Ware County, Georgia

Ware County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,251.[1] The county seat and only incorporated place is Waycross.[2]

Ware County
County
Ware County Courthouse, Waycross
Ware County Courthouse, Waycross
Map of Georgia highlighting Ware County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°03′N 82°25′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 15, 1824 (1824-12-15)
Named forNicholas Ware
SeatWaycross
Largest cityWaycross
Area
 • Total908 sq mi (2,350 km2)
 • Land892 sq mi (2,310 km2)
 • Water16 sq mi (40 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total36,251
 • Density41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.warecounty.com
Laura S. Walker State Park

Ware County is part of the Waycross, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

By geographic area, Ware County is the largest county in Georgia.

History

Ware County, Georgia's 60th county, was created on December 15, 1824, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly from land that was originally part of Appling County.

The county is named for Nicholas Ware, the mayor of Augusta, Georgia from (1819–1821) and United States Senator who represented Georgia from 1821 until his death in 1824.

Several counties were later created from parts of the original Ware County borders:

Ware County was home to Laura S. Walker (1861-1955) a noted author and conservationist. Walker promoted a comprehensive program of forestry activity, including the establishment of forest parks. She erected markers and monuments along old trails and at historic sites, in Waycross and Ware County so that local history would not be forgotten. Walker wrote three books about the land and history of her home. They are: History of Ware County, Georgia[3] About "Old Okefenåok"[4] and Doctors of Primitive Times and Horse and Buggy Days of Ware County.[5]

An effort to recognize her work culminated in President Franklin D. Roosevelt issuing a proclamation to establish the Laura S. Walker National Park, located in Ware County, in her honor. She was the only living person for whom a state or national park was named.[6] In 1937, the federal government purchased distressed farmland for the park.[7][8] Work on the park was undertaken by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941, the national park was deeded over to Georgia, becoming the State's 13th state park.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 908 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 892 square miles (2,310 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (1.7%) is water.[9] It is the largest county in Georgia by area. A large portion of the county lies within the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected areas.

More than half of Ware County, made up by the western half of the southern portion of the county, the land bridge to the northern portion of the county, and the southern and western portion of the northern section of the county, is located in the Upper Suwannee River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The eastern half of the southern portion of Ware County is located in the St. Marys River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. The rest of the county, from just southeast to north and west of Waycross, is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the same St. Marys-Satilla River basin.[10]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18301,205—
18402,32392.8%
18503,88867.4%
18602,200−43.4%
18702,2863.9%
18804,15981.9%
18908,811111.9%
190013,76156.2%
191022,95766.8%
192028,36123.5%
193026,558−6.4%
194027,9295.2%
195030,2898.4%
196034,21913.0%
197033,525−2.0%
198037,18010.9%
199035,471−4.6%
200035,4830.0%
201036,3122.3%
202036,251−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[15]

2000 census

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 35,483 people, 13,475 households, and 9,297 families living in the county. The population density was 39 inhabitants per square mile (15/km2). There were 15,831 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.65% White, 28.01% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 1.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the census[16] of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Ware County were English 46.13%, African 28.01%, Scots-Irish 12.29%, Scottish 4.3%, Irish 2.21% and Welsh 1.9%.

There were 13,475 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 14.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,360, and the median income for a family was $34,372. Males had a median income of $26,910 versus $20,424 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,384. About 15.90% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.10% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 36,312 people, 13,654 households, and 9,209 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 40.7 inhabitants per square mile (15.7/km2). There were 16,326 housing units at an average density of 18.3 per square mile (7.1/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 66.4% white, 29.5% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.3% of the population.[17][19]

Of the 13,654 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 38.4 years.[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,517 and the median income for a family was $47,609. Males had a median income of $36,149 versus $27,034 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,295. About 16.7% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.[20]

2020 census
Ware County Racial Composition[21]
Race Num. Perc.
White 22,275 61.45%
Black or African American 10,703 29.52%
Native American 77 0.21%
Asian 333 0.92%
Pacific Islander 18 0.05%
Other/Mixed 1,233 3.4%
Hispanic or Latino 1,612 4.45%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 36,251 people, 13,823 households, and 8,909 families residing in the county.

