Wheeler County, Georgia

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Wheeler County
Wheeler County Courthouse, Alamo, GA, US (08).jpg
Wheeler County Courthouse (built 1917), Alamo
Map of Georgia highlighting Wheeler County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia in United States.svg
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°07′N82°43′W / 32.12°N 82.72°W / 32.12; -82.72
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg  Georgia
FoundedNovember 5, 1912;113 years ago (1912)
Named for Joseph Wheeler
Seat Alamo
Largest cityAlamo
Area
  Total
300 sq mi (800 km2)
  Land295 sq mi (760 km2)
  Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
7,471
  Density25/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 12th
Website wheelercounty.georgia.gov

Wheeler County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,471. [1] The county seat is Alamo. [2]

Contents

History

Wheeler County is named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler. [3] The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed August 14, 1912, and ratified November 5, 1912.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 300 square miles (780 km2), of which 295 square miles (760 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (1.6%) is water. [4]

The eastern portion of Wheeler County, defined by a line running from north of Alamo to the southern border of the county, due south of Mount Vernon, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The bulk of the rest of the county is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin, except for a small southern portion of Wheeler County, east of Lumber City, which is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the larger Altamaha River basin. [5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Communities

City

Town

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1920 9,817
1930 9,149−6.8%
1940 8,535−6.7%
1950 6,712−21.4%
1960 5,342−20.4%
1970 4,596−14.0%
1980 5,15512.2%
1990 4,903−4.9%
2000 6,17926.0%
2010 7,42120.1%
2020 7,4710.7%
2023 (est.)7,081 [6] −5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790-1880 [8] 1890-1910 [9]
1920-1930 [10] 1930-1940 [11]
1940-1950 [12] 1960-1980 [13]
1980-2000 [14] 2010 [15]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 6,179 people, 2,011 households, and 1,395 families living in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 2,447 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.56% White, 33.18% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.25% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 2,011 households 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 14.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 128.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.80 males.

The median household income was $24,053 and the median family income was $29,696. Males had a median income of $27,203 versus $22,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,005. About 21.60% of families and 25.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 26.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 7,421 people, 2,152 households, and 1,519 families living in the county. The population density was 25.1 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km2). There were 2,625 housing units at an average density of 8.9 per square mile (3.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 61.3% white, 35.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.4% were English, and 8.1% were American. Of the 2,152 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 26.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 37.9 years.

The median household income was $35,422 and the median family income was $45,042. Males had a median income of $35,114 versus $25,329 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,043. About 14.3% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 36.4% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Wheeler County racial composition as of 2020 [16]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)4,15755.64%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)2,87538.48%
Native American 90.12%
Asian 170.23%
Other/Mixed 1411.89%
Hispanic or Latino 2723.64%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,471 people, 1,862 households, and 1,159 families residing in the county.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Wheeler County, Georgia [17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 1,64872.41%62227.33%60.26%
2020 1,58369.28%68930.15%130.57%
2016 1,42167.60%64630.73%351.67%
2012 1,36663.09%77235.66%271.25%
2008 1,40863.60%79435.86%120.54%
2004 1,19258.03%84741.24%150.73%
2000 81351.62%75247.75%100.63%
1996 46033.90%75155.34%14610.76%
1992 60135.37%88051.80%21812.83%
1988 70951.64%65847.92%60.44%
1984 83351.84%77448.16%00.00%
1980 55025.16%1,59973.15%371.69%
1976 34419.98%1,37880.02%00.00%
1972 1,09378.80%29421.20%00.00%
1968 25115.00%48829.17%93455.83%
1964 84946.42%98053.58%00.00%
1960 22618.90%97081.10%00.00%
1956 14913.06%99286.94%00.00%
1952 26116.94%1,28083.06%00.00%
1948 394.41%56063.28%28632.32%
1944 15122.60%51777.40%00.00%
1940 11719.02%49580.49%30.49%
1936 9413.64%59486.21%10.15%
1932 292.51%1,12797.41%10.09%
1928 10124.46%31275.54%00.00%
1924 00.00%77288.84%9711.16%
1920 10122.39%35077.61%00.00%
1916 409.03%37283.97%317.00%

See also

References

  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Wheeler County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 251. ISBN   0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 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. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  8. "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  9. "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  10. "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  11. "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  12. "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  13. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  14. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  15. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

32°07′N82°43′W / 32.12°N 82.72°W / 32.12; -82.72