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Johnson County, Georgia facts for kids

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Johnson County
Johnson County Courthouse in Wrightsville
Johnson County Courthouse in Wrightsville
Map of Georgia highlighting Johnson County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Georgia
Founded December 11, 1858; 165 years ago (1858-12-11)
Named for Herschel Vespasian Johnson
Seat Wrightsville
Largest city Wrightsville
Area
 • Total 307 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Land 303 sq mi (780 km2)
 • Water 3.6 sq mi (9 km2)  1.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
9,708
 • Density 33/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 10th

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,980. The county seat is Wrightsville. Johnson County is part of the Dublin, Georgia, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Johnson county was created by the Georgia legislature December 11, 1858 from parts of Emanuel, Laurens and Washington counties. Johnson County was named for Georgia governor, senator, and unsuccessful U.S. vice-presidential candidate Herschel Vespasian Johnson.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 307 square miles (800 km2), of which 303 square miles (780 km2) is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) (1.2%) is water.

The vast majority of Johnson County is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. Tiny portions of the northeastern borders of the county are located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin, while the western corner of Johnson County is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.

Major highways

  • US 80.svg U.S. Route 80
  • US 221.svg U.S. Route 221
  • US 319.svg U.S. Route 319
  • Georgia 15.svg State Route 15
  • Georgia 26.svg State Route 26
  • Georgia 31.svg State Route 31
  • Georgia 57.svg State Route 57
  • Georgia 78.svg State Route 78
  • Georgia 86.svg State Route 86
  • Georgia 171.svg State Route 171

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 2,919
1870 2,964 1.5%
1880 4,800 61.9%
1890 6,129 27.7%
1900 11,409 86.1%
1910 12,897 13.0%
1920 13,546 5.0%
1930 12,681 −6.4%
1940 12,953 2.1%
1950 9,893 −23.6%
1960 8,048 −18.6%
1970 7,727 −4.0%
1980 8,660 12.1%
1990 8,329 −3.8%
2000 8,560 2.8%
2010 9,980 16.6%
2018 (est.) 9,708 −2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 9,980 people, 3,347 households, and 2,271 families living in the county. The population density was 32.9 inhabitants per square mile (12.7/km2). There were 4,120 housing units at an average density of 13.6 per square mile (5.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.1% white, 35.0% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 15.8% were American, 8.9% were Irish, and 6.8% were English.

Of the 3,347 households, 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.1% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 40.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,607 and the median income for a family was $35,750. Males had a median income of $31,938 versus $22,410 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,659. About 21.1% of families and 27.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.1% of those under age 18 and 31.6% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Johnson County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 5,800 63.12%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,017 32.83%
Native American 23 0.25%
Asian 28 0.3%
Pacific Islander 15 0.16%
Other/Mixed 189 2.06%
Hispanic or Latino 117 1.27%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,189 people, 3,393 households, and 2,208 families residing in the county.

Communities

Sports

Herschel Walker, a Johnson County native, played on the county's only state championship football team in 1979. Walker went on to play for the University of Georgia and won the Heisman Trophy. In 2004 Johnson County High School named its football field for Walker.

Education

In 1970, Johnson County schools integrated peacefully due to careful planning by the county's board of education and firm management by superintendent Buren Claxton.

The county's public schools are located in Wrightsville. The school mascot is the Trojan, and the school colors are blue and white. The school fight song is the theme from the movie Hang 'Em High.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Johnson (Georgia) para niños

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