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Burke County, Georgia
Burke County Courthouse; Waynesboro, Georgia; April 16, 2011
Burke County courthouse in Waynesboro, Georgia
Map of Georgia highlighting Burke County
Location in the state of Georgia (U.S. state)
Map of the U.S
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1777
Named for Edmund Burke[1]
Seat Waynesboro
Largest city Waynesboro
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

835 sq mi (2,163 km²)
827 sq mi (2,142 km²)
8.0 sq mi (21 km²), 1.0%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

24,596
27/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 12th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website http://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. In 1779, Col. John Twiggs and Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, victoriously defended the Cause of the American Revolution at the Battle of Burke Jail. During the American Civil War, Burke County provided 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).

Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area) and was developed for large cotton plantations in the antebellum period. The county became majority African American in population, as most laborers were slaves. It continued to rely on agriculture for decades after the American Civil War.[4] In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many workers to lose their jobs.

As can be seen from the census tables below, the county lost population from 1910-1920, and from 1930-1970. Part of the outflow was related to the Great Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South and Jim Crow segregation for jobs and opportunities in the Midwest, North, and from World War II on, the West Coast. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in the North as well, 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.[5] 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, is located in the Brier Creek sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. The very northern sliver of Burke County is located in the Middle Savannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[6]

Major highways[]

  • US 25 U.S. Route 25
  • Bypass plate
    US 25 U.S. Route 25 Bypass
  • Georgia 17 State Route 17
  • Georgia 23 State Route 23
  • Georgia 24 State Route 24
  • Georgia 56 State Route 56
  • Georgia 56 Spur State Route 56 Spur
  • Georgia 78 State Route 78
  • Georgia 80 State Route 80
  • Georgia 88 State Route 88
  • Georgia 121 State Route 121
  • Georgia 121 Bypass State Route 121 Bypass
  • Georgia 305 State Route 305
  • Georgia 565 Savannah River Parkway

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
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%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[2]

2000 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,316 people residing in the county. 49.5% were 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).[11]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 8,842 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 51.00% Black or African American, 46.90% White, 0.23% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,934 households out of which 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.40% were married couples living together, 22.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the county the population was spread out with 31.30% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

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.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families residing in the county.[13] 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).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 49.5% black or African American, 47.5% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.6% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 11.0% were American, 9.3% were Irish, 5.5% were English, and 5.1% were German.[15]

Of the 8,533 households, 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 24.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age was 35.9 years.[13]

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.[16]

Politics[]

Burke County was traditionally a swing county in federal politics. It voted for the winner of the presidential election between 1984 and 2012, with the exception of the disputed 2000 election, which was won by Republican George W. Bush despite Burke voting for Democrat Al Gore. However, it was carried by Hillary Clinton, the loser of the 2016 election, and in 2020, it was narrowly flipped by Donald Trump, who ultimately lost Georgia and the nationwide election.

United States presidential election results for Burke County, Georgia[17]
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%



Education[]

Communities[]

See also[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ Cooksey, Elizabeth B. (November 11, 2011). "Burke County". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities Council. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2301. Retrieved August 8, 2012. 
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13033.html. Retrieved February 15, 2014. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  6. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/. Retrieved 2015-11-21. 
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. Retrieved June 18, 2014. 
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved June 18, 2014. 
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ga190090.txt. Retrieved June 18, 2014. 
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. Retrieved June 18, 2014. 
  11. ^ 2010 census report for Burke County, Georgia
  12. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2011-05-14. 
  13. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13033. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13033. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  15. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13033. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13033. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  • Albert M. Hillhouse. A History of Burke County, Georgia, 1777-1950. Reprint Company and Magnolia Press, 1985.

External links[]

Coordinates: 33°04′N 82°00′W / 33.06, -82.00


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Burke County, Georgia. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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