Decatur County, Georgia

Decatur County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,367.[1] The county seat is Bainbridge.[2]

Not to be confused with Decatur, Georgia.

Decatur County
County
Decatur County Courthouse in Bainbridge
Decatur County Courthouse in Bainbridge
Map of Georgia highlighting Decatur County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°53′N 84°35′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1823 (1823)
Named forStephen Decatur
SeatBainbridge
Largest cityBainbridge
Area
 • Total623 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Land597 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water26 sq mi (70 km2)  4.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total29,367
 • Density49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.decaturcountyga.gov

Decatur County comprises the Bainbridge, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Tallahassee-Bainbridge, FL-GA Combined Statistical Area.

History

The county was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 8, 1823, from a portion of Early County.[3] Three other counties were created from land that was originally part of Decatur County.

In 1825, a portion of Decatur was used in the creation of Thomas County. In 1905, another portion of Decatur was used in the creation of part of Grady County. In 1920, the western portion of Decatur County was used to form Seminole County in its entirety.

Decatur County is named for United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812.[4]

Geography
The welcome sign for Decatur County on State Route 97

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 597 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 26 square miles (67 km2) (4.2%) is water.[5]

The bulk of Decatur County, from northeast to southwest, and centered on Bainbridge, is located in the Lower Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). Almost all of the county's western border is located in the Spring Creek sub-basin of the same ACF River Basin. The southwestern portion of Decatur County, centered on Attapulgus, and bordered on the west by State Route 302, is located on the Lower Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the larger Ochlockonee River basin. Finally, the county's southwestern corner, west of State Route 302, is located in the Apalachicola River sub-basin of the same larger ACF River basin.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18303,854—
18405,87252.4%
18508,26240.7%
186011,92244.3%
187015,18327.4%
188019,07225.6%
189019,9494.6%
190029,45447.6%
191029,045−1.4%
192031,7859.4%
193023,622−25.7%
194022,234−5.9%
195023,6206.2%
196025,2036.7%
197022,310−11.5%
198025,49514.3%
199025,5110.1%
200028,24010.7%
201027,842−1.4%
202029,3675.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[11]

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 28,240 people, 10,380 households, and 7,546 families living in the county. The population density was 47 inhabitants per square mile (18/km2). There were 11,968 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 57.10% White, 39.91% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 3.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,380 households, out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% were married couples living together, 19.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,820, and the median income for a family was $32,635. Males had a median income of $27,180 versus $20,745 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,063. About 19.20% of families and 22.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.00% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,842 people, 10,390 households, and 7,255 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 46.6 inhabitants per square mile (18.0/km2). There were 12,125 housing units at an average density of 20.3 per square mile (7.8/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 54.2% white, 41.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 2.5% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.0% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 9.8% were American, 5.9% were English, and 5.7% were Irish.[15]

Of the 10,390 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 37.7 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,297 and the median income for a family was $44,322. Males had a median income of $36,176 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,833. About 19.4% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.9% of those under age 18 and 18.7% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2020 census
Decatur County Racial Composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White 14,280 48.63%
Black or African American 12,200 41.54%
Native American 64 0.22%
Asian 183 0.62%
Pacific Islander 16 0.05%
Other/Mixed 713 2.43%
Hispanic or Latino 1,911 6.51%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 29,367 people, 10,084 households, and 7,113 families residing in the county.

Education

Decatur County School District is the local school district with Bainbridge High School being the local high school.

Spring Creek Charter Academy was formed in 2019 and includes grades Pre-K through 9th Grade as of 2023–2024 school year with the next year being added as each grade progresses through the years.

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has a satellite campus in Bainbridge.

Southern Regional Technical College has a satellite campus in Bainbridge serving the county.

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Decatur County, Georgia[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,755 58.09% 4,782 41.12% 91 0.78%
2016 6,020 58.35% 4,124 39.97% 173 1.68%
2012 5,824 55.47% 4,591 43.72% 85 0.81%
2008 5,890 56.72% 4,424 42.60% 71 0.68%
2004 5,348 59.71% 3,577 39.94% 31 0.35%
2000 4,187 54.75% 3,398 44.43% 63 0.82%
1996 3,035 44.65% 3,245 47.74% 517 7.61%
1992 3,142 42.35% 3,198 43.11% 1,079 14.54%
1988 3,866 61.95% 2,348 37.62% 27 0.43%
1984 4,134 60.88% 2,656 39.12% 0 0.00%
1980 2,919 46.76% 3,242 51.93% 82 1.31%
1976 2,500 40.09% 3,736 59.91% 0 0.00%
1972 4,292 78.21% 1,196 21.79% 0 0.00%
1968 749 10.62% 1,729 24.51% 4,576 64.87%
1964 5,060 71.55% 2,011 28.44% 1 0.01%
1960 918 24.82% 2,780 75.18% 0 0.00%
1956 1,062 22.31% 3,699 77.69% 0 0.00%
1952 1,001 27.95% 2,581 72.05% 0 0.00%
1948 296 13.03% 1,209 53.21% 767 33.76%
1944 294 15.47% 1,606 84.53% 0 0.00%
1940 217 10.85% 1,781 89.05% 2 0.10%
1936 79 3.85% 1,965 95.71% 9 0.44%
1932 65 5.17% 1,169 93.00% 23 1.83%
1928 1,156 61.16% 734 38.84% 0 0.00%
1924 151 16.38% 637 69.09% 134 14.53%
1920 300 23.40% 982 76.60% 0 0.00%
1916 116 8.94% 1,147 88.37% 35 2.70%
1912 34 6.00% 500 88.18% 33 5.82%

See also

References
General
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Decatur County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  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. 60. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 102.
  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. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 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. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
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