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Irwin County, Georgia
Irwin County Courthouse (East face)
Irwin County Courthouse, Ocilla
Map of Georgia highlighting Irwin County
Location in the state of Georgia (U.S. state)
Map of the U.S
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded December 15, 1818; 205 years ago (1818-12-15)
Seat Ocilla
Largest city Ocilla
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

363 sq mi (940 km²)
354 sq mi (917 km²)
8.4 sq mi (22 km²), 2.3%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

9,666
27/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 8th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.ocillachamber.net/

Irwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,666.[1] The county seat is Ocilla.[2] The county was created on December 15, 1818. It was named for Governor Jared Irwin.[3]

In the last years of the American Civil War, Irwin County gained the nickname of the Republic of Irwin due to the Unionism of many of its residents.[4] The location where Jefferson Davis was captured [1] is located in Irwin County near Irwinville.

History[]

The territories of Appling, Irwin, and Early counties were land newly ceded in 1814 and 1818. These counties were created by a legislative act on December 15, 1818. All or portions of Irwin's five adjacent counties were created from Irwin county along with all of Cook, Colquitt, Lanier, Lowndes, counties and portions of Atkinson, Brooks, Echols, Wilcox, and Worth counties. Irwin was divided into 16 districts of 20 miles and 10 chains square with lots of 70 chains square containing 490 acres according to the Act of 1818. In 1820 each lot was priced at $18, but by 1831 the price was down to $5 per lot.[5]

At the time of the 1820 census, when it included much of central south Georgia, Irwin County had a white population of 372 whites and 39 slaves. In 1825, Lowndes County was formed out of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, and 16th land districts in what was then the southern half of the county. In 1830, the county had 1,066 whites, 109 slaves, and 5 free people of color. In 1840, Irwin County had 1,772 whites and 266 slaves. In 1850. Irwin County had 2,874 whites, 459 slaves, and 1 free person of color. In 1853, Worth County was formed out of part of Irwin County. In 1854, Coffee County was also formed from Irwin. In 1860, Irwin County had 1,453 whites and 246 slaves. It was one of a few counties in Georgia outside of mountainous northern Georgia with slaves accounting for a small percentage of its population.

Civil War[]

During the American Civil War, like the United States in general, Irwin County was also ideologically divided. The county was one of the poorest at the time in Georgia. It was home to a number of Southern Unionists who opposed secession and the Confederacy. The county also provided several regiments to the Confederate Army including:

  • Company F "Irwin Volunteers", 49th Regiment Georgia Infantry.

In May 1863, several companies of Duncan Lamont Clinch Jr's Fourth Georgia Cavalry were charged with searching Irwin County for deserters. They spent a month searching the county, but were only able to find twenty-two deserters on May 22, the day they arrived. The deserters were sent to Savannah for enlistment or prosecution.[6]

A prominent Unionist in the county was Willis Jackson Bone. He lived west of Irwinville, near the Alapaha River. He was a miller and operated a steam-powered mill on what was then Bones Pond and presently Crystal Lake. Because he was a gristmill operator, Bone was exempt from conscription. During the Civil War, he helped a number of escaped slaves, Confederate deserters, and escaped Union prisoners hide in the swamps along the river. In February 1865, Bone and a large assembly of others gathered in Irwinville. Those assembled declared Irwin County part of the Union again. A lieutenant of the local militia protested the action, but was knocked down with a musket by Bone. Three cheers for Abraham Lincoln followed. The assembly then took after the lieutenant and the enrolling officer Gideon Brown. They and other Confederate sympathizers were chased out of town and threatened with death if they should return.[7][8] Willis Jackson Bone was hanged near his pond in late April 1865 after he killed a local justice of the peace named Jack Walker while Bone was bringing food to an escaped slave named Toney. Walker had tried to take Toney into custody.[9]

