Chatham County, Georgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chatham County, Georgia | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Georgia |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | 1777 |
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| Seat | Savannah |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,638 km² (632 mi²) 1,135 km² (438 mi²) 503 km² (194 mi²), 30.71% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
232,048 204/km² |
| Website: www.chathamcounty.org | |
Chatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 232,048. Current population estimates (2006) indicate that this figure has grown to around 240,000. The county seat is Savannah, Georgia6. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,638 km² (632 mi²). 1,135 km² (438 mi²) of it is land and 503 km² (194 mi²) of it (30.71%) is water.
[edit] Geographic features
Chatham County is the northernmost of Georgia's coastal counties on the Atlantic Ocean. It is bounded on the northeast by the Savannah River.
[edit] Major Highways
Interstate 16
Interstate 95
Interstate 516
U.S. Route 17
U.S. Route 80
State Route 17
State Route 21
State Route 25
State Route 26
State Route 204
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Jasper County, South Carolina - northeast
- Bryan County, Georgia - west
- Effingham County, Georgia - northwest
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 232,048 people, 89,865 households, and 59,400 families residing in the county. The population density was 204/km² (530/mi²). There were 99,683 housing units at an average density of 88/km² (228/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 55.28% White, 40.50% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 89,865 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were married couples living together, 17.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,752, and the median income for a family was $46,125. Males had a median income of $35,132 versus $24,686 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,152. About 11.80% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.10% of those under age 18 and 11.50% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Historical churches
Chatham County is home to several historical churches. The First Bryan Baptist Church is an African-American church that started in 1788. The original church building was built in 1793 on land that was owned by African-Americans (and still is as of 2005). In 1832 a split in the congregation occurred. The split produced the First African Baptist Church, Franklin Square; which was built in 1859 by its members, most of whom were slaves.
