Taylor County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. As of 2000, the population was 8,815. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,738. The county seat
is Butler
.
from portions of Macon
, Marion
and Talbot
counties.
The County is named for Zachary Taylor
, twelfth President of the United States
.
The land for building the courthouse was purchased from Andrew McCants, John T. Gray, John Sturdivant, John L. Parker, and a Mr. Covington. (from a meeting minutes March 8, 1852)
Militia districts in the county included Prattsburg 737, Hall 743, Reynolds 741, Butler 757, Cedar Creek 1071, and Whitewater 853.
Taylor County is dissected by the Fall Line
geological formation. The upper half of the county is located in the Piedmont
region and consists of gently rolling hills and clay
-based soils. The lower half of the county is located in the Upper Atlantic Coastal Plain
and is markedly flatter and the soil more sandy. The Flint River
marks the entirety of the county's northeastern border.
The county is driven by a largely agricultural economy. Peach
es, strawberries
, pecan
s, peanut
s, watermelon
s, and cotton
are the most commonly raised crops. Lumbering is also important to the local economy. The county is heavily forested in most areas due in part to the many large plantation
pine farms. There are also many desirable hardwood forests, especially along the Flint River basin and tributary streams. The southwestern portion of the county is covered with large sandhill
s that have given rise to several stable sand mining operations.
The county supports a very healthy population of animals, including White-tailed deer
, Wild Turkey
, Eastern Cottontail
, Raccoon
, Coyote
, Bobcat
, Nine-banded Armadillo
, Virginia Opossum
, Red-tailed Hawk
, and the federally endangered Florida Gopher Tortoise
. Taylor County is home to five of North America's venomous snake
s (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
, Timber Rattlesnake
, Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake
, Eastern Coral Snake
, Water Moccasin
, and Copperhead
), representing every North American family of venomous snake.
The dominant tree species are Southern Red Oak, Post Oak, Longleaf Pine, Loblolly Pine, Sweetgum, and Red Maple. Taylor County contains the largest stands of Atlantic White Cedar
in the state of Georgia. These stands can be found along much of Whitewater and Little Whitewater Creeks and are at the heart of a growing movement to conserve these unique plant communities for posterity.
of 2000, there were 8,815 people, 3,281 households, and 2,283 families residing in the county. The population density
was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,978 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 55.39% White
, 42.56% Black
or African American
, 0.11% Native American
, 0.18% Asian
, 0.93% from other races
, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.85% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,281 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.50% were married couples
living together, 20.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,148, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $30,278 versus $20,241 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,432. About 20.20% of families and 26.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.90% of those under age 18 and 24.70% of those age 65 or over.
In the mid-2000s, Taylor County was noted in national news media as being one of the last areas in the South to hold racially segregated proms
. Taylor County High School's first integrated prom was held 2002, but was not repeated the following year. The event was the basis for the 2006 movie For One Night
.
Controversial education website http://detentionslip.org created a music video documenting the segregated proms at http://www.detentionslip.org/2009/05/segregated-prom-dance-remix.html
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 8,815. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,738. 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 Butler
Butler, Georgia
Butler is the county seat of Taylor County, Georgia, United States. Its population was 1,907 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Butler is located at ....
.
History
Taylor County was created on January 15, 1852, by an act of the Georgia General AssemblyGeorgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
from portions of Macon
Macon County, Georgia
Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,074. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,542. The county seat is Oglethorpe.-History:...
, Marion
Marion County, Georgia
Marion County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2000 Census reflected a population of 7,144. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,995...
and Talbot
Talbot County, Georgia
Talbot 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:...
counties.
The County is named for Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
, twelfth 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....
.
