Berrien County, Georgia

Berrien County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,160.[1] The county seat is Nashville.[2] The county was created February 25, 1856 out of portions of Coffee, Irwin and Lowndes Counties by an act of the Georgia General Assembly. It is named after Georgia senator John M. Berrien.[3]

Berrien County
County
Berrien County courthouse in Nashville
Berrien County courthouse in Nashville
Map of Georgia highlighting Berrien County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°16′N 83°14′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1856 (1856)
Named forJohn M. Berrien
SeatNashville
Largest cityNashville
Area
 • Total458 sq mi (1,190 km2)
 • Land452 sq mi (1,170 km2)
 • Water6.0 sq mi (16 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,160
 • Density40/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.berriencountygeorgia.com

History

Establishment

The citizens of the area of Lowndes County and Irwin County that would become Berrien County had to travel long distances to get the county courthouse at Franklinville, Georgia and later Troupville, Georgia for those in Lowndes County, and Irwinville, Georgia for those in Irwin County. By at least June 1853, citizens had petitioned to form a new county.[4] The 1853 attempt of a new county failed. By 1856, a renewed attempt at the creation of a new county was successful.

World War I

Berrien County lost a disproportionate number of men in World War I in part because companies at that time were organized by militia districts at home. Eight weeks before the Armistice, 25 Berrien County men were among the 200 recently enlisted soldiers who perished at sea off the coast of Scotland.[5] Many of the bodies were returned to the soldiers' hometowns for burial, and the names of the dead were engraved on a memorial located on the courthouse grounds in Nashville. The memorial was the first in a series of pressed copper sculptures by artist E. M. Viquesney entitled The Spirit of the American Doughboy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 458 square miles (1,190 km2), of which 452 square miles (1,170 km2) is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km2) (1.3%) is water.[6]

The western portion of Berrien County, from just north of U.S. Route 82 and roughly west of U.S. Route 129 heading south, is located in the Withlacoochee River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The eastern portion of the county is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the larger Suwannee River basin.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18603,475—
18704,51830.0%
18806,61946.5%
189010,69461.6%
190019,44081.8%
191022,72216.9%
192015,573−31.5%
193014,646−6.0%
194015,3704.9%
195013,966−9.1%
196012,038−13.8%
197011,556−4.0%
198013,52517.0%
199014,1534.6%
200016,23514.7%
201019,28618.8%
202018,160−5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[12]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 16,235 people, 6,261 households, and 4,539 families living in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 7,100 housing units at an average density of 16 units per square mile (6.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.48% White, 11.43% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.53% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 2.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,261 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.20% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,044, and the median income for a family was $34,643. Males had a median income of $25,559 versus $19,790 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,375. About 14.60% of families and 17.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 13.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 19,286 people, 7,443 households, and 5,254 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 42.7 inhabitants per square mile (16.5/km2). There were 8,709 housing units at an average density of 19.3 units per square mile (7.5 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 84.7% white, 10.7% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.6% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 28.8% were American, 14.4% were Irish, 8.2% were English, and 6.6% were German.[16]

Of the 7,443 households, 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 38.0 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,202 and the median income for a family was $40,869. Males had a median income of $30,847 versus $22,277 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,049. About 18.2% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2020 census
Berrien County racial composition[18]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 14,396 79.27%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,934 10.65%
Native American 22 0.12%
Asian 80 0.44%
Pacific Islander 10 0.06%
Other/Mixed 673 3.71%
Hispanic or Latino 1,045 5.75%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,160 people, 7,367 households, and 5,055 families residing in the county.

Historical notes

Berrien Historical Foundation maintains Berrien Historical Photos website.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Berrien County, Georgia[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,419 82.89% 1,269 16.39% 56 0.72%
2016 5,422 81.99% 1,047 15.83% 144 2.18%
2012 4,843 77.81% 1,273 20.45% 108 1.74%
2008 4,901 75.95% 1,471 22.80% 81 1.26%
2004 3,917 69.87% 1,638 29.22% 51 0.91%
2000 2,718 61.63% 1,640 37.19% 52 1.18%
1996 1,950 42.87% 2,066 45.42% 533 11.72%
1992 1,637 36.03% 2,103 46.29% 803 17.68%
1988 2,030 59.36% 1,381 40.38% 9 0.26%
1984 2,395 58.92% 1,670 41.08% 0 0.00%
1980 1,487 33.76% 2,869 65.15% 48 1.09%
1976 555 14.05% 3,394 85.95% 0 0.00%
1972 2,285 86.03% 371 13.97% 0 0.00%
1968 566 14.79% 452 11.81% 2,810 73.41%
1964 4,073 60.51% 2,658 39.49% 0 0.00%
1960 368 11.66% 2,787 88.34% 0 0.00%
1956 165 6.44% 2,398 93.56% 0 0.00%
1952 364 14.27% 2,187 85.73% 0 0.00%
1948 107 5.03% 1,772 83.31% 248 11.66%
1944 217 12.78% 1,481 87.22% 0 0.00%
1940 23 1.95% 1,156 97.97% 1 0.08%
1936 53 3.02% 1,700 96.98% 0 0.00%
1932 19 1.28% 1,447 97.44% 19 1.28%
1928 105 12.50% 735 87.50% 0 0.00%
1924 13 3.01% 409 94.68% 10 2.31%
1920 58 8.52% 623 91.48% 0 0.00%
1916 49 2.24% 2,102 96.29% 32 1.47%
1912 70 8.60% 709 87.10% 35 4.30%

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Berrien County, Georgia". Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 17. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  4. "Flat Creek, June 18 1853". Albany Patriot. Albany, Georgia. July 1, 1853. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  5. Otranto Sunk in Collision," New York Times, October 12, 1918.
  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 27, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts".
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. "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.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. "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.
  17. "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.
  18. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.

31.27°N 83.23°W / 31.27; -83.23

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