Effingham County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Effingham County
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Effingham County Courthouse in Springfield
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Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
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 Georgia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | February 5, 1777 |
| Named for | Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham |
| Seat | Springfield |
| Largest city | Rincon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 483 sq mi (1,250 km2) |
| • Land | 478 sq mi (1,240 km2) |
| • Water | 5.2 sq mi (13 km2) 1.1%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 64,769 |
| • Density | 136/sq mi (53/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 12th |
Effingham County is a place in the southeastern part of Georgia, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 64,769 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Springfield.
Effingham County is part of the larger Savannah metropolitan area. This means it's connected to the city of Savannah and the towns around it.
It's a fast-growing area! From 2000 to 2007, Effingham County was one of the fastest-growing mid-sized counties in the whole country. Its population grew by over 35% during that time.
Contents
History of Effingham County
Effingham County was one of the very first counties created in Georgia. It was formed on February 5, 1777, during the American Revolution. This was a time when the American colonies were fighting for their freedom from Great Britain.
The county was named after Lord Effingham. He was an English nobleman who supported the American colonists. He even quit his job in the British army because he didn't want to fight against the colonists.
During the American Revolution, many people in this area were loyal to Great Britain. They were called Loyalists. After the war, important Georgia leaders asked these Loyalists to stay. Most of them did, helping the new state grow.
The town of Springfield was started in 1799. It was probably named after a local farm or "plantation."
Geography of Effingham County
Effingham County covers about 483 square miles. Most of this area, about 478 square miles, is land. The rest, about 5.2 square miles, is water.
The western side of the county is near the Ogeechee River. The rest of the county is mostly in the Savannah River area. These rivers are important waterways in Georgia.
Neighboring Counties
Effingham County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Hampton County, South Carolina (to the north)
- Jasper County, South Carolina (to the northeast)
- Chatham County (to the southeast)
- Bryan County (to the south)
- Bulloch County (to the west)
- Screven County (to the northwest)
Protected Natural Areas
Part of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is located in Effingham County. This is a special area set aside to protect wildlife and their natural homes.
Towns and Communities
Effingham County has several towns and smaller communities.
Cities
- Guyton
- Rincon
- Springfield (the county seat)
Smaller Communities
These are places that are not officially cities:
Historical Sites
- Ebenezer is a "ghost town." This means it was once a town but is now mostly abandoned.
People of Effingham County
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 2,424 | — | |
| 1800 | 2,072 | −14.5% | |
| 1810 | 2,586 | 24.8% | |
| 1820 | 3,018 | 16.7% | |
| 1830 | 2,924 | −3.1% | |
| 1840 | 3,075 | 5.2% | |
| 1850 | 3,864 | 25.7% | |
| 1860 | 4,755 | 23.1% | |
| 1870 | 4,214 | −11.4% | |
| 1880 | 5,979 | 41.9% | |
| 1890 | 5,599 | −6.4% | |
| 1900 | 8,334 | 48.8% | |
| 1910 | 9,971 | 19.6% | |
| 1920 | 9,985 | 0.1% | |
| 1930 | 10,164 | 1.8% | |
| 1940 | 9,646 | −5.1% | |
| 1950 | 9,133 | −5.3% | |
| 1960 | 10,144 | 11.1% | |
| 1970 | 13,632 | 34.4% | |
| 1980 | 18,327 | 34.4% | |
| 1990 | 25,687 | 40.2% | |
| 2000 | 37,535 | 46.1% | |
| 2010 | 52,250 | 39.2% | |
| 2020 | 64,769 | 24.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 71,541 | 36.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 |
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The population of Effingham County has grown a lot over the years. In 2020, there were 64,769 people living here. These people lived in over 21,000 households.
Most people in Effingham County are White (about 74%). About 13.5% are Black or African American. Other groups, like Asian, Native American, and people of mixed backgrounds, also live here. About 5% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Economy and Jobs
In the early 1900s, farming was the most important part of Effingham County's economy. Farmers grew a lot of potatoes, both Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. They grew so many that they shipped them out by train!
Small businesses grew from this farming. For example, the Effingham Canning Company helped process the food.
Today, Effingham County is a popular place for businesses and industries. This is because more people are moving here, and the nearby Georgia ports are very busy. The area also has a strong military presence and aerospace companies.
Big companies like Gulfstream Aerospace (which makes fancy airplanes) are in the nearby Savannah area.
The Effingham County Industrial Park has attracted many new businesses. For example, EFACEC Group, a company from Portugal, makes power transformers here. Other businesses include refrigerated storage and distribution centers. The park is in a great spot, close to major highways, the Georgia ports, and the Savannah airport.
The Effingham Industrial Development Authority is working to bring even more jobs. They have bought a lot of land for future businesses. This land is perfect for factories, warehouses, and research centers. It's close to major highways and train lines.
Some of the industries in Effingham County today include:
- Paper manufacturing (Georgia Pacific)
- Making parts for turbines (Doncasters)
- Producing aluminum domes (Temcor)
- Manufacturing concrete pipes (Hanson)
- Creating custom airplane interiors (Edward's Interiors)
- Making electrical transformers (EFACEC PT)
Getting Around (Transportation)
Effingham County has important roads and train lines that help people and goods move around.
Major Roads
- I-16: This highway goes from west to east through the county. It connects to US 80.
- I-95: This is a very important north-south highway along the East Coast. It only runs through a small part of eastern Effingham County, near the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
- US 80: This used to be the main east-west highway before I-16 was built.
- Other state routes like SR 17, SR 21, SR 26, SR 30, SR 119, and SR 275 also run through the county.
Train Lines
Effingham County has three main train lines. Two are owned by CSX and one by Norfolk Southern. These lines are important for moving goods across the country.
Amtrak, which is a passenger train service, uses two of these lines. However, their trains do not stop anywhere in Effingham County.
Education
To learn more about schools in Effingham County, you can visit the main article about Springfield, Georgia's education.
Images for kids
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Effingham County Courthouse in Springfield
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Effingham (Georgia) para niños
