Putnam County, Georgia

Putnam County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,047.[1] The county seat is Eatonton.[2]

Putnam County
County
Putnam County courthouse in Eatonton
Putnam County courthouse in Eatonton
Map of Georgia highlighting Putnam 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°19′N 83°22′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 10, 1807 (1807-12-10)
Named forIsrael Putnam
SeatEatonton
Largest cityEatonton
Area
 • Total361 sq mi (930 km2)
 • Land345 sq mi (890 km2)
 • Water16 sq mi (40 km2)  4.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total22,047
 • Density64/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.putnamcountyga.us

Since the early 21st century, the county has had a housing boom. It has proximity to Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, and the Oconee River, all of which are recreation sites, as well as to major employment centers such as Atlanta, Athens, and Macon.

History

Putnam County is named in honor of Israel Putnam, a hero of the French and Indian War and a general in the American Revolutionary War. It was settled by European Americans after the war, as migrants moved down from the Upper South. The county was created on December 10, 1807, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly.[3]

Following the invention of the cotton gin, which could profitably process short-staple cotton, the county was developed for cotton cultivation of that type. It thrived in the upland areas, where plantations were developed and worked by the field labor of thousands of African-American slaves.

During the 1919 Red Summer there were many incidents of racial violence including an arson attack where almost a dozen black community buildings were burnt down in late May 1919.[4] The Wheeling Intelligencer claimed the buildings were burnt down because of a "minor racial clash at Dennis Station."[5] During this time armed black and white mobs patrolled the area in fear of each other.[4]

In the first half of the 20th century, thousands of blacks left the state during the Great Migration from 1920 to 1960. The county population dropped by more than half during this period following mechanization of agriculture and as rural workers moved into cities. Since the late 20th century, population has increased. The white population of the county has grown since the turn of the 21st century: in 2010 African Americans comprised 26 percent of the county population, a drop from nearly 42% in 2000.

In the 21st century, dairy farming is more important to Putnam County than cotton. It annually holds the nationally known Dairy Festival.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 361 square miles (930 km2), of which 345 square miles (890 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (4.4%) is water.[6] The entirety of Putnam County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[7] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state, with rolling hills, farms, and lakes covering a majority of the county.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181010,029—
182015,47554.3%
183013,261−14.3%
184010,260−22.6%
185010,7945.2%
186010,125−6.2%
187010,4613.3%
188014,53939.0%
189014,8422.1%
190013,436−9.5%
191013,8763.3%
192015,1519.2%
19308,367−44.8%
19408,5141.8%
19507,731−9.2%
19607,7980.9%
19708,3947.6%
198010,29522.6%
199014,13737.3%
200018,81233.1%
201021,21812.8%
202022,0473.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2013[12]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 18,812 people, 7,402 households, and 5,477 families living in the county. The population density was 55 inhabitants per square mile (21/km2). There were 10,319 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 51.45% White, 41.90% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 2.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,402 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 28.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,956, and the median income for a family was $43,262. Males had a median income of $30,900 versus $21,823 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,161. About 10.50% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,218 people, 8,601 households, and 6,075 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 61.6 inhabitants per square mile (23.8/km2). There were 12,804 housing units at an average density of 37.2 per square mile (14.4/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 67.9% white, 26.0% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.3% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 27.2% were American, 26.0% African American, 10.7% were Irish, 9.9% were English, and 5.9% were German.[16]

Of the 8,601 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 43.5 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,529 and the median income for a family was $49,814. Males had a median income of $31,915 versus $30,857 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,576. About 9.3% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2020 census
Putnam County racial composition[18]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 14,316 64.93%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,385 24.43%
Native American 33 0.15%
Asian 108 0.49%
Pacific Islander 1 0.0%
Other/Mixed 647 2.93%
Hispanic or Latino 1,557 7.06%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 22,047 people, 8,937 households, and 6,282 families residing in the county.

Communities

Education

The Putnam County Charter School System serves the community.

Politics
United States presidential election results for Putnam County, Georgia[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 8,291 69.92% 3,448 29.08% 118 1.00%
2016 6,544 68.68% 2,758 28.95% 226 2.37%
2012 6,215 67.34% 2,926 31.70% 88 0.95%
2008 5,966 65.28% 3,102 33.94% 71 0.78%
2004 5,188 63.91% 2,880 35.48% 50 0.62%
2000 3,596 57.09% 2,612 41.47% 91 1.44%
1996 2,306 44.81% 2,340 45.47% 500 9.72%
1992 1,756 37.41% 2,149 45.78% 789 16.81%
1988 2,111 57.74% 1,532 41.90% 13 0.36%
1984 1,830 57.80% 1,336 42.20% 0 0.00%
1980 1,166 36.70% 1,951 61.41% 60 1.89%
1976 835 29.04% 2,040 70.96% 0 0.00%
1972 1,963 76.47% 604 23.53% 0 0.00%
1968 594 21.66% 972 35.44% 1,177 42.91%
1964 1,196 54.02% 1,018 45.98% 0 0.00%
1960 305 21.65% 1,104 78.35% 0 0.00%
1956 268 19.69% 1,093 80.31% 0 0.00%
1952 250 16.66% 1,251 83.34% 0 0.00%
1948 110 12.88% 609 71.31% 135 15.81%
1944 74 9.55% 701 90.45% 0 0.00%
1940 61 7.70% 730 92.17% 1 0.13%
1936 51 6.75% 703 93.11% 1 0.13%
1932 33 4.09% 770 95.53% 3 0.37%
1928 57 7.71% 682 92.29% 0 0.00%
1924 7 1.50% 457 97.65% 4 0.85%
1920 5 1.18% 420 98.82% 0 0.00%
1916 0 0.00% 462 98.30% 8 1.70%
1912 7 1.49% 460 97.66% 4 0.85%

See also

Bibliography
Notes
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Putnam County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 182. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  4. McWhirter 2011, p. 53.
  5. The Wheeling Intelligencer 1919, p. 14.
  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 20, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  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 30, 2015.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 22, 2018.
References

33.32°N 83.37°W / 33.32; -83.37

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