Effingham County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Effingham County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. In the United States Census
of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat
of Effingham County is Springfield
.
In 2008, Effingham County was ranked as the sixth fastest-growing midsize county in the nation from 2000 to 2007 by the U.S. Census Bureau. The county had a 35.1% growth rate over that period.
Effingham County is one of the three constituent counties of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The three-county Savannah MSA is home to some 334,000 people.
, an English champion of colonial rights.
of 2000, there were 37,535 people, 13,151 households, and 10,494 families residing in the county. The population density
was 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 14,169 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.66% White
, 12.99% Black
or African American
, 0.32% Native American
, 0.45% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.52% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 13,151 households out of which 43.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.30% were married couples
living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.20% were non-families. 16.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,505, and the median income for a family was $50,351. Males had a median income of $39,238 versus $23,814 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Small businesses, such as the “Effingham Canning Company” and Potato Barrel manufacturing mills, became big businesses. The Effingham Canning Company did not last long. It was established in 1918 at the site of the former Savannah Atlanta Railroad Locomotive
Repair Shop in Springfield. This site today would be located across the road from Georgia Highway Department Maintenance Building on Georgia Highway 21, south of Springfield. A later canning company operated in the 1940s at the old elementary school grounds in Springfield.
In the early 21st century, Effingham County has had unprecedented demand for industrial locations. Interest in industrial development has been spurred by the area's high population growth, tremendous growth at the Georgia ports and the ever-growing economy of coastal Georgia. Contributors include the military, aerospace industry and a diversified manufacturing base. The Savannah area is home to Gulfstream Aerospace and Hunter Army Airfield.
The Effingham County Industrial Park has announced several new tenants since 2005. In 2007 it became the site of Portuguese-based manufacturer EFACEC Group for their flagship U.S. operations. Other businesses include the Flint River Services refrigerated storage, ValuePart distribution center, as well as expansions of several existing industries in the park. The site is ideally located on a four-lane divided highway only 10 miles (16.1 km) from Interstate 95 and within 15 miles (24.1 km) of the Georgia Ports, the Savannah International Airport and the historic City of Savannah.
The Effingham Industrial Development Authority acquired approximately 4000 acres (16.2 km²) for development. The acquisitions include a tract of approximately 200 acre (0.809372 km²) adjacent to Interstate 16 and an additional 1550 acres (6.3 km²) tract on Interstate 16 seven miles from Interstate 95. Both tracts are within 15 miles (24.1 km) of the Georgia Ports Authority, and within 10 miles (16.1 km) of the Chatham County Mega-Site (formerly known as the DaimlerChrysler site) at the strategic intersection of Interstates 95 and 16.
A potential of 10000000 square feet (929,030.4 m²) of light manufacturing and/or Distribution Center/ Warehousing space exists at this site. Another recent acquisition is the former Research Forest Tract. Approximately 2300 acres (9.3 km²) in size, this will be a “legacy” development to include commercial, executive office, heavy industrial, light industrial, professional service, research and recreational land uses. The site comprises three separate tracts of land six rail miles from the Georgia Ports Authority, with planned access to the Savannah River Parkway, Norfolk Southern mainline rail and CSX mainline rail. The property is being master planned. The development is planned to attract research and development, assembly operations, headquarters and other low-impact operations.
Industry in Effingham County includes paper manufacturing- Georgia Pacific (Savannah River Mill), high-precision turbine blade production- Doncasters, aluminum geodesic dome production- Temcor, concrete pipe manufacturing- Hanson, customized business jet interiors- Edward’s Interiors, electrical distribution power transformer production- EFACEC PT, among many others.
Effingham County is home to two highschools; Effingham County Highschool and South Effingham Country Highschool.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In the United States Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Effingham County is Springfield
Springfield, Georgia
Springfield is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,520 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Effingham County .Springfield is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
In 2008, Effingham County was ranked as the sixth fastest-growing midsize county in the nation from 2000 to 2007 by the U.S. Census Bureau. The county had a 35.1% growth rate over that period.
Effingham County is one of the three constituent counties of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area
Savannah metropolitan area
The Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Georgia, anchored by the city of Savannah. As of the 2010 census, the Savannah MSA had a population of 347,611, an 18.6 percent increase from the 2000 population of ...
. The three-county Savannah MSA is home to some 334,000 people.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 482.82 square miles (1,250.5 km²), of which 479.41 square miles (1,241.7 km²) (or 99.29%) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) (or 0.70%) is water.History
Effingham was among the original counties of the state of Georgia, created February 5, 1777 from the colonial parishes of St. Matthew and St. Phillip. Its name honors Lord EffinghamThomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham PC , styled Lord Howard until 1763, was a British nobleman and Army officer, the son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham....
, an English champion of colonial rights.
Major highways
Interstate 16Interstate 16Interstate 16 , also known as Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway or State Route 404 , is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Georgia, United States...
Interstate 95Interstate 95 in GeorgiaInterstate 95, the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States, serves the Atlantic coast of Georgia. It begins at the St. Marys River at the Florida state line north of Jacksonville and heads north past the border of South Carolina at the Savannah River...