A few months later, Irwinville became the site of the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Davis was on his way from the capital of the Confederacy at Richmond, Virginia to board a ship with his family and flee to safety in England, Davis stopped at a hotel in Irwinville owned by Doctor G.E. White on the evening of May 9, 1865. There he conversed and socialized with the locals and no one had suspected that they were in the presence of a man of such esteem. Davis and his family moved to an encampment beside a nearby creek bed only a couple of miles from the hotel after they were done talking with the citizens of Irwinville and sometime in the early morning of May 10, the encampment was alarmed by the sound of gunfire. Davis tried to escape towards the creek wearing an overcoat and his wife had tied her scarf around his shoulders, but members of the First Wisconsin and Fourth Michigan Cavalry Regiments captured him. He was taken to Fortress Monroe, Virginia and held for two years.[10] The location is now the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (940 km2), of which 354 square miles (920 km2) is land and 8.4 square miles (22 km2) (2.3%) is water.[11]

The majority and entire central and western portion of Irwin County, bordered by a line running southeast from Fitzgerald, is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The eastern corner of the county is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin[12]

Major highways[]

  • US 129 U.S. Route 129
  • US 319 U.S. Route 319
  • Georgia 11 State Route 11
  • Georgia 32 State Route 32
  • Georgia 35 State Route 35
  • Georgia 90 State Route 90
  • Georgia 107 State Route 107
  • Georgia 125 State Route 125
  • Georgia 158 State Route 158
  • Georgia 206 State Route 206

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1820 411
1830 1,180 187.1%
1840 2,038 72.7%
1850 3,334 63.6%
1860 1,699 −49.0%
1870 1,837 8.1%
1880 2,696 46.8%
1890 6,316 134.3%
1900 13,645 116.0%
1910 10,461 −23.3%
1920 12,670 21.1%
1930 12,199 −3.7%
1940 12,936 6.0%
1950 11,973 −7.4%
1960 9,211 −23.1%
1970 8,036 −12.8%
1980 8,988 11.8%
1990 8,649 −3.8%
2000 9,931 14.8%
2010 9,538 −4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2020[17]

2000 census[]

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 9,931 people, 3,644 households, and 2,696 families living in the county. The population density was 28 inhabitants per square mile (11 /km2). There were 4,149 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.98% White, 25.88% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,644 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.80% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,257, and the median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of $28,827 versus $20,532 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,867. About 13.50% of families and 17.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 9,538 people, 3,495 households, and 2,475 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 26.9 inhabitants per square mile (10.4 /km2). There were 4,033 housing units at an average density of 11.4 per square mile (4.4 /km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 71.4% white, 25.9% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 16.4% were American, 13.1% were English, and 9.3% were Irish.[21]

Of the 3,495 households, 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.2% were non-families, and 25.8% of all 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 38.8 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,376 and the median income for a family was $51,262. Males had a median income of $40,070 versus $23,786 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,561. About 14.9% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.[22]

2020 census[]

Irwin County racial composition[23]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 6,402 66.23%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,224 23.01%
Native American 15 0.16%
Asian 119 1.23%
Pacific Islander 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed 242 2.5%
Hispanic or Latino 663 6.86%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,666 people, 3,329 households, and 2,090 families residing in the county.

Communities[]

City[]

  • Ocilla

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Irwinville
  • Mystic
  • Waterloo
  • Wray

Politics[]

