Jeff Davis County, Georgia

Last updated

Jeff Davis County, Georgia
County
Jeff Davis County courthouse, Hazlehurst, GA, US.jpg
County courthouse
JeffDavisCountyGAseal.png
Seal
JeffDavisCountGALogo.png
Logo
Map of Georgia highlighting Jeff Davis County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 31°48′N82°38′W / 31.8°N 82.64°W / 31.8; -82.64
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Georgia
FoundedAugust 18, 1905;120 years ago (1905)
Named after Jefferson Davis
Seat Hazlehurst
Largest cityHazlehurst
Other cities Denton, Georgia
Area
 • Total
335 sq mi (870 km2)
 • Land331 sq mi (860 km2)
 • Water4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
14,779
 • Density45/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 12th
Website jeffdaviscountyga.gov

Jeff Davis County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,779. [1] The county seat is Hazlehurst. [2] The county was created on August 18, 1905, and named for Jefferson Davis, the only Confederate president. [3]

Contents

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 335 square miles (870 km2), of which 331 square miles (860 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (1.4%) is water. [4]

Most of the northern border area, as well as part of the western border of Jeff Davis County, from northeast of Hazlehurst to west of Denton, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. Most of the eastern corner of the county, east of Hazlehurst and north of Graham, is located in the Altamaha River sub-basin of the larger basin by the same name. The central and southeastern portion of Jeff Davis County, south of Hazlehurst, is located in the Little Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. The remaining central and southern portion of the county is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. [5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Economy

Jeff Davis County had an estimated $164,341,000 in retail sales in 2017. [6] Agriculture is a major factor of the economy. Cotton and peanuts, along with the formerly more significant tobacco, are the primary commercial crops. Timber, too, is an important product. [7]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1910 6,050—
1920 7,32221.0%
1930 8,11810.9%
1940 8,8418.9%
1950 9,2995.2%
1960 8,914−4.1%
1970 9,4255.7%
1980 11,47321.7%
1990 12,0324.9%
2000 12,6845.4%
2010 15,06818.8%
2020 14,779−1.9%
2024 (est.)15,119 [8] 2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]
1790-1880 [10] 1890-1910 [11]
1920-1930 [12] 1930-1940 [13]
1940-1950 [14] 1960-1980 [15]
1980-2000 [16] 2010 [17]
Jeff Davis County racial composition as of 2020 [18]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)9,95067.33%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)2,29315.52%
Native American 260.18%
Asian 500.34%
Pacific Islander 70.05%
Other/Mixed 4062.75%
Hispanic or Latino 2,04713.85%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 14,779, 5,560 households, and 3,790 families. The median age was 37.0 years; 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.4 males age 18 and over. 33.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 66.7% lived in rural areas. [19] [20]

The racial makeup of the county was 70.1% White, 15.6% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.5% from some other race, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 13.9% of the population. [21]

There were 5,560 households in the county, of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [20]

There were 6,351 housing units, of which 12.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.9% were owner-occupied and 33.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%. [20]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Jeff Davis County, Georgia [22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1912 195.60%26879.06%5215.34%
1916 143.79%29981.03%5615.18%
1920 30353.82%26046.18%00.00%
1924 3923.35%12273.05%63.59%
1928 18036.36%31563.64%00.00%
1932 504.06%1,17995.70%30.24%
1936 9312.85%63187.15%00.00%
1940 10112.64%69687.11%20.25%
1944 12014.00%73786.00%00.00%
1948 707.73%61167.51%22424.75%
1952 36721.72%1,32378.28%00.00%
1956 24712.98%1,65687.02%00.00%
1960 40232.76%82567.24%00.00%
1964 1,87571.56%74528.44%00.00%
1968 57719.82%37612.92%1,95867.26%
1972 1,85786.01%30213.99%00.00%
1976 62220.55%2,40579.45%00.00%
1980 1,19135.97%2,05962.19%611.84%
1984 2,23361.80%1,38038.20%00.00%
1988 2,05062.03%1,24237.58%130.39%
1992 1,94739.32%2,03141.01%97419.67%
1996 1,79647.08%1,57641.31%44311.61%
2000 2,79766.26%1,37932.67%451.07%
2004 3,54973.25%1,27726.36%190.39%
2008 3,86773.16%1,35625.65%631.19%
2012 3,99674.85%1,27523.88%681.27%
2016 4,10480.17%90117.60%1142.23%
2020 4,69581.31%1,02817.80%510.88%
2024 4,93584.04%92415.74%130.22%

As of the 2020s, Jeff Davis County is a Republican stronghold, voting 84% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Jeff Davis County is part of Georgia's 8th congressional district, currently represented by Austin Scott. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Jeff Davis County is part of District 19. [23] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Jeff Davis County is part of district 157. [24]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Jeff Davis County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 119. ISBN   0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "Census Quick Facts: Jeff Davis County". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Jeff Davis County". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ↑ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  11. ↑ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  12. ↑ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  13. ↑ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  14. ↑ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  15. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  16. ↑ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  17. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  19. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  22. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

31°48′N82°38′W / 31.80°N 82.64°W / 31.80; -82.64

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