List of counties in Georgia

(Redirected from Counties in Georgia)

The U.S. state of Georgia is divided into 159 counties, the second-highest number after Texas, which has 254 counties. Under the Georgia State Constitution, all of its counties are granted home rule to deal with problems that are purely local in nature. Also, eight consolidated city-counties have been established in Georgia: AthensClarke County, AugustaRichmond County, ColumbusMuscogee County, GeorgetownQuitman County, StatenvilleEchols County, MaconBibb County, CussetaChattahoochee County, and Preston-Webster County.

Counties of Georgia
LocationState of Georgia
Number159
PopulationsGreatest: 1,079,105 (Fulton)
Least: 1,609 (Taliaferro)
Average: 69,366 (2023)
AreasLargest: 908 square miles (2,350 km2) (Ware)
Smallest: 121 square miles (310 km2) (Clarke)
Average: 373.7 square miles (968 km2)
Government
Subdivisions

History

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From 1732 until 1758, the minor civil divisions in Georgia were districts and towns. In 1758, the Province of Georgia was divided into eight parishes, and another four parishes were created in 1765. On February 5, 1777, the original eight counties of the state were created: Burke, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Richmond, and Wilkes.

Georgia has the second-largest number of counties of any state in the United States, only behind Texas, which has 254 counties.[1] One traditional reasoning for the creation and location of so many counties in Georgia was that a country farmer, rancher, or lumberman should be able to travel to the legal county seat town or city, and then back home, in one day on horseback or via wagon. About 25 counties in Georgia were created in the first quarter of the 20th century, after the use of the railroad, automobile, truck, and bus had become possible. Because of the County Unit System, later declared unconstitutional, new counties, no matter the population, had at least one representative in the state house, keeping political power in rural areas.[2][3] The last new county to be established in Georgia was Peach County, founded in 1924.

The proliferation of counties in Georgia led to multiple state constitutional amendments attempting to limit the number of counties. The most recent such amendment, ratified in 1945, limited the number to 159 counties, although there had been 161 counties from 1924 to 1931. In a rare consolidation of counties, both Campbell County and Milton County were annexed into Fulton County in 1932 as a financial move during the Great Depression, since those two county governments were nearly bankrupt. Fulton County contains Atlanta, and it was thought that tax revenues from Atlanta and its suburbs would help to support the rural areas of the discarded counties, which had very little tax income of their own—mostly from property taxes on farms and forests, which did not amount to much.

Due to Georgia's high number of unpopulated counties, Georgia judges are able to get around a state constitutional provision prohibiting banishment "beyond the limits of this state" by banishing criminals from all but one county of the state, usually Echols County. Because the one county where the banished criminal is technically allowed to live is so unpopulated, the banished criminals will leave the state of Georgia rather than move to that county.[4]

Georgia is the only state that still allows sole commissioner county government. As of 2021, seven of the state's 159 counties operate under that system.

During the 2022 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly began considering reducing the number of counties in the state.[5] Despite the state increasing in population by over one million according to the 2020 Census, 67 counties lost population, mostly in rural areas. The rationale for consolidating counties is to reduce costs for county services such as school systems, law enforcement and elections.[5][6]

Changed names of counties

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A few counties in Georgia have changed their names. Jasper County was originally named "Randolph County". Later, the present-day Randolph County was founded. Webster County was once named "Kinchafoonee County", and Bartow County was originally named "Cass County".

Defunct counties

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  • Christ Church, St. Andrew, St. David, St. George, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Matthew, St. Patrick, St. Paul, St. Philip, and St. Thomas were all parishes that were dissolved in 1777 with the establishment of the charter counties.
  • Bourbon County (1785–1788): formed out of disputed Yazoo lands in present-day Mississippi; dissolved in 1788.
  • Campbell County (1828–1932): formed from Carroll and Coweta in 1828. Areas northwest of the Chattahoochee River became Douglas in 1870; the remainder of Campbell was merged into southwest Fulton in 1932.
  • Milton County (1857–1932): formed from northeast Cobb, southeast Cherokee, and southwest Forsyth in 1857 (and later northern DeKalb); was merged into north Fulton in 1932.
  • There was a previous Walton County in Georgia, which was actually located in what is now western North Carolina. A brief skirmish, the Walton War, was fought between North Carolina and Georgia in 1810, before Georgia relinquished its claim on that area after the 1811 survey of Ellicott Rock.

