Henry County, Georgia

Henry County, Georgia
Henry County Courthouse
Location in the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded	May 15, 1821
Named for	Patrick Henry
Seat	McDonough
Largest city	Stockbridge
Area
• Total	327 sq mi (847 km2)
• Land	322 sq mi (834 km2)
• Water	4.4 sq mi (11 km2), 1.4%
Population (est.)
• (2015)	217,739
• Density	633/sq mi (244/km²)
Congressional districts	3rd, 10th, 13th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.co.henry.ga.us

Henry County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. Per the 2014 census estimate,^[1] the population of Henry County is 213,869. The county seat is McDonough.^[2] The county was named for Patrick Henry.^[3]

Henry County is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. The Henry County Courthouse (McDonough, Georgia) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1995, Henry County was the 6th fastest growing county in the United States.^[4]

History

Henry County, Georgia was created by the Georgia State Legislature in 1821 from land acquired from the Creek Indian Nation by the First Treaty of Indian Springs. Henry's original land area was much larger than it is today, stretching from near Indian Springs (present-day Indian Springs State Park) in the south to the Chattahoochee River near Sandy Springs in the north; encompassing most of present-day Metropolitan Atlanta. Before one year passed the size of the County was diminished through the separation of land areas which, in whole or in part, became present day DeKalb, Fulton, Fayette and Newton Counties. Later divisions resulted in Clayton, Spalding, Rockdale and Butts Counties.

In the beginning Henry County was a virgin wilderness, having just been ceded from the Creek Nation. Prior to 1821, the Creeks and a few trappers and traders were the only residents of this area. The Creek Indians left their mark through place names, a few small Indian Mounds scattered around the County and through the arrowheads and broken pottery which can be found throughout Henry County.

Jesse Johnson, son of John Johnson and great-grandfather of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson, was a "first settler" of Henry County. He was a prosperous farmer, sheriff (1822–1835), and judge, before he fled to Alabama.^[5]

Geography and transportation

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 327 square miles (850 km²), of which 322 square miles (830 km²) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km²) (1.4%) is water.^[6]

The vast majority of Henry County is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin, with just a very small western corner, west of Hampton, located in the Upper Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).^[7]

Government

Previous Presidential Elections Results^[8]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2016	46.0% 45,724	50.4% 50,057	3.6% 3586
2012	51.1% 46,774	47.8% 43,761	1.1% 996
2008	53.3% 47,157	45.9% 40,567	0.9% 762
2004	66.6% 42,759	32.8% 21,096	0.6% 380
2000	66.4% 25,815	30.8% 11,971	2.8% 1,081
1996	58.4% 16,968	32.7% 9,498	9.0% 2608
1992	52.0% 12,634	32.2% 7,817	15.8% 3833
1988	71.1% 10,882	28.4% 4,348	0.5% 74
1984	69.1% 9,142	30.9% 4,096
1980	47.3% 5,326	50.0% 5,635	2.7% 307
1976	31.4% 2,622	68.6% 5,717
1972	77.9% 5,155	22.1% 1,460
1968	25.4% 2,017	29.2% 2317	45.4% 3,604
1964	46.6% 3,125	53.4% 3,583	0.0% 1
1960	26.0% 1,041	74.0% 2,957
1956	24.3% 848	75.7% 2,636
1952	17.6% 553	82.4% 2,589
1948	11.5% 213	75.8% 1,400	12.6% 233
1944	9.4% 152	90.6% 1,461
1940	6.1% 101	93.8% 1,551	0.1% 2
1936	7.8% 116	91.9% 1,362	0.3% 4
1932	1.4% 21	97.7% 1,496	1.0% 15
1928	32.1% 360	67.9% 763
1924	7.4% 53	83.2% 594	9.4% 67
1920	0.0% 0	100.0% 608
1916	8.6% 89	83.9% 868	7.5% 78
1912	18.1% 122	79.6% 536	2.2% 15

The Henry County Board of Commissioners is are responsible for administering county government to residents. A chairman is elected countywide by residents and is the county's chief executive. June Wood is the current county chair. She is the first African- American to serve in the position since being elected in a December 2016 run- off election. As of January 2017, the following individuals serve the county on the Board of Commissioners:

Chair: June Wood District 1: Johnny Wilson District 2: Dee Clemmons District 3: Gary Barham District 4: Blake Prince District 5: Bruce Holmes

^[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

• DeKalb County – north
• Rockdale County – northeast
• Newton County – east
• Butts County – southeast
• Spalding County – southwest
• Clayton County – west

Transit systems

• Xpress GA/ RTA Commuter buses serve the county.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1830	10,566		—
1840	11,756		11.3%
1850	14,726		25.3%
1860	10,702		−27.3%
1870	10,102		−5.6%
1880	14,193		40.5%
1890	16,220		14.3%
1900	18,602		14.7%
1910	19,927		7.1%
1920	20,420		2.5%
1930	15,924		−22.0%
1940	15,119		−5.1%
1950	15,857		4.9%
1960	17,619		11.1%
1970	23,724		34.7%
1980	36,309		53.0%
1990	58,741		61.8%
2000	119,341		103.2%
2010	203,922		70.9%
Est. 2016	221,768	[10]	8.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[15]

2000 Census

As of the census^[16] of 2000, there were 119,341 people, 41,373 households, and 33,305 families residing in the county. The population density was 370 people per square mile (143/km²). There were 43,166 housing units at an average density of 134 per square mile (52/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.38% White, 14.68% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.76% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Census Estimates from the 2008 American Community Survey indicate that the African-American population is 32.6%.

