Walton County, Georgia

Walton County, Georgia
Walton County courthouse in Monroe
Map of Georgia highlighting Walton County
Location in the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded December 22, 1818
Named for George Walton
Seat Monroe
Largest city Monroe
Area
 • Total 330 sq mi (855 km2)
 • Land 326 sq mi (844 km2)
 • Water 4.3 sq mi (11 km2), 1.3%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 88,399
 • Density 257/sq mi (99/km2)
Congressional district 10th
Time zone Eastern: UTC−5/−4
Website www.waltoncountyga.gov

Walton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 83,768.[1] The county seat is Monroe.[2]

Walton County is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Walton County was created on December 15, 1818. It is named for George Walton, one of the three men from Georgia who signed the United States Declaration of Independence. The other two were Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall.

Developed by planters for cotton plantations in the antebellum era, the county depended on the labor of enslaved African Americans. During and after Reconstruction, whites used lynchings of blacks and other attacks to re-establish white supremacy and maintain social control. The county had a total of nine documented lynchings of African Americans in this period, including the first half of the 20th century.[3] While the peak period in the South generally was from 1880 to 1930, nearly half the number of lynchings in Walton County took place in a mass murder in 1946, after World War II. This postwar period was a time of social unrest in many areas.

A Supreme Court ruling in April 1946 ruled that white primaries were unconstitutional, enabling some black citizens in Georgia to cast ballots for the first time during the primary race later that summer.[4] This increased social tensions in many areas, as most blacks had been disenfranchised since the turn of the 20th century.

Walton County is located about 30 miles east of the city of Atlanta. Monroe is the county seat; Loganville is another major town.

Walton County has been home to, the birthplace of, or claimed residence of seven Georgia governors (in chronological order): Wilson Lumpkin, Howell Cobb, Alfred Colquitt, James Boynton, Henry McDaniel, Clifford Walker, and Richard Russell, Jr..

Pre-Civil rights era mass lynching incident highway marker (Moores Ford lynchings)

In July of 1946, the county was the location to one of the last mass lynchings of the pre-Civil Rights Era. A committee placed a highway marker near the site.

The inscription reads: {{{. . . 2.4 miles east, at Moore’s Ford Bridge on the Apalachee River, four African-Americans - George and Mae Murray Dorsey and Roger and Dorothy Dorsey Malcom (reportedly 7 months pregnant) - were brutally beaten and shot by an unmasked mob on the afternoon of July 25, 1946. The lynching followed an argument between Roger Malcom and a local white farmer. These unsolved murders played a crucial role in both President Truman’s commitment to civil rights legislation and the ensuing modern civil rights movement . . .}}}

The sign is at 33° 51.417′ N, 83° 36.733′ W. Marker is near Monroe, Georgia, in Walton County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 78 and Locklin Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 78.[5][6][7] In 1998, a biracial memorial service honoring the victims was held at Moore’s Ford Bridge (see, main article).[8][9][10][4][11] On-site reenactments and media publications, the most seminal being, Fire in a Canebrake: The Last Mass Lynching in America, by author Laura Wexler[12], have been staged or written about the subject. Although the case has been re-opened and closed on a federal level sentiment persists that it be reviewed yet again to a more thoroughly conclusive state in the suiting to the multi-ethnic committee.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 330 square miles (850 km2), of which 326 square miles (840 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (1.3%) is water.[13]

The western half of Walton County, in a half circle from Social Circle through Monroe to northeast of Loganville, is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern part of the county, east of that curve, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin.[14]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Walton County doesn't have any pedestrian trails. However, there are trails in neighboring Gwinnett and Rockdale county such as the Arabia Mountain Path, Conyers Trail and Cedar Creek Trail Loop.

Demographics

There was a noted decline in population from 1900 to 1960, as farm workers left the rural area for opportunities in cities that had industrial jobs. This was also the period of the Great Migration, when many African Americans moved to the North, Midwest and West Coast for jobs and opportunities.

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18101,026—
18204,192308.6%
183010,929160.7%
184010,209−6.6%
185010,8216.0%
186011,0742.3%
187011,038−0.3%
188015,62241.5%
189017,46711.8%
190020,94219.9%
191025,39321.3%
192024,216−4.6%
193021,118−12.8%
194020,777−1.6%
195020,230−2.6%
196020,4811.2%
197023,40414.3%
198031,21133.4%
199038,58623.6%
200060,68757.3%
201083,76838.0%
Est. 201690,184[15]7.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 60,687 people, 21,307 households, and 17,002 families residing in the county. The population density was 184 people per square mile (71/km²). There were 22,500 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.03% White, 14.42% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,307 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.20% were non-families. 16.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.40% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,479 and the median income for a family was $52,386. Males had a median income of $37,482 versus $25,840 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,470. About 8.00% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 83,768 people, 29,583 households, and 22,921 families residing in the county.[21] The population density was 257.2 inhabitants per square mile (99.3/km2). There were 32,435 housing units at an average density of 99.6 per square mile (38.5/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the county was 80.1% white, 15.6% black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.2% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 20.2% were American, 12.2% were Irish, 10.9% were English, and 8.9% were German.[23]

