Banks County, Georgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Banks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 14,422. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,055. The county seat is Homer, Georgia6.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to create Banks County on February 1, 1859 from Franklin and Habersham Counties.
The County is named for Richard Banks, a prominent 19th century physician in Gainesville, Georgia.
Ty Cobb, Baseball Hall of Famer, was born in Banks County in 1886 in an area of the county knows as The Narrows - a small farming community consisting of less than 100 people.
[edit] Law and government
As of July 19, 2004 the county's government consisted of Three member county commission, with one being the Chairman of the Commission.
- Gene Hart is the Commission Chairman, Rickey Cain and Pat Westmoreland are the other two members
- The Sheriff is Charles Chapman
- The Coroner is Billy Poole
- The Probate Judge is Betty Thomas
- The Clerk of Court is Timothy Harper.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 606 km² (234 mi²). 605 km² (234 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.09%) is water.
[edit] Major Highways
Interstate 85
U.S. Route 441
State Route 15
State Route 51
State Route 52
State Route 59
State Route 63
State Route 98
State Route 105
State Route 164
State Route 184
State Route 198
State Route 323
State Route 326
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Habersham County, Georgia - north
- Stephens County, Georgia - northeast
- Franklin County, Georgia - east
- Madison County, Georgia - southeast
- Jackson County, Georgia - south
- Hall County, Georgia - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 14,422 people, 5,364 households, and 4,162 families residing in the county. The population density was 24/km² (62/mi²). There were 5,808 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (25/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.16% White, 3.22% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,364 households out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,523, and the median income for a family was $43,136. Males had a median income of $29,986 versus $21,698 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,424. About 9.80% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] References
- GeorgiaInfo.com Banks County History
- This Day in Georgia History:October 23, Ed Jackson and Charly Pou, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia
- History information from Official Banks County website
- Ty Cobb Bio on visitnortheastgeorgia.com
- National Baseball Hall of Fame Ty Cobb Bio
