Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Oglethorpe 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. The county seat
is Lexington
.
Oglethorpe County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Native Americans
to the Colony of Georgia in the treaty of 1773. The county itself was founded on December 19, 1795, and is named for Georgia's founder, General James Oglethorpe
.
Historic Districts and Heritage Research,
Antique Stores in Historic Lexington,
Agriculture and Agritourism as well as Oglethorpe Fresh Produce
of 2000, there were 12,635 people, 4,849 households, and 3,539 families residing in the county. The population density
was 11/km² (29/mi²). There were 5,368 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.29% White
, 19.75% Black
or African American
, 0.20% Native American
, 0.25% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.63% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 4,849 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples
living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $41,443. Males had a median income of $30,733 versus $22,289 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,089. About 10.00% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.
(1772–1834) - U.S. Minister to France, U.S. Secretary of War, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, nearly successful candidate for President of the United States
George Mathews
(1739–1812) - Revolutionary hero and twice Governor
Meriwether Lewis
(1774–1809) was a teenage resident and later the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Wilson Lumpkin
(1783–1870) - Governor
George R. Gilmer (1790–1859) - Twice Governor
Joseph H. Lumpkin (1799–1867) First Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, framed the state's penal code, cofounder of the Lumpkin Law School at UGA
James Monroe Smith (1839–1915) renowned agriculturist and plantation owner of historic Smithonia
.
Country music performer Kenny Rogers
resided in Oglethorpe County for a time. This can be verified through County Property records. He owned an Estate known as Beaverdam Farms there. The home was featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
; the Estate contained a horse farm with several barns, a private indoor basketball court, and an in-home movie theater, among other things. The bathrooms were even noted as having 24kt gold faucets. The original asking price on Beaverdam Farms when Rogers sold the property was $24 million dollars.
Andy Paul- Born in Oglethorpe County. He is the most successful red head to live in the county. He spent his life devoting it to his pigs, with which he was successful, reaching the seemingly unreachable height of being the best in the state for his grade. (2011) He also loves Disney, Music, and Jesus. Hit him up.
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 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. 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 Lexington
Lexington, Georgia
Lexington is a city in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 239 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Oglethorpe County...
.
Oglethorpe County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, 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...
.
History
Oglethorpe County was originally part of a large tract of land surrendered by Creek and CherokeeCherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
to the Colony of Georgia in the treaty of 1773. The county itself was founded on December 19, 1795, and is named for Georgia's founder, General James Oglethorpe
James Oglethorpe
James Edward Oglethorpe was a British general, member of Parliament, philanthropist, and founder of the colony of Georgia...
.
Recreation
- White Water Rafting on the Broad and South Fork Broad Rivers
- ATV and Motor Bike Park
- Sportsman Hunting: Seasonal Whitetail Deer, Turkey and Rabbit
Historic Districts and Heritage Research,
Antique Stores in Historic Lexington,
Agriculture and Agritourism as well as Oglethorpe Fresh Produce
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 442.17 square miles (1,145.2 km²), of which 441.11 square miles (1,142.5 km²) (or 99.76%) is land and 1.06 square miles (2.7 km²) (or 0.24%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 78
Georgia State Route 22Georgia State Route 22State Route 22 is a state route located in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from the Alabama state line in Columbus east, then northeast, then north, to Comer.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 77Georgia State Route 77State Route 77 is a Georgia state controlled highway that runs primarily in eastern Georgia. The highway connects the cities of Elberton and Hartwell with Interstate 85 and Interstate 20....
Adjacent counties
- ElbertElbert County, GeorgiaElbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on December 10, 1790 and was named for Samuel Elbert. As of 2000, the population was 20,511. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,525...
(northeast) - WilkesWilkes County, GeorgiaWilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 10,687. The 2007 Census estimate shows a population of 10,262. The county seat is the city of Washington. Referred to as "Washington-Wilkes", the county seat and county are commonly treated as a...
