Dawson County, Georgia

Last updated

Dawson County
County
Dawson County Courthouse, Georgia.JPG
Dawson County Courthouse in Dawsonville
Flag of Dawson County, Georgia.png
Flag
Seal of Dawson County, Georgia.png
Seal
Map of Georgia highlighting Dawson County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia in United States.svg
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°26′N84°10′W / 34.44°N 84.17°W / 34.44; -84.17
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg  Georgia
Founded1857;167 years ago (1857)
Named for William Crosby Dawson
Seat Dawsonville
Largest cityDawsonville
Area
 • Total
214 sq mi (550 km2)
 • Land211 sq mi (550 km2)
 • Water3.6 sq mi (9 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
26,798 [1]
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 6th
Website www.dawsoncounty.org

Dawson County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,798 up from 22,330 in 2010. [2] [1] The county seat is Dawsonville. [3]

Contents

Dawson County is included in the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area. Its natural resources include Amicalola Falls (which is really in Lumpkin County), the highest falls in Georgia and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the state.

History

Dawson County was created on December 3, 1857, from Gilmer and Lumpkin Counties. [4] It is named for William Crosby Dawson, a U.S. Senator from Georgia. [5]

American Civil War

The 1860s brought war and hardships to the people of Dawson County. Many men of Dawson County answered the call and went to fight in the Civil War. Several Confederate units were raised in Dawson County, including:

The 1st Georgia Infantry Battalion (Union), Companies B and C also was raised there.

Post-Civil War to present

Dawson County is known for its long involvement in auto racing, which was established in the 20th century; many of the original NASCAR racers came from this area, and Dawsonville is now one of a few areas considered to be the "birthplace of stock car racing". [6] Local racing skills are said to have been developed by men who ran moonshine down Georgia State Route 9, also known as Thunder Road, to Atlanta. The celebration of Dawson County's history and its involvement in bootlegging moonshine during the Prohibition era now occurs every October, dubbed the Moonshine Festival.

Locals have referred to Dawson County as the "Moonshine Capital of the World". This title is claimed by many other cities and communities, but is fiercely defended by residents of the area. Allegedly, bootleggers took advantage of the county's relative isolation and the ability to move so much moonshine to the larger cities, especially Atlanta, during the United States Prohibition era.

Education

Dawson County currently serves grades K-12. It has a total of seven schools - one for pre-K, four for grades K-5, one for grades 6–7, one for grades 8–9, and Dawson County High School (grades 10–12).

Geography

Amicalola Falls Amicalola Falls 02.jpg
Amicalola Falls

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 214 square miles (550 km2), of which 211 square miles (550 km2) are land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) (1.7%) are covered by water. [7]

The county is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Portions of the mountain chain extend into the far northern and western portions of the county, with elevations around 3,500 ft. in this area.

Part of Lake Lanier is in the southeastern part of the county and the boundary lines with neighboring counties pass through the lake. The 729-foot (222 m) Amicalola Falls, are located in the county. The Amicalola Falls are the highest in Georgia, the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. The highest point in the county is Black Mountain, with an elevation of 3,600 feet (1,100 m). The Chestatee and Etowah Rivers flow through Dawson County.

The vast majority of Dawson County is located in the Etowah River subbasin of the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin). The southeastern tip of the county is located in the Upper Chattahoochee River subbasin of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, and a very small northern section of Dawson County is located in the Coosawattee River subbasin of the larger ACT River Basin. [8]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Private communities

Several large, gated, private communities function similar to a municipality, providing many municipal-type services that operate independently of county government.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 3,856—
1870 4,36913.3%
1880 5,83733.6%
1890 5,612−3.9%
1900 5,442−3.0%
1910 4,686−13.9%
1920 4,204−10.3%
1930 3,502−16.7%
1940 4,47927.9%
1950 3,712−17.1%
1960 3,590−3.3%
1970 3,6391.4%
1980 4,77431.2%
1990 9,42997.5%
2000 15,99969.7%
2010 22,33039.6%
2020 26,79820.0%
2023 (est.)31,732 [9] 18.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]
1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12]
1990-2000 [13] 2010-2019 [2] 2020 [1]
Dawson County racial composition as of 2020 [14]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)23,54487.86%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)2000.75%
Native American 630.24%
Asian 2350.88%
Pacific Islander 140.05%
Other/Mixed 1,1374.24%
Hispanic or Latino 1,6055.99%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 26,798 people, 9,041 households, and 6,491 families residing in the county. Between 2021 and 2022, Dawson experienced a 5.8% growth in population, making it the fourth fastest growing county in the nation. [15]

In 2010, median income for a household in the county was $51,128 and the median income for a family was $60,236. Males had a median income of $41,726 versus $31,978 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,557. About 7.8% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over. [16] In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was estimated at $51,989, and for a family was estimated at $60,455. About 8.9% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. [17]

Politics

Dawson County was the only county that supported Thomas Dewey in 1948 and then supported Adlai Stevenson II in 1952. [18]

