Screven County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Screven County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037. The county seat
is Sylvania
.
.
borders the eastern side of the county, and the Ogeechee River
borders the southwest portion. Elevation varies to around 40 feet on the Savannah river to 320 feet at the Bay Branch community, located a few miles west of Sylvania. Pine, oak, dogwood, and other trees prevalent to the South can be found in Screven County.
of 2000, there were 15,374 people, 5,797 households, and 4,104 families residing in the county. The population density
was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 6,853 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 53.56% White
, 45.29% Black
or African American
, 0.14% Native American
, 0.26% Asian
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,797 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% were married couples
living together, 18.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,312, and the median income for a family was $34,753. Males had a median income of $30,228 versus $20,154 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,894. About 15.50% of families and 20.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 25.50% of those age 65 or over.
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...
. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037. 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 Sylvania
Sylvania, Georgia
Sylvania is a city in Screven County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,675 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Screven County.-Geography:Sylvania is located at ....
.
History
The County was created on December 14, 1793, and was named after General James Screven, who served in the American Revolutionary WarAmerican 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...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 655.59 square miles (1,698 km²), of which 648.44 square miles (1,679.5 km²) (or 98.91%) is land and 7.14 square miles (18.5 km²) (or 1.09%) is water. The Savannah RiverSavannah 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...
borders the eastern side of the county, and the Ogeechee River
Ogeechee River
Ogeechee River is a river in the U.S. state of Georgia. It heads at the confluence of its North and South Forks, about south-southwest of Crawfordville and flowing generally southeast to Ossabaw Sound about south of Savannah. Its largest tributary is the Canoochee River...
borders the southwest portion. Elevation varies to around 40 feet on the Savannah river to 320 feet at the Bay Branch community, located a few miles west of Sylvania. Pine, oak, dogwood, and other trees prevalent to the South can be found in Screven County.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 301
Georgia State Route 17Georgia State Route 17State Route 17 is a north–south route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route runs from its southern terminus at I-16 south of Bloomingdale north to the North Carolina border north of Hiawassee.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 21Georgia State Route 21Georgia State Route 21 Spur is a short spur in Effingham County connecting SR 21 with SR 119 just north of Springfield....
Georgia State Route 24
Georgia State Route 73
Adjacent counties
- Allendale CountyAllendale County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,211 people, 3,915 households and 2,615 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 4,568 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
(north) - Hampton County, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
(east) - Effingham CountyEffingham County, GeorgiaEffingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In the United States Census of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat of Effingham County is Springfield....
(southeast) - Bulloch CountyBulloch County, GeorgiaBulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 69,213. The county seat is Statesboro.In...
(southwest) - Jenkins CountyJenkins County, GeorgiaJenkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 8,575. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,595. The county seat is Millen.-Geography:...
(west) - Burke CountyBurke County, GeorgiaBurke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...
(northwest)
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 15,374 people, 5,797 households, and 4,104 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 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 6,853 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 53.56% 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...
, 45.29% 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...
, 0.14% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.20% 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 0.49% from two or more races. 0.96% 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 5,797 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% 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, 18.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,312, and the median income for a family was $34,753. Males had a median income of $30,228 versus $20,154 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 $13,894. About 15.50% of families and 20.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 25.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- HiltoniaHiltonia, GeorgiaHiltonia is a city in Screven County, Georgia, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hiltonia is located at ....
- NewingtonNewington, GeorgiaNewington is a town in Screven County, Georgia, United States. The population was 322 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Newington is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
- OliverOliver, GeorgiaOliver is a city in Screven County, Georgia, United States. The population as of the 2000 census was 253.-Geography:Oliver is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
- Rocky FordRocky Ford, GeorgiaRocky Ford is a town in Screven County, Georgia, United States. The population was 186 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rocky Ford is located at ....
- SylvaniaSylvania, GeorgiaSylvania is a city in Screven County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,675 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Screven County.-Geography:Sylvania is located at ....
Notable residents of Screven County
- John Abbot, naturalist, entomologistEntomologyEntomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
, wrote The Natural History of the Rarer Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia - Edward Junius BlackEdward Junius BlackEdward Junius Black was a United States Representative and lawyer from Georgia. His son was U.S. Representative George Robison Black...
, member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(1839–1841; 1842–1845) - Lee Rogers Berger, explorer, paleoanthropologistPaleoanthropologyPaleoanthropology, which combines the disciplines of paleontology and physical anthropology, is the study of ancient humans as found in fossil hominid evidence such as petrifacted bones and footprints.-19th century:...
- Bucky DentBucky DentRussell Earl "Bucky" Dent , is a former American Major League Baseball player and manager. He earned two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in and , and was voted the World Series MVP in 1978...
, New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
shortstopShortstopShortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
(born in SavannahSavannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
) but spent his early years in Sylvania - John R. McKinneyJohn R. McKinneyJohn R. McKinney was a United States soldier who received the Medal of Honor in World War II during the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japanese forces in 1945. Against superior numbers, McKinney single-handedly was able to secure a crucial battlefield area before reinforcements...
, Georgia's most decorated World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
hero - Dr. Francys JohnsonFrancys JohnsonFrancys Johnson is a native of Sylvania, Georgia. A civil rights attorney, pastor and educator, he currently serves as the NAACP Southeast Region Director. The Southeast Region is the largest region within the NAACP....
, senior NAACPNational Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleThe National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
official - Macay McBrideMacay McBrideJoseph Macay McBride is a former Major League baseball relief pitcher.- High school :McBride attended Screven County High School in Sylvania, Georgia, and made his mark as a power pitcher with a fastball in the low 90s...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...