Majority-minority counties

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Majority-minority counties (2020 Census)

Per the 2020 Census, 36 of Georgia's 159 counties are majority-minority. Eighteen have African-American majorities and 18 are majority-minority with no dominant group. An influx of immigrants to the Atlanta metropolitan area and Latino workers to the Black Belt has helped to fuel the shift.

Fictional counties

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Film

  • Deliverance (1972) is set in a north Georgia county marked on the sheriff's car as Aintry.
  • Diggstown (1992) takes place in the fictional Olivair County, Georgia.
  • Gator (1976) takes place in the fictional Dunston County, Georgia.
  • Ghost Fever (1987) takes place in the fictional Greendale County, Georgia.
  • Smokey Bites the Dust (1981) takes place in the fictional Paraquat County, Georgia.
  • Tank (1984) takes place in the fictional Clemmons County, Georgia. (Although Clemmons supposedly borders Tennessee, filming was at or near Fort Benning, across the Chattahoochee River from Alabama.)[citation needed]
  • The Ugly Dachshund (1966) takes place in the fictional Paraquat County, Georgia.

Television

Theater

Books

  • Karin Slaughter's novels are often set in the fictional Grant County, Georgia.
  • In Stephen King's The Green Mile, John Coffey is wrongfully arrested in the fictional Trapingus County, Georgia.
  • John Birmingham includes a fictional Buttecracke (pronounced Beau-cray) County, Georgia, in his Dave vs. the Monsters series of novels.
  • We Deserve Monuments, by Jas Hammonds, takes place in the fictional Bardell County, Georgia.

Counties listing

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County
FIPS code[12] County seat[13] Est.[13] Origin[14] Etymology[14] Density
Population[15] Area[13] Map
Appling County 001 Baxley 1818 Land ceded by the Creek Indians in the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814 and the Treaty of the Creek Agency in 1818 Colonel Daniel Appling (1787–1818), a hero of the War of 1812 36.26/sq mi
(14.00/km2)
18,457 509 sq mi
(1,318 km2)
 
Atkinson County 003 Pearson 1917 Clinch and Coffee counties William Yates Atkinson (1854–99), governor of Georgia (1894–98) and speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives 24.54/sq mi
(9.47/km2)
8,293 338 sq mi
(875 km2)
 
Bacon County 005 Alma 1914 Appling, Pierce and Ware counties Augustus Octavius Bacon (1839–1914), U.S. Senator (1895–1914); President pro tempore of the United States Senate 39.03/sq mi
(15.07/km2)
11,124 285 sq mi
(738 km2)
 
Baker County 007 Newton 1825 Early County Colonel John Baker (died 1792), a hero of the American Revolutionary War 8.00/sq mi
(3.09/km2)
2,743 343 sq mi
(888 km2)
 
Baldwin County 009 Milledgeville 1803 Creek cessions of 1802 and 1805 Abraham Baldwin (1754–1807), a Founding Father; U.S. Senator (1799–1807); one of the Georgia delegates who signed the U.S. Constitution 168.20/sq mi
(64.94/km2)
43,396 258 sq mi
(668 km2)
 
Banks County 011 Homer 1859 Franklin and Habersham counties Dr. Richard Banks (1784–1850), local physician noted for treating natives with smallpox 84.57/sq mi
(32.65/km2)
19,789 234 sq mi
(606 km2)
 
Barrow County 013 Winder 1914 Gwinnett, Jackson and Walton counties "Uncle Dave" David Crenshaw Barrow Jr. (1852–1929), chancellor of the University of Georgia (1906–29) 572.79/sq mi
(221.16/km2)
92,792 162 sq mi
(420 km2)
 
