Walker County | |
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![]() Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Georgia | |
![]() Georgia's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 34°44′N85°18′W / 34.73°N 85.3°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | December 18, 1833 |
Named for | Freeman Walker |
Seat | LaFayette |
Largest city | LaFayette |
Area | |
• Total | 447 sq mi (1,160 km2) |
• Land | 446 sq mi (1,160 km2) |
• Water | 0.6 sq mi (2 km2) 0.1% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 67,654 |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 14th |
Website | www |
Walker County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,654, [1] down from 68,756 in 2010. [2] The county seat is LaFayette. [3] The county was created on December 18, 1833, from land formerly belonging to the Cherokee Indian Nation.
Walker County is part of the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Walker County was named after Georgia's U.S. Senator, Freeman Walker (1780–1827). [4]
Civil War battles fought in Walker County were part of the Chickamauga Campaign fought between August 21 and September 20, 1863:
In 2002 the Tri-State Crematory scandal in Noble came to national attention when 339 bodies that were consigned to be cremated were discovered on the property. The owner, Ray Brent Marsh, was convicted of several charges and sentenced to twelve years in prison. [5]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 446 square miles (1,160 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water. [6] The northern two-thirds of Walker County is located in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. Most of the southeastern portion of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a very small southeastern sliver located in the Conasauga River sub-basin in the larger ACT River Basin. The rest of the southern portion of Walker County is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin. [7]
Until 2020, Walker County was one of only nine counties in the United States still employing the sole commissioner form of government. [8] Georgia is the last remaining state that allows sole commissioners. [9] In a 2018 referendum, Walker County voters approved with an 80% margin a transition to a five-member board of commissioners, consisting of four commissioners elected by district and a chairperson. The first members of the board were elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021 with Districts 1 and 2 commissioners serving an initial 2-year term and Districts 3 and 4 commissioners and the chairperson serving an initial 4-year term. From 2022, every commissioner will serve 4 year terms, therefore ensuring that half the commission is up for reelection every 2 years. The commission meets in LaFayette, the county seat. [10]
The commissioners of each district represent the following areas: [11]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1840 | 6,572 | — | |
1850 | 13,109 | 99.5% | |
1860 | 10,082 | −23.1% | |
1870 | 9,925 | −1.6% | |
1880 | 11,056 | 11.4% | |
1890 | 13,282 | 20.1% | |
1900 | 15,661 | 17.9% | |
1910 | 18,692 | 19.4% | |
1920 | 23,370 | 25.0% | |
1930 | 26,206 | 12.1% | |
1940 | 31,024 | 18.4% | |
1950 | 38,198 | 23.1% | |
1960 | 45,264 | 18.5% | |
1970 | 50,691 | 12.0% | |
1980 | 56,470 | 11.4% | |
1990 | 58,340 | 3.3% | |
2000 | 61,053 | 4.7% | |
2010 | 68,756 | 12.6% | |
2020 | 67,654 | −1.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 69,489 | [12] | 2.7% |
U.S. Decennial Census [13] 1790-1880 [14] 1890-1910 [15] 1920-1930 [16] 1930-1940 [17] 1940-1950 [18] 1960-1980 [19] 1980-2000 [20] 2010 [21] 2020 [21] |
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2000 [22] | Pop 2010 [23] | Pop 2020 [21] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 57,336 | 63,343 | 59,654 | 93.91% | 92.13% | 88.18% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,300 | 2,809 | 2,840 | 3.77% | 4.09% | 4.20% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 172 | 170 | 149 | 0.28% | 0.25% | 0.22% |
Asian alone (NH) | 165 | 291 | 293 | 0.27% | 0.42% | 0.43% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 30 | 25 | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
Other race alone (NH) | 48 | 53 | 204 | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.30% |
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 454 | 947 | 2,804 | 0.74% | 1.38% | 4.14% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 565 | 1,113 | 1,685 | 0.93% | 1.62% | 2.49% |
Total | 61,053 | 68,756 | 67,654 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 67,654 people, 26,760 households, and 17,810 families residing in the county.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 68,756 people, 26,497 households, and 18,898 families living in the county. [24] The population density was 154.0 inhabitants per square mile (59.5/km2). There were 30,100 housing units at an average density of 67.4 per square mile (26.0/km2). [25] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 4.1% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population. [24] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were American, 15.3% were Irish, 11.2% were English, and 9.3% were German. [26]
Of the 26,497 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.7% were non-families, and 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years. [24]
The county's population age groups were spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 20 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The gender ratio of the county's population was 50.9% female versus 49.1% male.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,723 and the median income for a family was $46,307. Males had a median income of $38,297 versus $29,285 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,440. About 11.6% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over. [27]
As of the census [28] of 2000, there were 61,053 people, 23,605 households, and 17,467 families living in the county. The population density was 137 inhabitants per square mile (53/km2). There were 25,577 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.43% White, 3.78% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 23,605 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 37 years.
