Dawson County, Georgia

Not to be confused with Dawson, Georgia.

Dawson County
County
Dawson County Courthouse in Dawsonville
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°26′N84°10′W / 34.44°N 84.17°W / 34.44; -84.17
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Founded	1857;167 years ago (1857)
Named for	William Crosby Dawson
Seat	Dawsonville
Largest city	Dawsonville
Area
• Total	214 sq mi (550 km2)
• Land	211 sq mi (550 km2)
• Water	3.6 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 located in the Northeast portion 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]

Dawson County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its natural resources include Amicalola Falls, 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]

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:

• 21st Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company E Concord Rangers
• 22nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company I, Dawson County Independents
• 38th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company I (Wright's Legion), Dawson Farmers
• 38th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company L (Wright's Legion)
• 52nd Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Company I

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

After 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

Main article: Dawsonville, Georgia § 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

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

• Fannin County - north
• Lumpkin County - northeast
• Hall County - east
• Forsyth County - south
• Cherokee County - southwest
• Pickens County - west
• Gilmer County - northwest

National protected area

• Chattahoochee National Forest (part)

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Route 19
• State Route 9
• State Route 52
• State Route 53
• State Route 136
• State Route 183
• State Route 400

Pedestrians and cycling

• Springer Mountain Trail

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	3,856		—
1870	4,369		13.3%
1880	5,837		33.6%
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	4,479		27.9%
1950	3,712		−17.1%
1960	3,590		−3.3%
1970	3,639		1.4%
1980	4,774		31.2%
1990	9,429		97.5%
2000	15,999		69.7%
2010	22,330		39.6%
2020	26,798		20.0%
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]

2000 census

As of the census ^[14] of 2010, 22,330 people, and 10,425 households, and 6,390 families were living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 95.62% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.1% of the population.

Of the 8,433 households, 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.2% were not families. About 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 6.5% of whom were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was distributed as 5.7% under the age of 5, 6.5% at 5–9 years, 6.8% at 10–14 years, 6.0% at 15–19 years, 6.1% at 20–24 years, 5.7% at 25–29 years, 5.8% at 30–34 years, 6.6% at 35–39 years, 6.9% at 40–44 years, 8.1% at 45–49 years, 7.2% at 50–54 years, 7.0% at 55–59 years, 7.6% at 60–64 years, 6.0% at 65–69 years, 3.6% at 70–74 years, 2.4% at 75–79 years, 1.3% at 80–84 years, and 0.8% over age 85. The median age was 40.6 years - 11,164 were male and 11,166 were female.

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. ^[15]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,330 people, 8,433 households, and 6,390 families living in the county. ^[16] The population density was 105.9 inhabitants per square mile (40.9 inhabitants/km²). There were 10,425 housing units at an average density of 49.4 units per square mile (19.1 units/km²). ^[17] The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.1% of the population. ^[16] In terms of ancestry, 18.9% were American, 18.8% were Irish, 14.7% were English, and 13.6% were German. ^[18]

Of the 8,433 households, 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.2% were non-families, and 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 40.6 years. ^[16]

The 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. ^[19]

2020 census

Dawson County racial composition ^[20]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	23,544	87.86%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	200	0.75%
Native American	63	0.24%
Asian	235	0.88%
Pacific Islander	14	0.05%
Other/Mixed	1,137	4.24%
Hispanic or Latino	1,605	5.99%

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. ^[21]

Communities

Cities

• Dawsonville

Unincorporated communities

• Juno
• Afton

Private communities

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

• Big Canoe

Politics

Dawson County was the only county that supported Thomas Dewey in 1948 and then supported Adlai Stevenson II in 1952. ^[22]

United States presidential election results for Dawson County, Georgia ^[23]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	13,398	83.30%	2,486	15.46%	200	1.24%
2016	9,900	83.76%	1,448	12.25%	472	3.99%
2012	8,847	86.19%	1,241	12.09%	176	1.71%
2008	8,242	82.54%	1,632	16.34%	112	1.12%
2004	6,649	81.87%	1,407	17.33%	65	0.80%
2000	4,210	71.38%	1,458	24.72%	230	3.90%
1996	2,343	54.41%	1,434	33.30%	529	12.29%
1992	1,696	43.58%	1,399	35.95%	797	20.48%
1988	1,908	71.03%	761	28.33%	17	0.63%
1984	1,322	67.28%	643	32.72%	0	0.00%
1980	729	39.68%	1,072	58.36%	36	1.96%
1976	370	21.09%	1,384	78.91%	0	0.00%
1972	828	78.26%	230	21.74%	0	0.00%
1968	509	31.81%	246	15.38%	845	52.81%
1964	639	40.67%	932	59.33%	0	0.00%
1960	401	30.45%	916	69.55%	0	0.00%
1956	613	45.95%	721	54.05%	0	0.00%
1952	470	37.90%	770	62.10%	0	0.00%
1948	786	52.82%	660	44.35%	42	2.82%
1944	342	42.17%	469	57.83%	0	0.00%
1940	276	36.17%	484	63.43%	3	0.39%
1936	322	46.07%	377	53.93%	0	0.00%
1932	105	15.53%	567	83.88%	4	0.59%
1928	290	46.62%	332	53.38%	0	0.00%
1924	264	48.35%	279	51.10%	3	0.55%
1920	354	58.22%	254	41.78%	0	0.00%
1916	29	3.91%	440	59.30%	273	36.79%
1912	23	6.42%	170	47.49%	165	46.09%

Notable people

• Bill Elliott - NASCAR racer, 1988 Cup Series champion, and Hall of Fame member
• Chase Elliott - NASCAR racer and 2014 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion
• Gober Sosebee - stock-car racer (three-time Daytona champion)
• Jerry Glanville - National Football League head coach, NASCAR driver
• Bill Goldberg - professional wrestler and actor (once resided in Dawson County)
• Kevin Tanner - politician and Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
• Will Wade - politician and member of the Georgia House of Representatives

See also

• State of Georgia portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dawson County, Georgia
• List of counties in Georgia

References

1. US 2020 Census Bureau report, Dawson County, Georgia
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. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov.
15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
16. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
18. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
19. "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.
20. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
21. Report, Staff (May 23, 2023). "Two North Georgia counties among fastest growing in U.S." Now Habersham. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
22. "Re: Dole 1996/Gore 2000 counties". Talk Elections. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

External links

• Archives of Dawson County, Roadside Georgia Archived July 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
• Dawson County historical marker

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