Whitfield County, Georgia

Last updated

Whitfield County
Whitfield County Courthouse (Dalton, Georgia) in October 2013.jpg
Whitfield County Courthouse in October 2013
Flag of Whitfield County, Georgia.png
Seal of Whitfield County, Georgia.png
Map of Georgia highlighting Whitfield County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia in United States.svg
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°48′N84°58′W / 34.80°N 84.97°W / 34.80; -84.97
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg  Georgia
FoundedDecember 30, 1851;173 years ago (1851)
Named for George Whitefield
Seat Dalton
Largest cityDalton
Area
  Total
291 sq mi (750 km2)
  Land290. sq mi (750 km2)
  Water0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
102,864
  Density355/sq mi (137/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 14th
Website whitfieldcountyga.com

Whitfield County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census shows a population of 102,864. [1] The county seat is Dalton. [2] The county was created on December 30, 1851, and named after George Whitefield, Methodist evangelist. [3] The "e" was omitted to reflect the pronunciation of his name.

Contents

Whitfield County is part of the Dalton metropolitan area, Georgia, which is also included in the Chattanooga–Cleveland–Dalton combined statistical area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 291 square miles (750 km2), of which 290 square miles (750 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.2%) is water. [4] The majority of Whitfield County is located in the Conasauga River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a part of the western edge of the county is located in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. A very small portion of the southern edge of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin in the larger ACT River Basin. [5]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Transportation

Major highways

Pedestrians and cycling

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860 10,047
1870 10,1170.7%
1880 11,90017.6%
1890 12,9168.5%
1900 14,50912.3%
1910 15,9349.8%
1920 16,8976.0%
1930 20,80823.1%
1940 26,10525.5%
1950 34,43231.9%
1960 42,10922.3%
1970 55,10830.9%
1980 65,78919.4%
1990 72,46210.1%
2000 83,52515.3%
2010 102,59922.8%
2020 102,8640.3%
2023 (est.)103,687 [6] 0.8%
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] 2020 [16]

2020 census

Whitfield County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [17] Pop 2010 [15] Pop 2020 [16] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)60,33863,81857,87572.24%62.20%56.26%
Black or African American alone (NH)3,0663,6313,5533.67%3.54%3.45%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1811801820.22%0.18%0.18%
Asian alone (NH)7361,2921,3940.88%1.26%1.36%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)2529190.03%0.03%0.02%
Other race alone (NH)82963040.10%0.09%0.30%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)6781,0822,6210.81%1.05%2.55%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)18,41932,47136,91622.05%31.65%35.89%
Total83,525102,599102,864100.00%100.00%100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 102,864 people, 34,518 households, and 25,351 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 102,599 people, 35,180 households, and 26,090 families residing in the county. [18] The population density was 353.2 inhabitants per square mile (136.4/km2). There were 39,899 housing units at an average density of 137.4 per square mile (53.1/km2). [19] The racial makeup of the county was 76.6% white, 3.7% black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.6% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.0% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 31.6% of the population. [18] In terms of ancestry, 12.1% were American, 11.0% were Irish, 8.4% were English, and 7.5% were German. [20]

Of the 35,180 households, 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.8% were non-families, and 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.36. The median age was 34.0 years. [18]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,345 and the median income for a family was $48,991. Males had a median income of $34,150 versus $27,315 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,780. About 15.6% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over. [21]

2000 census

As of the 2000 Census, there were 29,385 households, out of which 36.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.60% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,377, and the median income for a family was $44,652. Males had a median income of $30,122 versus $23,709 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,515. About 8.60% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Whitfield County Schools

High schools

Middle schools

  • Eastbrook Middle School
  • New Hope Middle School
  • North Whitfield Middle School
  • Valley Point Middle School
  • Westside Middle School

Elementary schools

  • Antioch Elementary School
  • Beaverdale Elementary School
  • Cedar Ridge Elementary School
  • Cohutta Elementary School
  • Dawnville Elementary School
  • Dug Gap Elementary School
  • Eastside Elementary School
  • New Hope Elementary School
  • Pleasant Grove Elementary School
  • Tunnel Hill Elementary School
  • Valley Point Elementary School
  • Varnell Elementary School
  • Westside Elementary School

Alternative schools

Dalton Public Schools

High schools

Middle schools

  • Dalton Middle School

Elementary schools

  • Brookwood Elementary
  • Blue Ridge Elementary
  • City Park Elementary
  • Park Creek Elementary
  • Roan Elementary
  • Westwood Elementary

Private schools

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated community

Politics

United States presidential election results for Whitfield County, Georgia [22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 28,65571.75%10,95327.43%3300.83%
2020 25,64469.75%10,68029.05%4421.20%
2016 21,53769.98%7,93725.79%1,3024.23%
2012 19,30571.58%7,21026.74%4531.68%
2008 19,23069.20%8,16729.39%3941.42%
2004 19,29773.10%6,93326.26%1690.64%
2000 15,85268.03%7,03430.19%4161.79%
1996 12,36856.69%7,72035.39%1,7297.93%
1992 12,00353.97%7,33532.98%2,90113.04%
1988 12,76173.12%4,61826.46%720.41%
1984 11,95769.35%5,28430.65%00.00%
1980 6,40438.96%9,69158.95%3442.09%
1976 4,49830.04%10,47569.96%00.00%
1972 8,59181.46%1,95518.54%00.00%
1968 4,82841.95%2,72623.69%3,95434.36%
1964 4,54638.27%7,33061.70%40.03%
1960 4,14853.51%3,60446.49%00.00%
1956 4,20549.65%4,26450.35%00.00%
1952 2,79537.49%4,66162.51%00.00%
1948 1,24923.17%3,41963.42%72313.41%
1944 1,03226.74%2,82773.26%00.00%
1940 99123.83%3,16276.03%60.14%
1936 87726.05%2,48173.69%90.27%
1932 48316.59%2,38481.87%451.55%
1928 1,65058.84%1,15441.16%00.00%
1924 66833.47%1,23661.92%924.61%
1920 1,07358.47%76241.53%00.00%
1916 160.88%1,09360.19%70738.93%
1912 1027.74%77258.62%44333.64%
1908 77552.97%58640.05%1026.97%
1904 42733.49%56944.63%27921.88%
1900 41236.69%58752.27%12411.04%
1896 49434.31%85759.51%896.18%
1892 26415.81%1,02161.14%38523.05%
1888 42131.89%83763.41%624.70%
1884 57039.23%88360.77%00.00%
1880 17215.94%90784.06%00.00%