(east) - TaliaferroTaliaferro County, GeorgiaTaliaferro County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,077, making it the least populous county east of the Mississippi River. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 1,884. The county seat is Crawfordville.The spelling of the...
(southeast) - GreeneGreene 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...
(south) - OconeeOconee County, GeorgiaOconee 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...
(west-southwest) - ClarkeClarke 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...
(west) - MadisonMadison County, GeorgiaMadison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....
(north)
National protected area
- Oconee National Forest (part)
- Watson Mill Bridge State ParkWatson Mill Bridge State ParkWatson Mill Bridge State Park is a 1,018 acre Georgia state park located near Comer and Carlton on the South Fork of the Broad River. The park is named for the Watson Mill Bridge, the longest original-site covered bridge in Georgia, which spans 229 feet across the South Fork River...
(part)
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 12,635 people, 4,849 households, and 3,539 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 11/km² (29/mi²). There were 5,368 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.29% 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...
, 19.75% 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...
, 0.20% 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...
, 0.25% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.63% 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 0.85% from two or more races. 1.38% 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 4,849 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% 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, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $41,443. Males had a median income of $30,733 versus $22,289 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 $17,089. About 10.00% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- ArnoldsvilleArnoldsville, GeorgiaArnoldsville is a city in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 312 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Arnoldsville is located at ....
- CrawfordCrawford, GeorgiaCrawford is a city in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, United States of America. The population was 807 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crawford is located at ....
- LexingtonLexington, GeorgiaLexington is a city in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 239 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Oglethorpe County...
(County Seat) - MaxeysMaxeys, GeorgiaMaxeys is a town in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 210 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Maxeys is located at ....
Notable Residents
William H. CrawfordWilliam H. Crawford
William Harris Crawford was an American politician and judge during the early 19th century. He served as United States Secretary of War from 1815 to 1816 and United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1816 to 1825, and was a candidate for President of the United States in 1824.-Political...
(1772–1834) - U.S. Minister to France, U.S. Secretary of War, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, nearly successful candidate for President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George Mathews
George Mathews
George Mathews may refer to:*George Mathews , Governor of Georgia*George Mathews Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court*George A...
(1739–1812) - Revolutionary hero and twice Governor
Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...
(1774–1809) was a teenage resident and later the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
Wilson Lumpkin
Wilson Lumpkin
Wilson Lumpkin was a governor of Georgia, and a United States Representative and Senator.-Biography:Born near Dan River, Virginia, he moved in 1784 to Oglethorpe County, Georgia with his parents, who settled near Point Peter and subsequently at Lexington, Georgia...
(1783–1870) - Governor
George R. Gilmer (1790–1859) - Twice Governor
Joseph H. Lumpkin (1799–1867) First Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, framed the state's penal code, cofounder of the Lumpkin Law School at UGA
James Monroe Smith (1839–1915) renowned agriculturist and plantation owner of historic Smithonia
Smithonia
Smithonia was built in 1866 with "Plantation Plain" architectural style. The nearest city is Comer, Georgia but Smithonia, Georgia is now a distinct location.The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984....
.
Country music performer Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
resided in Oglethorpe County for a time. This can be verified through County Property records. He owned an Estate known as Beaverdam Farms there. The home was featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous is a television series that aired in syndication from 1984 to 1995. The show featured the extravagant lifestyles of wealthy entertainers, athletes and business moguls....
; the Estate contained a horse farm with several barns, a private indoor basketball court, and an in-home movie theater, among other things. The bathrooms were even noted as having 24kt gold faucets. The original asking price on Beaverdam Farms when Rogers sold the property was $24 million dollars.
See also
Andy Paul- Born in Oglethorpe County. He is the most successful red head to live in the county. He spent his life devoting it to his pigs, with which he was successful, reaching the seemingly unreachable height of being the best in the state for his grade. (2011) He also loves Disney, Music, and Jesus. Hit him up.
External links
- Oglethorpe County official website