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Coffee County, Georgia

Coordinates: 31°33′N 82°51′W / 31.55°N 82.85°W / 31.55; -82.85
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Coffee County
County
Coffee County Courthouse in Douglas
Coffee County Courthouse in Douglas
Map of Georgia highlighting Coffee County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°33′N 82°51′W / 31.55°N 82.85°W / 31.55; -82.85
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedFebruary 9, 1854; 170 years ago (1854)
Named forJohn E. Coffee
SeatDouglas
Largest cityDouglas
Area
 • Total603 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Land575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water28 sq mi (70 km2)  4.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total43,092
 • Density74/sq mi (29/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitecoffeecountygov.com

Coffee County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,092,[1] up from 42,356 at the 2010 census.[2] The county seat is Douglas.[3]

Coffee County comprises the Douglas, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Coffee County was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on February 9, 1854, from portions of Clinch, Irwin, Telfair, and Ware counties. These lands were originally ceded by the Creek in the Treaty of Fort Jackson in (1814) and the Treaty of the Creek Agency (1818) and apportioned to the above counties before becoming Coffee County.

Berrien (1856), Jeff Davis (1905), and Atkinson (1917) counties were subsequently formed from sections of Coffee County.

The county is named for General John E. Coffee, a state legislator and a U.S. representative.[4][5]

Coffee County Correctional Facility is located in Nicholls, Georgia. It is privately owned and operated by CoreCivic, the largest prison company in the nation.

Many of the early settlers of what is now Coffee County are buried in historic cemeteries across the region, including the cemetery at Lone Hill United Methodist Church—located at 6833 Broxton-West Green Highway, some 10 miles northeast of Douglas. The church and its cemetery date to the 1840s, with the earliest marked grave dated 1848. A majestic Eastern Redcedar has graced the cemetery for generations and is recognized as the nation's largest of this species through American Forests’ Champion Trees program. (see:[6]) In July 2018 the tree was recognized as 2018's Great American Tree by American Grove. (See:[7]) Having been nominated by Mark McClellan of the Georgia Forestry Commission, the tree has been featured in such publications as the Smithsonian Magazine and Janisse Ray's Wild Card Quilt. The circumference of the tree exceeds 20 feet.

Further information: Georgia election racketeering prosecution § Coffee County election equipment breach

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 603 square miles (1,560 km2), of which 575 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 28 square miles (73 km2) (4.6%) is water.[8]

The vast majority of Coffee County is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. The northern corner of the county, well north of Broxton, an area bisected by State Route 107, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The very southwestern corner of Coffee County, northeast of Alapaha, is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin.[9]

Highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,879—
18703,19210.9%
18805,07058.8%
189010,483106.8%
190016,16954.2%
191021,95335.8%
192018,653−15.0%
193019,7395.8%
194021,5419.1%
195023,96111.2%
196021,953−8.4%
197022,8284.0%
198026,89417.8%
199029,59210.0%
200037,41326.4%
201042,35613.2%
202043,0921.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2019[2] 2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 37,413 people, 13,354 households, and 9,788 families living in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile (24 people/km2). There were 15,610 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 68.23% White, 25.88% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.04% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 6.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,354 households, out of which 37.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 15.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.30% under the age of 18, 11.00% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,710, and the median income for a family was $35,936. Males had a median income of $26,642 versus $20,644 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,530. About 15.30% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 21.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,356 people, 14,817 households, and 10,630 families living in the county.[15] The population density was 73.7 inhabitants per square mile (28.5/km2). There were 17,061 housing units at an average density of 29.7 units per square mile (11.5 units/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 64.7% white, 26.6% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 6.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.3% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 14.6% were English, 10.7% were American, and 5.8% were Irish.[17]

Of the 14,817 households, 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.3% were non-families, and 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 34.8 years.[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,202 and the median income for a family was $39,880. Males had a median income of $33,590 versus $26,129 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,664. About 18.3% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2020 census

Coffee County Racial Composition[19]
Race Num. Perc.
White 24,158 56.06%
Black or African American 11,872 27.55%
Native American 62 0.14%
Asian 299 0.69%
Pacific Islander 14 0.03%
Other/Mixed 1,257 2.92%
Hispanic or Latino 5,430 12.6%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 43,092 people, 14,438 households, and 9,913 families residing in the county.

Education

Main article: Douglas, Georgia § Education

Douglas is home to South Georgia State College, the oldest two-year institution under the University System of Georgia.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Like most of the Solid South, Coffee County voted with the Democrats until 1964, when Republican Barry Goldwater carried the county as well as the state. Democrat Jimmy Carter, who came from Georgia, carried the county twice. No Democrat has carried the county since then.

United States presidential election results for Coffee County, Georgia[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,578 69.53% 4,511 29.65% 125 0.82%
2016 9,588 68.50% 4,094 29.25% 316 2.26%
2012 9,248 63.89% 5,057 34.94% 169 1.17%
2008 8,872 64.49% 4,811 34.97% 75 0.55%
2004 8,306 67.35% 3,979 32.26% 48 0.39%
2000 5,756 61.04% 3,593 38.10% 81 0.86%
1996 3,934 48.72% 3,407 42.19% 734 9.09%
1992 3,778 45.31% 3,275 39.27% 1,286 15.42%
1988 4,019 58.91% 2,777 40.71% 26 0.38%
1984 4,200 61.47% 2,633 38.53% 0 0.00%
1980 2,499 37.74% 4,038 60.99% 84 1.27%
1976 1,417 23.55% 4,601 76.45% 0 0.00%
1972 3,934 86.63% 607 13.37% 0 0.00%
1968 1,241 19.52% 1,331 20.94% 3,785 59.54%
1964 4,392 61.76% 2,719 38.24% 0 0.00%
1960 987 22.62% 3,376 77.38% 0 0.00%
1956 574 15.21% 3,199 84.79% 0 0.00%
1952 1,078 24.67% 3,292 75.33% 0 0.00%
1948 309 7.46% 3,168 76.45% 667 16.10%
1944 366 18.38% 1,625 81.62% 0 0.00%
1940 128 7.56% 1,561 92.15% 5 0.30%
1936 116 6.38% 1,702 93.57% 1 0.05%
1932 29 1.70% 1,652 97.06% 21 1.23%
1928 591 33.45% 1,176 66.55% 0 0.00%
1924 62 9.54% 510 78.46% 78 12.00%
1920 230 35.06% 426 64.94% 0 0.00%
1916 120 5.36% 2,091 93.35% 29 1.29%
1912 28 2.78% 895 88.79% 85 8.43%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts - Coffee County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 86.
  5. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 47. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2003.
  6. ^ "Big Trees". American Forests. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "Announcing 2018's Great American Tree". American Grove. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

31°33′N 82°51′W / 31.55°N 82.85°W / 31.55; -82.85

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