Wheeler County, Georgia

History

Wheeler County is named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed August 14, 1912, and ratified November 5, 1912.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 300 sqmi, of which 295 sqmi is land and 4.8 sqmi (1.6%) is water.

The eastern portion of Wheeler County, defined by a line running from north of Alamo to the southern border of the county, due south of Mount Vernon, is located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The bulk of the rest of the county is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin, except for a small southern portion of Wheeler County, east of Lumber City, which is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the larger Altamaha River basin.

Major highways

• [[File:US 280.svg|23px]] U.S. Route 280
• [[File:US 319.svg|23px]] U.S. Route 319
• [[File:US 441.svg|23px]] U.S. Route 441
• [[File:Georgia 19.svg|20px]] State Route 19
• [[File:Georgia 30.svg|20px]] State Route 30
• [[File:Georgia 31.svg|20px]] State Route 31
• [[File:Georgia 46.svg|20px]] State Route 46
• [[File:Georgia 126.svg|23px]] State Route 126
• [[File:Georgia 149.svg|23px]] State Route 149

Adjacent counties

• Treutlen County (north)
• Montgomery County (east)
• Jeff Davis County (southeast)
• Telfair County (southwest)
• Dodge County (west)
• Laurens County (north)

Communities

City

• Glenwood

Town

• Alamo (county seat)

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 7,471. The median age was 39.9 years. 16.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 186.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 209.6 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,054 households and 1,159 families residing in the county. Of those households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,420 housing units, of which 15.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.1% were owner-occupied and 28.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.6%.

The racial makeup of the county was 56.6% White, 38.6% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.6% of the population.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 7,421 people, 2,152 households, and 1,519 families living in the county. The population density was 25.1 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km2). There were 2,625 housing units at an average density of 8.9 per square mile (3.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 61.3% white, 35.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.4% were English, and 8.1% were American. Of the 2,152 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 26.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 37.9 years.

The median household income was $35,422 and the median family income was $45,042. Males had a median income of $35,114 versus $25,329 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,043. About 14.3% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 36.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 6,179 people, 2,011 households, and 1,395 families living in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 2,447 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.56% White, 33.18% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.25% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 2,011 households 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 14.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 128.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.80 males.

The median household income was $24,053 and the median family income was $29,696. Males had a median income of $27,203 versus $22,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,005. About 21.60% of families and 25.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 26.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

As of the 2020s, Wheeler County is a Republican stronghold, voting 72% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Wheeler County is part of Georgia's 12th congressional district, currently represented by Rick Allen. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Wheeler County is part of District 19. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Wheeler County is part of District 156.

References

References

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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. (March 2020). "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
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17. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
18. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
19. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
20. "Georgia General Assembly".
21. "Georgia General Assembly".
22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
23. (November 5, 2022). "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)".