, Magnolia Manor, Sumter Regional Hospital, and Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
.
Cities and towns
- AmericusAmericus, Georgia-Early years:Americus, Georgia was named and chartered by Sen. Lovett B. Smith in 1832.For its first two decades, Americus was a small courthouse town. The arrival of the railroad in 1854 and, three decades later, local attorney Samuel H. Hawkins' construction of the only privately financed...
- AndersonvilleAndersonville, GeorgiaAndersonville is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 331 at the 2000 census . It is located in the southwest part of the state, about southwest of Macon, Georgia on the Central of Georgia railroad...
- De SotoDe Soto, GeorgiaDe Soto is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 214 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- LeslieLeslie, GeorgiaLeslie is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 455 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Leslie is located at ....
- PlainsPlains, GeorgiaPlains is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 776 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Notable people:...
- CobbCobb, GeorgiaCobb is an unincorporated community in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. It is the home of the largest pecan orchard in the world. Cobb is connected with the residents of Lake Blackshear and is the location of the Lake Blackshear Volunteer Fire Department....
See also
Further reading
- Jimmy Carter, An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2001).
- Jack F. Cox, History of Sumter County, Georgia (Roswell, Ga.: W. H. Wolfe, 1983).
- Freedomways: A Newsletter of the Prison and Jail Project (Americus, Ga.: Koinonia Partners, 1995– ).
- William Marvel, Andersonville: The Last Depot (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1994).