Lanier County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lanier County
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Lanier County Courthouse in Lakeland
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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 | August 7, 1920 |
| Named for | Sidney Lanier |
| Seat | Lakeland |
| Largest city | Lakeland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 200 sq mi (500 km2) |
| • Land | 185 sq mi (480 km2) |
| • Water | 15 sq mi (40 km2) 7.3%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,877 |
| • Density | 53/sq mi (20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
Lanier County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2020, about 9,877 people lived there. The main town, called the county seat, is Lakeland. The county is named after Sidney Lanier, a famous poet from Georgia.
Lanier County is part of the Valdosta area. It also shares Moody Air Force Base with Lowndes County on its western side.
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About Lanier County, Georgia
Lanier County is a place with a rich history and beautiful nature. It was created in 1920 and named after a well-known poet. The county offers many outdoor activities. It is also home to important businesses and schools.
Where is Lanier County Located?
According to official records, Lanier County covers about 200 square miles. Most of this area, about 185 square miles, is land. The rest, about 15 square miles, is water. This means about 7.3% of the county is water.
Most of Lanier County is in the Alapaha River area. This river flows into the Suwannee River. A small part of the county on the western side is in the Withlacoochee River area. A tiny section on the eastern border is also part of the Upper Suwannee River area.
Main Roads in Lanier County
Many important roads run through Lanier County. These roads help people travel easily. They connect different towns and cities.
U.S. Route 84
U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 221
State Route 11
State Route 11 Bypass
State Route 31
State Route 31 Connector
State Route 37
State Route 38
State Route 64
State Route 122
State Route 122 Connector
State Route 125
State Route 135
State Route 135 Bypass
State Route 168
Rivers and Lakes
The main waterways in Lanier County are:
Neighboring Counties
Lanier County shares borders with several other counties:
- Berrien County - to the northwest
- Atkinson County - to the north
- Clinch County - to the east
- Echols County - to the south
- Lowndes County - to the southwest
Nature and Wildlife in Lanier County
The Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1985. About 20,000 people visit it each year. It's a great place for hiking, fishing, and boating. The refuge has over 4,000 acres of water, marsh, and swamp.
The Robert Simpson III Nature Trail opened in 2001. It is in Lakeland and has 75 acres of pine and hardwood forests. Lanier County is also known for its excellent fishing. You can fish in the Alapaha River, Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and many smaller lakes.
Towns and Communities
Lanier County has several towns and communities:
Cities
- Lakeland
- Ray City
Census-designated place
People of Lanier County
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 5,190 | — | |
| 1940 | 5,632 | 8.5% | |
| 1950 | 5,151 | −8.5% | |
| 1960 | 5,097 | −1.0% | |
| 1970 | 5,031 | −1.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,654 | 12.4% | |
| 1990 | 5,531 | −2.2% | |
| 2000 | 7,847 | 41.9% | |
| 2010 | 10,078 | 28.4% | |
| 2020 | 9,877 | −2.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 10,452 | 3.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 |
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In 2020, there were 9,877 people living in Lanier County. These people lived in 3,714 households. About 2,536 families called the county home.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 6,595 | 66.77% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,138 | 21.65% |
| Native American | 31 | 0.31% |
| Asian | 81 | 0.82% |
| Pacific Islander | 14 | 0.14% |
| Other/Mixed | 446 | 4.52% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 572 | 5.79% |
Economy and Jobs
Lanier County's economy is mostly rural. This means it relies a lot on farming and nature. However, jobs in education, health, and social services were the biggest in 2006.
Several things help the county's economy. These include Moody Air Force Base, the many lakes and nature areas, the local hospital, and a large state prison.
Top Employers in Lanier County
Here are some of the biggest employers in Lanier County:
- Moody Air Force Base
- Farmers & Merchants Bank
- Louis Smith Hospital
- Patten Probation Detention Center
- Georgia Department of Corrections
- Patten Seed Company
- City of Lakeland, Georgia
- Wausau Homes, Inc
- J.H. Harvey Co, LLC (which owns Harveys Supermarkets)
Local News and Media
Lanier County has its own local newspaper.
- Lanier County News has been the main local newspaper since 1913. It was first called The Milltown Advocate. It changed its name after Lanier County was formed in 1920.
- Lanier County Advocate is another local newspaper. It became a legal newspaper on January 1, 2015.
Historic Places to Visit
Lanier County has several interesting historic sites:
- The home of former Governor Eurith D. Rivers was moved to Lakeland in the 1980s.
- Union Baptist Church is located near Georgia Highway 135.
- Fender Cemetery is east of Lakeland. Many of the area's first settlers are buried there.
- The "Murals of Milltown" are paintings on buildings in downtown Lakeland. They show what community life was like in the 1920s.
Schools in Lanier County
The Lanier County School District is the only school district in the county. It runs four schools:
- Lanier County Primary School
- Lanier County Elementary School
- Lanier County Middle School
- Lanier County High School
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Lanier para niños