Of the 29,583 households, 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 22.5% were non-families, and 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 37.4 years.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $51,721 and the median income for a family was $58,750. Males had a median income of $45,669 versus $32,064 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,521. About 10.5% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.[24]

Government

Walton County has a 6-member commission elected from single-member districts. This legislative body can pass laws for the county and tax bills. The county chairman is elected at-large to serve as the leader. If a seat becomes vacant during the term, the governor can appoint someone to fill the seat, based on recommendations. In 2015, two of the six positions were filled by appointees.

Politics

Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 76.5% 31,125 20.4% 8,292 3.2% 1,281
2012 77.1% 29,036 21.6% 8,148 1.3% 493
2008 75.5% 27,253 23.5% 8,469 1.0% 357
2004 78.1% 21,594 21.3% 5,887 0.6% 166
2000 68.0% 12,966 28.7% 5,484 3.3% 633
1996 52.8% 7,934 37.4% 5,618 9.8% 1,468
1992 45.4% 5,619 38.9% 4,821 15.8% 1,951
1988 65.6% 5,974 33.9% 3,091 0.5% 47
1984 66.8% 4,995 33.2% 2,481
1980 35.9% 2,618 62.0% 4,525 2.2% 160
1976 23.8% 1,687 76.2% 5,402
1972 77.8% 3,994 22.2% 1,140
1968 20.0% 1,399 22.2% 1552 57.8% 4,047
1964 55.0% 2,874 45.0% 2,350 0.0% 2
1960 11.5% 403 88.5% 3,095
1956 12.6% 470 87.4% 3,271
1952 8.1% 324 91.9% 3,672
1948 9.1% 262 85.0% 2,440 5.9% 169
1944 7.8% 172 92.3% 2,046
1940 4.6% 104 95.2% 2,179 0.2% 5
1936 6.3% 132 93.6% 1,952 0.1% 2
1932 1.7% 36 98.3% 2,136
1928 27.2% 424 72.8% 1,135
1924 8.8% 90 85.2% 873 6.1% 62
1920 9.4% 123 90.6% 1,189
1916 6.2% 91 88.2% 1,305 5.6% 83
1912 22.6% 270 74.1% 885 3.4% 40

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  • Camp, Lynn Robinson, and Jennifer E. Cheek-Collins. Walton County, Georgia (Black America Series; Charleston, S.C., 2003) ( ISBN 0-7385-1528-0).
  • Sams, Anita B. Wayfarers in Walton: A History of Walton County, Georgia, 1818–1967 (Monroe, Ga., 1967).
  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ [https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf Lynching in America, Supplement: Lynchings by County, 2015, 3rd edition, Equal Justice Institute
  4. 1 2 [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/moore-s-ford-massacre-activists-reenact-racist-lynching-call-justice-n787831 Chelsea Bailey, "Moore's Ford Massacre: Activists Reenact Racist Lynching as a Call for Justice", 02 August 2017; accessed 11 June 2018
  5. ↑ https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=19775&Result=1
  6. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/01/lynching.investigation/index.html
  7. ↑ https://www.hmdb.org/map.asp?markers=19775,49395,19827,20703,20718,20717,17364,17348,46843
  8. ↑ "Lynching in the South; Marking Murder". The Economist. 21 February 2015.
  9. ↑ Auslander, Mark. “Touching the Past: Materializing Time in Traumatic ‘Living History” Reenactments.” Signs and Society Vol. 1 (2013): 161-183
  10. ↑ Joeff Davis, "New information to be presented in unsolved Georgia lynching case", Creative Loafing (Atlanta), 1 March 2014
  11. ↑ GeorgiaInfo - Moore's Ford Lynching GHS Historical Marker, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Last accessed July 4, 2008.
  12. ↑ https://www.goodreads.com/search?offer_spelling_suggestion=true&original_query=fire+in+a+canebreak&q=fire+in+a+canebrake%3A+the+last+mass+lynching+in+america&search%5Bsource%5D=goodreads&search_type=books
  13. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  14. ↑ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  15. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  20. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  21. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  22. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  23. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  24. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  25. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-22.

Coordinates: 33°47′N 83°44′W / 33.78°N 83.74°W / 33.78; -83.74

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