Burke County, Georgia

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
U.S. county
Burke County courthouse in Waynesboro, Georgia
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°04′N 82°00′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1777
Named forEdmund Burke[1]
SeatWaynesboro
Largest cityWaynesboro
Area
 • Total835 sq mi (2,160 km2)
 • Land827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.0%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
22,383
 • Density27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.burkecounty-ga.gov

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.[4] In 1779, Col. John Twiggs and brothers Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, defeated British in the Battle of Burke Jail.

Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area). During the antebellum period, it was developed by slave labor for large cotton plantations. The county was majority African American in population in this period, as slaveholders wanted high numbers of slaves for laborers to cultivate and process cotton.

The military tradition continued during the American Civil War, when Burke County provided volunteers for numerous units: 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).

Agriculture continued as the basis of the economy for decades after the American Civil War, when most freedmen worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Cotton was the major commodity crop.[5] In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many African-American farm 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 decline was related to the Great Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South and Jim Crow oppression for jobs and opportunities in industrial cities of the Midwest, North. From World War II on, primary migration destinations were West Coast cities because of the buildup of the defense industry. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in the North, 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.[6] 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, the territory is part of the Brier Creek sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. The most northern sliver of Burke County is located in the Middle Savannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
17909,467—
18009,5040.4%
181010,85814.2%
182011,5776.6%
183011,8332.2%
184013,17611.3%
185016,10022.2%
186017,1656.6%
187017,6793.0%
188027,12853.4%
189028,5015.1%
190030,1655.8%
191027,268−9.6%
192030,83613.1%
193029,224−5.2%
194026,520−9.3%
195023,458−11.5%
196020,596−12.2%
197018,255−11.4%
198019,3496.0%
199020,5796.4%
200022,2438.1%
201023,3164.8%
Est. 201922,383[8]−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families living in the county.[13] 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).[14] As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,316 people living 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).[15]

In terms of ancestry, 49.5% have some African ancestry, 11.0% identify as of American, 9.3% are 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.[13]

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]

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families living 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.

Education
Main article: Waynesboro, Georgia § Education

Communities

Politics
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 48.0% 4,491 50.6% 4,731 1.4% 129
2012 43.9% 4,301 55.2% 5,405 0.9% 87
2008 45.1% 4,344 54.3% 5,233 0.6% 60
2004 49.9% 4,232 49.6% 4,213 0.5% 42
2000 47.4% 3,381 52.1% 3,720 0.5% 34
1996 37.5% 2,590 56.6% 3,915 5.9% 408
1992 34.8% 2,390 53.2% 3,647 12.0% 822
1988 50.9% 2,988 48.7% 2,861 0.4% 23
1984 50.1% 3,137 49.9% 3,127
1980 37.5% 1,871 61.1% 3,047 1.5% 73
1976 34.2% 1,565 65.8% 3,014
1972 72.9% 2,846 27.1% 1,058
1968 28.9% 1,416 34.3% 1676 36.8% 1,802
1964 71.5% 3,034 28.5% 1,208
1960 46.9% 1,027 53.1% 1,162
1956 35.7% 721 64.3% 1,300
1952 44.6% 932 55.5% 1,160
1948 7.4% 111 23.9% 357 68.7% 1,028
1944 14.4% 153 85.6% 909
1940 3.9% 42 95.5% 1,029 0.6% 6
1936 4.7% 51 95.1% 1,040 0.3% 3
1932 3.5% 18 95.4% 498 1.2% 6
1928 27.5% 260 72.5% 687
1924 14.1% 76 83.0% 449 3.0% 16
1920 9.2% 39 90.9% 387
1916 2.0% 14 95.3% 673 2.7% 19
1912 4.6% 22 90.9% 440 4.6% 22
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See also

References
  1. Cooksey, Elizabeth B. (November 11, 2011). "Burke County". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities Council. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 29. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  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 21, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  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 27, 2015.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. 2010 census report for Burke County, Georgia
  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 27, 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 27, 2015.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.

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