Burke County, Georgia

Burke County
County
Burke County courthouse in Waynesboro, Georgia
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°04′N82°00′W / 33.06°N 82°W / 33.06; -82
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Founded	1777;247 years ago (1777)
Named for	Edmund Burke [1]
Seat	Waynesboro
Largest city	Waynesboro
Area
• Total	835 sq mi (2,160 km2)
• Land	827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
• Water	8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.0%
Population  (2020)
• Total	24,596
• Density	27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	12th
Website	www.burkecounty-ga.gov

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. ^[2] The county seat is Waynesboro. ^[3] Burke County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan statistical area.

History

Burke County is an original county of Georgia, created February 5, 1777, and named for English political writer, Edmund Burke, a Member of Parliament in the Whig Party who favored conciliation with the colonies. ^[4] In 1779, Col. John Twiggs and brothers Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, defeated British in the Battle of Burke Jail.

Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area). During the antebellum period, it was developed by slave labor for large cotton plantations. The county was majority African American in population in this period, as slaveholders wanted high numbers of slaves for laborers to cultivate and process cotton.

The military tradition continued during the American Civil War, when Burke County provided volunteers for numerous units: the 2nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Sharpshooters), 3rd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company A (Burke Guards), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company C (Williams Volunteers), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company K (Alexander Greys), 48th Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Volunteers), Cobb's Legion Infantry company E (Poythress Volunteers), and the Cobb's Legion Cavalry Company F (Grubb's Hussars).

Agriculture continued as the basis of the economy for decades after the American Civil War, when most freedmen worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Cotton was the major commodity crop. ^[5] In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many African-American farm workers to lose their jobs.

As can be seen from the census tables below, the county lost population from 1900 to 1910, and from 1920 to 1970. Part of the decline was related to the Great Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South and Jim Crow oppression for jobs and opportunities in industrial cities of the Midwest and the North. From World War II on, primary migration destinations were West Coast cities because of the buildup of the defense industry. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in the North, in cities such as Chicago and Detroit.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835 square miles (2,160 km²), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km²) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km²) (1.0%) is water. ^[6] It is the second-largest county by area in Georgia.

The southern half of Burke County, defined by a line running along State Route 80 to Waynesboro, then southeast to east of Perkins, is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin. North of Waynesboro, and bordered on the north by a line running from Keysville southeast to Girard, the territory is part of the Brier Creek sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. The most northern sliver of Burke County is located in the Middle Savannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin. ^[7]

Major highways

• U.S. Route 25
• 
  U.S. Route 25 Bypass
• State Route 17
• State Route 23
• State Route 24
• State Route 56
• State Route 56 Spur
• State Route 78
• State Route 80
• State Route 88
• State Route 121
• State Route 121 Bypass
• State Route 305
• Savannah River Parkway

Adjacent counties

• Richmond County (north)
• Aiken County, South Carolina (northeast)
• Barnwell County, South Carolina (east-northeast)
• Allendale County, South Carolina (east)
• Screven County (southeast)
• Jenkins County (south)
• Emanuel County (southwest)
• Jefferson County (west)

Communities

Cities

• Midville
• Sardis
• Vidette
• Waynesboro (county seat)

Towns

• Girard
• Keysville

Unincorporated communities

• Drone
• Gough

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	9,467		—
1800	9,504		0.4%
1810	10,858		14.2%
1820	11,577		6.6%
1830	11,833		2.2%
1840	13,176		11.3%
1850	16,100		22.2%
1860	17,165		6.6%
1870	17,679		3.0%
1880	27,128		53.4%
1890	28,501		5.1%
1900	30,165		5.8%
1910	27,268		−9.6%
1920	30,836		13.1%
1930	29,224		−5.2%
1940	26,520		−9.3%
1950	23,458		−11.5%
1960	20,596		−12.2%
1970	18,255		−11.4%
1980	19,349		6.0%
1990	20,579		6.4%
2000	22,243		8.1%
2010	23,316		4.8%
2020	24,596		5.5%
2023 (est.)	24,438	[8]	−0.6%
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]

Burke County, Georgia – Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
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	Pop 2010 [17]	Pop 2020 [18]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	10,844	11,941	46.51%	48.55%
Black or African American alone (NH)	11,469	10,957	49.19%	44.55%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	47	45	0.20%	0.18%
Asian alone (NH)	68	97	0.29%	0.39%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	20	10	0.09%	0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	11	66	0.05%	0.27%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	240	703	1.03%	2.86%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	617	777	2.65%	3.16%
Total	23,316	24,596	100.00%	100.00%

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 24,596 people, 8,193 households, and 5,939 families residing in the county. In 2010, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families living in the county. ^[19] The population density was 28.2 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km²). There were 9,865 housing units at an average density of 11.9 per square mile (4.6/km²). ^[20] At the 2000 census, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families living in the county. ^[21]