U.S. Route 80U.S. Route 80U.S. Route 80 is an east–west United States highway, much of which was once part of the early auto trail known as the Dixie Overland Highway. As the "0" in the route number indicates, it was originally a cross-country route, from the Atlantic to the Pacific...
State Route 17
State Route 21
State Route 26
State Route 30
State Route 119
State Route 275
Adjacent counties
- Hampton County, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
(north) - Jasper County, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
(northeast) - Chatham CountyChatham County, GeorgiaChatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
(southeast) - Bryan CountyBryan County, GeorgiaBryan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 23,417. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 30,132...
(south) - Bulloch CountyBulloch County, GeorgiaBulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 69,213. The county seat is Statesboro.In...
(west) - Screven CountyScreven County, GeorgiaScreven County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 37,535 people, 13,151 households, and 10,494 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 14,169 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.66% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 12.99% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.32% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.45% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.52% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 13,151 households out of which 43.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.30% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.20% were non-families. 16.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,505, and the median income for a family was $50,351. Males had a median income of $39,238 versus $23,814 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
In the early years of the 1900s, agriculture was the mainstay of the county economy. The chief agricultural products were Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. The county farmers raised so many Irish potatoes in the early 1920s that they were shipped out numerous railroad boxcars, full of potatoes, during the summer months of those years.Small businesses, such as the “Effingham Canning Company” and Potato Barrel manufacturing mills, became big businesses. The Effingham Canning Company did not last long. It was established in 1918 at the site of the former Savannah Atlanta Railroad Locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
Repair Shop in Springfield. This site today would be located across the road from Georgia Highway Department Maintenance Building on Georgia Highway 21, south of Springfield. A later canning company operated in the 1940s at the old elementary school grounds in Springfield.
In the early 21st century, Effingham County has had unprecedented demand for industrial locations. Interest in industrial development has been spurred by the area's high population growth, tremendous growth at the Georgia ports and the ever-growing economy of coastal Georgia. Contributors include the military, aerospace industry and a diversified manufacturing base. The Savannah area is home to Gulfstream Aerospace and Hunter Army Airfield.
The Effingham County Industrial Park has announced several new tenants since 2005. In 2007 it became the site of Portuguese-based manufacturer EFACEC Group for their flagship U.S. operations. Other businesses include the Flint River Services refrigerated storage, ValuePart distribution center, as well as expansions of several existing industries in the park. The site is ideally located on a four-lane divided highway only 10 miles (16.1 km) from Interstate 95 and within 15 miles (24.1 km) of the Georgia Ports, the Savannah International Airport and the historic City of Savannah.
The Effingham Industrial Development Authority acquired approximately 4000 acres (16.2 km²) for development. The acquisitions include a tract of approximately 200 acre (0.809372 km²) adjacent to Interstate 16 and an additional 1550 acres (6.3 km²) tract on Interstate 16 seven miles from Interstate 95. Both tracts are within 15 miles (24.1 km) of the Georgia Ports Authority, and within 10 miles (16.1 km) of the Chatham County Mega-Site (formerly known as the DaimlerChrysler site) at the strategic intersection of Interstates 95 and 16.
A potential of 10000000 square feet (929,030.4 m²) of light manufacturing and/or Distribution Center/ Warehousing space exists at this site. Another recent acquisition is the former Research Forest Tract. Approximately 2300 acres (9.3 km²) in size, this will be a “legacy” development to include commercial, executive office, heavy industrial, light industrial, professional service, research and recreational land uses. The site comprises three separate tracts of land six rail miles from the Georgia Ports Authority, with planned access to the Savannah River Parkway, Norfolk Southern mainline rail and CSX mainline rail. The property is being master planned. The development is planned to attract research and development, assembly operations, headquarters and other low-impact operations.
Industry in Effingham County includes paper manufacturing- Georgia Pacific (Savannah River Mill), high-precision turbine blade production- Doncasters, aluminum geodesic dome production- Temcor, concrete pipe manufacturing- Hanson, customized business jet interiors- Edward’s Interiors, electrical distribution power transformer production- EFACEC PT, among many others.
Education
Effingham County is home to seven elementary schools; Springfield Elementary, South Effingham Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, Rincon Elementary, Marlow Elementary, Guyton Elementary, Ebenezer Elementary, and Blandford Elementary. Effingham has three middle schools; Ebenezer Middle, Effingham County Middle, and South Effingham Middle school.Effingham County is home to two highschools; Effingham County Highschool and South Effingham Country Highschool.
Cities and towns
- GuytonGuyton, GeorgiaGuyton is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 917 at the 2000 census, although a 2008 estimate by the Census Bureau places the population above 1,900. Guyton is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- RinconRincon, GeorgiaRincon is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,376 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- SpringfieldSpringfield, GeorgiaSpringfield is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,520 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Effingham County .Springfield is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- Clyo
- MeldrimMeldrim, GeorgiaMeldrim is an unincorporated community in Effingham County, Georgia, United States, located near Savannah.It is the site of a paper mill, and is noted for a 1959 railway disaster.-Notes:...