Johnson County, Georgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 8,560. The county seat is Wrightsville, Georgia6.
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[edit] History
Johnson county was created by the Georgia legislature December 11,1858 from parts of Emanuel, Laurens and Washington counties. Johnson County was named for Georgia governor, senator, and unsuccessful U.S. vice-presidential candidate Herschel Vespasian Johnson.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 794 km² (307 mi²). 788 km² (304 mi²) of its land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of its water. The total area is 0.74% water.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Washington County, Georgia - north
- Jefferson County, Georgia - northeast
- Emanuel County, Georgia - east
- Treutlen County, Georgia - south
- Laurens County, Georgia - southwest
- Wilkinson County, Georgia - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 8,560 people, 3,130 households, and 2,241 families residing in the county. The population density was 11/km² (28/mi²). There were 3,634 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.44% White, 36.96% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,130 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% were married couples living together, 18.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.10% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.50 males. The median income for a household in the county was $23,848, and the median income for a family was $29,663. Males had a median income of $28,952 versus $18,171 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,384. About 20.90% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 30.90% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
The county is governed by a five member board of commissioners. A county manager handles the daily operation of the county.
The county is part of the Dublin Judicial Circuit along with Twiggs County, Treutlen County, and Laurens County.
[edit] Education
In 1970 Johnson County schools integrated peacefully due to careful planning by the county's board of education and firm management by superintendent Buren Claxton.
The county's public schools are located in Wrightsville. The school mascot is the Trojan; and the school colors are blue and white. The school fight song is the theme from the movie Hang 'Em High.
Meeks Christian Academy is a small private school located in the unincorporated community for which it is named.
[edit] Sports
Herschel Walker, a Johnson County native, played on the county's only state championship football team in 1979. Walker went on to play for the University of Georgia and won the Heisman Trophy. In 2004 Johnson County High School named its football field for Walker. Professional football player, Russ Tanner graduated from Johnson County High in 2000.
