White County, Georgia

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 242 sqmi, of which 241 sqmi is land and 1.5 sqmi (0.6%) is water.

The county is mostly located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Northern parts of the county have the highest elevations, being in the mountains themselves. The highest point in White County is 4430 ft Tray Mountain, shared with Towns County to the north. Tray Mountain is the 6th-highest mountain in Georgia. Another very prominent White County peak is Yonah Mountain, also known as Mount Yonah. This 3143 ft peak, located between Helen and Cleveland, is rimmed by sheer cliffs and is the highest point on Georgia's Piedmont Plateau.

All of White County is located in the Upper Chattahoochee River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).

Adjacent counties

• Towns County - north
• Habersham County - east
• Hall County - south
• Lumpkin County - west
• Union County - northwest

Protected areas

• Chattahoochee National Forest (part)
• Unicoi State Park

Transportation

Major highways

• [[File:US 129.svg|23px]] U.S. Route 129
• [[File:Georgia 11.svg|20px]] State Route 11
• [[File:Georgia 17.svg|20px]] State Route 17
• [[File:Georgia 75.svg|20px]] State Route 75
• [[File:Georgia 75 Alternate.svg|20px]] State Route 75 Alternate
• [[File:Georgia 115.svg|23px]] State Route 115
• [[File:Georgia 254.svg|23px]] State Route 254
• [[File:Georgia 255.svg|23px]] State Route 255
• [[File:Georgia 284.svg|23px]] State Route 284
• [[File:Georgia 348.svg|23px]] State Route 348
• [[File:Georgia 356.svg|23px]] State Route 356
• [[File:Georgia 384.svg|23px]] State Route 384

Pedestrians and cycling

• River Bridge Trail
• River Hiking Trail
• Unicoi State Park Trail
• Yonah Preserve Trail

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 28,003. The census also counted 8,581 families, though county officials are challenging the accuracy of the count.

The median age was 45.9 years, 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 23.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.9 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.2% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.

There were 10,942 households in the county, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 13,535 housing units, of which 19.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.7% were owner-occupied and 24.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 27,144 people, 10,646 households, and 7,750 families living in the county.{{cite web |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021429/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13311 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185504/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13311 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015054/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13311 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

Of the 10,646 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 42.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,756 and the median income for a family was $50,981. Males had a median income of $40,265 versus $31,061 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,680. About 16.9% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014654/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13311 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,944 people, 7,731 households, and 5,782 families living in the county. The population density was 83 /mi2. There were 9,454 housing units at an average density of 39 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.16% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 1.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,731 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,084, and the median income for a family was $40,704. Males had a median income of $29,907 versus $22,168 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,193. About 8.40% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 15.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Cleveland
• Helen

Census-designated places

• Sautee-Nacoochee
• Yonah

Unincorporated communities

• Mossy Creek
• Robertstown
• Scorpion Hollow
• Benefit
• Leaf

Politics

As of the 2020s, White County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 83.7% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, White County is part of Georgia's 9th congressional district, currently represented by Andrew Clyde. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, White County is divided between District 50 and District 51. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, White County is divided between District 8 and District 9.

References

References

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4. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
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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.
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