Bartow County 015 Cartersville 1832 Created from a portion of Cherokee County and originally called Cass County after General Lewis Cass General Francis S. Bartow (1816–61), Confederate political leader; first Confederate general killed in the American Civil War 250.09/sq mi
(96.56/km2)
115,041 460 sq mi
(1,191 km2)
 
Ben Hill County 017 Fitzgerald 1906 Irwin and Wilcox counties Benjamin Harvey Hill (1823–82), U.S. Senator (1877–82) 67.97/sq mi
(26.24/km2)
17,128 252 sq mi
(653 km2)
 
Berrien County 019 Nashville 1856 Coffee, Irwin, and Lowndes counties John Macpherson Berrien (1781–1856), U.S. Senator; U.S. Attorney General 41.08/sq mi
(15.86/km2)
18,570 452 sq mi
(1,171 km2)
 
Bibb County 021 Macon 1822 Houston, Jones, Monroe, and Twiggs counties Dr. William Wyatt Bibb (1780–1820), first Governor of Alabama; U.S. Senator 626.05/sq mi
(241.72/km2)
156,512 250 sq mi
(647 km2)
 
Bleckley County 023 Cochran 1912 Pulaski County Logan Edwin Bleckley (1827–1907), Georgia State Supreme Court Chief Justice 57.44/sq mi
(22.18/km2)
12,465 217 sq mi
(562 km2)
 
Brantley County 025 Nahunta 1920 Charlton, Pierce, and Wayne counties Benjamin Daniel Brantley (1832-91), a state legislator, local merchant and confederate soldier or William Gordon Brantley (1860–1934), U.S. Congressman 41.44/sq mi
(16.00/km2)
18,401 444 sq mi
(1,150 km2)
 
Brooks County 027 Quitman 1858 Lowndes and Thomas counties Captain Preston S. Brooks (1819–57), a hero of the Mexican–American War; Congressman from South Carolina 32.88/sq mi
(12.70/km2)
16,245 494 sq mi
(1,279 km2)
 
Bryan County 029 Pembroke 1793 Chatham County Jonathan Bryan (1708–88), colonial settler; famous state representative 112.53/sq mi
(43.45/km2)
49,739 442 sq mi
(1,145 km2)
 
Bulloch County 031 Statesboro 1796 Bryan and Screven counties Archibald Bulloch (1729–77), a hero of the Revolutionary War; Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives; acting governor of Georgia (1775–77) and first governor of Georgia 123.47/sq mi
(47.67/km2)
84,327 683 sq mi
(1,769 km2)
 
Burke County 033 Waynesboro 1777 Originally organized as St. George Parish Edmund Burke (1729–97), British-American political philosopher and Member of Parliament (MP) who sympathized with the cause of American independence 29.41/sq mi
(11.36/km2)
24,438 831 sq mi
(2,152 km2)
 
Butts County 035 Jackson 1825 Henry and Monroe counties Captain Samuel Butts (1777–1814), a hero of the Creek War 143.78/sq mi
(55.51/km2)
26,887 187 sq mi
(484 km2)
 
Calhoun County 037 Morgan 1854 Baker and Early counties John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), U.S. Congressman; U.S. Senator; Vice President of the United States from South Carolina 19.49/sq mi
(7.53/km2)
5,457 280 sq mi
(725 km2)
 
Camden County 039 Woodbine 1777 St. Mary and St. Thomas parishes Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (1714–94), Lord Chancellor of Great Britain who sympathized with the cause of American independence 92.25/sq mi
(35.62/km2)
58,118 630 sq mi
(1,632 km2)
 
Candler County 043 Metter 1914 Bulloch, Emanuel and Tattnall counties Allen Daniel Candler (1834–1910), state legislator; U.S. Congressman; Governor of Georgia (1898–1902) 44.77/sq mi
(17.29/km2)
11,059 247 sq mi
(640 km2)
 
Carroll County 045 Carrollton 1826 Lands ceded by the Creek Indians in 1825 in the Treaty of Indian Springs Charles Carroll (1737–1832), the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence 254.71/sq mi
(98.34/km2)
127,098 499 sq mi
(1,292 km2)
 
