Thomas County, Georgia

Thomas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census the population was 45,798.[1] The county seat is Thomasville.[2]

Thomas County
County
Former Thomas County Courthouse in Thomasville
Former Thomas County Courthouse in Thomasville
Map of Georgia highlighting Thomas 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°52′N 83°55′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 23, 1825 (1825)
Named forJett Thomas
SeatThomasville
Largest cityThomasville
Area
 • Total552 sq mi (1,430 km2)
 • Land545 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Water7.6 sq mi (20 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total45,798
 • Density84/sq mi (32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.thomascountyboc.org

Thomas County comprises the Thomasville, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Thomas County was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 23, 1825, from portions of Decatur and Irwin Counties.[3] Colquitt (1856), Brooks (1858), and Grady (1905) Counties all were formed partially from lands within Thomas County's original borders.

The county is named for Jett Thomas, an officer in the War of 1812 who is also known for overseeing the construction of the first building at the University of Georgia (originally referred to as Franklin College and known today as Old College) as well as the state capital at Milledgeville.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 552 square miles (1,430 km2), of which 545 square miles (1,410 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (1.4%) is water.[4]

The northwestern half of Thomas County, bordered by U.S. Route 319 southwest of Thomasville, and a line that ends up bisecting the distance between Coolidge and Pavo in the northeast, is located in the Upper Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the larger Ochlockonee River basin. The northeastern edge of the county, from north of Pavo to Boston, is located in the Withlacoochee River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The southeastern portion of Thomas County, running southeast from Thomasville, is located in the Aucilla River sub-basin of the larger Aucilla-Waccasassa basin. Almost all of the southwestern portion of the county is located in the Apalachee Bay-St. Marks sub-basin of the Ochlockonee River basin, with the exception of the tiny southwesternmost corner, which is located in the Lower Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the same Ochlockonee River basin.[5]

The Aucilla River rises in Thomas County. The Red Hills Region is centered on Thomas County.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18303,299—
18406,766105.1%
185010,10349.3%
186010,7666.6%
187014,52334.9%
188020,59741.8%
189026,15427.0%
190031,07618.8%
191029,071−6.5%
192033,04413.7%
193032,612−1.3%
194031,289−4.1%
195033,9328.4%
196034,3191.1%
197034,5150.6%
198038,09810.4%
199038,9862.3%
200042,7379.6%
201044,7204.6%
202045,7982.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[10]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 44,737 people, 16,309 households, and 11,465 families living in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30 people/km2). There were 18,285 housing units at an average density of 33 units per square mile (13 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.98% White, 38.86% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,309 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.90% were married couples living together, 18.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.80 males.

As of 2007, the median income for a household in the county was $40,498, and the median income for a family was $52,392.[12] Males had a median income of $28,395 versus $21,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,540. About 13.60% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.90% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 44,720 people, 17,573 households, and 11,999 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 82.1 inhabitants per square mile (31.7/km2). There were 20,177 housing units at an average density of 37.0 units per square mile (14.3 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 59.6% white, 36.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 15.5% were American, 9.0% were English, 8.2% were Irish, and 6.4% were German.[15]

Of the 17,573 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.7% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 39.6 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,797 and the median income for a family was $46,333. Males had a median income of $38,520 versus $27,085 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,261. About 17.1% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2020 census
Thomas County Racial Composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White 25,994 56.76%
Black or African American 16,259 35.5%
Native American 150 0.33%
Asian 406 0.89%
Pacific Islander 9 0.02%
Other/Mixed 1,403 3.06%
Hispanic or Latino 1,577 3.44%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 45,798 people, 17,595 households, and 12,161 families residing in the county.

Education

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated community

Politics

Similar to other Georgia counties on the Florida border, the county is very Republican in presidential elections, having last voted for a Democrat in 1980 when the Democrat was native Georgian Jimmy Carter.

United States presidential election results for Thomas County, Georgia[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 12,969 59.28% 8,708 39.80% 200 0.91%
2016 11,228 59.45% 7,142 37.82% 515 2.73%
2012 11,156 58.74% 7,653 40.30% 183 0.96%
2008 10,642 57.54% 7,720 41.74% 132 0.71%
2004 9,659 61.39% 5,997 38.12% 77 0.49%
2000 7,093 58.82% 4,862 40.32% 103 0.85%
1996 5,649 49.04% 5,183 45.00% 686 5.96%
1992 5,500 46.03% 4,841 40.52% 1,607 13.45%
1988 6,572 64.78% 3,530 34.80% 43 0.42%
1984 6,427 61.41% 4,039 38.59% 0 0.00%
1980 4,294 42.26% 5,695 56.05% 172 1.69%
1976 3,263 34.68% 6,147 65.32% 0 0.00%
1972 6,668 75.44% 2,171 24.56% 0 0.00%
1968 2,261 22.87% 2,585 26.15% 5,039 50.98%
1964 6,306 65.94% 3,257 34.06% 0 0.00%
1960 2,285 41.46% 3,226 58.54% 0 0.00%
1956 2,240 38.88% 3,522 61.12% 0 0.00%
1952 2,273 36.40% 3,971 63.60% 0 0.00%
1948 925 25.22% 1,429 38.97% 1,313 35.81%
1944 557 24.16% 1,747 75.79% 1 0.04%
1940 371 15.16% 2,072 84.64% 5 0.20%
1936 222 8.39% 2,409 91.08% 14 0.53%
1932 90 3.32% 2,607 96.20% 13 0.48%
1928 814 39.63% 1,240 60.37% 0 0.00%
1924 115 7.86% 1,280 87.49% 68 4.65%
1920 168 12.94% 1,130 87.06% 0 0.00%
1916 42 2.78% 1,298 85.79% 173 11.43%
1912 50 4.13% 1,012 83.50% 150 12.38%

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Thomas County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 225. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  9. "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 26, 2014.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. "American FactFinder". Factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  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 30, 2015.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 22, 2018.

30.86°N 83.92°W / 30.86; -83.92

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