Gordon County, Georgia

Coordinates: 34°30′N 84°52′W / 34.50°N 84.87°W / 34.50; -84.87
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Gordon, Georgia.

Gordon County
UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district14th
Websitegordoncounty.org

Gordon County is a

Atlanta–Athens-Clarke County–Sandy Springs, GA-AL CSA
.

History

Gordon County was created on February 13, 1850, by an act of the

Cherokee Indians—and, in fact, the area was home of New Echota, the last seat of the Cherokee Nation. Even while Cherokees remained on their homeland, the General Assembly enacted legislation in December 1830 that provided for surveying the Cherokee Nation in Georgia and dividing it into sections, districts, and land lots. Subsequently, the legislature identified this entire area as "Cherokee County" (even though it never functioned as a county). An act of December 3, 1832, divided the Cherokee lands into ten new counties—Cass (later renamed Bartow), Cherokee, Cobb, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, and Union
. Cherokee lands were distributed to whites in a land lottery, but the legislature temporarily prohibited whites from taking possession of lots on which Cherokees still lived.

It was not until December 29, 1835, that Georgia had an official basis for claiming the unceded Cherokee lands that included the future location of Gordon County. In the

U.S. Army troops rounded up the last of 15,000 Cherokees in Georgia and forced them to march west in what came to be known as the "Trail of Tears
", making this area the starting point of the removal.

Gordon County's original 1850 boundaries were changed numerous times between 1852 and 1877, during which time the legislature transferred portions of Cass (Bartow), Floyd, Murray, Pickens, and Walker counties to Gordon County, while transferring land from Gordon to Floyd and Murray counties.

Georgia's 94th county was named for

Central of Georgia Railroad
.

Geography

According to the

U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 358 square miles (930 km2), of which 356 square miles (920 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.[5]

Mountains in Gordon County include Baugh Mountain and Horn Mountain.[6][7]

The eastern half of Gordon County is located in the Coosawattee River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin). Most of the western half of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin of the same larger ACT River Basin, while a small northerly portion of the county, between Resaca and Industrial City, is in the Conasauga River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin.[8]

Gordon County has the most interstate exits out of all of the counties in Georgia, because of its location in the middle of Interstate 75.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

  • Chattahoochee National Forest
    (part)

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,984—
186010,14669.6%
18709,268−8.7%
188011,17120.5%
189012,75814.2%
190014,11910.7%
191015,86112.3%
192017,73611.8%
193016,846−5.0%
194018,4459.5%
195018,9222.6%
196019,2281.6%
197023,57022.6%
198030,07027.6%
199035,07216.6%
200044,10425.8%
201055,18625.1%
202057,5444.3%
2023 (est.)59,757[10]3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1880[12] 1890-1910[13]
1920-1930[14] 1930-1940[15]
1940-1950[16] 1960-1980[17]
1980-2000[18] 2010[19]

2020 census

Gordon County Racial Composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White
 43,317 75.28%
Black or African American
 2,075 3.61%
Native American
 122 0.21%
Asian
 719 1.25%
Pacific Islander
 15 0.03%
Other/Mixed
 2,339 4.06%
Latino
 8,957 15.57%

As of the

2020 United States Census
, there were 57,544 people, 20,561 households, and 15,002 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the

2010 United States Census, there were 55,186 people, 19,715 households, and 14,653 families living in the county.[21] The population density was 155.1 inhabitants per square mile (59.9/km2). There were 22,278 housing units at an average density of 62.6 units per square mile (24.2 units/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the county was 85.2% white, 3.6% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.0% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 14.6% were American, 9.8% were Irish, 6.9% were English, and 6.7% were German.[23]

Of the 19,715 households, 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.7% were non-families, and 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age was 36.0 years.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,916 and the median income for a family was $47,964. Males had a median income of $37,358 versus $28,394 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,285. About 13.7% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the

poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.[24]

2000 census

As of the

Latino
of any race.

There were 16,173 households, out of which 35.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,831, and the median income for a family was $43,184. Males had a median income of $29,761 versus $22,256 for females. The

poverty line
, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In addition to service industries, the economy of Gordon County is rooted in manufacturing and both heavy and light industry. Mohawk Industries, a leading manufacturer of flooring, is headquartered in Gordon County. In addition, Shaw Industries, Beaulieu International Group, LG Chem, and Kobelco Construction Machinery America - a division of Kobe Steel - have significant presences in Gordon, County.