There were 41,373 households out of which 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.40% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.50% were non-families. 15.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the county, the population was spread out with 29.20% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 34.90% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $57,309, and the median income for a family was $61,607. Males had a median income of $41,449 versus $29,211 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,945. About 3.70% of families and 4.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.50% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 203,922 people, 70,255 households, and 54,445 families residing in the county.^[17] The population density was 633.0 inhabitants per square mile (244.4/km²). There were 76,533 housing units at an average density of 237.6 per square mile (91.7/km²).^[18] The racial makeup of the county was 55.0% white, 36.9% black or African American, 2.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.4% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.8% of the population.^[17] In terms of ancestry, 10.7% were American, 9.3% were Irish, 9.2% were German, and 8.2% were English.^[19]

Of the 70,255 households, 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 22.5% were non-families, and 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.29. The median age was 35.3 years.^[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $63,923 and the median income for a family was $70,972. Males had a median income of $50,198 versus $39,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,773. About 6.3% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.^[20]

Economy

Goya Foods has its Atlanta offices in an unincorporated area near McDonough.^[21]

Media

WKKP is the local radio media outlet. It broadcasts 24 hours a day on 100.9 FM and 1410 AM, and has a classic country format.

The Henry Herald and the Henry County Times are the local county news print media.

Education

Local public schools are run by the Henry County School System.

Elementary schools

Middle schools

High schools

Enriched Virtual Program

• Impact academy

Alternative schools

• EXCEL Academy
• Mainstay Academy (GNETS - Special Education)

Private schools

• ABC Montessori (Toddler - 12)
• Bible Baptist Christian School (K4–12)
• Community Christian School (Nursery–12)
• Creekside Christian Academy
• Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (K3–12)
• Lake Dow Christian Academy
• New Creation Christian Academy
• North Henry Academy (K3–8)
• Strong Rock Christian School (K–12)
• Peoples Baptist Academy
• Heritage Baptist Christian School
• The Sharon School

Higher education

Mercer University has a Regional Academic Center in McDonough. The center, opened in 2003, offers programs through the university's College of Continuing and Professional Studies and Mercer's Tift College of Education. Clayton State University and Gordon College also offer a range of college courses at the Academy for Advanced Studies in McDonough.

Southern Crescent Technical College's Henry County Center (in McDonough) offers programs in Allied Health, Business Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Computer Information Systems, Personal Services, Public Safety, and Drafting Technology. ^[22]

Communities

Cities

• Hampton
• Locust Grove
• McDonough
• Stockbridge

Census-designated place

• Heron Bay (part)

Other unincorporated communities

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Henry County, Georgia

References

1. ↑ "Henry County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". quickfacts.census.gov. Retrieved 2016-02-23. 
2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 155. 
4. ↑ "Fastest-growing counties, 1990-95". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23. 
5. ↑ Caro, Robert A. (1983). The Path to Power. The Years of Lyndon Johnson. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. p. 15. ISBN 0394499735. LCCN 90201781.  |access-date= requires |url= (help)
6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
7. ↑ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2015-11-19. 
8. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
9. ↑ http://www.co.henry.ga.us/Board_of_Commissioners/DistrictMap.shtml
10. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017. 
11. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2014. 
12. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 23, 2014. 
13. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014. 
14. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014. 
15. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014. 
16. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14. 
17. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30. 
18. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30. 
19. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30. 
20. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30. 
21. ↑ "Contact Us." Goya Foods. Retrieved on March 26, 2016. "Goya Foods of Atlanta 4005 Haworth Parkway McDonough, GA 30253"
22. ↑ https://www.sctech.edu/aboutsctc/locations/henry-county-center/
23. ↑ Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971. NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls. Records of the Post Office Department, Record Group Number 28. Washington, D.C.: National Archives.

External links

• Henry County Board of Commissioners
• Henry County Chamber of Commerce
• Taste of Henry An annual fundraiser that showcases many of Henry County's best restaurants.
• Kelleytown, GA Website run by Mr. Beau Kelley, a descendant of the original family to which the community is named.
• A Friend's House Henry County's emergency shelter for abused, neglected, and abandoned children.
• Howard, John. "The Sub Series: Henry County, Georgia." Southern Spaces, January 26, 2010.
• Henry County historical marker

Coordinates: 33°28′N 84°10′W / 33.46°N 84.16°W / 33.46; -84.16