Toombs County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toombs County
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Toombs County Courthouse in Lyons
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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 | August 18, 1905 |
| Named for | Robert Toombs |
| Seat | Lyons |
| Largest city | Vidalia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 371 sq mi (960 km2) |
| • Land | 364 sq mi (940 km2) |
| • Water | 7.0 sq mi (18 km2) 1.9%% |
| Population | |
| • Estimate
(2018)
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26,887 |
| • Density | 75/sq mi (29/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 12th |
Toombs County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 26,067. The county seat is Lyons and the largest city is Vidalia. The county was created on August 18, 1905.
Toombs County is part of the Vidalia, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
The County is named for Robert Toombs, United States representative and senator. During the Civil War, Toombs also served in the Confederate Provisional Congress, as Secretary of State of the Confederate States, and a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. Toombs County was founded in 1905.
Toombs County is most famously known for its Vidalia onions.
Toombs County is also famous for being the boyhood home of Paul Anderson. The county also is the home of former NFL football player Fred Stokes.
It was founded as the 144th county in Georgia by the State Legislature on August 18, 1905 and organized on October 9 of that year. The county was originally formed from portions of Tattnall and Montgomery counties; a small piece of Emanuel County was added in 1907 to give Toombs County its present-day boundaries.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 371 square miles (960 km2), of which 364 square miles (940 km2) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km2) (1.9%) is water.
The southern half of Toombs County, from south of Vidalia southeast to State Route 147, is located in the Altamaha River sub-basin of the larger river basin by the same name. The northern half of the county, centered on Lyons, is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.
Major highways
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 280
State Route 4
State Route 15
State Route 29
State Route 30
State Route 56
State Route 86
State Route 130
State Route 147
State Route 152
State Route 178
State Route 292
State Route 297
State Route 298
Adjacent counties
- Emanuel County (north)
- Tattnall County (east)
- Appling County (south)
- Jeff Davis County (southwest)
- Montgomery County (west)
- Treutlen County (northwest)
- Candler County (northeast)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 11,206 | — | |
| 1920 | 13,897 | 24.0% | |
| 1930 | 17,165 | 23.5% | |
| 1940 | 16,952 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 17,382 | 2.5% | |
| 1960 | 16,837 | −3.1% | |
| 1970 | 19,151 | 13.7% | |
| 1980 | 22,592 | 18.0% | |
| 1990 | 24,072 | 6.6% | |
| 2000 | 26,067 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 27,223 | 4.4% | |
| 2018 (est.) | 26,887 | −1.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,223 people, 10,375 households, and 7,109 families living in the county. The population density was 74.8 inhabitants per square mile (28.9/km2). There were 12,144 housing units at an average density of 33.4 per square mile (12.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.1% white, 24.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 11.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were English, 11.9% were American, and 5.9% were Irish.
Of the 10,375 households, 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.5% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 36.0 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,635 and the median income for a family was $44,266. Males had a median income of $35,335 versus $26,893 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,974. About 20.3% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 16,007 | 59.22% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 6,980 | 25.82% |
| Native American | 31 | 0.11% |
| Asian | 207 | 0.77% |
| Pacific Islander | 6 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 755 | 2.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,044 | 11.26% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,030 people, 10,030 households, and 6,537 families residing in the county.
Cities
Notable people
- Mel Blount (football hall of famer and founder of Mel Blount Youth Home)
- Nick Eason (former NFL player and current NFL assistant defensive line coach)
- Craig Campbell (country music singer)
- Fred Stokes (former pro football player)
- Travares Tillman (professional football player)
- Don Collins (former professional baseball player)
- Paul Claxton (PGA tour professional golfer)
- Wally Moses (former professional baseball player)
- Algur H. Meadows (oilman, businessman)
- Iris Blitch (politician)
- Carl Simpson (former professional baseball player)
- Ben Utt (professional football player)
- Paul Anderson (strongest man)
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Toombs para niños
