Thomas County, Georgia

History

Thomas County was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 23, 1825, from portions of Decatur and Irwin Counties. Colquitt (1856), Brooks (1858), and Grady (1905) Counties all were formed partially from lands within Thomas County's original borders.

The county is named for Jett Thomas, an officer in the War of 1812 who is also known for overseeing the construction of the first building at the University of Georgia (originally referred to as Franklin College and known today as Old College) as well as the state capital at Milledgeville.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 552 sqmi, of which 545 sqmi is land and 7.6 sqmi (1.4%) is water.

The northwestern half of Thomas County, bordered by U.S. Route 319 southwest of Thomasville, and a line that ends up bisecting the distance between Coolidge and Pavo in the northeast, is located in the Upper Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the larger Ochlockonee River basin. The northeastern edge of the county, from north of Pavo to Boston, is located in the Withlacoochee River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The southeastern portion of Thomas County, running southeast from Thomasville, is located in the Aucilla River sub-basin of the larger Aucilla-Waccasassa basin. Almost all of the southwestern portion of the county is located in the Apalachee Bay-St. Marks sub-basin of the Ochlockonee River basin, with the exception of the tiny southwesternmost corner, which is located in the Lower Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the same Ochlockonee River basin.

The Aucilla River rises in Thomas County. The Red Hills Region is centered on Thomas County.

Major highways

• [[File:US 19.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 19
• [[File:US 84.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 84
• [[File:Business plate.svg|20px]]
• [[File:US 319.svg|23px]] U.S. Route 319
• [[File:Georgia 3.svg|20px]] State Route 3
• [[File:Georgia 3 Alternate.svg|20px]] State Route 3 Alternate
• [[File:Georgia 33.svg|20px]] State Route 33
• [[File:Georgia 35.svg|20px]] State Route 35
• [[File:Georgia 35 Connector.svg|20px]] State Route 35 Connector
• [[File:Georgia 38.svg|20px]] State Route 38
• [[File:Georgia 38 Business.svg|20px]] State Route 38 Business
• [[File:Georgia 111.svg|23px]] State Route 111
• [[File:Georgia 122.svg|23px]] State Route 122
• [[File:Georgia 188.svg|23px]] State Route 188
• [[File:Georgia 202.svg|23px]] State Route 202
• [[File:Georgia 300.svg|23px]] State Route 300

Adjacent counties

• Colquitt County - northeast
• Brooks County - east
• Jefferson County, Florida - south
• Leon County, Florida - southwest
• Grady County - west
• Mitchell County - northwest

Communities

Cities

• Barwick (partly in Brooks County)
• Boston
• Coolidge
• Meigs (partly in Mitchell County)
• Pavo (partly in Brooks County)
• Thomasville

Town

• Ochlocknee

Unincorporated community

• Metcalfe

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 45,798 in 18,440 households, including 12,161 families.

The median age was 40.8 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.6 males age 18 and over.

55.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 44.9% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 57.6% White, 35.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other race, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.

Among those households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 34.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 20,668 housing units, of which 10.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.5% were owner-occupied and 36.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.3%.

Education

Colleges and universities:

• Thomas University
• Southern Regional Technical College

There are two school districts:

• Thomasville City School District (areas in Thomasville City)
• Thomas County School District (areas not in Thomasville City)

Private schools:

• Brookwood School

Politics

As of the 2020s, Thomas County is a Republican stronghold, voting 62% for Donald Trump in 2024. Similar to other Georgia counties on the Florida border, Thomas County is reliably Republican in presidential elections, having last voted for a Democrat in 1980 when the Democratic candidate was native Georgian Jimmy Carter. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Thomas County is part of Georgia's 2nd congressional district, currently represented by Sanford Bishop. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Thomas County is part of District 11. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Thomas County is part of District 172 and 173.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Thomas County, Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Krakow, Kenneth K.. (1975). "Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins". Winship Press.
4. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
5. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
6. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
8. (1880). "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800". United States Census Bureau.
9. (1910). "1910 Census of Population - Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
10. (1930). "1930 Census of Population - Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
11. (1940). "1940 Census of Population - Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
12. (1950). "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -". United States Census Bureau.
13. (1980). "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
14. (2000). "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
15. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
16. "Explore Census Data".
17. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
18. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
19. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
20. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Thomas County, GA". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
22. (November 5, 2022). "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
23. "Georgia General Assembly".
24. "Georgia General Assembly".