Education

High schools

Middle schools
  • Ware County Middle School, Waycross
  • Waycross Middle School, Waycross

Elementary schools
  • Wacona Elementary School, Waycross
  • Center Elementary School, Waycross
  • Williams Heights Elementary School, Waycross
  • Memorial Drive Elementary School, Waycross
  • Ruskin Elementary School, Waycross
  • Waresboro Elementary School, Waycross

Preschools
  • DAFFODIL Preschool, Waycross

Private schools

Higher education

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Ware County, Georgia[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 9,903 69.79% 4,169 29.38% 117 0.82%
2016 8,513 69.87% 3,440 28.23% 231 1.90%
2012 7,941 66.44% 3,900 32.63% 112 0.94%
2008 8,311 66.83% 4,034 32.44% 91 0.73%
2004 7,790 68.99% 3,449 30.55% 52 0.46%
2000 6,099 63.35% 3,480 36.14% 49 0.51%
1996 4,746 49.55% 4,171 43.54% 662 6.91%
1992 4,573 43.87% 4,573 43.87% 1,278 12.26%
1988 4,819 52.59% 4,292 46.84% 52 0.57%
1984 5,547 55.57% 4,435 44.43% 0 0.00%
1980 3,715 36.65% 6,307 62.22% 115 1.13%
1976 2,661 25.64% 7,719 74.36% 0 0.00%
1972 6,578 79.23% 1,724 20.77% 0 0.00%
1968 2,047 20.07% 2,255 22.11% 5,895 57.81%
1964 4,948 48.81% 5,189 51.19% 0 0.00%
1960 2,235 30.47% 5,099 69.53% 0 0.00%
1956 2,276 27.88% 5,888 72.12% 0 0.00%
1952 2,418 30.06% 5,627 69.94% 0 0.00%
1948 655 14.09% 2,611 56.15% 1,384 29.76%
1944 459 16.59% 2,306 83.34% 2 0.07%
1940 308 10.31% 2,672 89.48% 6 0.20%
1936 256 9.06% 2,566 90.77% 5 0.18%
1932 205 7.53% 2,504 91.96% 14 0.51%
1928 1,339 48.60% 1,416 51.40% 0 0.00%
1924 216 10.82% 1,497 75.00% 283 14.18%
1920 215 19.27% 901 80.73% 0 0.00%
1916 59 4.69% 1,066 84.74% 133 10.57%
1912 39 3.66% 972 91.27% 54 5.07%
1908 190 18.85% 771 76.49% 47 4.66%
1904 158 19.46% 635 78.20% 19 2.34%
1900 107 15.11% 601 84.89% 0 0.00%
1896 330 36.11% 545 59.63% 39 4.27%
1892 262 23.06% 775 68.22% 99 8.71%
1888 186 32.52% 369 64.51% 17 2.97%
1884 179 32.90% 365 67.10% 0 0.00%
1880 201 36.28% 353 63.72% 0 0.00%

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Ware County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Laura Singleton Walker (1990). History of Ware County, Georgia. Southern Historical Press. ISBN 978-0-89308-106-5.
  4. Laura Singleton Walker; Sara Singleton King (1947). About "Old Okefenåok".
  5. Laura Singleton Walker (1940). Doctors of Primitive Times and Horse and Buggy Days of Ware County.
  6. "Laura S. Walker: The Woman Behind the Park". Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  7. Thomas J. Straka; S. Knight Cox; Heather T. Irwin. "Current Use of Federal Land Utilization Projects Granted to State and Local Agencies" (PDF). Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Clemson University. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  8. "Laura S. Walker State Park Established 1941" (PDF). Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "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 27, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  14. "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 27, 2014.
  15. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. "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.
  18. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  19. "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.
  20. "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.
  21. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
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