Oconee County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oconee County
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Oconee County Courthouse in Watkinsville
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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 24, 1875 |
| Named for | Oconee River |
| Seat | Watkinsville |
| Largest town | Watkinsville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 186 sq mi (480 km2) |
| • Land | 184 sq mi (480 km2) |
| • Water | 2.1 sq mi (5 km2) 1.1%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 41,799 |
| • Density | 227/sq mi (88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 10th |
Oconee County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,799. The county seat is Watkinsville.
Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
The county's name derives from the Oconee, a Muskogean people of central Georgia. The name exists in several variations, including Ocone, Oconi, Ocony, and Ekwoni. Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke County in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville to Athens by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border.
The county was ranked as the third-best rural county to live in by Progressive Farmer magazine in 2006.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 186 square miles (480 km2), of which 184 square miles (480 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (1.1%) is water. The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.
The entirety of Oconee County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.
Adjacent counties
- Clarke County (north)
- Oglethorpe County (east)
- Greene County (southeast)
- Morgan County (south)
- Walton County (west)Southwest
- Barrow County (northwest)
National protected area
- Oconee National Forest (part)
Communities
Towns
Unincorporated community
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 6,351 | — | |
| 1890 | 7,713 | 21.4% | |
| 1900 | 8,602 | 11.5% | |
| 1910 | 11,104 | 29.1% | |
| 1920 | 11,067 | −0.3% | |
| 1930 | 8,082 | −27.0% | |
| 1940 | 7,576 | −6.3% | |
| 1950 | 7,009 | −7.5% | |
| 1960 | 6,304 | −10.1% | |
| 1970 | 7,915 | 25.6% | |
| 1980 | 12,427 | 57.0% | |
| 1990 | 17,618 | 41.8% | |
| 2000 | 26,225 | 48.9% | |
| 2010 | 32,666 | 24.6% | |
| 2020 | 41,799 | 28.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 44,182 | 35.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 |
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| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 33,886 | 81.07% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,897 | 4.54% |
| Native American | 31 | 0.07% |
| Asian | 2,066 | 4.94% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,572 | 3.76% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,347 | 5.61% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 41,799 people, 13,423 households, and 10,727 families residing in the county.
Education
Oconee County School District
The Oconee County School District provides education for grades pre-school to twelve and consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students.
Private schools
There are currently three private schools located in the county. They are:
- Westminster Christian Academy
- Prince Avenue Christian School
- Athens Academy
Colleges and universities
The University of North Georgia maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville. It was a Gainesville State College campus until the 2012 merger of Gainesville State College with North Georgia College and State University.
The College of Athens (CoA) is a private Christian college that was established in 2012 near Watkinsville. CoA currently offers certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in nine various major areas.
Media
There is one weekly-published newspaper in Oconee County: The Oconee Enterprise.
Cox Media Group also operates a radio broadcast facility on Tower Place in northeast Oconee County. Four radio stations are operated from this facility:
- WNGC 106.1 FM
- WGMG 102.1 FM (Magic 102.1)
- WPUP 100.1 FM (Power 100.1)
- WRFC 960 AM (The Ref)
Transportation
Major highways
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 78
U.S. Route 78 Business
U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 129 Business
U.S. Route 441
U.S. Route 441 Business
State Route 8
State Route 10
State Route 10 Loop
State Route 15
State Route 24
State Route 24 Business
State Route 53
State Route 186
State Route 316
State Route 422
Pedestrians and cycling
The city has limited walkability options available. However, since 2017 plans are being discussed to develop a multi-use trail network.
Notable people
- Nathan Crawford Barnett, member of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Secretary of State for more than 30 years.
- Phil Campbell, farmer
- Colt Ford, country music singer and professional golfer
- Adam Frazier, Baltimore Orioles second baseman
- Gavin Adcock, country music singer
- John Wes Townley, former Nascar Driver
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Oconee (Georgia) para niños
