Lincoln County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
, with the Savannah River
forming its northeastern border. Located above the fall line
, it is part of the Central Savannah River Area
(CSRA) and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center
. The county was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population is 8,348. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 8,098. The county seat
is Lincolnton
.
of 2000, there were 8,348 people, 3,251 households, and 2,379 families residing in the county. The population density
was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 4,514 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.25% White
, 34.37% Black
or African American
, 0.37% Native American
, 0.16% Asian
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, 0.24% from other races
, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,251 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples
living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,952, and the median income for a family was $36,657. Males had a median income of $27,165 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,351. About 12.40% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.
From before the American Revolutionary War
until the 1950s, Lincoln County was primarily a farming and agricultural area. The development and creation of Clarke Hill Dam created a large reservoir that covered portions of Lincoln and nearby counties. Developers have created many residential neighborhoods and subdivisions in areas near the lake.
, now on its western side. The new county was named after General Benjamin Lincoln, a patriot and Revolutionary War hero. Lincoln was born in Hingham, Massachusetts
in 1733. Lincoln was notable for receiving Gen. Cornwallis's Sword of Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
at the formal end of the war. In 1809 he retired from the military and died in 1810.
, as the lake provides great fishing, boating, and other water sports for visitors and those who live near and around the lake. Lincoln County borders about 380 square miles (984.2 km²) of shoreline on Clarke’s Hill Lake.
Toward the eastern part of Lincoln County, just before the South Carolina line, is Elijah Clarke State Park. This park is roughly 447 acres (1.8 km²), and attracts many visitors throughout the year. In May of every year, Elijah Clarke State Park holds a bluegrass festival, which has become a major attraction in the last 20 years. Several well-known bluegrass musicians play at this event each year, including Lincoln County natives, The Lewis Family. The Lewis Family travels internationally on tour during the year. Also held annually at Elijah Clarke State park is an Arts and Crafts Festival and a Log Cabin Christmas. Both are held in the month of October.
There are many historic places to visit in Lincoln County. Some of these include:
and Clarks Hill Lake
; the logging business and new industry. In Lincoln County, logging is a multi-million dollar industry. More than 20 logging business produce most of the jobs for Lincoln County residents.
The county has attracted new industries, such as the companies: Hero Metal, LLC; Top Grill, LLC; and Charles Owen, Inc.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, with the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
forming its northeastern border. Located above the fall line
Fall line
A fall line is a geomorphologic unconformity between an upland region of relatively hard crystalline basement rock and a coastal plain of softer sedimentary rock. A fall line is typically prominent when crossed by a river, for there will often be rapids or waterfalls...
, it is part of the Central Savannah River Area
Central Savannah River Area
The Central Savannah River Area is a 13-county region in the U.S. state of Georgia, and is also considered to include five to eight counties in South Carolina. The term was coined in 1950 by C.C. McCollum, the winner of a $250 contest held by The Augusta Chronicle to generate the best name for the...
(CSRA) and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center
CSRA Regional Development Center
The Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission is a regional commission that encompasses 13 counties and 39 cities in East Central Georgia...
. The county was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population is 8,348. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 8,098. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Lincolnton
Lincolnton, Georgia
Lincolnton is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,595 at the 2000 census. It is the location for the historical site, Elijah Clark State Park, and contains numerous houses and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 257.28 square miles (666.4 km²), of which 211.09 square miles (546.7 km²) (or 82.05%) is land and 46.19 square miles (119.6 km²) (or 17.95%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 378
Georgia State Route 43Georgia State Route 43State Route 43 is a north–south state route located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from U.S. Route 78/State Route 10/State Route 17 north of Thomson north to the South Carolina state line northeast of Lincolnton....
Georgia State Route 47Georgia State Route 47State Route 47 is a bizarre, arc-shaped state route located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from U.S. Route 278/State Route 12 in Crawfordville to U.S. Route 1/State Route 4 in Wrens.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 79
Adjacent counties
- Elbert County, GeorgiaElbert County, GeorgiaElbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on December 10, 1790 and was named for Samuel Elbert. As of 2000, the population was 20,511. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,525...
- north - McCormick County, South Carolina - northeast
- Columbia County, GeorgiaColumbia County, GeorgiaColumbia County is a county located in the US state of Georgia along the Savannah River. As of 2010 the population was 124,054 a growth of 39% from the 2000 census figure of 89,288. The de jure county seat is Appling. Appling is an unincorporated area, making Columbia one of only three counties...
- south - McDuffie County, GeorgiaMcDuffie County, GeorgiaMcDuffie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on October 18, 1870. As of 2000, the population was 21,231. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,551. The county seat is Thomson....
- southwest - Wilkes County, GeorgiaWilkes County, GeorgiaWilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 10,687. The 2007 Census estimate shows a population of 10,262. The county seat is the city of Washington. Referred to as "Washington-Wilkes", the county seat and county are commonly treated as a...
- west
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,348 people, 3,251 households, and 2,379 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 4,514 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.25% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 34.37% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 3,251 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,952, and the median income for a family was $36,657. Males had a median income of $27,165 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,351. About 12.40% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.
