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Brooks County, Georgia

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Brooks County
County
Map of Georgia highlighting Brooks County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°43′44″N 83°42′54″W / 30.7289°N 83.715°W / 30.7289; -83.715
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1858
SeatQuitman
Largest cityQuitman
Area
 • Total
498 sq mi (1,289 km2)
 • Land494 sq mi (1,278 km2)
 • Water4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.83%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2006)
16,464
 • Density13/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)

Brooks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 16,450. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,340 [1]. The county seat is Quitman, GeorgiaTemplate:GR. Brooks County was created 11 December 1858 from portions of Lowndes and Thomas counties by an act of the Georgia General Assembly named in honor of Preston Brooks. The county is in the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.


Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 498 square miles (1,289 km²), of which, 494 square miles (1,278 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (11 km²) of it (0.83%) is water. The eastern boundary of the county is the Withlacoochee river which meanders along an estimated distance of 100 miles (160 km). The southern boundary of the county has a mutual east-west interface of about 25 miles (40 km) with Florida, although it is not continuous. The county is actually discontinuous along the Florida border with the easternmost section about a mile east of the rest of the county. This section presently consists of only one parcel recorded as 350 acres (1.4 km2) although it has a border with Florida of almost 2 miles (3.2 km). The county shares a north-south boundary with Thomas county to the west about 26 miles (42 km) in length. It also shares an east-west boundary of 10 miles (16 km) and a north-south boundary of 3 miles (4.8 km) with Colquitt county to the northwest. The county has over 10,000 parcels of land with 19 over 2000 acres and two over 5000 acres.

Major highways

U.S. 84 (GA 38) runs 17 miles east-west through central Brooks county and the city of Quitman. East of Washington St. in Quitman it is also U.S. 221 for 6.1 miles to the Withlacoochee river at the eastern border of the county. The highway in this area is also known as the Wiregrass Georgia Highway.

Major railroads

Airport

BROOKS CO (4J5) Runway length 3600' Lights, CTAF 122.9 FSS Macon 122.4

Adjacent counties

Demographics

File:US13A027 Age.png
Age distribution (2000 census)
File:US13A027 Population.png
Population (2000-2008)[1][2]
File:US13A027 Income.png
Median income (2000 census)

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 16,450 people, 6,155 households, and 4,370 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 7,118 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.36% Caucasian, 39.34% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 3.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,155 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.30% were married couples living together, 18.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,911, and the median income for a family was $32,382. Males had a median income of $26,303 versus $18,925 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,977. About 19.10% of families and 23.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.40% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The Government consists of a five member Board of Commissioners. Under the guidelines of the Commissioners is a County Administrator, The Sheriff and Tax Commissioner, the Judicial System and Other Boards and Authorities.

Recreation

Brooks county is well known for its wildlife. Quail, dove, ducks, and deer abound in the fields and forests. Brooks county also offers excellent fishing in its many lakes and streams, which are open to the public.

Historical sites

Brooks County Courthouse

1 E. Screven St., Quitman, Constructed in 1864 and designed by John Wind.

Brooks County Museum and Cultural Center

121 N. Culpepper, Quitman, Originally the Library, the Cultural Center provides a series of music, art, and culinary events throughout the year.

Cities and towns

Unincorporated Communities

References

  1. ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&_county=Brooks+County&_cityTown=Brooks+County&_state=05000US13027
  2. ^ http://www.mapzones.org/Brooks_County_Georgia.html

Template:Georgia

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