Harris County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Harris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat
is Hamilton
. The County courthouse
was designed by Edward Columbus Hosford
.
It is part of the Columbus
, Georgia
-Alabama
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
erected in 1954 by the Georgia Historical Commission
reads as follows: "This county, created by Acts of the Legislature December 14, 1827, is named for Charles Harris, eminent Savannah jurist. Born in England and educated in France, he served Savannah as alderman or mayor for 20 years, refusing higher offices. The first Courthouse was built in 1831 and the present one in 1908. First election was held 1828. First county officers were: Sheriff Lewis Wynn, Superior Court Clerk Clark Blandford, Inferior Court Clerk Josiah W. Batchelder, Surveyor Absalom Beddell, Coroner F.A.B. Wheeler, Tax Receiver Burrell Blackmon, and Tax Collector John D. Johnson."
of 2000, there were 23,695 people, 8,822 households, and 6,987 families residing in the county. The population density
was 51 people per square mile (20/km²). There were 10,288 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.43% White
, 19.47% Black
or African American
, 0.36% Native American
, 0.51% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.34% from other races
, and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 8,822 households out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples
living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.80% were non-families. 17.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,763, and the median income for a family was $54,834. Males had a median income of $37,955 versus $27,095 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,680. About 6.50% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over.
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....
is Hamilton
Hamilton, Georgia
Hamilton is a city in and the county seat of Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The County courthouse
Harris County Courthouse (Georgia)
The Harris County Courthouse is an historic courthouse building located in Hamilton, Georgia. Built in 1908, it was designed by Georgia-born American architect Edward Columbus Hosford, who is noted for the courthouses and other buildings that he designed in Florida, Georgia and Texas...
was designed by Edward Columbus Hosford
Edward Columbus Hosford
Edward Columbus Hosford, also known as Edward C. Hosford and E. C. Hosford, was a Georgia-born American architect noted for the courthouses and other buildings that he designed in Florida, Georgia and Texas....
.
It is part of the Columbus
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
, 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...
-Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
The Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama, anchored by the city of Columbus...
.
History
A historic marker in front of the Harris County CourthouseHarris County Courthouse (Georgia)
The Harris County Courthouse is an historic courthouse building located in Hamilton, Georgia. Built in 1908, it was designed by Georgia-born American architect Edward Columbus Hosford, who is noted for the courthouses and other buildings that he designed in Florida, Georgia and Texas...
erected in 1954 by the Georgia Historical Commission
Georgia Historical Commission
The Georgia Historical Commission was an organization created by the U.S. state of Georgia for purposes of historic preservation. The Georgia legislature created the commission in February 1951 to promote and increase knowledge and understanding of the history of Georgia...
reads as follows: "This county, created by Acts of the Legislature December 14, 1827, is named for Charles Harris, eminent Savannah jurist. Born in England and educated in France, he served Savannah as alderman or mayor for 20 years, refusing higher offices. The first Courthouse was built in 1831 and the present one in 1908. First election was held 1828. First county officers were: Sheriff Lewis Wynn, Superior Court Clerk Clark Blandford, Inferior Court Clerk Josiah W. Batchelder, Surveyor Absalom Beddell, Coroner F.A.B. Wheeler, Tax Receiver Burrell Blackmon, and Tax Collector John D. Johnson."
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 472.93 square miles (1,224.9 km²), of which 463.69 square miles (1,201 km²) (or 98.05%) is land and 9.24 square miles (23.9 km²) (or 1.95%) is water.Major highways
Interstate 85Interstate 85Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
Interstate 185Interstate 185 (Georgia)Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S...
U.S. Highway 27
U.S. Route 27 Alternate
State Route 1
State Route 18
State Route 85
State Route 103
State Route 116
State Route 190
Adjacent counties
- Troup CountyTroup County, GeorgiaTroup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 67,044. The county seat is LaGrange.-History:...
(north) - Meriwether CountyMeriwether County, GeorgiaMeriwether County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 22,534. The 2009 Census Estimate reflects a population of 22,783...
(northeast) - Talbot CountyTalbot County, GeorgiaTalbot County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census showed a population of 6,498. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 6,355. The county seat is Talbotton.-History:...
(east) - Muscogee CountyMuscogee County, GeorgiaMuscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 186,291. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 190,414...
(south) - Lee CountyLee County, AlabamaLee County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Confederate Army. As of 2010 the population was 140,247. It is part of the Auburn, Alabama Metropolitan Area. The county seat is Opelika, and the largest city is Auburn...
, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
(southwest) - Chambers CountyChambers County, AlabamaChambers County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Henry H. Chambers, who served as a United States Senator from Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 34,215. Its county seat is Lafayette...
, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
(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 23,695 people, 8,822 households, and 6,987 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 51 people per square mile (20/km²). There were 10,288 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.43% 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...
, 19.47% 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...
, 0.36% 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...
, 0.51% 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...
, 0.34% 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 0.87% from two or more races. 1.10% 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 8,822 households out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% 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, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.80% were non-families. 17.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,763, and the median income for a family was $54,834. Males had a median income of $37,955 versus $27,095 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 $21,680. About 6.50% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- CataulaCataula, GeorgiaCataula is an unincorporated town in Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town's namesake is thought to originate from a Creek Indian word which means either Big Rock or Dead Mulberry.-Geography:Cataula is located at...
(unincorporated) - EllerslieEllerslie, GeorgiaEllerslie is an unincorporated town in Harris County, Georgia, United States. Ellerslie is a part of the columbus, georgia- metropolitan statistical area.-Notes:...
(unincorporated) - HamiltonHamilton, GeorgiaHamilton is a city in and the county seat of Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Mountain Hill (unincorporated)
- Mulberry Grove (unincorporated)
- Pine Mountain
- Pine Mountain Valley (unincorporated)
- Rehobeth (unincorporated)
- Ridgeway (unincorporated)
- ShilohShiloh, Harris County, GeorgiaShiloh is a city in Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia–Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 423 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Shiloh is located at ....
- Waverly HallWaverly Hall, GeorgiaWaverly Hall is a town in Harris County, Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 709 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waverly Hall is located at ....
- West PointWest Point, GeorgiaWest Point is a town in Troup County, with a small tail of the south end of town in Harris County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town had a total population of just 3,382 people...
- Whitesville (unincorporated)
See also
See also
- Columbus Enquirer Archive Digital Library of Georgia
- Harris CountyHarris County, TexasAs of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... - USNS Harris County (T-LST-822)USNS Harris County (T-LST-822)USNS Harris County was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for counties in Georgia and Texas, she was the only U.S...