Wilkes County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
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 single entity by locals, including the area's historical society and the Chamber of Commerce. This is part of the Central Savannah River Area
(CSRA).it was also the capital at one point.
, is considered Georgia's first county, as it was the first of eight original counties created in the first state constitution on February 5, 1777. While the other seven counties were fashioned from existing colonial parishes, Wilkes was unique in that it was formed from land ceded in 1773 by the Creek and Cherokee
Nations in their respective Treaties of Augusta. It is located in the Piedmont
, above the fall line
on the Savannah River
.
Between 1790 and 1854, Wilkes County's land area grew smaller as parts of it were used to make new counties. The Georgia legislature formed the counties of Elbert
, Oglethorpe
, and Lincoln
entirely from portions of Wilkes County. Wilkes also contributed part of the lands used in the creation of Madison
, Warren
and Taliaferro
, Hart
, McDuffie
, and Greene
counties.
Wilkes County was the site of one of the most important battles of the American Revolutionary War
to be fought in Georgia. During the Battle of Kettle Creek
in 1779, the American Patriot
forces were victorious over British Loyalists
.
During the eighteenth century, colonists used slaves to clear land and cultivate plantations in this area. In 1793, Mount Pleasant, a cotton plantation
east of Washington, was the site where Eli Whitney
first perfected his revolutionary invention, the cotton gin
. This made possible the expansion of cultivation of short-staple cotton, which grew more successfully in such upland areas. It led to the expansion of cotton plantations throughout the Deep South
, and their production soon superseded that of the long-staple cotton grown mostly on the Sea Islands
and in the Low Country. Along with the expansion of cotton plantations was an increasing demand for slave labor. During the 1800s after the international trade was halted, there was a lucrative slave trade from the Upper South to the Deep South, where more than a million slaves were taken in forced migrations.
None of the battles of the American Civil War
were fought in or near Wilkes County, but it was here, on the site of the present Wilkes County Courthouse
in downtown Washington
, where President
Jefferson Davis
met for the final time with the Confederate Cabinet They officially dissolved the government of the Confederate States of America
. Wilkes County was the last known location of the gold reportedly lost from the Confederate Treasury. People continue to search for the gold, one of Georgia's most lingering and possibly lucrative mysteries.
of 2000, there were 10,687 people, 4,314 households, and 2,968 families residing in the county. The population density
was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 5,022 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 55.12% White
, 43.05% Black
or African American
, 0.20% Native American
, 0.23% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.51% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.98% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 4,314 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% were married couples
living together, 17.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,644, and the median income for a family was $36,219. Males had a median income of $27,355 versus $21,298 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,020. About 13.00% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.20% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
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 10,687. The 2007 Census estimate shows a population of 10,262. 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 the city of Washington
Washington, Georgia
Washington is a city in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,295 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wilkes County...
. Referred to as "Washington-Wilkes", the county seat and county are commonly treated as a single entity by locals, including the area's historical society and the Chamber of Commerce. This 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).it was also the capital at one point.
History
Wilkes County, named for British politician and supporter of American independence, John WilkesJohn Wilkes
John Wilkes was an English radical, journalist and politician.He was first elected Member of Parliament in 1757. In the Middlesex election dispute, he fought for the right of voters—rather than the House of Commons—to determine their representatives...
, is considered Georgia's first county, as it was the first of eight original counties created in the first state constitution on February 5, 1777. While the other seven counties were fashioned from existing colonial parishes, Wilkes was unique in that it was formed from land ceded in 1773 by the Creek and Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
Nations in their respective Treaties of Augusta. It is located in the Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
, 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...
on 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...
.
Between 1790 and 1854, Wilkes County's land area grew smaller as parts of it were used to make new counties. The Georgia legislature formed the counties of Elbert
Elbert County, Georgia
Elbert 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...
, Oglethorpe
Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Oglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...
, and Lincoln
Lincoln County, Georgia
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 and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center. The county was created on February 20, 1796. ...
entirely from portions of Wilkes County. Wilkes also contributed part of the lands used in the creation of Madison
Madison County, Georgia
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....
, Warren
Warren County, Georgia
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1793. As of 2000, the population was 6,336. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 5,908...
and Taliaferro
Taliaferro County, Georgia
Taliaferro County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,077, making it the least populous county east of the Mississippi River. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 1,884. The county seat is Crawfordville.The spelling of the...
, Hart
Hart County, Georgia
Hart County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created December 7, 1853. As of 2000, the population was 22,997. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 24,240. The county seat is Hartwell....
, McDuffie
McDuffie County, Georgia
McDuffie 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....
, and Greene
Greene County, Georgia
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 3, 1786. As of 2000, the population is 14,406. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,662. The county seat is Greensboro...
counties.
Wilkes County was the site of one of the most important battles of 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...
to be fought in Georgia. During the Battle of Kettle Creek
Battle of Kettle Creek
The Battle of Kettle Creek was one of the most important battles of the American Revolutionary War to be fought in Georgia. The battle was fought on February 14, 1779, in Wilkes County about eight miles from present-day Washington, Georgia...
in 1779, the American Patriot
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
forces were victorious over British Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
.
During the eighteenth century, colonists used slaves to clear land and cultivate plantations in this area. In 1793, Mount Pleasant, a cotton plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
east of Washington, was the site where Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the Antebellum South...
first perfected his revolutionary invention, the cotton gin
Cotton gin
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, a job formerly performed painstakingly by hand...
