Banks County, Georgia

Banks County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,035,[1] down from 18,395 in 2010.[2] The county seat is Homer.[3] The Old Banks County Courthouse is located in Homer and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A new county courthouse was constructed adjacent to the old one in 1983.

Banks County
County
Banks County courthouse in Homer
Banks County courthouse in Homer
Official seal of Banks County
Seal
Map of Georgia highlighting Banks County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°21′N 83°30′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedFebruary 1, 1859 (1859-02-01)
Named forRichard Banks
SeatHomer
Largest cityBaldwin
Area
 • Total234 sq mi (610 km2)
 • Land232 sq mi (600 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,035
 • Density79/sq mi (31/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.bankscountyga.org

History

The law to establish Banks County was passed by the Georgia General Assembly on December 11, 1858.[4] It was named for Dr. Richard E. Banks.[5] The legislation called for the creation of Banks County on February 1, 1859, from Franklin and Habersham counties.

Ty Cobb, a Baseball Hall of Famer, was born in Banks County in 1886 in an area of the county known as The Narrows - a small farming community consisting of fewer than 100 people. The area and birthplace are on State Highway 105 in the northern part of the county near the Broad River. The legal organ for the county is The Banks County News, a member of Mainstreet News, Inc. One of the county's oldest church sites is the Hebron Presbyterian Church, established in 1796. Banks County is the home of the Atlanta Dragway, located near Banks Crossing. Banks County is also known for being the home of the former world's largest Easter egg hunt. (The 50th annual egg hunt in 2009 was the last in the series.)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 234 square miles (610 km2), of which 232 square miles (600 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6] Banks County is entirely located in the Broad River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,707—
18704,9735.7%
18807,33747.5%
18908,56216.7%
190010,54523.2%
191011,2446.6%
192011,8145.1%
19309,703−17.9%
19408,733−10.0%
19506,935−20.6%
19606,497−6.3%
19706,8335.2%
19808,70227.4%
199010,30818.5%
200014,42239.9%
201018,39527.5%
202018,035−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[2] 2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 14,422 people, 5,364 households, and 4,162 families living in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile (24 people/km2). There were 5,808 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.16% White, 3.22% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,364 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,523, and the median income for a family was $43,136. Males had a median income of $29,986 versus $21,698 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,424. About 9.80% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 18,395 people, 6,700 households, and 5,100 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 79.3 inhabitants per square mile (30.6/km2). There were 7,595 housing units at an average density of 32.7 units per square mile (12.6 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 91.7% white, 2.3% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 3.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.7% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 18.7% were American, 8.5% were Irish, and 8.5% were English.[15]

Of the 6,700 households, 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 23.9% were non-families, and 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 38.4 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,455 and the median income for a family was $48,606. Males had a median income of $41,444 versus $26,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,497. About 13.0% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2020 census
Banks County Racial Composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White 15,578 86.38%
Black or African American 394 2.18%
Native American 54 0.3%
Asian 189 1.05%
Pacific Islander 8 0.04%
Other/Mixed 648 3.59%
Hispanic or Latino 1,164 6.45%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 18,035 people, 6,740 households, and 4,875 families residing in the county.

Education
Main article: Banks County School District

The Banks County School District is a public school district that services Banks County, and is based in Homer. There are four schools in the district, which educate 2,788 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.[18]

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Banks County, Georgia[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 7,795 88.53% 932 10.58% 78 0.89%
2016 6,134 87.94% 684 9.81% 157 2.25%
2012 5,354 86.30% 780 12.57% 70 1.13%
2008 5,120 81.93% 1,027 16.43% 102 1.63%
2004 4,410 78.86% 1,149 20.55% 33 0.59%
2000 3,202 70.64% 1,220 26.91% 111 2.45%
1996 1,925 47.23% 1,536 37.68% 615 15.09%
1992 1,551 42.25% 1,530 41.68% 590 16.07%
1988 1,590 61.58% 984 38.11% 8 0.31%
1984 1,549 59.30% 1,063 40.70% 0 0.00%
1980 746 26.01% 2,091 72.91% 31 1.08%
1976 330 12.15% 2,387 87.85% 0 0.00%
1972 1,336 78.96% 356 21.04% 0 0.00%
1968 398 18.70% 296 13.91% 1,434 67.39%
1964 548 30.34% 1,258 69.66% 0 0.00%
1960 221 15.89% 1,170 84.11% 0 0.00%
1956 187 15.90% 989 84.10% 0 0.00%
1952 204 13.98% 1,255 86.02% 0 0.00%
1948 38 6.35% 533 89.13% 27 4.52%
1944 125 20.19% 490 79.16% 4 0.65%
1940 164 19.57% 668 79.71% 6 0.72%
1936 181 22.02% 641 77.98% 0 0.00%
1932 58 4.26% 1,283 94.27% 20 1.47%
1928 363 46.24% 422 53.76% 0 0.00%
1924 86 21.88% 291 74.05% 16 4.07%
1920 342 41.66% 479 58.34% 0 0.00%
1916 118 9.57% 989 80.21% 126 10.22%
1912 83 36.89% 133 59.11% 9 4.00%

See also

References
  1. "QuickFacts: Banks County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  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. 13. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  5. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 233. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  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. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  11. "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 17, 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 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. "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.
  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 27, 2015.
  17. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  18. "Banks County School District". Education.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Banks County, Georgia.

34.35°N 83.50°W / 34.35; -83.50

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