Walker County, Georgia

History

Walker County was named after Georgia's U.S. Senator, Freeman Walker (1780–1827).

Civil War battles fought in Walker County were part of the Chickamauga Campaign fought between August 21 and September 20, 1863:

• Second Battle of Chattanooga, August 21
• Battle of Davis's Cross Roads, September 10–11
• Battle of Chickamauga, September 19–20

In 2002, the Tri-State Crematory scandal in Noble came to national attention when 339 bodies that were consigned to be cremated were discovered on the property. The owner, Ray Brent Marsh, was convicted of several charges and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 sqmi, of which 0.6 sqmi (0.1%) is covered by water. The northern two-thirds of Walker County is located in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. Most of the southeastern portion of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a very small southeastern sliver located in the Conasauga River sub-basin in the larger ACT River Basin. The rest of the southern portion of Walker County is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin.

Adjacent counties

• Hamilton County, Tennessee - north
• Catoosa County - northeast
• Whitfield County - east
• Gordon County - southeast
• Floyd County - south
• Chattooga County - south
• DeKalb County, Alabama - southwest/CST Border
• Dade County - west

Natural attractions and features

• Chattahoochee National Forest (part)
• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (part)
• Ellison's Cave (12th deepest cave in the United States)
• Lookout Mountain (part)
• McLemore Cove
• Petty John's Cave
• Pigeon Mountain
• Rocktown
• Rock City
• Lula Lake Land Trust

Government

Until 2020, Walker County was one of only nine counties in the United States still employing the sole commissioner form of government. Georgia is the last remaining state that allows sole commissioners. In a 2018 referendum, Walker County voters approved with an 80% margin a transition to a five-member board of commissioners, consisting of four commissioners elected by district and a chairperson. The first members of the board were elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021 with Districts 1 and 2 commissioners serving an initial two-year term and Districts 3 and 4 commissioners and the chairperson serving an initial four-year term. From 2022, every commissioner will serve four-year terms, therefore ensuring that half the commission is up for reelection every two years. The commission meets in LaFayette, the county seat.

The commissioners of each district represent these areas:

• District 1: Rossville
• District 2: Chickamauga
• District 3: LaFayette
• District 4: Lookout Mountain

Transportation

Major highways

• [[File:US 27.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 27
• [[File:Business plate.svg|20px]]
• [[File:Georgia 1.svg|20px]] State Route 1
• [[File:Georgia 1 Business.svg|20px]] State Route 1 Business
• [[File:Georgia 2.svg|20px]] State Route 2
• [[File:Georgia 95.svg|20px]] State Route 95
• [[File:Georgia 136.svg|23px]] State Route 136
• [[File:Georgia 151.svg|23px]] State Route 151
• [[File:Georgia 157.svg|23px]] State Route 157
• [[File:Georgia 189.svg|23px]] State Route 189
• [[File:Georgia 193.svg|23px]] State Route 193
• [[File:Georgia 201.svg|23px]] State Route 201
• [[File:Georgia 337.svg|23px]] State Route 337
• [[File:Georgia 341.svg|23px]] State Route 341

Railroads

Current

• Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (occasional tourist excursions)

Defunct

• Chattanooga Southern Railway (became Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway)
• Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway (merged into Southern Railway, then abandoned )
• Chickamauga and Durham Railroad (merged into Chattanooga & Durham)
• Chattanooga and Durham Railroad (merged by Chattanooga, Rome and Southern)
• Chattanooga, Rome and Southern Railroad (merged into Central of GA Railway)
• Central of Georgia Railway (merged into Southern Railway)
• Southern Railway (merged into Norfolk Southern, Walker County line transferred to State of Georgia, leased to Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 67,654, 26,206 households, and 17,810 families residing in the county. The median age was 41.6 years, 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 4.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.

49.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 26,206 households in the county, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 29,137 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.8% were owner-occupied and 28.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, 68,756 people, 26,497 households, and 18,898 families were living in the county.{{cite web |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034755/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13295 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184351/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13295 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023800/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13295 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

Of the 26,497 households, 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were not families; 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years.

The county's age distribution was 23.6% under 18, 5.3% from 20 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 or older. The gender ratio of the county's population was 50.9% female versus 49.1% male.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,723, and for a family was $46,307. Males had a median income of $38,297 versus $29,285 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,440. About 11.6% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under 18 and 8.1% of those 65 or over.{{cite web |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013902/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13295 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 61,053 people, 23,605 households, and 17,467 families were living in the county. The population density was 137 PD/sqmi. There were 25,577 housing units at an average density of 57 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.43% White, 3.78% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. About 0.93% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 23,605 households, 32.6% had children under 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were not families. About 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 37 years.

The county's age distribution was 24.8% under 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,406, and for a family was $39,034. Males had a median income of $29,448 versus $21,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,867. About 10.00% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Chickamauga
• Fort Oglethorpe (small portion only)
• LaFayette (county seat)
• Lookout Mountain
• Rossville

Census-designated places

• Chattanooga Valley
• Fairview
• Lakeview
• Rock Spring

Unincorporated communities

• Flintstone
• High Point
• Hinkles
• Kensington
• Naomi
• Villanow
• East Armuchee
• Noble

Media

• Walker County Messenger

Education

Walker County School District includes most areas, while areas in the Chickamauga city limits are in the Chickamauga City School District.

Politics

As of the 2020s, Walker County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 79% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Walker County is part of Georgia's 14th congressional district, currently represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Walker County is part of District 53. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Walker County is divided by District 1 and District 2.

References

References

1. US 2020 Census Bureau report, Walker County, Georgia
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3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
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6. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
8. (March 2009). "NACO County Government Structure: A State by State Report". National Association of Counties.
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10. (December 6, 2018). "Changing Walker County's Form of Government".
11. (December 2018). "Walker County commission districts". Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office.
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21. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
22. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
23. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
24. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
25. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
26. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
27. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
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30. "Georgia General Assembly".
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32. (November 5, 2022). "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)".