. This made possible the expansion of cultivation of short-staple cotton, which grew more successfully in such upland areas. It led to the expansion of cotton plantations throughout the Deep South
Deep South
The Deep South is a descriptive category of the cultural and geographic subregions in the American South. Historically, it is differentiated from the "Upper South" as being the states which were most dependent on plantation type agriculture during the pre-Civil War period...
, and their production soon superseded that of the long-staple cotton grown mostly on the Sea Islands
Sea Islands
The Sea Islands are a chain of tidal and barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean coast of the United States. They number over 100, and are located between the mouths of the Santee and St. Johns Rivers along the coast of the U.S...
and in the Low Country. Along with the expansion of cotton plantations was an increasing demand for slave labor. During the 1800s after the international trade was halted, there was a lucrative slave trade from the Upper South to the Deep South, where more than a million slaves were taken in forced migrations.
None of the battles of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
were fought in or near Wilkes County, but it was here, on the site of the present Wilkes County Courthouse
Wilkes County Courthouse (Washington, Georgia)
The Wilkes County Courthouse is a historic government building and clock tower located in the city of Washington, Georgia, the seat of Wilkes County. The latest in a string of courthouses in the county's history, the current building was completed in 1904 and since that date has been the official...
in downtown Washington
Washington, Georgia
Washington is a city in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,295 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wilkes County...
, where President
President of the Confederate States of America
The President of the Confederate States of America was the Head of State and Head of Government of the Confederate States of America, which was formed from the states which declared their secession from the United States, thus precipitating the American Civil War. The only person to hold the...
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
met for the final time with the Confederate Cabinet They officially dissolved the government of the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. Wilkes County was the last known location of the gold reportedly lost from the Confederate Treasury. People continue to search for the gold, one of Georgia's most lingering and possibly lucrative mysteries.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,227.7 km²), of which 471.37 square miles (1,220.8 km²) (or 99.45%) is land and 2.62 square miles (6.8 km²) (or 0.55%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 78
U.S. Highway 378
Georgia State Route 10Georgia State Route 10Georgia state route 10 begins at the Downtown Connector in Atlanta and ends at the South Carolina state line in Augusta, Georgia. The western end of Georgia 10 travels along Freedom Parkway, which bypasses the Carter Center to the west....
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 44Georgia State Route 44State Route 44 is a north–south state route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from State Route 22 in Gray northeast to State Route 79 northwest of Lincolnton.-Route description:...
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 80
Adjacent counties
- Elbert CountyElbert 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) - Lincoln CountyLincoln County, GeorgiaLincoln 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 and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center. The county was created on February 20, 1796. ...
(east) - McDuffie CountyMcDuffie 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....
(southeast) - Warren CountyWarren County, GeorgiaWarren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1793. As of 2000, the population was 6,336. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 5,908...
(south) - Taliaferro CountyTaliaferro County, GeorgiaTaliaferro County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,077, making it the least populous county east of the Mississippi River. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 1,884. The county seat is Crawfordville.The spelling of the...
(southwest) - Oglethorpe CountyOglethorpe County, GeorgiaOglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...
(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 10,687 people, 4,314 households, and 2,968 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 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 5,022 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 55.12% 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...
, 43.05% 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...
, 0.20% 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...
, 0.23% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.51% 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 0.85% from two or more races. 1.98% 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 4,314 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% 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, 17.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,644, and the median income for a family was $36,219. Males had a median income of $27,355 versus $21,298 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 $15,020. About 13.00% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.20% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.
Cities
- RayleRayle, GeorgiaRayle is a town in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 139 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rayle is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- TignallTignall, GeorgiaTignall is a town in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 615 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Tignall is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- WashingtonWashington, GeorgiaWashington is a city in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,295 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wilkes County...
Notable residents
- James Osgood AndrewJames Osgood AndrewJames Osgood Andrew was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, elected in 1832. He was born in the township of Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia, a son of the Rev. John and Mary Cosby Andrew. Rev...
, born in Wilkes County, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal ChurchMethodist Episcopal ChurchThe Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of... - Elijah ClarkeElijah ClarkeElijah Clarke , born in Anson County, North Carolina, was a soldier and officer with the Continentals and considered a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Afterward he was elected to the Georgia legislature. In 1794 he organized the Trans-Oconee Republic, several settlements in counties of...
- E.M. Bounds
- Robert ToombsRobert ToombsRobert Augustus Toombs was an American political leader, United States Senator from Georgia, 1st Secretary of State of the Confederacy, and a Confederate general in the Civil War.-Early life:...
- Jessie Mercer His family moved to Wilkes County soon after his birth, and he spent many years in Washington, GA.
- John Archibald CampbellJohn Archibald CampbellJohn Archibald Campbell was an American jurist.Campbell was born near Washington, Georgia, to Col. Duncan Greene Campbell...
- Edward Porter AlexanderEdward Porter AlexanderEdward Porter Alexander was an engineer, an officer in the U.S. Army, a Confederate general in the American Civil War, and later a railroad executive, planter, and author....
See also
- Wilkes County CourthouseWilkes County Courthouse (Washington, Georgia)The Wilkes County Courthouse is a historic government building and clock tower located in the city of Washington, Georgia, the seat of Wilkes County. The latest in a string of courthouses in the county's history, the current building was completed in 1904 and since that date has been the official...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilkes County, GeorgiaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Wilkes County, GeorgiaThis is a list of properties and districts in Wilkes County, Georgia that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . -Current listings:...
- 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...