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Washington County, Georgia facts for kids

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Washington County
County courthouse
County courthouse
Map of Georgia highlighting Washington 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 February 25, 1784; 240 years ago (1784)
Named for George Washington
Seat Sandersville
Largest city Sandersville
Area
 • Total 684 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Land 678 sq mi (1,760 km2)
 • Water 5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
20,386
 • Density 31/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 10th

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,187. The county seat is Sandersville. The county was established on February 25, 1784. It was named for Revolutionary War general (and afterward President of the United States) George Washington.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 684 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 678 square miles (1,760 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.9%) is water.

The western portion of Washington County, west of a north-to-south line running through Sandersville, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The northeastern portion of the county, north of Riddleville, is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin, while the southeastern portion, centered on Harrison, is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.

Major highways

  • Georgia 15.svg State Route 15
  • Georgia 24.svg State Route 24
  • Georgia 24 Spur.svg State Route 24 Spur
  • Georgia 57.svg State Route 57
  • Georgia 68.svg State Route 68
  • Georgia 88.svg State Route 88
  • Georgia 102.svg State Route 102
  • Georgia 231.svg State Route 231
  • Georgia 242.svg State Route 242
  • Georgia 272.svg State Route 272
  • Georgia 540.svg State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway) (future)

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 4,552
1800 10,300 126.3%
1810 9,940 −3.5%
1820 10,627 6.9%
1830 9,820 −7.6%
1840 10,565 7.6%
1850 11,766 11.4%
1860 12,698 7.9%
1870 15,842 24.8%
1880 21,964 38.6%
1890 25,237 14.9%
1900 28,227 11.8%
1910 28,174 −0.2%
1920 28,147 −0.1%
1930 25,030 −11.1%
1940 24,230 −3.2%
1950 21,012 −13.3%
1960 18,903 −10.0%
1970 17,480 −7.5%
1980 18,842 7.8%
1990 19,112 1.4%
2000 21,176 10.8%
2010 21,187 0.1%
2018 (est.) 20,386 −3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

Washington County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 8,412 42.09%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,698 53.52%
Native American 37 0.19%
Asian 76 0.38%
Other/Mixed 431 2.16%
Hispanic or Latino 334 1.67%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,988 people, 7,503 households, and 5,315 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,187 people, 7,547 households, and 5,269 families living in the county. The population density was 31.2 inhabitants per square mile (12.0/km2). There were 9,047 housing units at an average density of 13.3 per square mile (5.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 52.7% black or African American, 45.0% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 10.4% were American.

Of the 7,547 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 38.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,382 and the median income for a family was $41,055. Males had a median income of $35,699 versus $24,860 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,033. About 19.0% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.6% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

In popular culture

The 1933 short story The People's Choice by Erskine Caldwell is set in Washington County, where the story's protagonist is a popular local politician elected again and again as the county's tax assesor.

The biography of one of the main characters (Grant Alexadner) in the 2011 console game "X-Men: Destiny" states that they were born in Sandersville, Georgia.

Education

The county is served by the Washington County School District, which includes:

  • Ridge Road Elementary School
  • T.J. Elder Middle School
  • Washington County High School.

The county is also the location of one privately run school:

  • Brentwood School

See also

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

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