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Burke County, Georgia

Coordinates: 33°04′N 82°00′W / 33.06°N 82.00°W / 33.06; -82.00
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Burke County
County
Burke County courthouse in Waynesboro, Georgia
Burke County courthouse in Waynesboro, Georgia
Map of Georgia highlighting Burke County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°04′N 82°00′W / 33.06°N 82°W / 33.06; -82
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1777; 247 years ago (1777)
Named forEdmund Burke[1]
SeatWaynesboro
Largest cityWaynesboro
Area
 • Total
835 sq mi (2,160 km2)
 • Land827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
24,596
 • Density27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.burkecounty-ga.gov

Burke County is a county located along the eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia in the Piedmont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,596.[2] The county seat is Waynesboro.[3] Burke County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan statistical area.

History

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Burke County is an original county of Georgia, created February 5, 1777, and named for English political writer, Edmund Burke, a Member of Parliament in the Whig Party who favored conciliation with the colonies.[4] In 1779, Col. John Twiggs and brothers Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, defeated British in the Battle of Burke Jail.

Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area). During the antebellum period, it was developed by slave labor for large cotton plantations. The county was majority African American in population in this period, as slaveholders wanted high numbers of slaves for laborers to cultivate and process cotton.

The military tradition continued during the American Civil War, when Burke County provided volunteers for numerous units: the 2nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Sharpshooters), 3rd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company A (Burke Guards), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company C (Williams Volunteers), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company K (Alexander Greys), 48th Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Volunteers), Cobb's Legion Infantry company E (Poythress Volunteers), and the Cobb's Legion Cavalry Company F (Grubb's Hussars).

Agriculture continued as the basis of the economy for decades after the American Civil War, when most freedmen worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Cotton was the major commodity crop.[5] In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many African-American farm workers to lose their jobs.

As can be seen from the census tables below, the county lost population from 1900 to 1910, and from 1920 to 1970. Part of the decline was related to the Great Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South and Jim Crow oppression for jobs and opportunities in industrial cities of the Midwest and the North. From World War II on, primary migration destinations were West Coast cities because of the buildup of the defense industry. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in cities such as Atlanta.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6] It is the second-largest county by area in Georgia.

The southern half of Burke County, defined by a line running along State Route 80 to Waynesboro, then southeast to east of Perkins, is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin. North of Waynesboro, and bordered on the north by a line running from Keysville southeast to Girard, the territory is part of the Brier Creek sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. The most northern sliver of Burke County is located in the Middle Savannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[7]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17909,467—
18009,5040.4%
181010,85814.2%
182011,5776.6%
183011,8332.2%
184013,17611.3%
185016,10022.2%
186017,1656.6%
187017,6793.0%
188027,12853.4%
189028,5015.1%
190030,1655.8%
191027,268−9.6%
192030,83613.1%
193029,224−5.2%
194026,520−9.3%
195023,458−11.5%
196020,596−12.2%
197018,255−11.4%
198019,3496.0%
199020,5796.4%
200022,2438.1%
201023,3164.8%
202024,5965.5%
2023 (est.)24,438[8]−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1880[10]1890-1910[11]
1920-1930[12] 1930-1940[13]
1940-1950[14] 1960-1980[15]
1980-2000[16]
Burke County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 10,844 11,941 46.51% 48.55%
Black or African American alone (NH) 11,469 10,957 49.19% 44.55%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 47 45 0.20% 0.18%
Asian alone (NH) 68 97 0.29% 0.39%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 20 10 0.09% 0.04%
Other Race alone (NH) 11 66 0.05% 0.27%
Mixed Race or MultiRacial (NH) 240 703 1.03% 2.86%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 617 777 2.65% 3.16%
Total 23,316 24,596 100.00% 100.00%

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 24,596 people, 8,193 households, and 5,939 families residing in the county. In 2010, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 28.2 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km2). There were 9,865 housing units at an average density of 11.9 per square mile (4.6/km2).[20] At the 2000 census, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families living in the county.[21]

Among the county population in 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 48.55% non-Hispanic white, 44.55% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.27% some other race, 2.86% multiracial, and 3.16% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] In contrast, in 2010 49.5% of the county population was Black or African American, 47.5% White, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).[22] The racial makeup of the county in 2000 was 51.0% Black or African American, 46.9% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In terms of ancestry as of 2010, 49.5% had some African ancestry, 11.0% identified as of American, 9.3% were Irish, 5.5% were English, and 5.1% were German.[23]