Geography
Lincoln County consists of 186240 acres (753.7 km²). On January 22, 1852 the legislature changed the location of the line between Wilkes County and Lincoln County. There is no record as to why the legislature made these changes.From before the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
until the 1950s, Lincoln County was primarily a farming and agricultural area. The development and creation of Clarke Hill Dam created a large reservoir that covered portions of Lincoln and nearby counties. Developers have created many residential neighborhoods and subdivisions in areas near the lake.
History
On February 20, 1796 Lincoln County was established as the twenty-fourth county in the state of Georgia. Before then, its territory was part of Wilkes CountyWilkes County, Georgia
Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 10,687. The 2007 Census estimate shows a population of 10,262. The county seat is the city of Washington. Referred to as "Washington-Wilkes", the county seat and county are commonly treated as a...
, now on its western side. The new county was named after General Benjamin Lincoln, a patriot and Revolutionary War hero. Lincoln was born in Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham is a town in northern Plymouth County on the South Shore of the U.S. state of Massachusetts and suburb in Greater Boston. The United States Census Bureau 2008 estimated population was 22,561...
in 1733. Lincoln was notable for receiving Gen. Cornwallis's Sword of Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
at the formal end of the war. In 1809 he retired from the military and died in 1810.
Recreation and historical sites
Since the creation of Clarke’s Hill Lake, recreation has contributed to Lincoln County's growth. It is a main destination of tourismTourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
, as the lake provides great fishing, boating, and other water sports for visitors and those who live near and around the lake. Lincoln County borders about 380 square miles (984.2 km²) of shoreline on Clarke’s Hill Lake.
Toward the eastern part of Lincoln County, just before the South Carolina line, is Elijah Clarke State Park. This park is roughly 447 acres (1.8 km²), and attracts many visitors throughout the year. In May of every year, Elijah Clarke State Park holds a bluegrass festival, which has become a major attraction in the last 20 years. Several well-known bluegrass musicians play at this event each year, including Lincoln County natives, The Lewis Family. The Lewis Family travels internationally on tour during the year. Also held annually at Elijah Clarke State park is an Arts and Crafts Festival and a Log Cabin Christmas. Both are held in the month of October.
There are many historic places to visit in Lincoln County. Some of these include:
- Lamar-Blanchard House, Lincolnton, which is on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
- The Lincoln County Historical Park
- Graves Mountain
Economy
The growth of the economy in Lincoln County has been related to development resulting from the J. Strom Thurmond DamJ. Strom Thurmond Dam
J. Strom Thurmond Dam, also known in Georgia as Clarks Hill Dam, is a concrete-gravity and embankment dam located north of Augusta, Georgia on the Savannah River at the border of South Carolina and Georgia, creating Lake Strom Thurmond. The dam was built by the U.S...
and Clarks Hill Lake
Lake Strom Thurmond
Lake Strom Thurmond, known in Georgia as Clarks Hill Lake, is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin. It was created by the J. Strom Thurmond Dam during 1951 and 1952 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near the confluence of the "Little River" and...
; the logging business and new industry. In Lincoln County, logging is a multi-million dollar industry. More than 20 logging business produce most of the jobs for Lincoln County residents.
The county has attracted new industries, such as the companies: Hero Metal, LLC; Top Grill, LLC; and Charles Owen, Inc.
Notable people
- Garrison HearstGarrison HearstGerard Garrison Hearst is a former National Football League running back who last played for the NFL's Denver Broncos in 2004. He had previously played for the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers...
- Former NFL player, pro bowler, comeback player in 1995 and 2001. - Barney BusseyBarney BusseyBarney Bussey is a former American football safety. He attended high school at Lincoln County High School in Lincolnton, Georgia where he was a major reason behind Lincoln County's defensive success in the late '70s. Bussey was a terror on both sides of the ball, breaking long runs and chasing...
- Former NFL player, played for the Cincinnati Bengals and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. - The Lewis FamilyThe Lewis FamilyThe Lewis Family is a family of gospel and bluegrass musicians from Lincolnton, Georgia. They are known as the "First Family of Bluegrass Gospel"....
- family bluegrass and gospel band, in 1992 they were inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame. - Jeff and Sherri Easter are Christian singers who perform worldwide.
- Tom NashTom Nash (American football)Thomas Acton Nash was an American football player. He played most of his seven year career with the Green Bay Packers. Nash played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs...
- NFL player for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and Brooklyn DodgersBrooklyn Dodgers (NFL)The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks...
.
See also
- Central Savannah River AreaCentral Savannah River AreaThe Central Savannah River Area is a 13-county region in the U.S. state of Georgia, and is also considered to include five to eight counties in South Carolina. The term was coined in 1950 by C.C. McCollum, the winner of a $250 contest held by The Augusta Chronicle to generate the best name for the...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, Georgia
External links
- "Lincoln County Red Devils"
- "Biography", The Lewis Family Singers Website
- http://jeffandsherieaster.com/ Jeff & Sheri Easter