Henry County, Georgia facts for kids

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Henry County

U.S. county

Henry County Courthouse and Confederate monument

Seal

Logo

Location within the U.S. state of Georgia

Georgia's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Georgia

Founded

May 15, 1821; 204 years ago

Largest city

Area

• Total

327 sq mi (850 km²)

• Land

322 sq mi (830 km²)

• Water

4.4 sq mi (11 km²) 1.4%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

240,712

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional districts

3rd, 10th, 13th

Henry County is a busy and growing area located in the north central part of Georgia. It's a place where many families live and work. In 2020, about 240,712 people called Henry County home. This was a big jump from 2010, showing how fast the county is growing!

The main town, or county seat, of Henry County is McDonough. The county was named after Patrick Henry, a famous American leader from the time of the American Revolution. Henry County is also part of the larger Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area, which means it's connected to the big city of Atlanta. You can find the historic Henry County Courthouse here, which is a special building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Look Back at Henry County's History

How Henry County Was Formed

Henry County was created in 1821 by the Georgia State Legislature. This happened after land was acquired from the Creek Indian Nation. The land was obtained through an agreement called the First Treaty of Indian Springs.

When it was first formed, Henry County was much larger than it is today. It stretched from near Indian Springs in the south all the way to the Chattahoochee River in the north. This huge area included most of what is now the Atlanta metropolitan area.

However, the county's size quickly changed. Within a year, parts of Henry County were used to create other counties. These included DeKalb, Fulton, Fayette, and Newton counties. Later, more parts of Henry County became Clayton, Spalding, Rockdale, and Butts counties.

Early Days and First Settlers

Before 1821, Henry County was mostly wild land. Only the Creek Indians and a few trappers lived there. The Creek Indians left their mark on the land. You can still find small Indian Mounds and old arrowheads in the county.

One of the first settlers in Henry County was Jesse Johnson. He was a successful farmer and even served as the county's second sheriff. Jesse Johnson was also the great-grandfather of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson. By 1995, Henry County was one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States!

Exploring Henry County's Geography

Land and Water Areas

Henry County covers a total area of about 327 square miles (847 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 322 square miles (834 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 4.4 square miles (11 square kilometers), is water. This means only a small part of the county is covered by water.

Rivers and Basins

Most of Henry County is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin. This river system eventually flows into the Altamaha River basin. A very small part of the county, west of Hampton, is in the Upper Flint River sub-basin. The Flint River is part of the larger ACF River Basin.

Neighboring Counties

Henry County shares its borders with several other counties. These are:

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

Towns and Communities in Henry County

Henry County has several towns and smaller communities. These are the places where people live, work, and go to school.

Main Cities

Other Communities

Who Lives in Henry County?

Population Growth Over Time

Henry County has seen a lot of growth in its population over the years.

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%
2020	240,712	18.0%
2023 (est.)	254,613	24.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 2020

In 2020, there were 240,712 people living in Henry County. These people made up 79,550 households, with 60,471 families. The county continues to grow, showing it's a popular place to live!

Henry County's Economy

Henry County is home to several businesses and companies. Goya Foods, a well-known food company, has its Atlanta offices near McDonough. In the past, large warehouses for companies like Whirlpool Corporation and Toys 'R' Us were also located here.

Media and News

If you want to know what's happening in Henry County, there are local media outlets. WKKP is the local radio station. It broadcasts 24 hours a day on 100.9 FM and 1410 AM, playing classic country music. The Henry Herald is the local newspaper that keeps residents updated on county news.

Sports and Recreation

Henry County is a fun place for sports lovers!

The semi-professional soccer team Georgia Revolution FC plays in the National Premier Soccer League. Their games are held at the Warhawk Stadium.
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a famous racetrack located right in Henry County. It hosts an annual NASCAR race and many other exciting events throughout the year. In 2021, it even hosted the Publix Atlanta Marathon!

Education in Henry County

Public Schools

Local public schools in Henry County are managed by the Henry County Schools. They work to provide education for all students in the area.

Alternative Schools

EXCEL Academy (also known as Patrick Henry alternative)
Mainstay Academy (a special education program called GNETS)

Private Schools

Henry County also has many private schools that offer different learning environments:

ABC Montessori (for toddlers up to 12th grade)
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
McDonough Methodist Academy

Higher Education Opportunities

For students looking to continue their education after high school, Henry County offers several options:

Mercer University has a Regional Academic Center in McDonough. This center opened in 2003 and offers programs for adults and teachers.
Clayton State University and Gordon College also offer college courses. These classes are held at the Academy for Advanced Studies in McDonough.
Southern Crescent Technical College has a Henry County Center in McDonough. It offers programs in healthcare, business, logistics, computer systems, and more.

Getting Around Henry County

Major Highways

Many important roads run through Henry County, making it easy to travel.

Interstate 75
Interstate 675
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 23
U.S. Route 41
State Route 3
State Route 20
State Route 42
State Route 81
State Route 138
State Route 155
State Route 401 (This is another name for I-75)
State Route 413 (This is another name for I-675)

Walking and Biking Paths

Reeves Creek Trail

Public Transportation

Henry County has its own transportation system. It's a reservation-based service for people living in the county. Also, Xpress is a regional bus service. It helps people commute from Stockbridge, Hampton, and McDonough to other areas.

Images for kids

Henry County Courthouse and Confederate monument