Wilcox County, Georgia
Wilcox County | |
|---|---|
 Wilcox County Courthouse in Abbeville, Georgia | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Georgia | |
 Georgia's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 31°58′N 83°26′W / 31.97°N 83.44°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | December 22, 1857 |
| Seat | Abbeville |
| Largest city | Abbeville |
| Area | |
• Total | 383.30 sq mi (992.7 km2) |
| • Land | 380.30 sq mi (985.0 km2) |
| • Water | 3.00 sq mi (7.8 km2) 0.78% |
| Population | |
• Estimate (2011) | 9,298 |
| • Density | 20/sq mi (9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Wilcox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,750.[1] The county seat is Abbeville. It is also included in the Warner Robins, Georgia metro area.Template:GR
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.
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.
Geography
Census Information
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 383.30 square miles (992.7 km2), of which 380.30 square miles (985.0 km2) (or 99.22%) is land and 3.00 square miles (7.8 km2) (or 0.78%) is water.[2]
Adjacent counties
- Pulaski County, Georgia - North
- Dodge County, Georgia - East
- Telfair County, Georgia - East
- Ben Hill County, Georgia - South
- Turner County, Georgia - Southwest
- Crisp County, Georgia - West
- Dooly County, Georgia - Northwest
Major highways
U.S. highways
State routes
State Route 11
State Route 30
State Route 90
State Route 112
State Route 159
State Route 215
State Route 233
State Route 257
Notable events
The Ocmulgee Wild Hog Festival takes place in Abbeville, Georgia every year on the Saturday before Mother's Day.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 2,115 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,439 | 15.3% | |
| 1880 | 3,109 | 27.5% | |
| 1890 | 7,980 | 156.7% | |
| 1900 | 11,097 | 39.1% | |
| 1910 | 13,486 | 21.5% | |
| 1920 | 15,511 | 15.0% | |
| 1930 | 13,439 | −13.4% | |
| 1940 | 12,755 | −5.1% | |
| 1950 | 10,167 | −20.3% | |
| 1960 | 7,905 | −22.2% | |
| 1970 | 6,998 | −11.5% | |
| 1980 | 7,682 | 9.8% | |
| 1990 | 7,008 | −8.8% | |
| 2000 | 8,577 | 22.4% | |
| 2010 | 9,255 | 7.9% | |
| 2011 (est.) | 9,298 | 0.5% | |
2011 estimate | |||
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.
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 an integrated prom dance at the high school or not in 2013.
Cities
Unincorporated cities and towns
See also
References
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "2010 Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
External links
Municipalities and communities of Wilcox County, Georgia, United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
Places adjacent to Wilcox County, Georgia | ||||||||||||||||
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