Toombs County, Georgia

Toombs County, Georgia
Location in the state of Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded	August 18, 1905
Named for	Robert Toombs
Seat	Lyons
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	368.64 sq mi (955 km²) 366.65 sq mi (950 km²) 1.99 sq mi (5 km²),
Population  - (2000)  - Density	26,067
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Toombs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 26,067. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 27,820. The county seat is Lyons.

Toombs County is part of the Vidalia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The County is named for Robert Toombs, United States representative and senator. During the Civil War, Toombs also served in the Confederate Provisional Congress, as Secretary of State of the Confederate States, and a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. Toombs County was founded in 1905.

Toombs County is most famously known for its Vidalia onions.

Toombs County is also famous for being the boyhood home of Paul Anderson. The county also is the home of 1996 Mr.Georgia bodybuilder Jason McBride and of former NFL football player Fred Stokes.

It was founded as the 142nd county in Georgia by the State Legislature on August 18, 1905 and organized on October 9 of that year. The county was formed from portions of Emanuel, Tattnall and Montgomery counties.

Government

Toombs County is governed by a 5-member Board of Commissioners, headed by Buddy West, the Chairman. It is also governed by Alvie Kight, Jr., who has been Sheriff for 9 years now.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 368.64 square miles (954.8 km²), of which 366.65 square miles (949.6 km²) (or 99.46%) is land and 1.99 square miles (5.2 km²) (or 0.54%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 1
• U.S. Highway 280
• Georgia State Route 4
• Georgia State Route 29
• Georgia State Route 30
• Georgia State Route 56
• Georgia State Route 86
• Georgia State Route 297

Adjacent counties

• Emanuel County (north)
• Tattnall County (east)
• Appling County (south)
• Jeff Davis County (southwest)
• Montgomery County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,067 people, 9,877 households, and 6,825 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 11,371 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.16% White, 24.15% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.34% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 8.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,877 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 15.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,811, and the median income for a family was $34,478. Males had a median income of $26,988 versus $18,051 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,252. About 17.80% of families and 23.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Lyons
• Santa Claus
• Vidalia

Notable residents

(or former residents)

• Mel Blount (football hall of famer and founder of Mel Blount Youth Home)
• Nick Eason (NFL player currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Craig Campbell (country music singer)
• Fred Stokes (former pro football player)
• Travares Tillman (professional football player)
• Don Collins (former professional baseball player)

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Toombs County, Georgia