The land for building the courthouse was purchased from Andrew McCants, John T. Gray, John Sturdivant, John L. Parker, and a Mr. Covington. (from a meeting minutes March 8, 1852)
Militia districts in the county included Prattsburg 737, Hall 743, Reynolds 741, Butler 757, Cedar Creek 1071, and Whitewater 853.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 379.61 square miles (983.2 km²), of which 377.44 square miles (977.6 km²) (or 99.43%) is land and 2.17 square miles (5.6 km²) (or 0.57%) is water.Taylor County is dissected by the Fall Line
Fall line
A fall line is a geomorphologic unconformity between an upland region of relatively hard crystalline basement rock and a coastal plain of softer sedimentary rock. A fall line is typically prominent when crossed by a river, for there will often be rapids or waterfalls...
geological formation. The upper half of the county is located in the Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
region and consists of gently rolling hills and clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
-based soils. The lower half of the county is located in the Upper Atlantic Coastal Plain
Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
and is markedly flatter and the soil more sandy. The Flint River
Flint River (Georgia)
The Flint River is a river in the U.S. state of Georgia. The river drains of western Georgia, flowing south from the upper Piedmont region south of Atlanta to the wetlands of the Gulf Coastal Plain in the southwestern corner of the state. Along with the Apalachicola and the Chattahoochee rivers,...
marks the entirety of the county's northeastern border.
The county is driven by a largely agricultural economy. Peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
es, strawberries
Strawberry
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. Although it is commonly thought that strawberries get their name from straw being used as a mulch in cultivating the plants, the etymology of the word is uncertain. There...
, pecan
Pecan
The pecan , Carya illinoinensis, is a species of hickory, native to south-central North America, in Mexico from Coahuila south to Jalisco and Veracruz, in the United States from southern Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana east to western Kentucky, southwestern Ohio, North Carolina, South...
s, peanut
Peanut
The peanut, or groundnut , is a species in the legume or "bean" family , so it is not a nut. The peanut was probably first cultivated in the valleys of Peru. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing tall...
s, watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
s, and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
are the most commonly raised crops. Lumbering is also important to the local economy. The county is heavily forested in most areas due in part to the many large plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
pine farms. There are also many desirable hardwood forests, especially along the Flint River basin and tributary streams. The southwestern portion of the county is covered with large sandhill
Sandhill
A sandhill is a type of ecological community or xeric wildfire-maintained ecosystem. It is not the same as a sand dune. It features very short fire return intervals, one to five years. Without fire, sandhills undergo ecological succession and become more oak dominated.Entisols are the typical...
s that have given rise to several stable sand mining operations.
The county supports a very healthy population of animals, including White-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which derives from the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey .Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green...
, Eastern Cottontail
Eastern Cottontail
The eastern cottontail is a New World cottontail rabbit, a member of the family Leporidae. It is one of the most common rabbit species in North America.-Distribution:...
, Raccoon
Raccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
, Coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, Bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
, Nine-banded Armadillo
Nine-banded Armadillo
The nine-banded armadillo , or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a species of armadillo found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos...
, Virginia Opossum
Virginia Opossum
The Virginia opossum , commonly known as the North American opossum or tlacuache in Mexico, is the only marsupial found in North America north of Mexico. A solitary and nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat, and thus the largest opossum, it is a successful opportunist...
, Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West...
, and the federally endangered Florida Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
The gopher tortoise is a species of the Gopherus genus native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for 360 other animal species...
. Taylor County is home to five of North America's venomous snake
Venomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
s (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
Crotalus adamanteus is a venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake. It featured prominently in the American Revolution, specifically as the symbol of what many consider to be the first flag of...
, Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Crotalus horridus, the timber rattlesnake, is a species of venomous pitviper found in the eastern United States. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous northeastern United States. No subspecies are currently recognized....
, Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake
Sistrurus miliarius
Sistrurus miliarius is a venomous pitviper species found in the southeastern United States. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
, Eastern Coral Snake
Micrurus fulvius
Micrurus fulvius is a venomous elapid snake that is found in the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It should not be confused with the scarlet snake or scarlet kingsnake , which are harmless mimics...
, Water Moccasin
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Agkistrodon piscivorus is a venomous snake, a species of pit viper, found in the southeastern United States. Adults are large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. When antagonized they will stand their ground by coiling their bodies and displaying their fangs...
, and Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Agkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake found in North America, a member of the Crotalinae subfamily. The more common name for the species is "copperhead". The behavior of Agkistrodon contortrix may lead to accidental encounters with humans...
), representing every North American family of venomous snake.
