Ben Hill County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Hill County
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Ben Hill County Courthouse, Fitzgerald
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Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
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 Georgia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Named for | Benjamin Harvey Hill |
| Seat | Fitzgerald |
| Largest city | Fitzgerald |
| Area | |
| • Total | 254 sq mi (660 km2) |
| • Land | 250 sq mi (600 km2) |
| • Water | 3.8 sq mi (10 km2) 1.5%% |
| Population | |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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16,700 |
| • Density | 71/sq mi (27/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
Ben Hill County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,634. The county seat is Fitzgerald. The county was organized in 1906. It is named after Benjamin Harvey Hill, a former Confederate and United States Senator.
Ben Hill County comprises the Fitzgerald, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Ben Hill County Courthouse and Ben Hill County Jail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureauin USA, the county has a total area of 254 square miles (660 km2), of which 250 square miles (650 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (1.5%) is water.
The majority of Ben Hill County, its northern and eastern portions, are located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The northwestern corner of the county, east of Rebecca, is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The southeastern corner of the county, east of Fitzgerald, is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin.
Major highways
U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 319
State Route 11
State Route 90
State Route 107
State Route 125
State Route 182
State Route 206
State Route 215
State Route 233
Adjacent counties
- Wilcox County - north
- Telfair County - northeast
- Coffee County - east
- Irwin County - south
- Turner County - west
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 11,863 | — | |
| 1920 | 14,599 | 23.1% | |
| 1930 | 13,047 | −10.6% | |
| 1940 | 14,523 | 11.3% | |
| 1950 | 14,879 | 2.5% | |
| 1960 | 13,633 | −8.4% | |
| 1970 | 13,171 | −3.4% | |
| 1980 | 16,000 | 21.5% | |
| 1990 | 16,245 | 1.5% | |
| 2000 | 17,484 | 7.6% | |
| 2010 | 17,634 | 0.9% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 16,700 | −5.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,634 people, 6,794 households, and 4,730 families living in the county. The population density was 70.5 inhabitants per square mile (27.2/km2). There were 7,942 housing units at an average density of 31.8 per square mile (12.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 59.2% white, 34.6% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 3.8% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 13.7% were English, 11.4% were American, and 8.3% were Irish.
Of the 6,794 households, 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.4% were non-families, and 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 37.1 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,134 and the median income for a family was $35,868. Males had a median income of $32,613 versus $23,320 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,529. About 22.7% of families and 26.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 9,219 | 53.62% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 6,222 | 36.19% |
| Native American | 57 | 0.33% |
| Asian | 116 | 0.67% |
| Other/Mixed | 526 | 3.06% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,054 | 6.13% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,194 people, 6,443 households, and 4,019 families residing in the county.
Communities
- Fitzgerald
- Queensland
- Bowen's Mill
Education
The Ben Hill County School District operates schools serving the county.
- Ben Hill Preschool
- Ben Hill County Primary School
- Ben Hill County Elementary School
- Ben Hill County Middle School
- Fitzgerald High School
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Ben Hill para niños
