Charlton County, Georgia

Last updated

Charlton County, Georgia
County
CHARLTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE.jpg
Charlton County Courthouse in Folkston
CharltonCountyGAlogo.png
Logo
Map of Georgia highlighting Charlton County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 30°47′N82°08′W / 30.78°N 82.14°W / 30.78; -82.14
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Georgia
Founded1854;171 years ago (1854)
Named after Robert M. Charlton
Seat Folkston
Largest cityFolkston
Area
 • Total
782 sq mi (2,030 km2)
 • Land774 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Water8.8 sq mi (23 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,392 [1]
 • Density16.4/sq mi (6.3/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website charltoncountyga.us

Charlton County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,518. [2] The county seat is Folkston. [3]

Contents

History

Charlton County was created from a portion of Camden County, Georgia, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on February 18, 1854. [4] The original county seat was at Trader's Hill, until 1901. Additional lands from Ware County, Georgia, were added to Charlton's borders by an 1855 act of the General Assembly. In 1856, an additional legislative act redefined the Charlton–Camden borders again with each county ceding land to the other. [5]

The county is named for Robert Milledge Charlton, a U. S. Senator from Georgia. [6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 782 square miles (2,030 km2), of which 774 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 8.8 square miles (23 km2) (1.1%) is water. [7] It is the fifth-largest county by area in Georgia. It is the southernmost county in Georgia. A large portion of the county lies within the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected areas.

The entire central and southern portion of Charlton County is located in the St. Marys sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla basin. The county's northeastern portion, north of Homeland, is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla basin. The western portion of Charlton County is located in the Upper Suwannee River sub-basin of the larger Suwannee River basin. [8] The county's southern region is level with the northernmost part of the central and eastern Panhandle of the Florida peninsula.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 1,780—
1870 1,8976.6%
1880 2,15413.5%
1890 3,33554.8%
1900 3,5927.7%
1910 4,72231.5%
1920 4,536−3.9%
1930 4,381−3.4%
1940 5,25620.0%
1950 4,821−8.3%
1960 5,31310.2%
1970 5,6806.9%
1980 7,34329.3%
1990 8,49615.7%
2000 10,28221.0%
2010 12,17118.4%
2020 12,5182.9%
2024 (est.)13,021 [9] 4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]
1850-1870 [11] 1870-1880 [12]
1890-1910 [13] 1920-1930 [14]
1940 [15] 1950 [16] 1960 [17]
1970 [18] 1980 [19] 1990 [20]
2000 [21] 2010 [22] 2020 [23]
Charlton County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [24] Pop 2010 [25] Pop 2020 [23] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)7,0148,1167,53268.22%66.68%60.17%
Black or African American alone (NH)2,9903,4432,38629.08%28.29%19.06%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)3938400.38%0.31%0.32%
Asian alone (NH)35761090.34%0.62%0.87%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)6320.06%0.02%0.02%
Other race alone (NH)35300.03%0.04%0.24%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1141803831.11%1.48%3.06%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)813102,0360.79%2.55%16.26%
Total10,28212,17112,518100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 12,518. Of the residents, 19.0% were under the age of 18 and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females there were 140.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 151.1 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas. [26] [27] [28]

The racial makeup of the county was 69.9% White, 21.0% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.3% from some other race, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 16.3% of the population. [28]

There were 3,993 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. Of those households, 2,685 were families; about 27.3% were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [27]

There were 4,660 housing units, of which 14.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.3% were owner-occupied and 25.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.9%. [27]

Education

Politics

United States presidential election results for Charlton County, Georgia [29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1912 229.95%15067.87%4922.17%
1916 5222.41%16972.84%114.74%
1920 2815.14%15784.86%00.00%
1924 2011.24%15184.83%73.93%
1928 16027.83%41572.17%00.00%
1932 328.82%33090.91%10.28%
1936 285.63%46894.16%10.20%
1940 609.65%56290.35%00.00%
1944 8916.15%46283.85%00.00%
1948 7012.32%33959.68%15927.99%
1952 28826.11%81573.89%00.00%
1956 20421.38%75078.62%00.00%
1960 28928.28%73371.72%00.00%
1964 1,17967.26%57432.74%00.00%
1968 33217.08%45523.41%1,15759.52%
1972 1,24480.05%31019.95%00.00%
1976 45220.53%1,75079.47%00.00%
1980 77934.08%1,46964.26%381.66%
1984 1,36855.18%1,11144.82%00.00%
1988 1,32757.60%94340.93%341.48%
1992 1,33346.09%1,12738.97%43214.94%
1996 1,37445.33%1,36845.13%2899.53%
2000 1,77062.86%1,01536.04%311.10%
2004 2,31168.15%1,06431.38%160.47%
2008 2,46666.70%1,19732.38%340.92%
2012 2,52767.12%1,19731.79%411.09%
2016 2,95173.21%1,00424.91%761.89%
2020 3,41974.85%1,10524.19%440.96%
2024 3,60777.94%1,00721.76%140.30%

As of the 2020s, Charlton County is a Republican stronghold, voting 78% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Charlton County is part of Georgia's 1st congressional district, currently represented by Buddy Carter. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Charlton County is part of District 3. [30] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Charlton County is part of District 174. [31]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Charlton County, Georgia". Census Bureau QuickFacts.
  2. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Charlton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 39. ISBN   0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2003.
  5. ↑ "Charlton County". New Georgia Encyclopedia.
  6. ↑ "Charlton County". Georgia.gov. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  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. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  9. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870.
  12. ↑ "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  13. ↑ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  14. ↑ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930. pp. 251–256.
  15. ↑ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  16. ↑ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  17. ↑ "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1960.
  18. ↑ "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1970.
  19. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  20. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1990.
  21. ↑ "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  22. ↑ "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  23. 1 2 "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Charlton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ↑ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Charlton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Charlton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  26. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  28. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  29. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Charlton County, Georgia at Wikimedia Commons

30°47′N82°08′W / 30.78°N 82.14°W / 30.78; -82.14

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.