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Bibb County, Georgia

Coordinates: 32°48′N 83°42′W / 32.80°N 83.70°W / 32.80; -83.70
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Bibb County
County
Bibb County courthouse in Macon
Bibb County courthouse in Macon
Map of Georgia highlighting Bibb County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°48′N 83°42′W / 32.8°N 83.7°W / 32.8; -83.7
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 9, 1822
Named forWilliam Wyatt Bibb
SeatMacon
Largest cityMacon
Area
 • Total
255 sq mi (660 km2)
 • Land250 sq mi (600 km2)
 • Water5.6 sq mi (15 km2)  2.2%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
153,159
 • Density623/sq mi (241/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 8th
Websitewww.co.bibb.ga.us

Bibb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 155,547.[1] Bibb County is geographically located in the Central Georgia (Middle Georgia) region, and is the largest county in the Macon metropolitan area (Metropolitan Statistical Area).

Bibb County has a consolidated city-county government following a merger with its county seat and largest city, Macon, in 2014. They were later joined by the county's only other municipality, Payne City, in 2015.[2]

History

Native Americans (mostly Creek) had inhabited the area which would become Bibb County for many centuries. They were forcibly relocated to today's Oklahoma in the Indian Removal in the 1830s, during the administration of President Andrew Jackson. The Indian tribes affected refer to this as the "Trail of Tears", since many died during the march west.

Bibb is one of the counties of the "Black Belt", which originally referred to the fertile dark soil in the uplands. The area was developed by white settlers and African American slaves into cotton plantations during the antebellum years. Cotton generated high profits, since was in demand in the textile mills of the northern states as well as in England. By the 1860 census, shortly before the American Civil War, more than a million enslaved African Americans lived in Georgia, and they constituted a majority of the population in much of the Black Belt.

Bibb County was created by act of the State Legislature of Georgia on December 9, 1822, with Macon to be incorporated as a town/city in December 1823; designated the County Seat. It was carved from the earlier territories of the counties of Jones, Monroe, Houston, and Twiggs counties. The County Seat has never been changed since, and no other subsequent county in the state has ever been created ("erected") out of land from Bibb County.

The county was named for Dr. William Wyatt Bibb, a physician from Elbert County, who was elected to and served in the U.S. House of Representatives and United States Senate from Georgia, moved to the new Alabama Territory, before being elected as the first Governor of the new State of Alabama.

During the Civil War, an estimated ten percent of the white males in the county lost their lives while serving the Confederate States Army.[3] The war ended slavery in Georgia, but it also left much of the state in ruins.

Civil War to present

Main article: Macon, Georgia - History

After the Civil War and during the 20th century, the county seat of Macon continued to serve as the county's principal population center and hub of most significant landmarks and historical events.

On July 31, 2012, voters in the City of Macon (57.8 percent approval) and Bibb County (56.7 percent approval) passed a referendum to merge the governments of the city and the county, based on the authorization of House Bill 1171 passed by the Georgia General Assembly earlier in the year.[4] Four previous consolidation attempts (in 1933, 1960, 1972, and 1976) had failed.[5][6][7] The consolidation took effect on January 1, 2014, along with the de-annexation from the city of a small portion of land in Jones County.

In addition to Macon, Bibb County contained one other municipality, Payne City (or Payne), an enclave of around 200 people that was surrounded entirely by the pre-consolidation City of Macon. In the 2012 referendum, Payne City voters rejected consolidation by a vote of 9 to 7, so it was not merged into the consolidated government. In early 2015, at the request of the small city's government, the Georgia General Assembly passed a bill dissolving Payne City, merging it with the rest of Macon-Bibb County.[2]

Government and politics

Since the 2014 consolidation, Macon-Bibb has been governed by a mayor, elected at-large (county-wide), along with a nine-member county commission with members elected from single-member districts.[8][9][10]

Like all other Georgia counties, Bibb has an elected sheriff responsible for maintaining the jail. Bibb's sheriff also manages the county's law enforcement duties, with his deputies acting as the city and county police force. As of 2019, the current sheriff is David Davis.[11]

Elections

In 2013, the consolidated city-county held its first elections. Macon's then-mayor Robert Reichert received 49% of the vote in the general election on September 17 over the other five mayoral candidates; however, winning the election outright required the winner to capture a majority of the vote. He subsequently won 63% of the vote in a runoff election against former Macon mayor C. Jack Ellis.[12] Reichert was unopposed for re-election in 2016, following the death of his only opponent before the election. Under the city-county charter, the mayor is subject to term limits and may serve only two consecutive terms, so Reichert will leave office in December 2020.[13]

As an urban county with a majority African American population, Bibb County is one of the most consistently Democratic counties in Georgia in presidential elections, having only supported a Republican presidential candidate three times in its history.

Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 38.4% 24,043 58.8% 36,787 2.8% 1766
2012 39.5% 25,623 59.5% 38,585 0.9% 595
2008 40.7% 27,037 58.7% 38,987 0.6% 424
2004 48.6% 28,107 50.7% 29,322 0.6% 359
2000 48.4% 24,071 50.2% 24,996 1.4% 709
1996 41.6% 20,778 53.5% 26,727 4.9% 2427
1992 36.7% 19,847 51.9% 28,070 11.4% 6132
1988 50.0% 22,179 49.7% 22,084 0.3% 133
1984 47.8% 24,170 52.2% 26,427
1980 31.5% 15,175 66.0% 31,770 2.5% 1185
1976 28.7% 12,819 71.3% 31,902
1972 72.9% 27,402 27.1% 10,201
1968 32.6% 13,490 25.6% 10579 41.9% 17,328
1964 59.0% 25,641 41.0% 17,831
1960 42.2% 10,523 57.8% 14,387
1956 32.6% 7,242 67.4% 14,966
1952 29.4% 6,121 70.6% 14,687
1948 27.3% 3,837 49.8% 7,011 22.9% 3229
1944 26.0% 1,884 74.0% 5,352
1940 16.9% 1,371 82.7% 6,729 0.5% 37
1936 7.3% 452 92.3% 5,722 0.4% 23
1932 8.4% 405 90.9% 4,372 0.6% 31
1928 47.6% 2,078 52.4% 2,289
1924 10.4% 455 83.2% 3,647 6.5% 283
1920 18.4% 458 81.6% 2,030
1916 2.5% 58 88.8% 2,048 8.7% 201
1912 3.7% 71 90.8% 1,741 5.5% 105

