Oconee County, Georgia

Oconee County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,808.[2] The county seat is Watkinsville.[3]

For the city located within Washington County, see Oconee, Georgia.

Oconee County
U.S. county
Oconee County Courthouse in Watkinsville
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°50′N 83°26′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedFebruary 24, 1875
Named forOconee River
SeatWatkinsville
Largest townWatkinsville
Area
 • Total186 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Land184 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  1.1%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
39,272[1]
 • Density178/sq mi (69/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.oconeecounty.com

Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke County in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville to Athens by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border.[4]

The county was ranked as the third-best rural county to live in by Progressive Farmer magazine in 2006.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 186 square miles (480 km2), of which 184 square miles (480 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (1.1%) is water.[6] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The entirety of Oconee County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[7]

Adjacent counties

National protected area
  • Oconee National Forest (part)

Transportation

Major highways

Pedestrians and cycling

The city has limited walkability options available. However, since 2017 plans are being discussed to develop a multi-use trail network.[8]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18806,351—
18907,71321.4%
19008,60211.5%
191011,10429.1%
192011,067−0.3%
19308,082−27.0%
19407,576−6.3%
19507,009−7.5%
19606,304−10.1%
19707,91525.6%
198012,42757.0%
199017,61841.8%
200026,22548.9%
201032,66624.6%
Est. 201739,272[9]20.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 32,808 people, 11,622 households, and 9,346 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 178.0 inhabitants per square mile (68.7/km2). There were 12,383 housing units at an average density of 67.2 per square mile (25.9/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 88.4% white, 5.0% black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.4% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were English, 14.7% were American, 13.3% were Irish, and 12.2% were German.[16]

Of the 11,622 households, 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.4% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 19.6% were non-families, and 16.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 39.1 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $74,352 and the median income for a family was $85,371. Males had a median income of $57,303 versus $39,375 for females. The per capita income for the county was $34,271. About 6.3% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

In 2012, the Wisconsin Population Health Institute ranked Oconee County as one of the top 3 healthiest counties in Georgia. The study ranked the county second in the state in "Overall Health Factors" and third in "Overall Health Outcomes."[18]

Government

Oconee County is governed by a four-member Board of Commissioners, which holds legislative power. The Board is led by a separately-elected Chairman, who holds executive power. The Board is vested with budget and taxing authority, ordinance making authority, and control of county property, roads and facilities. The chairman and all members of the board are elected from at-large districts (called "posts") to staggered terms of four years.[19]

The Chairman of the Board is the county's Chief Executive Officer who, in consultation with the Commissioners, appoints officers and staff as needed to administer the responsibilities of the Board.

The current members of the Board are:[19]

  • Chairman: John Daniell
  • Post 1: Mark Thomas
  • Post 2: Chuck Horton
  • Post 3: W.E. "Bubber" Wilkes
  • Post 4: Mark Saxon

The judicial branch of government is administered through the Georgia court system as a part of the 10th Judicial District, Western Circuit.[20]

Primary law enforcement services in the portion of the county outside the City of Watkinsville are provided by the Sheriff's office. (Law enforcement within the Watkinsville City Limits is the jurisdiction of the Watkinsville Police Department.)[21] The office of Sheriff is an elected position; since 1992, the office has been held by Scott Berry.[22] Berry is also the current President of the Georgia Sheriff's Association.[23]

Politics
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 66.6% 13,425 27.7% 5,581 5.7% 1,143
2012 73.3% 13,098 24.8% 4,421 1.9% 340
2008 70.6% 12,120 28.1% 4,825 1.3% 229
2004 72.4% 10,276 26.7% 3,789 0.9% 134
2000 68.2% 7,611 28.5% 3,184 3.3% 373
1996 58.1% 5,116 34.0% 2,992 8.0% 705
1992 51.1% 4,125 34.0% 2,745 14.9% 1,206
1988 67.9% 4,265 31.7% 1,990 0.4% 27
1984 70.3% 3,471 29.7% 1,467
1980 47.3% 2,065 49.0% 2,141 3.7% 161
1976 34.7% 1,184 65.3% 2,228
1972 81.4% 2,029 18.6% 464
1968 28.2% 713 16.4% 414 55.5% 1,405
1964 53.6% 1,241 46.4% 1,073
1960 19.6% 297 80.4% 1,218
1956 21.4% 314 78.6% 1,156
1952 22.2% 337 77.8% 1,182
1948 27.2% 254 61.9% 579 10.9% 102
1944 25.5% 195 74.5% 570
1940 21.7% 177 77.7% 635 0.6% 5
1936 26.3% 173 73.3% 483 0.5% 3
1932 5.4% 39 92.5% 664 2.1% 15
1928 46.6% 300 53.4% 344
1924 11.9% 46 72.1% 279 16.0% 62
1920 24.1% 108 76.0% 341
1916 25.0% 166 75.0% 497
1912 46.3% 180 53.5% 208 0.3% 1

Education

Oconee County School District

The Oconee County School District provides education for grades pre-school to twelve and consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.[25] The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students.[26]

Private Schools

There are currently three private schools located in the county. They are:

Colleges and Universities

The University of North Georgia maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville. It was a Gainesville State College campus until the 2012 merger of Gainesville State College with North Georgia College and State University.[30]

Media

There is one weekly-published newspaper in Oconee County: The Oconee Enterprise. Oconee Patch is a community website offering daily news and events.

Cox Media Group also operates a radio broadcast facility on Tower Place in northeast Oconee County. Four radio stations are operated from this facility:[31]

  • WNGC 106.1 FM
  • WGMG 102.1 FM (Magic 102.1)
  • WPUP 100.1 FM (Power 100.1)
  • WRFC 960 AM (The Ref)

Communities

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, "History of Oconee County" Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Steve Hargreaves (February 2, 2006). "Best places to live: Rural America". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  8. "Plans for Oconee County taking shape". Gate House Media LLC. June 14, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  14. "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 30, 2015.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  16. "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 30, 2015.
  17. "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 30, 2015.
  18. Stephanie Gross (April 3, 2012). "Oconee Among Top 3 Healthiest Georgia Counties". Oconee Patch. Patch Network. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  19. Board Of Commissioners Archived 2012-03-20 at the Wayback Machine section of Oconee County website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  20. Official website Archived 2013-08-12 at the Wayback Machine of the 10th Judicial District of Georgia, Western Circuit
  21. 2011 Official Oconee County Newcomer's Guide Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  22. Ryan Blackburn (July 24, 2011). "Sheriff Berry To Tackle Big Issues As Head of State Law Enforcement Group". Oconee Patch. Patch Network. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  23. Board of Directors Archived 2010-12-15 at the Wayback Machine section of Georgia Sheriff's Association official website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  24. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  25. Georgia Board of Education, Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  26. School Stats Archived April 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  27. Founding Principles Archived 2011-02-13 at the Wayback Machine section of Westminster Christian Academy website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  28. Who we are Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine section of Prince Avenue website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  29. History Archived 2012-02-27 at the Wayback Machine section of Athens Academy website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  30. History of GSC Archived 2013-04-01 at the Wayback Machine section of Gainesville State College website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.
  31. Athens location information Archived 2012-04-23 at the Wayback Machine, Cox Media Group website. Last accessed 2012-04-04.

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