United States presidential election results for Irwin County, Georgia[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,134 75.19% 1,008 24.18% 26 0.62%
2016 2,716 74.01% 891 24.28% 63 1.72%
2012 2,538 68.34% 1,141 30.72% 35 0.94%
2008 2,605 67.84% 1,197 31.17% 38 0.99%
2004 2,347 68.67% 1,051 30.75% 20 0.59%
2000 1,720 60.31% 1,105 38.74% 27 0.95%
1996 1,085 42.72% 1,225 48.23% 230 9.06%
1992 973 34.50% 1,366 48.44% 481 17.06%
1988 1,226 57.00% 918 42.68% 7 0.33%
1984 1,330 59.51% 905 40.49% 0 0.00%
1980 1,056 40.12% 1,555 59.08% 21 0.80%
1976 561 21.80% 2,012 78.20% 0 0.00%
1972 1,851 84.68% 335 15.32% 0 0.00%
1968 430 15.03% 475 16.61% 1,955 68.36%
1964 2,017 73.16% 740 26.84% 0 0.00%
1960 352 17.80% 1,625 82.20% 0 0.00%
1956 312 16.72% 1,554 83.28% 0 0.00%
1952 516 25.92% 1,475 74.08% 0 0.00%
1948 146 10.77% 946 69.82% 263 19.41%
1944 259 23.10% 862 76.90% 0 0.00%
1940 197 16.95% 962 82.79% 3 0.26%
1936 110 9.64% 1,025 89.83% 6 0.53%
1932 22 1.53% 1,416 98.40% 1 0.07%
1928 162 15.01% 917 84.99% 0 0.00%
1924 35 10.80% 268 82.72% 21 6.48%
1920 114 17.84% 525 82.16% 0 0.00%
1916 31 5.56% 503 90.14% 24 4.30%
1912 6 1.25% 428 89.35% 45 9.39%
1908 174 29.39% 388 65.54% 30 5.07%
1904 342 31.12% 658 59.87% 99 9.01%
1900 583 44.78% 700 53.76% 19 1.46%
1896 486 42.82% 626 55.15% 23 2.03%
1892 43 5.96% 551 76.32% 128 17.73%
1888 31 11.23% 245 88.77% 0 0.00%
1884 36 10.71% 300 89.29% 0 0.00%
1880 0 0.00% 235 100.00% 0 0.00%



See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Irwin County, Georgia

References[]

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Irwin County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. https://data.census.gov/profile/Irwin_County,_Georgia?g=0500000US13155. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off.. pp. 166. https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ. 
  4. ^ Wetherington, Mark V. (2005). Plain Folk's Fight: The Civil War and Reconstruction in Piney Woods Georgia. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Press. pp. 239–241. ISBN 9780807877043. https://books.google.com/books?id=f6RgeIx4ALwC&q=%22Republic+of+Irwin%22. 
  5. ^ Huxford, Folks (1978). The History of Brooks County 1858-1948. pp. 10. ISBN 0871522845. 
  6. ^ Williams, David; Williams, Teresa Crisp; Carlson, David (2002). Plain Folks in a Rich Man's War: Class and Dissent in Confederate Georgia. University Press of Florida. p. 171. ISBN 0813028361. 
  7. ^ Williams, David; Williams, Teresa Crisp; Carlson, David (2002). Plain Folks in a Rich Man's War: Class and Dissent in Confederate Georgia. University Press of Florida. pp. 183–184. ISBN 0813028361. 
  8. ^ "Disgraceful". Albany Patriot (Albany, Georgia). 23 February 1865. http://sgnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/view?docId=bookreader/alp/alp1865/alp1865-0010.mets.xml;query=deserter;brand=sgnewspapers-brand#page/n0/mode/1up. 
  9. ^ Clements, James Bagley. The History of Irwinville. pp. 133–138. http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/topic/news/books/icgh.pdf. 
  10. ^ Clements, James Bagley. The History of Irwinville. pp. 138–141. http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/topic/news/books/icgh.pdf. 
  11. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html. 
  12. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/. 
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  15. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ga190090.txt. 
  16. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  17. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13155.html. 
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  19. ^ 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/DPDP1/0500000US13155. 
  20. ^ "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.CY07/0500000US13155. 
  21. ^ "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/DP02/0500000US13155. 
  22. ^ "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/DP03/0500000US13155. 
  23. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US13155&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 31°36′N 83°16′W / 31.60, -83.27


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Irwin 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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