Pierce County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Pierce County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. As of 2000, the population
was 15,636. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,881. The county seat
is Blackshear
.
Pierce County is part of the Waycross
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
, fourteenth President of the United States
. It was created December 18, 1857, from Appling
and Ware
counties.
of 2000, there were 15,636 people, 5,958 households, and 4,438 families residing in the county. The population density
was 46 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 6,719 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.90% White
, 10.91% Black
or African American
, 0.26% Native American
, 0.18% Asian
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, 0.97% from other races
, and 0.73% from two or more races. 2.28% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,958 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples
living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,895, and the median income for a family was $35,903. Males had a median income of $28,331 versus $19,771 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,230. About 14.40% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 22.40% of those age 65 or over.
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
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
was 15,636. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,881. 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 Blackshear
Blackshear, Georgia
Blackshear is a city in Pierce County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,283 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Pierce County.Blackshear is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
Pierce County is part of the Waycross
Waycross, Georgia
Waycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 14,725 at the 2010 Census. A small portion of the city extends into Pierce County. According the U.S...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Waycross micropolitan area
The Waycross 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 Waycross....
.
History
Pierce County is named for Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
, fourteenth 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....
. It was created December 18, 1857, from Appling
Appling County, Georgia
Appling County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 17,419. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 17,946...
and Ware
Ware County, Georgia
Ware County is a county located in the southeast of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 35,483. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 35,831 The county seat is Waycross....
counties.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 343.9 square miles (890.7 km²), of which 343.25 square miles (889 km²) (or 99.81%) is land and 0.65 square miles (1.7 km²) (or 0.19%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 84
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 32Georgia State Route 32State Route 32 is a west–east state route located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from SR 520 in Dawson east to SR 99 west of Sterling.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 121
Georgia State Route 203
Adjacent counties
- Appling CountyAppling County, GeorgiaAppling County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 17,419. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 17,946...
, 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 - Wayne CountyWayne County, GeorgiaWayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 26,565. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 29,046. The county seat is Jesup.-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...
- northeast - Brantley CountyBrantley County, GeorgiaBrantley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the 'Brunswick, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Brantley, Glynn, and McIntosh counties. As of 2000, the population is 14,629. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,440...
, 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...
- southeast - Ware CountyWare County, GeorgiaWare County is a county located in the southeast of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 35,483. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 35,831 The county seat is Waycross....
, 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 - Bacon CountyBacon County, GeorgiaBacon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Bacon County is named after Augustus Bacon, a former United States Senator from Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 7, 1914, and ratified November 3, 1914. As of 2000, the population is...
, 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...
- 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 15,636 people, 5,958 households, and 4,438 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 46 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 6,719 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.90% 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...
, 10.91% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.18% 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...
, 0.05% 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...
, 0.97% 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 0.73% from two or more races. 2.28% 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 5,958 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% 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, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,895, and the median income for a family was $35,903. Males had a median income of $28,331 versus $19,771 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 $14,230. About 14.40% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 22.40% of those age 65 or over.
Local Media Outlets
- The Blackshear Times (Weekly Newspaper)
- The Pierce County Press (Weekly Newspaper)
- Waycross Journal-Herald (Daily Newspaper)
- WKUBWKUBWKUB is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Blackshear, Georgia, USA. The station is currently owned by Mattox Broadcasting, Inc. and features programing from ABC Radio ....
105.1FM (Country Radio) - WWUFWWUFWWUF is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Waycross, Georgia, USA. The station is currently owned by Mattox Broadcasting, Inc. and features programing from ABC Radio .-History:...
97.7FM (Oldies Radio) - WSFNWSFNWSFN is a sports-talk radio station in Brunswick, Georgia. WSFN programming is simulcast on WFNS 1350 AM. WSFN is owned by MarMac Communications, who also owns WSEG of Savannah, WFNS of Blackshear, and WAYX of Waycross, Georgia....
AM 1350 (Sports Radio) - WAYX AM 1230 (News Talk Radio)
Cities and towns
- BlackshearBlackshear, GeorgiaBlackshear is a city in Pierce County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,283 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Pierce County.Blackshear is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- OffermanOfferman, GeorgiaOfferman is a city in Pierce County, Georgia, United States. The population was 403 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Offerman is located at ....
- PattersonPatterson, GeorgiaPatterson is a city in Pierce County, Georgia, United States. The population was 627 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area....
- WaycrossWaycross, GeorgiaWaycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 14,725 at the 2010 Census. A small portion of the city extends into Pierce County. According the U.S...
(small business portion)
Unincorporated communities
- Blue Lake
- BristolBristol, GeorgiaBristol is an unincorporated community in Pierce County, Georgia, United States. Bristol is located at the intersection of the concurrent Georgia State Route 15 and Georgia State Route 121, which run north-south through Bristol, and Georgia State Route 32, which runs east-west. Bristol is north of...
- Hacklebarney
- Jot Em Down StoreJot Em Down Store, GeorgiaJot Em Down Store is an unincorporated community in Pierce County northwest of the county seat of Blackshear, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- MershonMershon, GeorgiaMershon is an unincorporated community located in Pierce County, Georgia, United States....
- Otter CreekOtter Creek, GeorgiaOtter Creek is a small unincorporated community in Pierce County, Georgia, United States, separating the cities of Patterson and Blackshear, Georgia. The community includes a volunteer fire department and a community center....
- Sandy Bottom
- Walkerville
- Zirkle's Landing, Georgia