Like much of the rest of Georgia, Whitfield County was strongly Democratic in the early 20th century, albeit less so than other parts of the state; it went Republican for William Howard Taft in 1908, Warren G. Harding in 1920 and for Herbert Hoover in 1928. The three Republicans would lose Georgia but win their respective national elections.

Despite being strongly Democratic through Franklin D. Roosevelt's four elections and in the subsequent two, the county only narrowly went for Democrat Adlai Stevenson II in 1956 and flipped Republican for Richard Nixon in 1960. It would flip back to the Democrats and Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, even as Barry Goldwater would become the first Republican to ever carry the state of Georgia in a presidential election. However, it would be one of the last hurrahs for the Democratic Party in Whitfield County; Hubert Humphrey would finish third here in 1968 behind Richard Nixon and third-party candidate George Wallace, and it would give Nixon over 80% of the vote in 1972. It snapped back Democratic for native Georgian Jimmy Carter in 1976 and 1980, but this would be the final time it voted Democratic at the presidential level. It has become a safely Republican area throughout the remainder of the 20th century and into the 21st.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Clay County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,848, making it the fourth-least populous county in Georgia. The county seat is Fort Gaines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crawford County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Crawford County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 Census, the population was 23,056. Its county seat is Steelville. The county was organized in 1829 and is named after U.S. Senator William H. Crawford of Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walker County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Walker County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,654, down from 68,756 in 2010. The county seat is LaFayette. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Towns County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Towns County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,493. Its county seat is Hiawassee. The county was created on March 6, 1856, and named for lawyer, legislator, and politician George W. Towns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulding County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Paulding County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. Part of Metro Atlanta, it had an estimated population of 168,661 in 2020. The county seat is Dallas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murray County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Murray County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,973. The county seat is Chatsworth. Murray County is part of the Dalton, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton, TN-GA-AL Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habersham County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Habersham County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,031. The county seat is Clarkesville. The county was created on December 15, 1818, and named for Colonel Joseph Habersham of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Gordon County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 57,544. The county seat is Calhoun. Gordon County comprises the Calhoun, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta–Athens-Clarke County–Sandy Springs, GA-AL CSA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Franklin County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,424. The county seat is Carnesville. On February 25, 1784, Franklin and Washington became Georgia's eighth and ninth counties, with Franklin named in honor of patriot Benjamin Franklin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floyd County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Floyd County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 98,584. The county seat is Rome. Floyd County comprises the Rome, Georgia metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fannin County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Fannin County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,319. It is one of the most rural counties in Georgia due its location in the Appalachian Mountain Range, with about 90% of the population of Fannin County living in unincorporated lands. The county seat and largest city is Blue Ridge. The county was created on January 21, 1854, and is named after James Fannin, a veteran who fought in the Texas Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dade County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Dade County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. It occupies the northwest corner of Georgia, and the county's own northwest corner is the westernmost point in the state. As of the 2020 census, the population is 16,251. The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Trenton. Dade County is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1860, residents of Dade County voted to secede from the state of Georgia and from the United States, but no government outside the county ever recognized this gesture as legal. In 1945, the county symbolically "rejoined" Georgia and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherokee County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Cherokee County is located in the US state of Georgia. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 266,620. The county seat is Canton. The county Board of Commissioners is the governing body, with members elected to office. Cherokee County is included in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chattooga County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Chattooga County is a county in the Northwest region 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. Chattooga County comprises the Summerville, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Rome-Summerville Combined Statistical Area. Summerville is the site of the Chattooga County Courthouse. The county is home to several properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catoosa County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Catoosa County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. According to 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burke County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Burke County is a county located along the eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia in the Piedmont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,596. The county seat is Waynesboro. Burke County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barrow County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Barrow County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, its population was 83,505. Its county seat is Winder. Barrow County is included in the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinings, Georgia</span> Place in Georgia, United States

Vinings is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Cobb County, Georgia, United States that runs along the Chattahoochee River bank across from Buckhead. As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a total population of 12,581. Located next to the affluent Paces section of Buckhead in northwest Atlanta, Vinings is known for its historic sites, shopping districts, proximity to local freeways and The Battery, and nearby nature areas. The United States Postal Service assigns "Atlanta" to the ZIP Code (30339) that includes Vinings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dalton, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Dalton is a city and the county seat of Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is also the principal city of the Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Murray and Whitfield counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varnell, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Varnell is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,179 at the 2020 census.

References

  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Whitfield 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. 253. 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 19, 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. 1 2 "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Whitfield County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  16. 1 2 "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Whitfield County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  17. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Whitfield County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  19. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  20. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  21. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.