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $33,155 and the median income for a family was $41,659. Males had a median income of $37,061 versus $24,952 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 20.0% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.[24] In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $27,877, and the median income for a family was $31,660. Males had a median income of $29,992 and females had an income of $19,008. The per capita income for the county was $13,136. About 23.80% of families and 28.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.00% of those under age 18 and 29.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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It is within the Burke County School District.[25] The district has one high school, one middle school, one complete elementary school, one upper elementary school, one primary school, and one alternative school.[26]

  • SGA Elementary School (Pre k-5)
  • Blakeney Elementary School (3-5)
  • Waynesboro Primary School (pre K-2)
  • Burke County Middle School (6-8)
  • Burke County High School (9-12)
  • Burke County Alternative School (6-12)

Private Schools

Politics

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Burke County was traditionally a swing county in federal politics, voting for the winner in every presidential election from 1984 and 2012 except 2000 (when Republican George W. Bush won the presidency while losing the county to Democrat Al Gore). More recently, the county has developed a slight Republican lean, voting for Republican Donald Trump in 2024 by a comfortable margin.

United States presidential election results for Burke County, Georgia[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 6,027 54.44% 4,994 45.11% 49 0.44%
2020 5,400 50.54% 5,208 48.74% 77 0.72%
2016 4,491 47.73% 4,731 50.28% 188 2.00%
2012 4,301 43.92% 5,405 55.19% 87 0.89%
2008 4,344 45.08% 5,233 54.30% 60 0.62%
2004 4,232 49.86% 4,213 49.64% 42 0.49%
2000 3,381 47.39% 3,720 52.14% 34 0.48%
1996 2,590 37.47% 3,915 56.63% 408 5.90%
1992 2,390 34.84% 3,647 53.17% 822 11.98%
1988 2,988 50.89% 2,861 48.72% 23 0.39%
1984 3,137 50.08% 3,127 49.92% 0 0.00%
1980 1,871 37.49% 3,047 61.05% 73 1.46%
1976 1,565 34.18% 3,014 65.82% 0 0.00%
1972 2,846 72.90% 1,058 27.10% 0 0.00%
1968 1,416 28.93% 1,676 34.25% 1,802 36.82%
1964 3,034 71.52% 1,208 28.48% 0 0.00%
1960 1,027 46.92% 1,162 53.08% 0 0.00%
1956 721 35.68% 1,300 64.32% 0 0.00%
1952 932 44.55% 1,160 55.45% 0 0.00%
1948 111 7.42% 357 23.86% 1,028 68.72%
1944 153 14.41% 909 85.59% 0 0.00%
1940 42 3.90% 1,029 95.54% 6 0.56%
1936 51 4.66% 1,040 95.06% 3 0.27%
1932 18 3.45% 498 95.40% 6 1.15%
1928 260 27.46% 687 72.54% 0 0.00%
1924 76 14.05% 449 82.99% 16 2.96%
1920 39 9.15% 387 90.85% 0 0.00%
1916 14 1.98% 673 95.33% 19 2.69%
1912 22 4.55% 440 90.91% 22 4.55%
1908 193 24.68% 519 66.37% 70 8.95%
1904 52 6.89% 657 87.02% 46 6.09%
1900 157 20.13% 620 79.49% 3 0.38%
1896 193 11.83% 1,414 86.70% 24 1.47%
1892 83 3.92% 1,322 62.39% 714 33.70%
1888 248 26.61% 684 73.39% 0 0.00%
1884 895 58.50% 558 36.47% 77 5.03%
1880 2,114 68.26% 983 31.74% 0 0.00%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cooksey, Elizabeth B. (November 11, 2011). "Burke County". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities Council. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Burke County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 29. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  5. ^ CSRARC
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  9. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1880.
  11. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1910.
  12. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1930.
  13. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1940.
  14. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1950.
  15. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1980.
  16. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 2000.
  17. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Burke County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Burke County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  20. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  22. ^ 2010 census report for Burke County, Georgia
  23. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  24. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  25. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Burke County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list
  26. ^ "Burke County Public Schools - Schools". Archived from the original on May 13, 2006.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
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33°04′N 82°00′W / 33.06°N 82.00°W / 33.06; -82.00

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