United States Congress

Senators Name Party Assumed Office Level
  Senate Class 2 David Perdue Republican 2015 Junior Senator
  Senate Class 3 Johnny Isakson Republican 2005 Senior Senator
Representatives Name Party Assumed Office
  District 2 Sanford Bishop Democratic 1993
  District 8 Austin Scott Republican 2011

Georgia General Assembly

Georgia State Senate

District Name Party Assumed office
  18 John F. Kennedy Republican 2015
  25 Burt Jones Republican 2013
  51 David Lucas Democratic 2011

Georgia House of Representatives

District Name Party Assumed office
  140 Robert Dickey Republican 2011
  141 Allen Peake Republican 2011
  142 Miriam Paris Democratic 2017
  143 James Beverly Democratic 2011
  144 Bubber Epps Republican 2008

[15][16][17]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 255 square miles (660 km2), of which 250 square miles (650 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) (2.2%) is water.[18] The entirety of Bibb County is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[19]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Transportation

Major highways

Pedestrians and cycling

  • Heritage Trail
  • Ocmulgee Heritage Trail

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18307,154—
18409,80237.0%
185012,69929.6%
186016,29128.3%
187021,25530.5%
188027,14727.7%
189042,37056.1%
190050,47319.1%
191056,64612.2%
192071,30425.9%
193077,0428.0%
194083,7838.7%
1950114,07936.2%
1960141,24923.8%
1970143,4181.5%
1980150,2564.8%
1990149,967−0.2%
2000153,8872.6%
2010155,5471.1%
2019 (est.)153,159[20]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1790-1960[22] 1900-1990[23]
1990-2000[24] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 153,887 people, 59,667 households, and 39,797 families residing in the county. The population density was 616 people per square mile (238/km2). There were 67,194 housing units at an average density of 269 per square mile (104/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 50.13% White, 47.32% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 59,667 households out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.30% were married couples living together, 20.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was distributed with 26.60% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.20 males.

The population tables show a dramatic reduction in population growth from 1920 to 1940, less than half the amounts for censuses before and after these dates; during this period, tens of thousands of African Americans left the state for cities in the North and Midwest, as part of the Great Migration.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,532, and the median income for a family was $43,479. Males had a median income of $34,263 versus $25,540 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,058. About 15.50% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.20% of those under age 18 and 13.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 155,547 people, 60,295 households, and 38,714 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 622.8 inhabitants per square mile (240.5/km2). There were 69,662 housing units at an average density of 278.9 per square mile (107.7/km2).[27] The racial makeup of the county was 52.1% black or African American, 43.2% white, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population.[26] In terms of ancestry, 8.8% were English, 7.6% were American, 6.6% were Irish, and 5.2% were German.[28]

Of the 60,295 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.8% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 35.6 years.[26]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,798 and the median income for a family was $52,158. Males had a median income of $41,219 versus $31,477 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,436. About 16.4% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.[29]

Recreation

A view of the calm Lake Tobesofkee in the wintertime. Taken facing Northwest from beside the Lower Thomaston Road Bridge.
Lake Tobesofkee in the Wintertime

Lake Tobesofkee, about 10 miles (16 km) west of Macon, has three parks. Claystone, Sandy Beach, and Arrowhead Parks, each with a beach, and children's playgrounds. Sandy Beach has lighted tennis courts, a water park with many attractions, and a softball field.[30]

Communities

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Lee, Maggie (April 1, 2015). "Payne City officially dissolved". The Telegraph | Macon.com. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  3. ^ "Cotton, Fire, and Dreams". google.com.
  4. ^ "HB 1171 - Macon-Bibb County; create and incorporate new political body corporate". Archived from the original on October 30, 2012.
  5. ^ City-County Consolidation Proposals, 1921 - Present Archived 2012-07-19 at the Wayback Machine, National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  6. ^ The Effects on City-County Consolidation
  7. ^ Consolidation pass for Macon and Bibb county in the 2012 vote.CONSOLIDATION OF CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS: ATTEMPTS IN FIVE CITIES Archived 2013-01-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  8. ^ Jim Gaines (July 28, 2012). "Last details of Macon-Bibb consolidation debate aired". The Telegraph.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ Mike Stucka (July 31, 2012). "Macon-Bibb County consolidation wins with strong majorities". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  10. ^ Erica Lockwood (July 13, 2012). "Consolidation: 3 Areas of Macon and Bibb Affected Differently". 13 WMAZ. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013.
  11. ^ "Sheriff David Davis | bibbsheriff.us". Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ Dunlap, Stanley (May 25, 2016). "Reichert reveals plans for final term, reflects on past". The Telegraph | Macon.com. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  15. ^ "House Members List". Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  16. ^ "Senate Members List". Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  17. ^ "Georgia Counties by 2012 Legislative and Congressional District" (PDF). Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  18. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  19. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  20. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  22. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  23. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  24. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  26. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  27. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  28. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  29. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  30. ^ "Tobesofkee parks and beaches". Retrieved June 2, 2012.
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32°48′N 83°42′W / 32.80°N 83.70°W / 32.80; -83.70

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