Clay County, Georgia

Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 3,183,[1] making it the fifth-least populous county in Georgia. The county seat is Fort Gaines.[2]

Clay County
U.S. county
Clay County Courthouse in Fort Gaines
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°37′N 84°59′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1854
Named forHenry Clay
SeatFort Gaines
Largest cityFort Gaines
Area
 • Total217 sq mi (560 km2)
 • Land195 sq mi (510 km2)
 • Water22 sq mi (60 km2)  10.1%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
2,834
 • Density16/sq mi (6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.claycountyga.net

History

This area was historically occupied by the Creek Indians until Indian Removal in the 1830s. European Americans pushed them out and developed the land for cotton, bringing in thousands of African slaves to work the land.

The county is named in honor of Henry Clay,[3] famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. Part of the Black Belt geological formation of Georgia, prior to the American Civil War the county's chief commodity crop was cotton, cultivated and processed by farmers and African-American slaves. After the war, the economy continued to be agricultural, but timber was also harvested.

Clay was created by a February 16, 1854, act of the Georgia General Assembly, and organized from portions of Early and Randolph counties.[4]

Clay County's population is one-third what it was in 1910.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 217 square miles (560 km2), of which 195 square miles (510 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (10.1%) is water.[5]

The central and southwestern portions of Clay County, from west of Bluffton to northwest of Coleman, are located in the Lower Chattahoochee River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). The county's northwestern corner, which is bisected by State Route 39 running north from Fort Gaines, is located in the Middle Chattahoochee River-Walter F. George Lake sub-basin of the same ACF River Basin. Just the very southeastern corner of Clay County is located in the Spring Creek sub-basin of the same larger ACF River Basin.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18604,893—
18705,49312.3%
18806,65021.1%
18907,81717.5%
19008,5689.6%
19108,9604.6%
19207,557−15.7%
19306,943−8.1%
19407,0641.7%
19505,844−17.3%
19604,551−22.1%
19703,636−20.1%
19803,553−2.3%
19903,364−5.3%
20003,357−0.2%
20103,183−5.2%
Est. 20192,834[7]−11.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,183 people, 1,331 households, and 869 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 16.3 inhabitants per square mile (6.3/km2). There were 2,102 housing units at an average density of 10.8 per square mile (4.2/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 60.4% black or African American, 37.6% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, and 3.3% were American.[14]

Of the 1,331 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 22.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 45.8 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $26,250 and the median income for a family was $31,354. Males had a median income of $29,440 versus $23,816 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,353. About 25.5% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 56.7% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.[15]

2010 census

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 3,357 people, 1,347 households, and 928 families living in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 1,925 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 60.47% Black or African American, 38.43% White, 0.12% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,347 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.70% were married couples living together, 23.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 21.00% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 83.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,448, and the median income for a family was $27,837. Males had a median income of $26,557 versus $17,083 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,819. About 28.10% of families and 31.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.40% of those under age 18 and 23.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Main article: Fort Gaines, Georgia § Education

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities
  • Bellville
  • Bethel
  • Cotton Hill
  • Days Crossroads
  • Garnersville
  • Harrisons Mill
  • Jeff
  • Jones Crossing
  • Moores Crossroads
  • Oakland
  • Pecan
  • Ricks Place
  • Suttons Corner
  • Watson Crossroads
  • Zetto

Ghost town

Politics
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 44.5% 566 54.8% 697 0.8% 10
2012 38.3% 537 61.4% 862 0.3% 4
2008 38.8% 558 61.0% 879 0.2% 3
2004 38.9% 509 60.9% 798 0.2% 3
2000 35.1% 448 64.3% 821 0.6% 8
1996 25.6% 293 68.9% 787 5.5% 63
1992 22.1% 264 65.0% 778 13.0% 155
1988 40.0% 398 59.9% 595 0.1% 1
1984 35.8% 419 64.2% 750
1980 25.5% 316 73.3% 909 1.3% 16
1976 23.8% 295 76.3% 947
1972 69.1% 632 30.9% 283
1968 10.6% 133 41.1% 517 48.3% 608
1964 60.0% 544 39.7% 360 0.2% 2
1960 13.7% 84 86.3% 528
1956 20.9% 103 79.1% 390
1952 26.8% 176 73.2% 481
1948 9.0% 33 80.4% 295 10.6% 39
1944 7.3% 35 92.7% 442
1940 6.3% 33 93.3% 488 0.4% 2
1936 2.6% 13 97.0% 484 0.4% 2
1932 2.7% 12 96.7% 433 0.7% 3
1928 12.2% 56 87.9% 405
1924 15.4% 51 74.3% 246 10.3% 34
1920 21.5% 63 78.5% 230
1916 4.1% 10 92.2% 225 3.7% 9
1912 4.3% 17 93.7% 369 2.0% 8
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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 83.
  4. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  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 24, 2015.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  12. "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.
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. "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.
  15. "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.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

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