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Clay County, Georgia

Coordinates: 31°37′N 84°59′W / 31.62°N 84.99°W / 31.62; -84.99
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Clay County
County
Clay County Courthouse in Fort Gaines
Clay County Courthouse in Fort Gaines
Official seal of Clay County
Seal
Map of Georgia highlighting Clay 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°37′N 84°59′W / 31.62°N 84.99°W / 31.62; -84.99
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1854; 170 years ago (1854)
Named forHenry Clay
SeatFort Gaines
Largest cityFort Gaines
Area
 • Total
217 sq mi (560 km2)
 • Land195 sq mi (510 km2)
 • Water22 sq mi (60 km2)  10.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
2,848
 • Estimate 
(2023)
2,853 Increase
 • Density13/sq mi (5.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.claycountyga.net

Clay County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,848,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Georgia. The county seat is Fort Gaines.[2]

History

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This area was historically occupied by the Creek Indians until Indian Removal in the 1830s. European Americans pushed them out and developed the land for cotton, bringing in thousands of African slaves to work the land.

The county is named in honor of Henry Clay,[3] famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. Part of the Black Belt geological formation of Georgia, prior to the American Civil War the county's chief commodity crop was cotton, cultivated and processed by farmers and African-American slaves. After the war, the economy continued to be agricultural, but timber was also harvested.

Clay was created by a February 16, 1854, act of the Georgia General Assembly, and organized from portions of Early and Randolph counties.[4]

Clay County's population is one-third of what it was in 1910.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 217 square miles (560 km2), of which 195 square miles (510 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (10.1%) is water.[5]

The central and southwestern portions of Clay County, from west of Bluffton to northwest of Coleman, are located in the Lower Chattahoochee River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). The county's northwestern corner, which is bisected by State Route 39 running north from Fort Gaines, is located in the Middle Chattahoochee River-Walter F. George Lake sub-basin of the same ACF River Basin. Just the very southeastern corner of Clay County is located in the Spring Creek sub-basin of the same larger ACF River Basin.[6]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,893—
18705,49312.3%
18806,65021.1%
18907,81717.5%
19008,5689.6%
19108,9604.6%
19207,557−15.7%
19306,943−8.1%
19407,0641.7%
19505,844−17.3%
19604,551−22.1%
19703,636−20.1%
19803,553−2.3%
19903,364−5.3%
20003,357−0.2%
20103,183−5.2%
20202,848−10.5%
2023 (est.)2,853[7]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1880[9] 1890-1910[10]
1920-1930[11] 1930-1940[12]
1940-1950[13] 1960-1980[14]
1980-2000[15]
2010[16] 2020[17]
Clay County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[18] Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 1,282 1,188 1,143 38.19% 37.32% 40.13%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,009 1,920 1,593 59.85% 60.32% 55.93%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 4 11 1 0.12% 0.35% 0.04%
Asian alone (NH) 9 10 6 0.27% 0.31% 0.21%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 1 1 0 0.03% 0.03% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 7 0.00% 0.00% 0.25%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 20 27 57 0.60% 0.85% 2.00%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 32 26 41 0.95% 0.82% 1.44%
Total 3,357 3,183 2,848 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,848 people, 1,242 households, and 708 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,183 people, 1,331 households, and 869 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 16.3 inhabitants per square mile (6.3/km2). There were 2,102 housing units at an average density of 10.8 per square mile (4.2/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 60.4% black or African American, 37.6% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, and 3.3% were American.[21]

Of the 1,331 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 22.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 45.8 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $26,250 and the median income for a family was $31,354. Males had a median income of $29,440 versus $23,816 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,353. About 25.5% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 56.7% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.[22]

2000 census

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As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 3,357 people, 1,347 households, and 928 families living in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km2). There were 1,925 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.47% Black or African American, 38.43% White, 0.12% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,347 households, out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.70% were married couples living together, 23.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 21.00% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 83.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,448, and the median income for a family was $27,837. Males had a median income of $26,557 versus $17,083 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,819. About 28.10% of families and 31.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.40% of those under age 18 and 23.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Main article: Fort Gaines, Georgia § Education

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost town

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Politics

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Clay County was one of the most consistently voting Democratic counties in the country. It voted for the Democratic nominee in every election from 1868 until 1960, and then again since 1976. In the 2022 Georgia state elections, however, Clay County voted for every Republican candidate except Herschel Walker. This has resulted in the county becoming a swing county.

United States presidential election results for Clay County, Georgia[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 663 45.98% 771 53.47% 8 0.55%
2020 637 44.36% 791 55.08% 8 0.56%
2016 566 44.46% 697 54.75% 10 0.79%
2012 537 38.28% 862 61.44% 4 0.29%
2008 558 38.75% 879 61.04% 3 0.21%
2004 509 38.85% 798 60.92% 3 0.23%
2000 448 35.08% 821 64.29% 8 0.63%
1996 293 25.63% 787 68.85% 63 5.51%
1992 264 22.06% 778 65.00% 155 12.95%
1988 398 40.04% 595 59.86% 1 0.10%
1984 419 35.84% 750 64.16% 0 0.00%
1980 316 25.46% 909 73.25% 16 1.29%
1976 295 23.75% 947 76.25% 0 0.00%
1972 632 69.07% 283 30.93% 0 0.00%
1968 133 10.57% 517 41.10% 608 48.33%
1964 544 60.04% 360 39.74% 2 0.22%
1960 84 13.73% 528 86.27% 0 0.00%
1956 103 20.89% 390 79.11% 0 0.00%
1952 176 26.79% 481 73.21% 0 0.00%
1948 33 8.99% 295 80.38% 39 10.63%
1944 35 7.34% 442 92.66% 0 0.00%
1940 33 6.31% 488 93.31% 2 0.38%
1936 13 2.61% 484 96.99% 2 0.40%
1932 12 2.68% 433 96.65% 3 0.67%
1928 56 12.15% 405 87.85% 0 0.00%
1924 51 15.41% 246 74.32% 34 10.27%
1920 63 21.50% 230 78.50% 0 0.00%
1916 10 4.10% 225 92.21% 9 3.69%
1912 17 4.31% 369 93.65% 8 2.03%

See also

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References

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General
  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 83.
  4. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "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 24, 2015.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  10. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  11. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  12. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  13. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  14. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  15. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  16. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clay County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Calhoun County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Clay County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
Specific
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31°37′N 84°59′W / 31.62°N 84.99°W / 31.62; -84.99

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