Catoosa County 047 Ringgold 1853 Walker and Whitfield counties Chief Catoosa, a Cherokee chief 425.37/sq mi
(164.24/km2)
68,910 162 sq mi
(420 km2)
 
Charlton County 049 Folkston 1854 Camden County Robert Milledge Charlton (1807–54), jurist; U.S. Senator (1852–54); mayor of Savannah 16.56/sq mi
(6.39/km2)
12,934 781 sq mi
(2,023 km2)
 
Chatham County 051 Savannah 1777 Christ Church and St. Philip parishes William Pitt, Earl of Chatham (1708–78), British Prime Minister who sympathized with the cause of American independence 690.13/sq mi
(266.46/km2)
303,655 440 sq mi
(1,140 km2)
 
Chattahoochee County 053 Cusseta 1854 Marion and Muscogee counties Chattahoochee River, which forms the county's (and the state's) western border 34.78/sq mi
(13.43/km2)
8,661 249 sq mi
(645 km2)
 
Chattooga County 055 Summerville 1838 Floyd and Walker counties Chattooga River 80.32/sq mi
(31.01/km2)
25,222 314 sq mi
(813 km2)
 
Cherokee County 057 Canton 1831 Cherokee Cession of 1831 Cherokee Nation, which controlled this part of the state autonomously until 1831 675.95/sq mi
(260.99/km2)
286,602 424 sq mi
(1,098 km2)
 
Clarke County 059 Athens 1801 Jackson County Elijah Clarke (1733–99), a hero of the Revolutionary War 1,073.83/sq mi
(414.61/km2)
129,933 121 sq mi
(313 km2)
 
Clay County 061 Fort Gaines 1854 Early and Randolph counties Henry Clay (1777–1852), Secretary of State; Speaker of the House of Representatives; U.S. Senator from Kentucky 14.63/sq mi
(5.65/km2)
2,853 195 sq mi
(505 km2)
 
Clayton County 063 Jonesboro 1858 Fayette and Henry counties Augustin Smith Clayton (1783–1839), a local jurist and U.S. Congressman 2,086.01/sq mi
(805.41/km2)
298,300 143 sq mi
(370 km2)
 
Clinch County 065 Homerville 1850 Lowndes and Ware counties General Duncan Lamont Clinch (1784–1849), a hero of the War of 1812 and the Seminole War; U.S. Congressman 8.34/sq mi
(3.22/km2)
6,746 809 sq mi
(2,095 km2)
 
Cobb County 067 Marietta 1832 Cherokee County Colonel Thomas Willis Cobb (1784–1835), a hero of the War of 1812; U.S. Congressman 2,284.54/sq mi
(882.07/km2)
776,743 340 sq mi
(881 km2)
 
Coffee County 069 Douglas 1854 Clinch, Irwin, Telfair and Ware counties General John E. Coffee (1782–1836), a hero of the War of 1812 72.32/sq mi
(27.92/km2)
43,317 599 sq mi
(1,551 km2)
 
Colquitt County 071 Moultrie 1856 Lowndes and Thomas counties Walter Terry Colquitt (1799–1855), Methodist pastor; U.S. Senator 83.64/sq mi
(32.29/km2)
46,167 552 sq mi
(1,430 km2)
 
Columbia County 073 Appling (de jure) and Evans (de facto) 1790 Richmond County Christopher Columbus (1446–1506), explorer 569.52/sq mi
(219.89/km2)
165,162 290 sq mi
(751 km2)
 
Cook County 075 Adel 1918 Berrien County General Philip Cook (1817–94), Confederate general; Georgia's Georgia Secretary of State 77.35/sq mi
(29.87/km2)
17,714 229 sq mi
(593 km2)
 
Coweta County 077 Newnan 1826 Created on Creek lands ceded in 1825 in the treaty of Indian Springs and Creek Cessions of 1826 Coweta tribe of the Creek Nation and their village near Columbus 351.90/sq mi
(135.87/km2)
155,892 443 sq mi
(1,147 km2)
 