Culture

Gordon County was the home of the

Southern Gospel standards including "Drifting Too Far From the Shore" which has been covered and recorded by such artists as Jerry Garcia, Emmylou Harris, Phil Lesh, Hank Williams
and many others.

Rail accidents

Two fatal rail accidents took place in Gordon County in the late 20th century. The first one was in 1981 when Southern Railway train #160 collided with a log truck near the community of Oostanaula. The engineer and the driver of the log truck were fatally injured. In 1990, Train #188 ran a stop signal at the north end of the siding at Davis, Georgia and collided with Train #G38 on the same line. The engineer and conductor on #G38 and the conductor on #188 died in this collision. A monument stands at the site of the collision near the Georgia Highway 136 crossing.

Politics

Bert Lance, an advisor to Jimmy Carter's successful presidential campaign, served as chairman of the Board of Calhoun First National Bank, later acquired by Trust Company of Georgia, forerunner of SunTrust; it is now part of Truist Financial. As of 2020, Carter is the final Democratic nominee to win Gordon County (1980).

Since 1980, Republicans have had a strong base in Gordon County.

United States presidential election results for Gordon County, Georgia[26][failed verification]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 19,405 80.71% 4,384 18.23% 255 1.06%
2016 15,191 79.69% 3,181 16.69% 690 3.62%
2012 13,197 77.91% 3,440 20.31% 302 1.78%
2008 13,113 74.27% 4,268 24.17% 274 1.55%
2004 11,671 73.88% 4,028 25.50% 98 0.62%
2000 7,944 65.09% 4,032 33.04% 229 1.88%
1996 5,232 48.35% 4,239 39.18% 1,349 12.47%
1992 5,265 46.95% 4,103 36.59% 1,845 16.45%
1988 6,051 71.65% 2,369 28.05% 25 0.30%
1984 5,566 68.10% 2,607 31.90% 0 0.00%
1980 3,107 36.37% 5,199 60.86% 236 2.76%
1976 1,698 21.91% 6,052 78.09% 0 0.00%
1972 4,344 83.31% 870 16.69% 0 0.00%
1968 1,815 29.99% 1,161 19.18% 3,077 50.83%
1964 2,317 41.55% 3,260 58.45% 0 0.00%
1960 1,148 34.78% 2,153 65.22% 0 0.00%
1956 1,024 34.20% 1,970 65.80% 0 0.00%
1952 880 28.54% 2,203 71.46% 0 0.00%
1948 377 18.26% 1,523 73.75% 165 7.99%
1944 617 29.73% 1,457 70.22% 1 0.05%
1940 527 24.41% 1,623 75.17% 9 0.42%
1936 504 19.87% 2,026 79.86% 7 0.28%
1932 122 6.60% 1,708 92.42% 18 0.97%
1928 1,039 58.40% 740 41.60% 0 0.00%
1924 397 29.63% 875 65.30% 68 5.07%
1920 929 56.58% 713 43.42% 0 0.00%
1916 190 13.18% 1,010 70.04% 242 16.78%
1912 58 4.27% 663 48.79% 638 46.95%

Education

Gordon County public schools

High schools

Middle schools

  • Redbud Middle School
  • Ashworth Middle School

Elementary schools

  • Fairmount Elementary School
  • Belwood Elementary School
  • W.L. Swain Elementary School
  • Max V. Tolbert Elementary School
  • Red Bud Elementary School
  • Sonoraville Elementary School

Private schools

Calhoun city schools

  • Calhoun Primary School - formerly known as Eastside Primary School
  • Calhoun Elementary School
  • Calhoun Middle School
  • Calhoun High School

Communities

Downtown Calhoun

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Media

  • Calhoun Times and Gordon County News, 210 S. King St., is the official legal organ of Gordon County. Established in 1870, the newspaper is the oldest business in Calhoun and Gordon County.[27]

Recreational complexes

  • Calhoun Recreation Department, Calhoun, Georgia
  • The Sonoraville Recreational Complex in Sonoraville, Georgia

See also

References

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Gordon County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Gordon County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 84. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 140.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Baugh Mountain". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  7. ^ "Gordon County HP". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  8. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  9. ^ "Northwest: Road To Everywhere". Georgia Trend Magazine. April 1, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  11. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  13. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  14. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  15. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  16. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  17. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  18. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  19. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  20. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  21. ^ a b c "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 29, 2015.
  22. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  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 29, 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 29, 2015.
  25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  26. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  27. ^ "About Us - Calhoun Times".

External links

34°30′N 84°52′W / 34.50°N 84.87°W / 34.50; -84.87

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