List of counties in Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Counties of Georgia |
|
|---|---|
|
|
| Location | State of Georgia |
| Number | 159 |
| Populations | Greatest: 1,079,105 (Fulton) Least: 1,609 (Taliaferro) Average: 69,366 (2023) |
| Areas | Largest: 908 square miles (2,350 km2) (Ware) Smallest: 121 square miles (310 km2) (Clarke) Average: 373.7 square miles (968 km2) |
| Government | County government |
| Subdivisions | Cities, towns, unincorporated communities, census designated place |
The U.S. state of Georgia has 159 counties. This is the second-highest number in the United States, right after Texas, which has 254 counties.
Under Georgia's State Constitution, all counties have "home rule." This means they can make their own rules for local issues. Also, eight areas in Georgia are "consolidated city-counties." This means a city and its county have joined their governments. Examples include Athens–Clarke County and Macon–Bibb County.
Contents
History of Georgia's Counties
Before 1758, Georgia was divided into smaller areas called districts and towns. In 1758, the Province of Georgia was split into eight "parishes." These were like early counties. Four more parishes were added in 1765. On February 5, 1777, Georgia created its first eight official counties. These were Burke, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Richmond, and Wilkes.
Georgia has so many counties because of an old idea. Long ago, people thought a farmer should be able to ride to the county seat (the main town for county government) and back home in one day. This was when people traveled by horseback or wagon. Even after cars and trains became common, new counties were still created. The last new county, Peach County, was formed in 1924.
There were once 161 counties in Georgia. But in 1945, a state rule was passed to limit the number to 159. In 1932, during the Great Depression, two counties, Campbell County and Milton County, joined Fulton County. This happened because they were almost out of money. Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, had more tax money. This helped support the rural areas of the counties that joined it.
Georgia is the only state where some counties are run by a "sole commissioner." This means one person makes all the decisions for the county government. As of 2021, seven of Georgia's 159 counties use this system.
In 2022, Georgia's lawmakers started thinking about reducing the number of counties. Many rural counties have lost population. Combining counties could help save money on services like schools and law enforcement.
Counties with Changed Names
A few counties in Georgia have changed their names over time. For example, Jasper County was first called "Randolph County." Later, a different county became the current Randolph County. Webster County used to be named "Kinchafoonee County." Also, Bartow County was originally called "Cass County."
Counties That No Longer Exist
Several parishes from Georgia's early history were dissolved in 1777 when the first counties were created.
Some counties were formed but later disappeared:
- Bourbon County (1785–1788): This county was in an area that was later disputed and then dissolved.
- Campbell County (1828–1932): Parts of this county became Douglas in 1870. The rest joined Fulton in 1932.
- Milton County (1857–1932): This county was formed from parts of other counties. It later merged into north Fulton County in 1932.
- There was also an earlier Walton County. It was actually located in what is now western North Carolina. There was a small fight, called the Walton War, between North Carolina and Georgia in 1810. Georgia later gave up its claim to that area.
Majority-Minority Counties
According to the 2020 Census, 36 of Georgia's 159 counties are "majority-minority." This means that more than half of the people in these counties belong to one or more minority groups. Eighteen of these counties have mostly African-American residents. Another 18 are majority-minority, but no single group makes up more than half the population. This change is partly due to more people moving to the Atlanta metropolitan area and Latino workers moving to the southern parts of the state.
Fictional Counties in Georgia
Many movies, TV shows, and books use made-up counties in Georgia for their stories.
Film
- Deliverance (1972) is set in a fictional north Georgia county called Aintry.
- Diggstown (1992) takes place in Olivair County, Georgia.
- Gator (1976) is set in Dunston County, Georgia.
- Ghost Fever (1987) takes place in Greendale County, Georgia.
- Smokey Bites the Dust (1981) is set in Paraquat County, Georgia.
- Tank (1984) takes place in Clemmons County, Georgia.
- The Ugly Dachshund (1966) is also set in Paraquat County, Georgia.
Television
- The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985) takes place in Hazzard and Chickasaw counties.
- Family Guy (2011) mentions a fictional Dungarees County.
- The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979–1981) is set in Orly County, Georgia.
- Rectify (2013–2016) takes place in Paulie County, Georgia.
- Squidbillies (2005–present) is set in Dougal County.
- The Walking Dead (2010–2022) names King, Linden, and Mert counties.
- The Resident (2018-2023) mentions "Battle County Fire."
- The first season of Reacher (2022–present) takes place in Lawton County and its town of Margrave.
Theater
- The Foreigner (1983), a play, takes place in Tilghman County, Georgia.
Books
- Karin Slaughter's novels are often set in Grant County, Georgia.
- In Stephen King's The Green Mile, John Coffey is arrested in Trapingus County.
- John Birmingham includes Buttecracke County in his Dave vs. the Monsters series.
- We Deserve Monuments, by Jas Hammonds, takes place in Bardell County.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Condados de Georgia (Estados Unidos) para niños
- List of county seats in Georgia
- List of county courthouses in Georgia