The dominant tree species are Southern Red Oak, Post Oak, Longleaf Pine, Loblolly Pine, Sweetgum, and Red Maple. Taylor County contains the largest stands of Atlantic White Cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Chamaecyparis thyoides , is a species of Chamaecyparis, native to the Atlantic coast of North America from Maine south to Georgia, with a disjunct population on the Mexican Gulf coast from Florida to Mississippi...
in the state of Georgia. These stands can be found along much of Whitewater and Little Whitewater Creeks and are at the heart of a growing movement to conserve these unique plant communities for posterity.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 19
U.S. Highway 80
Georgia State Route 90Georgia State Route 90State Route 90 is a north–south state route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route runs from U.S. Route 82 in Willacoochee to U.S. Route 80 in Talbotton.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 96Georgia State Route 96State Route 96 is an east–west state road located in the western-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. In the east, it breaks off from U.S. Route 441 south of Irwinton and constitutes most of Jeffersonville Road going westward to Jeffersonville; it then travels through Bonaire, Warner...
Georgia State Route 128
Georgia State Route 137
Georgia State Route 208Georgia State Route 208State Route 208 is known as the Old Federal Road or the Wire Road. State Route 208 begins in Harris County at U.S. Route 27 near Hamilton and ends in Fickling Mill at the junction of State Route 137. The Wesley and Jarrell communities are located on this route in Taylor County....
Adjacent counties
- Upson CountyUpson County, GeorgiaUpson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area . It was created on December 15, 1824. As of 2000, the population was 27,597. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 27,562...
(north) - Crawford CountyCrawford County, GeorgiaCrawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,495. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 12,483. The unincorporated county seat is Knoxville.-History:...
(northeast) - Peach CountyPeach County, GeorgiaPeach County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 23,668. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 25,672. Its county seat is Fort Valley....
(east) - Macon CountyMacon County, GeorgiaMacon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,074. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,542. The county seat is Oglethorpe.-History:...
(southeast) - Schley CountySchley County, GeorgiaSchley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the county's population was 3,766. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 4,123...
(south) - Marion CountyMarion County, GeorgiaMarion County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2000 Census reflected a population of 7,144. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,995...
(southwest) - 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:...
(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 8,815 people, 3,281 households, and 2,283 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 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,978 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 55.39% 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...
, 42.56% 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...
, 0.11% 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...
, 0.93% 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 0.82% from two or more races. 1.85% 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 3,281 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.50% 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, 20.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,148, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $30,278 versus $20,241 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 $13,432. About 20.20% of families and 26.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.90% of those under age 18 and 24.70% of those age 65 or over.
In the mid-2000s, Taylor County was noted in national news media as being one of the last areas in the South to hold racially segregated proms
Segregated prom
A segregated prom refers to the practice of United States high schools, generally located in the "Deep South", of holding racially segregated proms for white and black students. The practice spread after these schools were integrated, and persists in a few rural places to the present day...
. Taylor County High School's first integrated prom was held 2002, but was not repeated the following year. The event was the basis for the 2006 movie For One Night
For One Night
For One Night is a 2006 film is based on the true story of Gerica McCrary, who made headlines in 2002 by getting Taylor County High School in her hometown of Butler, Georgia, to integrate the prom after thirty-one years of segregation. It stars Raven-Symoné as Briana McCallister and Aisha Tyler as...
.
Controversial education website http://detentionslip.org created a music video documenting the segregated proms at http://www.detentionslip.org/2009/05/segregated-prom-dance-remix.html
Cities and towns
- ButlerButler, GeorgiaButler is the county seat of Taylor County, Georgia, United States. Its population was 1,907 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Butler is located at ....
- ReynoldsReynolds, GeorgiaReynolds is a town in Taylor County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,036 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.75% is water. The town was said to have been settled first by Dr. Alfred...
- Howard (Unincorporated)
- Mauk (Unincorporated)Mauk, GeorgiaMauk is an unincorporated community in Taylor County, Georgia, United States. It lies approximately 12 km south of Junction City....
- Rupert (Unincorporated)
- Potterville (Unincorporated)