Burke County, Georgia

Burke County, Georgia
Burke County courthouse in Waynesboro, Georgia
Location in the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1777
Named for	Edmund Burke[1]
Seat	Waynesboro
Largest city	Waynesboro
Area
• Total	835 sq mi (2,163 km2)
• Land	827 sq mi (2,142 km2)
• Water	8.0 sq mi (21 km2), 1.0%
Population (est.)
• (2015)	22,745
• Density	27/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district	12th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.burkecounty-ga.gov

Burke County is a county located along the eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia in the Piedmont. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,316.^[2] The county seat is Waynesboro.^[3]

Burke County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Burke County is an original county of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. In 1779, Col. John Twiggs and Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, victoriously defended the Cause of the American Revolution at the Battle of Burke Jail. During the American Civil War, Burke County provided the 2nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Sharpshooters), 3rd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company A (Burke Guards), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company C (Williams Volunteers), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company K (Alexander Greys), 48th Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Volunteers), Cobb's Legion Infantry company E (Poythress Volunteers) and the Cobb's Legion Cavalry Company F (Grubb's Hussars).

Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area) and was developed for large cotton plantations in the antebellum period. The county became majority African American in population, as most laborers were slaves. It continued to rely on agriculture for decades after the American Civil War.^[4] In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many workers to lose their jobs.

As can be seen from the census tables below, the county lost population from 1910-1920, and from 1930-1970. Part of the outflow was related to the Great Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South and Jim Crow segregation for jobs and opportunities in the Midwest, North, and from World War II on, the West Coast. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in the North as well, in cities such as Chicago and Detroit.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835 square miles (2,160 km²), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km²) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km²) (1.0%) is water.^[5] It is the second-largest county by area in Georgia.

The southern half of Burke County, defined by a line running along State Route 80 to Waynesboro, then southeast to east of Perkins, is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin. North of Waynesboro, and bordered on the north by a line running from Keysville southeast to Girard, is located in the Brier Creek sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. The very northern sliver of Burke County is located in the Middle Savannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.^[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,316 people residing in the county. 49.5% were Black or African American, 47.5% White, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).^[12]

As of the census^[13] of 2000, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 8,842 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 51.00% Black or African American, 46.90% White, 0.23% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,934 households out of which 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.40% were married couples living together, 22.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the county the population was spread out with 31.30% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,877, and the median income for a family was $31,660. Males had a median income of $29,992 and females had an income of $19,008. The per capita income for the county was $13,136. About 23.80% of families and 28.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.00% of those under age 18 and 29.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families residing in the county.^[14] The population density was 28.2 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km²). There were 9,865 housing units at an average density of 11.9 per square mile (4.6/km²).^[15] The racial makeup of the county was 49.5% black or African American, 47.5% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.6% of the population.^[14] In terms of ancestry, 11.0% were American, 9.3% were Irish, 5.5% were English, and 5.1% were German.^[16]

Of the 8,533 households, 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 24.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age was 35.9 years.^[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,155 and the median income for a family was $41,659. Males had a median income of $37,061 versus $24,952 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 20.0% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.^[17]

Education

Communities

• Blythe
• Girard
• Keysville
• Midville
• Sardis
• Vidette
• Waynesboro

See also

• Central Savannah River Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Burke County, Georgia

References

• Albert M. Hillhouse. A History of Burke County, Georgia, 1777-1950. Reprint Company and Magnolia Press, 1985.

External links

• Burke County Official Website
• Edmund Burke Academy
• Burke County Chamber of Commerce
• Burke County historical marker
• Botsford Church historical marker

		Richmond County	Aiken County, South Carolina and Barnwell County, South Carolina
	Jefferson County		Allendale County, South Carolina
		Burke County, Georgia
	Emanuel County	Jenkins County	Screven County

Municipalities and communities of Burke County, Georgia, United States
County seat: Waynesboro
Cities	Blythe‡ Keysville‡ Midville Sardis Vidette Waynesboro
Town	Girard
Unincorporated community	Gough
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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Coordinates: 33°04′N 82°00′W / 33.06°N 82.00°W / 33.06; -82.00