Muscogee County, Georgia
| Muscogee County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 Location in the state of Georgia | |
 Georgia's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | June 9, 1826 |
| Named for | Muscogee people |
| Seat | Columbus |
| Largest city | Columbus |
| Area | |
| • Total | 221 sq mi (572 km2) |
| • Land | 216 sq mi (559 km2) |
| • Water | 4.6 sq mi (12 km2), 2.1% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 189,885 |
| • Density | 878/sq mi (339/km²) |
| Congressional districts | 2nd, 3rd |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website |
www |
Muscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 189,885.[1] Its county seat and only city is Columbus,[2] with which it has been a consolidated city-county since the beginning of 1971.
Muscogee County is part of Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The only other city in the county was Bibb City, which disincorporated in December 2000. Fort Benning takes up nearly one quarter of the county. The Chattahoochee River forms its western border with Alabama.
History
Inhabited for thousands of years by varying cultures of indigenous peoples, this area was territory of the historic Creek people at the time of European encounter.
The land for Lee, Muscogee, Troup, Coweta, and Carroll counties was ceded by a certain eight chiefs among the Creek people in the 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs. The Creek Nation declared the land cession illegal, because it did not represent the will of the majority of the people. The United States Senate did not ratify it.The following year, the US government negotiated another treaty with the Creek, by which they ceded nearly as much territory under continued pressure from the state of Georgia and US land commissioners.
The counties' boundaries were created by the Georgia General Assembly on June 9, but they were not named until December 14 of 1826.
The county was named for the native Muscogee or Creek people. Parts of the then-large county (which went all the way east to the Flint River) were later taken to create every other neighboring Georgia county, including Harris County to the north in 1827.[3]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 221 square miles (570 km2), of which 216 square miles (560 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (2.1%) is water.[4]
Major highways
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Interstate 185 -
U.S. Route 27 -
U.S. Route 27 Alternate -
U.S. Route 80 -
U.S. Route 280 -
State Route 1 -
State Route 22 -
State Route 22 Connector -
State Route 22 Spur -
State Route 85 -
State Route 219 -
State Route 411 (unsigned designation for I-185) -
State Route 520 -
State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway) (future)
Adjacent counties
- Harris County (north)
- Talbot County (northeast)
- Chattahoochee County (south)
- Russell County, Alabama (southwest/CST Border except for Phenix City as the city is jointed by the Columbus Metropolitan Area)
- Lee County, Alabama (west/CST Border)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 3,508 | — | |
| 1840 | 11,699 | 233.5% | |
| 1850 | 18,578 | 58.8% | |
| 1860 | 16,584 | −10.7% | |
| 1870 | 16,663 | 0.5% | |
| 1880 | 19,322 | 16.0% | |
| 1890 | 27,761 | 43.7% | |
| 1900 | 29,836 | 7.5% | |
| 1910 | 36,227 | 21.4% | |
| 1920 | 44,195 | 22.0% | |
| 1930 | 57,558 | 30.2% | |
| 1940 | 75,494 | 31.2% | |
| 1950 | 118,028 | 56.3% | |
| 1960 | 158,623 | 34.4% | |
| 1970 | 167,377 | 5.5% | |
| 1980 | 170,108 | 1.6% | |
| 1990 | 179,278 | 5.4% | |
| 2000 | 186,291 | 3.9% | |
| 2010 | 189,885 | 1.9% | |
| Est. 2013 | 202,824 | 6.8% | |
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 186,291 people, 69,819 households, and 47,686 families residing in the county. The population density was 861 people per square mile (333/km²). There were 76,182 housing units at an average density of 352 per square mile (136/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 50.42% White, 43.74% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.54% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 4.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 69,819 households out of which 34.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.70% were married couples living together, 19.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.70% were non-families. 26.70% 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 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,798, and the median income for a family was $41,244. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $24,336 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,262. 15.70% of the population and 12.80% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.00% of those under the age of 18 and 12.10% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
Higher education
Public
- Columbus State University
- Columbus Technical College
- Troy University[10] - main campus in nearby Troy, Alabama
Private
- Beacon University (Seminary)
- Rivertown School of Beauty
- Southeastern Beauty School
- Meadows Junior College
- University of Phoenix[11]
Primary and secondary education
Public schools
Columbus is home to 65 public schools,[12] all operated by the Muscogee County School District.
Private and religion-based schools
- Brookstone School (K-12)
- Calvary Christian School (Christian, K-12)
- Edgewood Christian School (Baptist, K-12)
- Grace Christian School (Christian, K-12)
- Hallie Turner Private School (9-12)
- Kip Christian Academy (Christian, K-8)
- New Bethel Christian Academy (Seventh-day Adventist, K-8)
- Our Lady of Lourdes School (Catholic, K-8)
- Our Redeemer Christian Academy (Christian, K-12)
- Pinehurst Christian School (Baptist, K-8)
- St. Anne‒Pacelli Catholic School (Catholic, K-12)
- St. Luke School (Christian, K-8)
- Victory Academy (K-8)
- Westminster Christian School (Christian, K-8)
- Wynnbrook Christian School (Baptist, K-12)
Homeschooling
In regards to homeschooling, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated states the following:
Required Subjects: A basic academic educational program that includes, but is not limited to, reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science. [Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-690(c)(4).]
Communities
- Bibb City
- Columbus
- Columbus City
- Custer Terrace
- Fortson
- Fort Benning (military base)
- Upatoi
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ "Muscogee County History", University of Georgia
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ↑ Troy University at Columbus
- ↑ http://www.phoenix.edu/campus_locations/GA/columbus_georgia_campus_locations/columbus-ga.html
- ↑ List of schools in Columbus, Retrieved Sept. 2009
External links
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Harris County | Talbot County | | |
| Lee County, Alabama |  |
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| Russell County, Alabama | Chattahoochee County |
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