Among the county population in 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 48.55% non-Hispanic white, 44.55% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.27% some other race, 2.86% multiracial, and 3.16% Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[18] In contrast, in 2010 49.5% of the county population was Black or African American, 47.5% White, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). ^[22] The racial makeup of the county in 2000 was 51.0% Black or African American, 46.9% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In terms of ancestry as of 2010, 49.5% had some African ancestry, 11.0% identified as of American, 9.3% were Irish, 5.5% were English, and 5.1% were German. ^[23]

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $33,155 and the median income for a family was $41,659. Males had a median income of $37,061 versus $24,952 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 20.0% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over. ^[24] In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $27,877, and the median income for a family was $31,660. Males had a median income of $29,992 and females had an income of $19,008. The per capita income for the county was $13,136. About 23.80% of families and 28.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.00% of those under age 18 and 29.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Main article: Waynesboro, Georgia § Education

Politics

Burke County was traditionally a swing county in federal politics, voting for the winner in every presidential election from 1984 and 2012 except 2000 (when Republican George W. Bush won the presidency while losing the county to Democrat Al Gore). However, the county has not voted for a winning candidate since 2012; it supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Republican Donald Trump in 2020, despite both candidates losing the state of Georgia and the electoral college.

United States presidential election results for Burke County, Georgia ^[25]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	5,400	50.54%	5,208	48.74%	77	0.72%
2016	4,491	47.73%	4,731	50.28%	188	2.00%
2012	4,301	43.92%	5,405	55.19%	87	0.89%
2008	4,344	45.08%	5,233	54.30%	60	0.62%
2004	4,232	49.86%	4,213	49.64%	42	0.49%
2000	3,381	47.39%	3,720	52.14%	34	0.48%
1996	2,590	37.47%	3,915	56.63%	408	5.90%
1992	2,390	34.84%	3,647	53.17%	822	11.98%
1988	2,988	50.89%	2,861	48.72%	23	0.39%
1984	3,137	50.08%	3,127	49.92%	0	0.00%
1980	1,871	37.49%	3,047	61.05%	73	1.46%
1976	1,565	34.18%	3,014	65.82%	0	0.00%
1972	2,846	72.90%	1,058	27.10%	0	0.00%
1968	1,416	28.93%	1,676	34.25%	1,802	36.82%
1964	3,034	71.52%	1,208	28.48%	0	0.00%
1960	1,027	46.92%	1,162	53.08%	0	0.00%
1956	721	35.68%	1,300	64.32%	0	0.00%
1952	932	44.55%	1,160	55.45%	0	0.00%
1948	111	7.42%	357	23.86%	1,028	68.72%
1944	153	14.41%	909	85.59%	0	0.00%
1940	42	3.90%	1,029	95.54%	6	0.56%
1936	51	4.66%	1,040	95.06%	3	0.27%
1932	18	3.45%	498	95.40%	6	1.15%
1928	260	27.46%	687	72.54%	0	0.00%
1924	76	14.05%	449	82.99%	16	2.96%
1920	39	9.15%	387	90.85%	0	0.00%
1916	14	1.98%	673	95.33%	19	2.69%
1912	22	4.55%	440	90.91%	22	4.55%
1908	193	24.68%	519	66.37%	70	8.95%
1904	52	6.89%	657	87.02%	46	6.09%
1900	157	20.13%	620	79.49%	3	0.38%
1896	193	11.83%	1,414	86.70%	24	1.47%
1892	83	3.92%	1,322	62.39%	714	33.70%
1888	248	26.61%	684	73.39%	0	0.00%
1884	895	58.50%	558	36.47%	77	5.03%
1880	2,114	68.26%	983	31.74%	0	0.00%

See also

• State of Georgia portal

• Central Savannah River Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Burke County, Georgia
• List of counties in Georgia

References

1. Cooksey, Elizabeth B. (November 11, 2011). "Burke County". New Georgia Encyclopedia . Georgia Humanities Council. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
2. "Census - Geography Profile: Burke County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 26, 2022.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 29. ISBN   0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
5. CSRARC
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 21, 2015.
8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
9. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
10. "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 1880.
11. "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 1910.
12. "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 1930.
13. "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 1940.
14. "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 1950.
15. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 1980.
16. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau . 2000.
17. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Burke County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau .
18. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Burke County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau .
19. "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 27, 2015.
20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
22. 2010 census report for Burke County, Georgia
23. "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 27, 2015.
24. "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 27, 2015.
25. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 14, 2020.

External links

• Albert M. Hillhouse. A History of Burke County, Georgia, 1777-1950. Reprint Company and Magnolia Press, 1985.
• Burke County Official Website
• Edmund Burke Academy
• Burke County Chamber of Commerce
• Burke County historical marker
• Botsford Church historical marker

33°04′N82°00′W / 33.06°N 82.00°W / 33.06; -82.00