Oconee County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Oconee County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. It was created on February 25, 1875. As of the 2000 census
, the population was 26,225. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 31,367. The county seat
is Watkinsville
.
Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Progressive Farmer
rated Oconee County as third best in the list of 2006 "Best Places to Live" in the U.S., one of two places to place in the top ten two years running.
in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County
residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville
to Athens
by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border, whose name in turn comes from a Native American word meaning "spring of the hills."
of 2000, there were 26,225 people, 9,051 households, and 7,322 families residing in the county. The population density
was 55/km² (141/mi²). There were 9,528 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (51/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.58% White
, 6.42% Black
or African American
, 1.43% Asian
, 0.18% Native American
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, 1.48% from other races
, and 0.87% from two or more races. 3.18% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 9,051 households out of which 44.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.80% were married couples
living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.10% were non-families. 15.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $55,211, and the median income for a family was $61,502. Males had a median income of $41,223 versus $27,271 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $24,153. About 4.90% of families and 6.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.40% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over.
(called "posts") to staggered terms of four years.
The Chairman of the Board is currently the only full-time elected official and is the county's Chief Executive Officer who, in consultation with the Commissioners, appoints officers and staff as needed to administer the responsibilities of the Board.
The current members of the Board are:
The judicial branch of government is administered through the Georgia court system.
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students.
maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville.
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...
. It was created on February 25, 1875. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the population was 26,225. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 31,367. 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 Watkinsville
Watkinsville, Georgia
Watkinsville is a town in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,097. The city is the county seat of Oconee County...
.
Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, 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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Athens-Clarke County metropolitan area
The Athens-Clarke County Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties - Clarke, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe - in northeastern Georgia, anchored by the city of Athens...
.
Progressive Farmer
Progressive Farmer
DTN/The Progressive Farmer is a country life oriented magazine, published twelve times a year by DTN, a division of Telvent. The magazine is based in Birmingham, Alabama.-History:...
rated Oconee County as third best in the list of 2006 "Best Places to Live" in the U.S., one of two places to place in the top ten two years running.
History
Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke CountyClarke County, Georgia
Clarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...
in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County
Clarke County, Georgia
Clarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...
residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville
Watkinsville, Georgia
Watkinsville is a town in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,097. The city is the county seat of Oconee County...
to Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border, whose name in turn comes from a Native American word meaning "spring of the hills."
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 186.14 square miles (482.1 km²), of which 185.7 square miles (481 km²) (or 99.76%) is land and 0.44 square miles (1.1 km²) (or 0.24%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 29
U.S. Highway 78- U.S. Route 78 Business (Athens, Georgia)
U.S. Highway 129
U.S. Highway 441
Georgia State Route 8Georgia State Route 8State Route 8 is a west–east route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route is cosigned with either U.S. 29 or U.S. 78 for much of its entire length.-Major intersections:...
Georgia State Route 10Georgia State Route 10Georgia state route 10 begins at the Downtown Connector in Atlanta and ends at the South Carolina state line in Augusta, Georgia. The western end of Georgia 10 travels along Freedom Parkway, which bypasses the Carter Center to the west....
Georgia State Route 10 LoopGeorgia State Route 10 LoopState Route 10 Loop is a beltway around Athens, Georgia, United States. Except for a single at-grade intersection, it is built to freeway standards. Much of the road is concurrent with other routes - U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 78, U.S. Route 129, U.S...
/Georgia State Route 422
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 24
Georgia State Route 53Georgia State Route 53State Route 53 is a west–east state route located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from the Alabama state line west of Cave Spring northeast, then east, then southeast to State Route 15/State Route 24 Business in Watkinsville....
Georgia State Route 186
Georgia State Route 316Georgia State Route 316State Route 316 links Metro Atlanta with Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia. The state route is in length. Georgia 316 begins at I-85 exit 106, near Lawrenceville, passing through Bethlehem, Georgia and Statham, Georgia and ending at SR 10 Loop near Athens...
Adjacent counties
- Clarke CountyClarke County, GeorgiaClarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...
(north) - Oglethorpe CountyOglethorpe County, GeorgiaOglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...
(east) - Greene CountyGreene County, GeorgiaGreene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 3, 1786. As of 2000, the population is 14,406. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,662. The county seat is Greensboro...
(southeast) - Morgan CountyMorgan County, GeorgiaMorgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,457. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,492. The county seat is Madison, Georgia.-Geography:...
(south) - Walton CountyWalton County, GeorgiaWalton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2009, the population was 87,311. The county seat is Monroe.This county is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area ....
(west) - Barrow CountyBarrow County, GeorgiaBarrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 46,144. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 67,139...
(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 26,225 people, 9,051 households, and 7,322 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 55/km² (141/mi²). There were 9,528 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (51/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.58% 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...
