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Dodge County, Georgia facts for kids

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Dodge County
Dodge County Courthouse in Eastman
Map of Georgia highlighting Dodge County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Georgia
Founded 1870; 154 years ago (1870)
Named for William E. Dodge
Seat Eastman
Largest city Eastman
Area
 • Total 503 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Land 496 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Water 7.2 sq mi (19 km2)  1.4%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
20,605
 • Density 44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 8th

Dodge County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 21,796. The county seat is Eastman. Dodge County lies in the Historic South and Black Belt region of Georgia, an area that was devoted to cotton production in the antebellum years. It has significant historic buildings and plantations, has a substantial African-American population, and shows cultural aspects of the South.

History

Dodge County was organized on October 26, 1870, during the Reconstruction era. The county was named by the Republican-dominated legislature for William E. Dodge, a New York U. S. Representative and businessman, and abolitionist. He was considered a "carpetbagger" by Democrats, as he migrated to this area and purchased large tracts of timberland after the Civil War. He helped build the timber industry.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 503 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 496 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (1.4%) is water.

The western half of Dodge County, roughly west of Eastman, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern half of the county is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin, with a small northern corner of Dodge County, north and west of Chester, located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the larger Alamaha River basin. The rivers were important for trade, carrying cotton and timber downriver to markets.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 5,358
1890 11,452 113.7%
1900 13,975 22.0%
1910 20,127 44.0%
1920 22,540 12.0%
1930 21,599 −4.2%
1940 21,022 −2.7%
1950 17,865 −15.0%
1960 16,483 −7.7%
1970 15,658 −5.0%
1980 16,955 8.3%
1990 17,607 3.8%
2000 19,171 8.9%
2010 21,796 13.7%
2019 (est.) 20,605 −5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2019

2020 census

Dodge County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 12,865 64.57%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,847 29.35%
Native American 21 0.11%
Asian 95 0.48%
Pacific Islander 8 0.04%
Other/Mixed 469 2.35%
Hispanic or Latino 620 3.11%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,925 people, 7,628 households, and 5,167 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,796 people, 8,177 households, and 5,528 families residing in the county. The population density was 44.0 inhabitants per square mile (17.0/km2). There were 9,857 housing units at an average density of 19.9 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 66.8% white, 29.8% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.5% were English, and 12.9% were American.

Of the 8,177 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 38.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,580 and the median income for a family was $46,460. Males had a median income of $38,050 versus $28,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,288. About 17.1% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major highways

  • US 23.svg U.S. Route 23
  • US 280.svg U.S. Route 280
  • US 319.svg U.S. Route 319
  • US 341.svg U.S. Route 341
  • Business plate.svg
    US 341.svg U.S. Route 341 Business
  • US 441.svg U.S. Route 441
  • Georgia 27.svg State Route 27
  • Georgia 27 Business.svg State Route 27 Business
  • Georgia 30.svg State Route 30
  • Georgia 31.svg State Route 31
  • Georgia 46.svg State Route 46
  • Georgia 46 Connector.svg State Route 46 Connector
  • Georgia 87.svg State Route 87
  • Georgia 117.svg State Route 117
  • Georgia 126.svg State Route 126
  • Georgia 165.svg State Route 165
  • Georgia 230.svg State Route 230
  • Georgia 257.svg State Route 257

Airport

The Heart of Georgia Regional Airport is located three miles east of Eastman off of State Route 46. Elevation 304'. Runway 02/20 is 6,506'x100'and has a precision instrument landing system. The airport is owned by the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority and is home to the Middle Georgia State College Georgia Aviation campus. Middle Georgia State College operates the Federal Aviation Administration's #1 ranked student control tower in the United States. Other businesses at the airport include aircraft manufacturing, aircraft metal finishing, and general metal fabrication. The airport's fixed-base operator is located in the terminal building midfield. The terminal building is named after W. S. Stuckey Sr., founder of Stuckey's Candy Company (now Standard Candy) an aviation pioneer who is from Eastman.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Education

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Dodge (Georgia) para niños

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