Oconee County, Georgia

Last updated

Oconee County, Georgia
County
Oconee County Georgia Courthouse.jpg
Oconee County Courthouse in Watkinsville
Map of Georgia highlighting Oconee County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°50′N83°26′W / 33.84°N 83.44°W / 33.84; -83.44
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Georgia
FoundedFebruary 24, 1875;150 years ago (1875-02-24)
Named after Oconee River
Seat Watkinsville
Largest townWatkinsville
Area
 • Total
186 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Land184 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5.4 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
41,799
 • Density227/sq mi (88/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 10th
Website www.oconeecounty.com

Oconee County is a county located in the East Central region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,799. [1] The county seat is Watkinsville. [2]

Contents

Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County metropolitan area.

History

The county's name derives from the Oconee, a Muskogean people of central Georgia. The name exists in several variations, including Ocone, Oconi, Ocony, and Ekwoni. [3] Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke County in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville to Athens by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border. [4]

The county was ranked as the third-best rural county to live in by Progressive Farmer magazine in 2006. [5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 186 square miles (480 km2), of which 184 square miles (480 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (1.1%) is water. [6] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The entirety of Oconee County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. [7]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated community

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880 6,351—
1890 7,71321.4%
1900 8,60211.5%
1910 11,10429.1%
1920 11,067−0.3%
1930 8,082−27.0%
1940 7,576−6.3%
1950 7,009−7.5%
1960 6,304−10.1%
1970 7,91525.6%
1980 12,42757.0%
1990 17,61841.8%
2000 26,22548.9%
2010 32,66624.6%
2020 41,79928.0%
2024 (est.)44,751 [8] 7.1%
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]
Oconee County racial composition as of 2020 [18]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)33,88681.07%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)1,8974.54%
Native American 310.07%
Asian 2,0664.94%
Other/Mixed 1,5723.76%
Hispanic or Latino 2,3475.61%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 41,799, and the census counted 10,727 families residing in the county. [19] [20]

The median age was 39.7 years, 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 15.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.8 males age 18 and over. 45.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 54.1% lived in rural areas. [20]

The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% White, 4.6% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.6% of the population. [21]

There were 14,360 households in the county, of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [20]

There were 14,998 housing units, of which 4.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 82.0% were owner-occupied and 18.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.3%. [20]

Government

Oconee County is governed by a four-member board of commissioners, which holds legislative power. The board is led by a separately-elected chairman, who holds executive power. The board is vested with budget and taxing authority, ordinance-making authority, and control of county property, roads and facilities. The chairman and all members of the board are elected from at-large districts (called "posts") to staggered terms of four years. [22]

The chairman of the board is the county's chief executive officer who, in consultation with the commissioners, appoints officers and staff as needed to administer the responsibilities of the board.

The current members of the Board are: [22]

The judicial branch of government is administered through the Georgia court system as a part of the 10th Judicial District, Western Circuit. [23]

Primary law enforcement services in the portion of the county outside the City of Watkinsville are provided by the sheriff's office. (Law enforcement within the Watkinsville City Limits is the jurisdiction of the Watkinsville Police Department.) [24] The office of Sheriff is an elected position; since 2020, the office has been held by James Hale.

Politics

As of the 2020s, Oconee County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 67% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Oconee County is part of Georgia's 10th congressional district, currently represented by Mike Collins. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Oconee County is part of District 46. [25] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Oconee County is part of districts 120 and 121. [26]

United States presidential election results for Oconee County, Georgia [27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1912 10.26%20853.47%18046.27%
1916 00.00%49774.96%16625.04%
1920 10824.05%34175.95%00.00%
1924 4611.89%27972.09%6216.02%
1928 30046.58%34453.42%00.00%
1932 395.43%66492.48%152.09%
1936 17326.25%48373.29%30.46%
1940 17721.66%63577.72%50.61%
1944 19525.49%57074.51%00.00%
1948 9410.05%57961.93%26228.02%
1952 33722.19%1,18277.81%00.00%
1956 31421.36%1,15678.64%00.00%
1960 29719.60%1,21880.40%00.00%
1964 1,24153.63%1,07346.37%00.00%
1968 71328.16%41416.35%1,40555.49%
1972 2,02981.39%46418.61%00.00%
1976 1,18434.70%2,22865.30%00.00%
1980 2,06547.29%2,14149.03%1613.69%
1984 3,47170.29%1,46729.71%00.00%
1988 4,26567.89%1,99031.68%270.43%
1992 4,12551.08%2,74533.99%1,20614.93%
1996 5,11658.05%2,99233.95%7058.00%
2000 7,61168.15%3,18428.51%3733.34%
2004 10,27672.37%3,78926.68%1340.94%
2008 12,12070.57%4,82528.09%2291.33%
2012 13,09873.34%4,42124.76%3401.90%
2016 13,42565.96%5,58127.42%1,3476.62%
2020 16,59565.87%8,16232.40%4361.73%
2024 18,42467.31%8,62031.49%3261.19%

Education

Oconee County School District

The Oconee County School District provides education for grades pre-school to twelve and consists of six elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. [28] The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students. [29]

Private schools

There are currently three private schools located in the county. They are:

Colleges and universities

The University of North Georgia maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville. It was a Gainesville State College campus until the 2012 merger of Gainesville State College with North Georgia College and State University. [33]

The College of Athens (CoA) is a private Christian college that was established in 2012 near Watkinsville. CoA currently offers certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in nine various major areas. [34]

Media

There is one weekly-published newspaper in Oconee County: The Oconee Enterprise.

Cox Media Group also operates a radio broadcast facility on Tower Place in northeast Oconee County. Four radio stations are operated from this facility: [35]

Transportation

Major highways

Pedestrians and cycling

The city has limited walkability options available. However, since 2017 plans are being discussed to develop a multi-use trail network. [36]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Oconee County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1999). Georgia Place-names (PDF). Macon, GA.: Winship Press. pp. 163–164. ISBN   0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  4. ↑ Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, "History of Oconee County" Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Steve Hargreaves (February 2, 2006). "Best places to live: Rural America". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "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.
  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. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2024.
  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 25, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  19. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 Board Of Commissioners Archived March 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine section of Oconee County website. Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  23. ↑ Official website Archived August 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine of the 10th Judicial District of Georgia, Western Circuit
  24. ↑ 2011 Official Oconee County Newcomer's Guide Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  27. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  28. ↑ Georgia Board of Education [ permanent dead link ], Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  29. ↑ School Stats Archived April 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  30. ↑ Founding Principles Archived February 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine section of Westminster Christian Academy website. Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  31. ↑ Who we are Archived March 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine section of Prince Avenue website. Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  32. ↑ History Archived February 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine section of Athens Academy website. Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  33. ↑ History of GSC Archived April 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine section of Gainesville State College website. Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  34. ↑ College of Athens Retrieved July 5, 2022
  35. ↑ Athens location information Archived April 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , Cox Media Group website. Last accessed April 4, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Plans for Oconee County taking shape". Gate House Media LLC. June 14, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2018.

33°50′N83°26′W / 33.84°N 83.44°W / 33.84; -83.44

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.