The county's population age groups were spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,406, and the median income for a family was $39,034. Males had a median income of $29,448 versus $21,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,867. About 10.00% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 23,173 | 78.89% | 5,770 | 19.64% | 431 | 1.47% |
2016 | 18,950 | 77.73% | 4,215 | 17.29% | 1,214 | 4.98% |
2012 | 16,247 | 73.86% | 5,274 | 23.98% | 475 | 2.16% |
2008 | 17,110 | 72.33% | 6,095 | 25.77% | 449 | 1.90% |
2004 | 15,340 | 71.34% | 5,986 | 27.84% | 176 | 0.82% |
2000 | 12,326 | 65.23% | 6,341 | 33.56% | 228 | 1.21% |
1996 | 8,817 | 50.10% | 6,743 | 38.32% | 2,038 | 11.58% |
1992 | 8,489 | 48.54% | 6,217 | 35.55% | 2,782 | 15.91% |
1988 | 10,487 | 68.63% | 4,753 | 31.11% | 40 | 0.26% |
1984 | 10,734 | 68.22% | 5,000 | 31.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
1980 | 7,088 | 50.16% | 6,809 | 48.18% | 235 | 1.66% |
1976 | 4,807 | 37.51% | 8,007 | 62.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
1972 | 8,728 | 84.72% | 1,574 | 15.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 3,664 | 25.59% | 1,930 | 13.48% | 8,725 | 60.93% |
1964 | 5,939 | 52.09% | 5,454 | 47.84% | 8 | 0.07% |
1960 | 4,027 | 46.86% | 4,566 | 53.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 3,552 | 49.03% | 3,693 | 50.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 2,866 | 39.63% | 4,366 | 60.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 980 | 20.02% | 3,418 | 69.83% | 497 | 10.15% |
1944 | 765 | 21.74% | 2,753 | 78.23% | 1 | 0.03% |
1940 | 558 | 16.30% | 2,859 | 83.50% | 7 | 0.20% |
1936 | 458 | 16.50% | 2,313 | 83.32% | 5 | 0.18% |
1932 | 405 | 15.05% | 2,255 | 83.80% | 31 | 1.15% |
1928 | 1,786 | 62.91% | 1,053 | 37.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 878 | 32.86% | 1,740 | 65.12% | 54 | 2.02% |
1920 | 1,069 | 44.25% | 1,347 | 55.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
1916 | 300 | 11.44% | 1,883 | 71.82% | 439 | 16.74% |
1912 | 215 | 15.47% | 771 | 55.47% | 404 | 29.06% |
Clay County is a county in the east central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 14,236. Its county seat is Ashland. Its name is in honor of Henry Clay, famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. It was the last dry county in Alabama with no wet cities within its boundaries, until a vote on March 1, 2016, approved the sale of alcohol in Lineville and Ashland.
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Fayette County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 119,194, an increase from 106,567 in 2010. Fayette County was established in 1821. The county seat, Fayetteville, was established in 1823. Much of Fayette County is bordered on the east side by the Flint River.
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Chattooga County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,965. The county seat is Summerville. The county was created on December 28, 1838.
Catoosa County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,872. The county seat is Ringgold. The county was created on December 5, 1853. The meaning of the Cherokee language name "Catoosa" is obscure: "Catoosa" may come from the Cherokee words gatusi or gatu'gitse.
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Trenton is a city and the only incorporated municipality in Dade County, Georgia, United States—and as such, it serves as the county seat. The population was 2,195 at the 2020 census. Trenton is part of the Chattanooga, Tennessee–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Chickamauga is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,917 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
LaFayette is a city in, and the county seat of, Walker County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 6,888. It was founded as Chattooga.
Rossville is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,980 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, is an area consisting of six counties – three in southeast Tennessee and three in northwest Georgia – anchored by the city of Chattanooga. As of the 2020 census, the Chattanooga metropolitan area had a population of 562,647. This metropolitan area traverses two time zones.