Bleckley County, Georgia

Bleckley County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,583.[1] The county seat is Cochran.[2]

Bleckley County
County
Bleckley County Courthouse in Cochran
Bleckley County Courthouse in Cochran
Map of Georgia highlighting Bleckley County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°26′N 83°20′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1912 (1912)
Named forLogan Edwin Bleckley
SeatCochran
Largest cityCochran
Government
 • County CommissionerRobert Brockman
Area
 • Total219 sq mi (570 km2)
 • Land216 sq mi (560 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total12,583
 • Density58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.bleckley.org/index.asp

History

The county was named for Logan Edwin Bleckley, a soldier and Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia.[3] The state constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed by the Georgia General Assembly on July 30, 1912, and ratified November 5, 1912. Bleckley County was formerly home to Middle Georgia College, the oldest two-year public college in the nation. In 2013 it merged with Macon State College to become Middle Georgia State University.[4]

Bleckley County High School made news in March 2010 for allowing a same-sex couple to attend its senior prom, after another same-sex couple in Mississippi were denied attendance at another senior prom.[5]

Government

Bleckley County is one of eight remaining counties in Georgia that operates under a sole commissioner form of government, with a single county commissioner acting as the county executive and legislative branches. The current County Commissioner is Mike Davis, the Sheriff was Kris Coody, the Fire Chief is Brock Wilcher, the Clerk of Superior Court is Dianne C. Brown, the Tax Commissioner is Paige Baggs, and the Probate Judge is Hon. Jonathan Fordham.

Bleckly County's sole commissioner form of government was discussed in Holder v. Hall,[6] decided by the United States Supreme Court on June 30, 1994.

United States presidential election results for Bleckley County, Georgia[7]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 4,329 75.81% 1,312 22.98% 69 1.21%
2016 3,719 74.77% 1,101 22.14% 154 3.10%
2012 3,587 72.91% 1,269 25.79% 64 1.30%
2008 3,657 71.93% 1,380 27.14% 47 0.92%
2004 3,167 70.83% 1,281 28.65% 23 0.51%
2000 2,436 64.98% 1,273 33.96% 40 1.07%
1996 1,632 49.33% 1,365 41.26% 311 9.40%
1992 1,570 39.69% 1,710 43.23% 676 17.09%
1988 1,950 62.14% 1,175 37.44% 13 0.41%
1984 1,912 56.62% 1,465 43.38% 0 0.00%
1980 1,261 36.66% 2,014 58.55% 165 4.80%
1976 972 27.17% 2,605 72.83% 0 0.00%
1972 2,308 85.96% 377 14.04% 0 0.00%
1968 756 20.94% 397 10.99% 2,458 68.07%
1964 2,578 72.50% 978 27.50% 0 0.00%
1960 633 26.55% 1,751 73.45% 0 0.00%
1956 136 8.13% 1,537 91.87% 0 0.00%
1952 187 10.97% 1,517 89.03% 0 0.00%
1948 71 8.47% 536 63.96% 231 27.57%
1944 213 20.72% 815 79.28% 0 0.00%
1940 100 11.26% 785 88.40% 3 0.34%
1936 69 9.58% 649 90.14% 2 0.28%
1932 37 2.69% 1,338 97.24% 1 0.07%
1928 71 9.97% 641 90.03% 0 0.00%
1924 21 5.19% 367 90.62% 17 4.20%
1920 0 0.00% 262 100.00% 0 0.00%
1916 14 3.66% 362 94.76% 6 1.57%

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 219 square miles (570 km2), of which 216 square miles (560 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (1.5%) is water.[8] The county is located in the upper Atlantic coastal plain region of the state.

The eastern quarter of Bleckley County, roughly in a line from west of Danville running southeast, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The central quarter of the county, between Cochran and the previous line, is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin. The western half of the county, west of Cochran, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same larger Altamaha River basin.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
192010,532—
19309,133−13.3%
19409,6555.7%
19509,218−4.5%
19609,6424.6%
197010,2916.7%
198010,7674.6%
199010,430−3.1%
200011,66611.9%
201013,06312.0%
202012,583−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2019[14]

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 11,666 people, 4,372 households, and 3,121 families living in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 4,866 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.24% White, 24.59% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,372 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,448, and the median income for a family was $41,095. Males had a median income of $30,917 versus $22,912 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 11.70% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,063 people, 4,660 households, and 3,248 families living in the county.[16] The population density was 60.5 inhabitants per square mile (23.4/km2). There were 5,304 housing units at an average density of 24.6 units per square mile (9.5 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 70.1% white, 27.3% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 14.8% were American, 7.9% were English, and 6.3% were Irish.[18]

Of the 4,660 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.3% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 35.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,661 and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $36,697 versus $26,691 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,960. About 18.0% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.1% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.[19]

2020 census
Bleckley County racial composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 8,867 70.47%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,788 22.16%
Native American 11 0.09%
Asian 153 1.22%
Pacific Islander 8 0.06%
Other/Mixed 287 2.28%
Hispanic or Latino 469 3.73%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,583 people, 4,176 households, and 2,727 families residing in the county.

Education
Main article: Cochran, Georgia § Education

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities
  • Cary
  • Empire
  • Baileys Park
  • Brown Hill
  • Coley Station
  • Five Points
  • Fraizer
  • Goldsboro
  • Paulk
  • Porter
  • Powell
  • Rebie
  • Royal [21]

Points of interest
  • Cochran-Bleckley Cotton & Peanut Museum
  • Cochran Motor Speedway
  • Greene Acres Farm
  • Gully Branch Tree Farm
  • Middle Georgia Equestrian Center
  • Ocmulgee Public Fishing Area
  • Ocmulgee Water Trail
  • Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area
  • Terry L. Coleman Museum and Archives

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Bleckley County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 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. 20. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  4. "Middle Georgia State College Now a Reality". mgsc.edu. Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  5. "Bleckley school officials allowing gay prom date - Local & State - Macon.com". Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  6. 512 U.S. 874 (1994)
  7. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. "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 24, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  13. "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 18, 2014.
  14. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. "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.
  17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. "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.
  19. "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.
  20. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  21. "Bleckley County GA - Cities, Towns, Neighborhoods, & Subdivisions". georgia.hometownlocator.com.

32.44°N 83.33°W / 32.44; -83.33

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