Greene County, Georgia

Greene County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 15,994.[1] The county seat is Greensboro.[2] The county was created on February 3, 1786 and is named for Nathanael Greene, an American Revolutionary War major general.

Greene County
U.S. county
Greene County courthouse in Greensboro
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°35′N 83°10′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1786
Named forNathanael Greene
SeatGreensboro
Largest cityGreensboro
Area
 • Total406 sq mi (1,050 km2)
 • Land387 sq mi (1,000 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  4.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
17,698
 • Density41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.greenecountyga.gov
Unidentified building near White Plains, Georgia, ca. 1941

History

Greene County was formed on February 3, 1786, from land given by Washington County.[3] It was named in honor of General Nathanael Greene, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 406 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 387 square miles (1,000 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (4.6%) is water.[5]

The majority of Greene County, west of a line between Woodville, Union Point, and White Plains, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The northern half of the remainder of the county is located in the Little River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin, while the southern half is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area
  • Oconee National Forest (part)

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
17905,405—
180010,76199.1%
181011,6798.5%
182013,58916.4%
183012,549−7.7%
184011,690−6.8%
185013,06811.8%
186012,652−3.2%
187012,454−1.6%
188017,54740.9%
189017,051−2.8%
190016,542−3.0%
191018,51211.9%
192018,9722.5%
193012,616−33.5%
194013,7098.7%
195012,843−6.3%
196011,193−12.8%
197010,212−8.8%
198011,39111.5%
199011,7933.5%
200014,40622.2%
201015,99411.0%
Est. 201817,698[7]10.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[12] there were 14,406 people, 5,477 households and 4,042 families living in the county. The population density was 37 per square mile (14/km²). There were 6,653 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 52.95% White, 44.45% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.49% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 2.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,477 households of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples living together, 18.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

25.10% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.

The median household income was $33,479 and the median family incomewas $39,794. Males had a median income of $31,295 versus $20,232 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,389. About 16.00% of families and 22.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 15,994 people, 6,519 households, and 4,677 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 41.3 inhabitants per square mile (15.9/km2). There were 8,688 housing units at an average density of 22.4 per square mile (8.6/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 56.6% white, 38.2% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.6% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 21.1% were American, 7.6% were English, and 6.1% were German.[15]

Of the 6,519 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.3% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 46.4 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,513 and the median income for a family was $42,307. Males had a median income of $32,245 versus $24,622 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,943. About 17.8% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Education

The county supports the Greene County School Board, Lake Oconee Academy and Nathanael Greene Academy.

Role in passage of Georgia Indigent Defense Act

In 2001, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Benham convened a committee to investigate indigent defense in the state of Georgia. An avalanche of complaints about the state of public defense in Greene County, along with a number of lawsuits filed by Stephen Bright and the Southern Center for Human Rights, contributed to the formation of this commission. The commission discovered during its investigation that indigent defendants in Greene County were routinely pleaded guilty by judges without the presence of counsel and sometimes without even being present in court to make their pleas, violations of the Sixth Amendment. Excessive bail, e.g. $50,000 for loitering, was often set as well, a violation of the Eight Amendment. After two years of investigation, the committee's recommendations led to the passage of the Georgia Indigent Defense Act.[17][18]

Communities

Politics

Prior to 2000, the only time Greene County failed to back a Democratic Party candidate in a presidential election was in 1972 when Richard Nixon won every county in Georgia. From 2000 on, it has become consistently Republican thanks to a reduced African American & increased white population percentage.

Presidential election results
Previous presidential election results[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 62.0% 5,490 36.1% 3,199 1.9% 163
2012 60.9% 5,071 38.4% 3,201 0.7% 55
2008 57.2% 4,532 42.2% 3,339 0.6% 50
2004 59.2% 4,069 40.3% 2,774 0.5% 34
2000 57.3% 2,980 41.1% 2,137 1.5% 80
1996 42.4% 1,702 52.7% 2,115 4.9% 198
1992 32.2% 1,307 55.7% 2,259 12.1% 492
1988 43.9% 1,432 55.8% 1,818 0.3% 10
1984 44.5% 1,599 55.5% 1,992
1980 26.9% 961 72.0% 2,571 1.2% 41
1976 20.5% 652 79.5% 2,534
1972 64.6% 1,679 35.4% 919
1968 18.6% 652 46.6% 1,635 34.8% 1,223
1964 28.8% 1,093 71.2% 2,698
1960 14.2% 328 85.8% 1,979
1956 21.2% 541 78.8% 2,012
1952 14.6% 397 85.4% 2,323
1948 17.7% 282 76.3% 1,213 6.0% 95
1944 10.3% 144 89.4% 1,246 0.3% 4
1940 8.9% 148 90.3% 1,497 0.8% 13
1936 6.0% 86 93.4% 1,348 0.7% 10
1932 5.4% 52 94.4% 918 0.2% 2
1928 28.1% 245 71.9% 627
1924 9.9% 77 71.5% 558 18.7% 146
1920 20.7% 178 79.3% 681
1916 17.4% 153 76.6% 676 6.0% 53
1912 21.9% 150 76.6% 525 1.5% 10

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 98. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 143.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. "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 29, 2015.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  15. "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 29, 2015.
  16. "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 29, 2015.
  17. Amy Bach (2009). Ordinary Injustice: How America Holds Court. New York: Metropolitan Books. ISBN 978-0-8050-7447-5.
  18. "Georgia Indigent Defense Act HB 770". Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 20, 2018.

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