United States presidential election results for Dawson County, Georgia [19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 16,11582.12%3,35017.07%1580.81%
2020 13,39883.30%2,48615.46%2001.24%
2016 9,90083.76%1,44812.25%4723.99%
2012 8,84786.19%1,24112.09%1761.71%
2008 8,24282.54%1,63216.34%1121.12%
2004 6,64981.87%1,40717.33%650.80%
2000 4,21071.38%1,45824.72%2303.90%
1996 2,34354.41%1,43433.30%52912.29%
1992 1,69643.58%1,39935.95%79720.48%
1988 1,90871.03%76128.33%170.63%
1984 1,32267.28%64332.72%00.00%
1980 72939.68%1,07258.36%361.96%
1976 37021.09%1,38478.91%00.00%
1972 82878.26%23021.74%00.00%
1968 50931.81%24615.38%84552.81%
1964 63940.67%93259.33%00.00%
1960 40130.45%91669.55%00.00%
1956 61345.95%72154.05%00.00%
1952 47037.90%77062.10%00.00%
1948 78652.82%66044.35%422.82%
1944 34242.17%46957.83%00.00%
1940 27636.17%48463.43%30.39%
1936 32246.07%37753.93%00.00%
1932 10515.53%56783.88%40.59%
1928 29046.62%33253.38%00.00%
1924 26448.35%27951.10%30.55%
1920 35458.22%25441.78%00.00%
1916 293.91%44059.30%27336.79%
1912 236.42%17047.49%16546.09%

Transportation

Major highways


Pedestrians and cycling

  • Springer Mountain Trail

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

White County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,003. The county seat is Cleveland. The county was created on December 22, 1857, formerly a part of Habersham County and most likely was named for Newton County Representative David T. White, who helped a Habersham representative successfully attain passage of an act creating the new county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Union County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,632. The county seat is Blairsville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Towns County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Towns County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,493. Its county seat is Hiawassee. The county was created on March 6, 1856, and named for lawyer, legislator, and politician George W. Towns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stewart County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Stewart County is a county located in the west central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,314. The county seat is Lumpkin. The county was created on December 23, 1830.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randolph County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Randolph County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia and is considered part of the Black Belt, historically an area of plantations. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,425, roughly one-third of its peak population in 1910, when there were numerous agricultural workers. The county seat is Cuthbert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pickens County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Pickens County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,216. The county seat is Jasper. Pickens County is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulding County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Paulding County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. Part of Metro Atlanta, it had an estimated population of 168,661 in 2020. The county seat is Dallas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muscogee County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Muscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia named after the Muscogee that originally inhabited the land with its western border with the state of Alabama that is formed by the Chattahoochee River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 206,922. Its county seat and only city is Columbus, with which it has been a consolidated city-county since the beginning of 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murray County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Murray County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,973. The county seat is Chatsworth. Murray County is part of the Dalton, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton, TN-GA-AL Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumpkin County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Lumpkin County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,488. Its county seat is Dahlonega. Lumpkin County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harris County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Harris County is a county located in the west-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia; its western border with the state of Alabama is formed by the Chattahoochee River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,668. The county seat is Hamilton. The largest city in the county is Pine Mountain, a resort town that is home to the Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park. Harris County was created on December 14, 1827, and named for Charles Harris, a Georgia judge and attorney. Harris County is part of the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area and has become a popular suburban and exurban destination of residence for families relocating from Columbus. Because of this, Harris has become the sixth-wealthiest county in Georgia in terms of per capita income and the wealthiest in the state outside of Metro Atlanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hall County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Hall County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 203,136, up from 179,684 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Gainesville. The entirety of Hall County comprises the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also part of the Atlanta-Athens-Clarke County-Sandy Springs, Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habersham County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Habersham County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,031. The county seat is Clarkesville. The county was created on December 15, 1818, and named for Colonel Joseph Habersham of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chattahoochee County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Chattahoochee County, also known as Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, is a county located on the western border in central Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,565. The county seat is Cusseta, with which the county shares a consolidated city-county government. The city of Cusseta remains a geographically distinct municipality within Chattahoochee County. The county was created on February 13, 1854.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burke County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Burke County is a county located along the eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia in the Piedmont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,596. The county seat is Waynesboro. Burke County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dawsonville, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Dawsonville is a city in and the county seat of Dawson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,720 in 2020. Dawsonville is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dahlonega, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Dahlonega is the county seat of Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242, and in 2018 the population was estimated to be 6,884.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Columbus is a consolidated city-county located on the west-central border of the U.S. state of Georgia. Columbus lies on the Chattahoochee River directly across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the county seat of Muscogee County, with which it officially merged in 1970; the original merger excluded Bibb City, which joined in 2000 after dissolving its own city charter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jasper, Georgia</span> City and county seat in Georgia, United States

Jasper is a city in Pickens County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,084 in 2020. The city is the county seat of Pickens County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dawson Forest</span> Forest in Dawson County, Georgia, U.S.

Dawson Forest is a 10,130-acre (41.0 km2) public-use forest located in Dawson County, Georgia, southwest of Dawsonville. It is owned by the city of Atlanta, but is considered a state forest, as it is managed by the Georgia Forestry Commission.

References

  1. 1 2 3 US 2020 Census Bureau report, Dawson County, Georgia
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  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. 59. ISBN   0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  5. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  101.
  6. ↑ "The Unofficial History of Stock Car Racing Part 1: 1896-1936 | SpeedwayMedia.com". April 23, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  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 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  15. ↑ Staff Report (May 23, 2023). "Two North Georgia counties among fastest growing in U.S." Now Habersham. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  16. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ↑ "Re: Dole 1996/Gore 2000 counties". Talk Elections. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  19. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

34°26′N84°10′W / 34.44°N 84.17°W / 34.44; -84.17

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.