Johnson County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. As of 2000, the population was 8,560. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,533. The county seat
is Wrightsville
.
Johnson County is part of the Dublin
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
, Laurens
and Washington
counties. Johnson County was named for Georgia governor, senator, and unsuccessful U.S. vice-presidential candidate Herschel Vespasian Johnson
.
of 2000, there were 8,560 people, 3,130 households, and 2,241 families residing in the county. The population density
was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 3,634 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.44% White
, 36.96% Black
or African American
, 0.13% Native American
, 0.12% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,130 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% were married couples
living together, 18.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.10% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,848, and the median income for a family was $29,663. Males had a median income of $28,952 versus $18,171 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,384. About 20.90% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 30.90% of those age 65 or over.
The county is part of the Dublin Judicial Circuit along with Twiggs County, Treutlen County, and Laurens County.
The county's public schools are located in Wrightsville. The school mascot is the Trojan; and the school colors are blue and white. The school fight song is the theme from the movie Hang 'Em High
.
, a Johnson County native, played on the county's only state championship football team in 1979.
Walker went on to play for the University of Georgia
and won the Heisman Trophy
. In 2004 Johnson County High School named its football field for Walker.
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...
. As of 2000, the population was 8,560. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,533. The county 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....
is Wrightsville
Wrightsville, Georgia
Wrightsville is a city in Johnson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,223 at the 2000 census. It was established February 23, 1886. It was named for James B. Wright, one of the members of the committee responsible for selecting the site for the town...
.
Johnson County is part of the Dublin
Dublin, Georgia
Dublin is a city in Laurens County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 16,201. The city is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:The original settlement was named after the city Dublin, Ireland....
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Dublin micropolitan area
The Dublin Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Georgia, anchored by the city of Dublin....
.
History
Johnson county was created by the Georgia legislature December 11, 1858 from parts of EmanuelEmanuel County, Georgia
Emanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469. The county seat is Swainsboro.-History:...
, Laurens
Laurens County, Georgia
Laurens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2000, the population was 44,874. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 47,520...
and Washington
Washington County, Georgia
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on February 25, 1784. As of 2000, the population was 21,176. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,937. The county seat is Sandersville....
counties. Johnson County was named for Georgia governor, senator, and unsuccessful U.S. vice-presidential candidate Herschel Vespasian Johnson
Herschel Vespasian Johnson
Herschel Vespasian Johnson was an American politician. He was the 41st Governor of Georgia from 1853 to 1857 and the vice-presidential nominee of the Douglas wing of the Democratic Party in the 1860 US presidential election....
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 306.52 square miles (793.9 km²), of which 304.26 square miles (788 km²) (or 99.26%) is land and 2.26 square miles (5.9 km²) (or 0.74%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 80
U.S. Highway 221
U.S. Highway 319
Georgia State Route 15Georgia State Route 15State Route 15 is a north–south route that transects the U.S. state of Georgia, east of its centerline. Its northern end is at the border of North Carolina just north of Dilliard; its southern end is at the Florida border just south of Folkston, where the actual highway continues southwards...
Georgia State Route 57Georgia State Route 57State Route 57 is a west–east state route located in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from U.S. Route 80/State Route 19 east of Macon east, then southeast, to Interstate 95 north of Darien.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 78
Adjacent counties
- Washington CountyWashington County, GeorgiaWashington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on February 25, 1784. As of 2000, the population was 21,176. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,937. The county seat is Sandersville....
, GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
- north - Jefferson CountyJefferson County, GeorgiaJefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population was 17,266. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,454...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
- northeast - Emanuel CountyEmanuel County, GeorgiaEmanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469. The county seat is Swainsboro.-History:...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
- east - Treutlen CountyTreutlen County, GeorgiaTreutlen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 6,854. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,938. The county seat is Soperton...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
- south - Laurens CountyLaurens County, GeorgiaLaurens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2000, the population was 44,874. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 47,520...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
- southwest - Wilkinson CountyWilkinson County, GeorgiaWilkinson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on May 11, 1803. As of 2000, the population was 10,220. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,064...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
- west
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 8,560 people, 3,130 households, and 2,241 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 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 3,634 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.44% 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...
, 36.96% 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...
, 0.13% 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...
, 0.12% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.07% 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 0.27% from two or more races. 0.91% 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 3,130 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% 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, 18.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.10% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,848, and the median income for a family was $29,663. Males had a median income of $28,952 versus $18,171 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 $12,384. About 20.90% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 30.90% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The county is governed by a five-member board of commissioners. A county manager handles the daily operation of the county.The county is part of the Dublin Judicial Circuit along with Twiggs County, Treutlen County, and Laurens County.
Education
In 1970, Johnson County schools integrated peacefully due to careful planning by the county's board of education and firm management by superintendent Buren Claxton.The county's public schools are located in Wrightsville. The school mascot is the Trojan; and the school colors are blue and white. The school fight song is the theme from the movie Hang 'Em High
Hang 'Em High
Hang 'Em High is a 1968 American Western film directed by Ted Post and produced and co-written by Leonard Freeman. It stars Clint Eastwood as Jed Cooper, an innocent man who survives a lynching, Inger Stevens as a widow who helps him, Ed Begley as the leader of the gang that lynched him, and Pat...
.
Sports
Herschel WalkerHerschel Walker
Herschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...
, a Johnson County native, played on the county's only state championship football team in 1979.
Walker went on to play for the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
and won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
. In 2004 Johnson County High School named its football field for Walker.
Cities and towns
- AdrianAdrian, GeorgiaAdrian is a city in Emanuel and Johnson Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 558 at the 2010census.The Johnson County portion of Adrian is part of the Dublin Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- KiteKite, GeorgiaKite is a town in Johnson County, Georgia, USA, along the Little Ohoopee River. The town was named after Shaderick Kight, who donated the land to build the town. He requested the simpler spelling of the name for more efficient mail delivery and processing. The population was 241 at the 2000 census...
- WrightsvilleWrightsville, GeorgiaWrightsville is a city in Johnson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,223 at the 2000 census. It was established February 23, 1886. It was named for James B. Wright, one of the members of the committee responsible for selecting the site for the town...