Paulding County was created from Cherokee County by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 3, 1832. In 1851, a portion of Paulding County was used to help create Polk County. Other portions of Paulding County were annexed to neighboring counties (Campbell, Carroll, Cobb, Douglas, Haralson, and Polk) between 1832 and 1874. Between 1850 and 1874, Paulding County was expanded through annexation of parts of Carroll, Cobb, Douglas, and Polk counties.
The county is named after John Paulding (October 16, 1758 – February 18, 1818), who was famous for the capture of the British spy Major John André in 1780 during the American Revolution.[4] André was on a mission carrying secret papers from Benedict Arnold when he was captured.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 314 square miles (810km2), of which 312 square miles (810km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4km2) (0.7%) is water.[5] The Tallapoosa River originates in Paulding County.
Paulding county is located in the Piedmont region of the Appalachian Mountains, with a few small hills and mountains located in the county that exceed elevations of 1,000ft. The highest point in Paulding county is an unnamed peak located in Yorkville with an elevation of 1,410ft (430m) above sea level. The highest named peak in Paulding County is Vinson Mountain with an elevation of 1,330ft (405m) above sea level.[6]
The southeastern portion of Paulding County, from just north of Hiram to north of Villa Rica, is located in the Middle Chattahoochee River-Lake Harding sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). The very western portion of the county, centered on State Route 101, is located in the Upper Tallapoosa River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with the majority of the central and northern portions of Paulding County located in the Etowah River sub-basin of the same ACT River Basin.[7]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 168,661 people, 56,476 households, and 44,021 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 142,324people, 48,105households, and 38,103families living in the county.[18] The population density was 455.8 inhabitants per square mile (176.0/km2). There were 52,130 housing units at an average density of 167.0 per square mile (64.5/km2).[19] The racial makeup of the county was 77.7% white, 17.1% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.1% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were Irish, 11.6% were American, 11.2% were German, and 10.4% were English.[20]
Of the 48,105households, 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 20.8% were non-families, and 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.30. The median age was 33.8 years.[18]
The median income for a household in the county was $62,348 and the median income for a family was $67,117. Males had a median income of $50,114 versus $37,680 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,450. About 7.0% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.[21]
Paulding County has been noted for its rapid population growth in the 21st century, often ranking among the fastest-growing counties in Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia. The rate of population growth increased in each of three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017.[22]
2000 census
As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 81,678 people, 28,089 households, and 22,892 families living in the county. The population density was 261 inhabitants per square mile (101/km2). There were 29,274 housing units at an average density of 93 per square mile (36/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.59% White, 6.96% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 28,089 households, out of which 46.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.30% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.50% were non-families. 14.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the county, 30.70% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 38.40% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $52,161, and the median income for a family was $56,039. Males had a median income of $38,637 versus $27,341 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,974. About 4.00% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
Elementary Schools • Abney Elementary School • Allgood Elementary School • Baggett Elementary School • Burnt Hickory Elementary School • Dallas Elementary School • Dugan Elementary School • Hiram Elementary School • Hutchens Elementary School • McGarity Elementary School • Nebo Elementary School • New Georgia Elementary School • Northside Elementary School • Panter Elementary School • Poole Elementary School • Ragsdale Elementary School • Roberts Elementary School • Russom Elementary School • Shelton Elementary School • Union Elementary School
Middle Schools • Austin Middle School • Dobbins Middle School • East Paulding Middle School • Herschel Jones Middle School • Scoggins Middle School • Moses Middle School • South Paulding Middle School • P.B. Ritch Middle School • Sammy McClure Middle School • Crossroads Middle School
On March 4, 2022, at approximately 6:00 a.m., 25-year-old Deputy Michael McMaster of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious person, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, attempting to break into a vehicle in the Evans Mill Subdivision. A short time later, Deputy McMaster arrived at the location and observed 30-year-old Tyler Lee Canaris walking along the roadside at the entrance to the subdivision. Canaris, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, appeared to match the description of the suspect that was provided by dispatch. Deputy McMaster then approached Canaris who he claimed to have refused to comply with the Deputy’s commands to remove his backpack and place his hands behind his back.[26]
Thereafter, Deputy McMaster used force to bring Canaris to the ground and placed him under arrest. Once arrested, Canaris was evaluated on the scene by medical personnel. Canaris was then transported to the hospital by the Sheriff’s Office for medical evaluation. Sheriff's officials say it was later determined that Canaris was not breaking into cars, but he was charged with Obstruction of Justice.[27] Soon after, the attorneys for Canaris accused the Paulding County deputy of leaving their client with $75,000 worth of medical bills from fractured bones and a ruptured eardrum. Prior to the incident, Deputy McMaster already had 10 reprimands, and was advised to undergo anger management counseling.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office initially refused to release the dash-cam footage that captured the incident to the public, however some of the footage was later leaked by Canaris' lawyers in early 2023, which led to Canaris being charged with Obstruction of Justice a second time. The Sheriff's Office would release the full dash-cam footage a week later. On September 22, 2023, Canaris would file a lawsuit against McMaster and the Sheriff's Office.[28] Due to the backlash the dash-cam video would receive online, McMaster would eventually be fired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and would end up on the Brady List as a result.[29]
Paulding County is governed by a five-member board of commissioners, including a chairman and four post members. In the State Legislature, Paulding County is represented by two State Senators and four State Representatives. For federal elections, it is located in Georgia's 14th congressional district.
Paulding County has been a Republican stronghold since 1984, but in recent elections, the Republican strength has decreased. In 2024, even though Donald Trump still won over 60% of the vote, Kamala Harris' performance of 37% was the best by a Democrat since 1980.
United States presidential election results for Paulding County, Georgia[30]
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