, 6.42% 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...
, 1.43% 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...
, 0.18% 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...
, 0.05% 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...
, 1.48% 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. 3.18% 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 9,051 households out of which 44.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.80% 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, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.10% were non-families. 15.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $55,211, and the median income for a family was $61,502. Males had a median income of $41,223 versus $27,271 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 $24,153. About 4.90% of families and 6.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.40% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Oconee County is governed by a four-member Board of Commissioners, which holds legislative power. The Board is led by a separately-elected Chairman, who holds executive power. The Board is vested with budget and taxing authority, ordinance making authority, and control of county property, roads and facilities. The chairman and all members of the board are elected from at-large districtsAt-Large
At-large is a designation for representative members of a governing body who are elected or appointed to represent the whole membership of the body , rather than a subset of that membership...
(called "posts") to staggered terms of four years.
The Chairman of the Board is currently the only full-time elected official and is the county's Chief Executive Officer who, in consultation with the Commissioners, appoints officers and staff as needed to administer the responsibilities of the Board.
The current members of the Board are:
- Chairman: Melvin Davis
- Post 1: Jim Luke
- Post 2: John Daniell
- Post 3: Margaret Hale
- Post 4: Chuck Horton
The judicial branch of government is administered through the Georgia court system.
Oconee County School District
The Oconee County School DistrictOconee County School District
The Oconee County School District is a public school district in Oconee County, Georgia, USA, based in Watkinsville, Georgia. It serves the communities of Bishop, Bogart, North High Shoals, and Watkinsville, Georgia.-Schools:...
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students.
Private Education
There are currently three private schools located in Oconee County. They are:- Athens Academy
- Westminster Christian AcademyWestminster Christian Academy (Georgia)Westminster Christian Academy was founded in 1989 as an independent, college-preparatory school designed to help Christian parents give their children a strong foundation of academic knowledge and biblical wisdom. Westminster Christian Academy had its first classroom at Faith Presbyterian Church...
- Prince Avenue Christian SchoolPrince Avenue Christian SchoolPrince Avenue Christian School is a faith-based private school located in Bogart, Georgia. Prince Avenue Baptist Church founded the school in 1978 as a means to provide education through ministry. Prince offers curriculum for preschool through twelfth grade, serving a variety of students from 13...
Colleges and Universities
Gainesville State CollegeGainesville State College
Gainesville State College is a state college of the University System of Georgia serving northeast Georgia since 1964. The Gainesville State College Gainesville Campus, located 45 miles northeast of Atlanta and six miles southwest of downtown Gainesville in Oakwood, is on Georgia State Route 53...
maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville.
Cities and towns
- BishopBishop, GeorgiaBishop is a town in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 146 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bishop is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- BogartBogart, GeorgiaPink ponies live in this town and then good vj is b=Bogart is a town in Clarke and Oconee counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The town is mostly in Oconee County, with a portion extending into Clarke County. The population was 1,049 at the 2000 census — 931 of the town's 1,049 residents lived...
- North High ShoalsNorth High Shoals, GeorgiaNorth High Shoals is a town in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 439 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North High Shoals is located at ....
- WatkinsvilleWatkinsville, GeorgiaWatkinsville is a town in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,097. The city is the county seat of Oconee County...
Residents of Note
- R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
frontman Michael StipeMichael StipeJohn Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
and former drummer Bill BerryBill BerryWilliam "Bill" Thomas Berry is a retired American musician, multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band R.E.M. In addition to his drumming duties, Berry played many other instruments including guitar, bass guitar, and piano, both for songwriting and on R.E.M.... - Country Music Star and Pro Golfer Colt FordColt FordJason Farris Brown known professionally as Colt Ford, is an American country music artist and former professional golfer. He has released three albums via his own Average Joe's label, and has charted four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts...
- Country Music Star John Berry
- Zaxby'sZaxby'sZaxby's is a franchised chain of fast casual restaurants that operates primarily in the Southeastern United States with 500 locations. Zaxby's 500th location opened in Tifton, Georgia the summer of 2010. The first Zaxby's was opened in Statesboro, Georgia, near the Georgia Southern University...
founders Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley - University of Georgia Head Coach Mark RichtMark RichtMark Richt is the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team. His previous affiliations include fourteen years at Florida State University, where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and one year as offensive coordinator at East Carolina University.-Early...
See also
External links
- The Official Oconee County Tourism Website
- The Oconee Leader
- Oconee County Georgia's Official Government Website
- Oconee County School System
- Best Places to Live in 2006 from the Progressive FarmerProgressive FarmerDTN/The Progressive Farmer is a country life oriented magazine, published twelve times a year by DTN, a division of Telvent. The magazine is based in Birmingham, Alabama.-History:...
website - Oconee County News
- Oconee County Business Directory