Wheeler County, Georgia

Wheeler County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,471.[1] The county seat is Alamo.[2] The county is one of the most impoverished counties in the nation. The American Community Survey's 2009–2013 average reports that the county's per-capita income of $8,948 makes it the poorest county in the United States by this metric.[3] The measurement however is misleading as Wheeler County is the site of Wheeler Correctional Facility, a large prison with a capacity of 2,874 prisoners,[4] about 40 percent of the county's total population. Most prisoners have little income. The prison was opened in 1998 and the prison population may also account for the increased population of the county in the early 2000s.[5]

Wheeler County
County
Wheeler County Courthouse (built 1917), Alamo
Wheeler County Courthouse (built 1917), Alamo
Map of Georgia highlighting Wheeler 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°07′N 82°43′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedNovember 5, 1912 (1912)
Named forJoseph Wheeler
SeatAlamo
Largest cityAlamo
Area
 • Total300 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Land295 sq mi (760 km2)
 • Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,471
 • Density25/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewheelercounty.georgia.gov

History

Wheeler County is named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler.[6] The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed August 14, 1912, and ratified November 5, 1912.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 300 square miles (780 km2), of which 295 square miles (760 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (1.6%) is water.[7]

The eastern portion of Wheeler County, defined by a line running from north of Alamo to the southern border of the county, due south of Mount Vernon, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The bulk of the rest of the county is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin, except for a small southern portion of Wheeler County, east of Lumber City, which is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the larger Altamaha River basin.[8]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19209,817—
19309,149−6.8%
19408,535−6.7%
19506,712−21.4%
19605,342−20.4%
19704,596−14.0%
19805,15512.2%
19904,903−4.9%
20006,17926.0%
20107,42120.1%
20207,4710.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2013[13]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 6,179 people, 2,011 households, and 1,395 families living in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 2,447 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.56% White, 33.18% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.25% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14] Of the 2,011 households 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 14.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 128.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.80 males.

The median household income was $24,053 and the median family income was $29,696. Males had a median income of $27,203 versus $22,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,005. About 21.60% of families and 25.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 26.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 7,421 people, 2,152 households, and 1,519 families living in the county.[15] The population density was 25.1 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km2). There were 2,625 housing units at an average density of 8.9 units per square mile (3.4 units/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 61.3% white, 35.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 32.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.[17]

Of the 2,152 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 26.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 37.9 years.[15]

The median household income was $35,422 and the median family income was $45,042. Males had a median income of $35,114 versus $25,329 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,043. About 14.3% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 36.4% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2020 census
Wheeler County racial composition[19]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 4,157 55.64%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,875 38.48%
Native American 9 0.12%
Asian 17 0.23%
Other/Mixed 141 1.89%
Hispanic or Latino 272 3.64%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,471 people, 1,862 households, and 1,159 families residing in the county.

Communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Wheeler County, Georgia[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,583 69.28% 689 30.15% 13 0.57%
2016 1,421 67.60% 646 30.73% 35 1.67%
2012 1,366 63.09% 772 35.66% 27 1.25%
2008 1,408 63.60% 794 35.86% 12 0.54%
2004 1,192 58.03% 847 41.24% 15 0.73%
2000 813 51.62% 752 47.75% 10 0.63%
1996 460 33.90% 751 55.34% 146 10.76%
1992 601 35.37% 880 51.80% 218 12.83%
1988 709 51.64% 658 47.92% 6 0.44%
1984 833 51.84% 774 48.16% 0 0.00%
1980 550 25.16% 1,599 73.15% 37 1.69%
1976 344 19.98% 1,378 80.02% 0 0.00%
1972 1,093 78.80% 294 21.20% 0 0.00%
1968 251 15.00% 488 29.17% 934 55.83%
1964 849 46.42% 980 53.58% 0 0.00%
1960 226 18.90% 970 81.10% 0 0.00%
1956 149 13.06% 992 86.94% 0 0.00%
1952 261 16.94% 1,280 83.06% 0 0.00%
1948 39 4.41% 560 63.28% 286 32.32%
1944 151 22.60% 517 77.40% 0 0.00%
1940 117 19.02% 495 80.49% 3 0.49%
1936 94 13.64% 594 86.21% 1 0.15%
1932 29 2.51% 1,127 97.41% 1 0.09%
1928 101 24.46% 312 75.54% 0 0.00%
1924 0 0.00% 772 88.84% 97 11.16%
1920 101 22.39% 350 77.61% 0 0.00%
1916 40 9.03% 372 83.97% 31 7.00%

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Wheeler County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. United States counties by per capita income
  4. "Georgia Department of Corrections". Georgia Department of Corrections. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  5. "Wheeler Correctional Facility". Correctional Corporation of America. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  6. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 251. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2003.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  12. "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.
  13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "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.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

32.12°N 82.72°W / 32.12; -82.72

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