Toombs County, Georgia
| Toombs County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 Location in the state of Georgia | |
 Georgia's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | August 18, 1905 |
| Named for | Robert Toombs |
| Seat | Lyons |
| Largest city | Vidalia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 371 sq mi (961 km2) |
| • Land | 364 sq mi (943 km2) |
| • Water | 7.0 sq mi (18 km2), 1.9% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 27,223 |
| • Density | 75/sq mi (29/km²) |
| Congressional district | 12th |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website |
www |
Toombs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 26,067.[1] The county seat is Lyons.[2] The county was created on August 18, 1905.
Toombs County is part of the Vidalia, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The County is named for Robert Toombs, United States representative and senator. During the Civil War, Toombs also served in the Confederate Provisional Congress, as Secretary of State of the Confederate States, and a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. Toombs County was founded in 1905.
Toombs County is most famously known for its Vidalia onions.
Toombs County is also famous for being the boyhood home of Paul Anderson. The county also is the home of former NFL football player Fred Stokes.
It was founded as the 142nd county in Georgia by the State Legislature on August 18, 1905 and organized on October 9 of that year. The county was originally formed from portions of Tattnall and Montgomery counties; a small piece of Emanuel County was added in 1907 to give Toombs County its present-day boundaries.
Government
Toombs County is governed by a 5-member Board of Commissioners, headed by Blake Tillery, the Chairman. It is also governed by Alvie Kight, Jr., who has been Sheriff since 1997.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 371 square miles (960 km2), of which 364 square miles (940 km2) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km2) (1.9%) is water.[3]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Emanuel County (north)
- Tattnall County (east)
- Appling County (south)
- Jeff Davis County (southwest)
- Montgomery County (west)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 11,206 | — | |
| 1920 | 13,897 | 24.0% | |
| 1930 | 17,165 | 23.5% | |
| 1940 | 16,952 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 17,382 | 2.5% | |
| 1960 | 16,837 | −3.1% | |
| 1970 | 19,151 | 13.7% | |
| 1980 | 22,592 | 18.0% | |
| 1990 | 24,072 | 6.6% | |
| 2000 | 26,067 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 27,223 | 4.4% | |
| Est. 2013 | 27,273 | 0.2% | |
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 26,067 people, 9,877 households, and 6,825 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 11,371 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.16% White, 24.15% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.34% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 8.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,877 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 15.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,811, and the median income for a family was $34,478. Males had a median income of $26,988 versus $18,051 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,252. About 17.80% of families and 23.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Notable residents
- Mel Blount (football hall of famer and founder of Mel Blount Youth Home
- Nick Eason (former NFL player and current NFL assistant defensive line coach)
- Craig Campbell (country music singer)
- Fred Stokes (former pro football player)
- Travares Tillman (professional football player)
- Don Collins (former professional baseball player)
- Paul Claxton (PGA tour professional golfer)
- Wallace Moses (former professional baseball player)
- Algur H. Meadows (Oilman, businessman)
- Iris Blitch (politician)
- Carl Simpson (former professional baseball player)
- Don Harris (journalist killed during Jonestown Massacre)
- Ben Utt (professional football player)
- J.Nell Ford (author, writer)
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
External links
- Legis.ga.gov. Welcome to the Georgia General Assembly. Home page. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
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Emanuel County | | ||
| Montgomery County |  |
Tattnall County | ||
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| Jeff Davis County | Appling County |
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