Crawford County 079 Knoxville 1822 Houston County William Harris Crawford (1772–1834), U.S. Senator; ambassador to France; Secretary of the Treasury 37.78/sq mi
(14.59/km2)
12,277 325 sq mi
(842 km2)
 
Crisp County 081 Cordele 1905 Dooly County Charles Frederick Crisp (1845–96), Speaker of the House of Representatives 71.65/sq mi
(27.66/km2)
19,631 274 sq mi
(710 km2)
 
Dade County 083 Trenton 1837 Walker County Major Francis L. Dade (1793–1835), a hero of the Seminole War 92.90/sq mi
(35.87/km2)
16,165 174 sq mi
(451 km2)
 
Dawson County 085 Dawsonville 1857 Gilmer and Lumpkin counties William Crosby Dawson (1798–1857), U.S. Senator (1849–55); state legislator 150.39/sq mi
(58.07/km2)
31,732 211 sq mi
(546 km2)
 
Decatur County 087 Bainbridge 1823 Early County Commodore Stephen Decatur (1779–1820), a naval hero of the actions against the Barbary Pirates in the early 19th century 48.72/sq mi
(18.81/km2)
29,087 597 sq mi
(1,546 km2)
 
DeKalb County 089 Decatur 1822 Henry, Fayette, and Gwinnett counties "Baron" Johann DeKalb (1721–80) a German who accompanied Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, and was inspector general of the Colonial Army 2,846.99/sq mi
(1,099.23/km2)
762,992 268 sq mi
(694 km2)
 
Dodge County 091 Eastman 1870 Montgomery, Pulaski and Telfair counties William Earle Dodge (1805–1883), temperance leader; businessman from New York; a co-founder of Phelps, Dodge, and Company, a mining and metals company 39.47/sq mi
(15.24/km2)
19,776 501 sq mi
(1,298 km2)
 
Dooly County 093 Vienna 1821 Creek Cession of 1821 Colonel John Dooly (1740–80), a hero of the American Revolution 27.94/sq mi
(10.79/km2)
10,981 393 sq mi
(1,018 km2)
 
Dougherty County 095 Albany 1853 Baker County Charles Dougherty (1801–53), judge from Athens, Georgia 250.44/sq mi
(96.70/km2)
82,645 330 sq mi
(855 km2)
 
Douglas County 097 Douglasville 1870 The former Campbell County and Carroll County Stephen Arnold Douglas (1813–61), an Illinois Democratic Congressman who ran against Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 United States presidential election and lost 749.55/sq mi
(289.40/km2)
149,160 199 sq mi
(515 km2)
 
Early County 099 Blakely 1818 Creek Cession of 1814 Peter Early (1773–1817), tenth governor of Georgia 20.67/sq mi
(7.98/km2)
10,563 511 sq mi
(1,323 km2)
 
Echols County 101 Statenville 1858 Clinch and Lowndes counties General Robert M. Echols (1798–1847), a state legislator and a hero of the Mexican–American War 9.18/sq mi
(3.54/km2)
3,709 404 sq mi
(1,046 km2)
 
Effingham County 103 Springfield 1777 St. Matthew and St. Philip parishes Thomas Howard, Earl of Effingham (1746–1791), who sympathized with the cause of American independence 149.04/sq mi
(57.54/km2)
71,541 480 sq mi
(1,243 km2)
 
Elbert County 105 Elberton 1790 Wilkes County Samuel Elbert (1740–88), a general in the Revolutionary War; became Governor of Georgia in 1785 54.24/sq mi
(20.94/km2)
20,013 369 sq mi
(956 km2)
 
Emanuel County 107 Swainsboro 1812 Bulloch and Montgomery counties Colonel David Emanuel (1744–1808), became the governor of Georgia in 1801 33.70/sq mi
(13.01/km2)
23,119 686 sq mi
(1,777 km2)
 
Evans County 109 Claxton 1914 Bulloch and Tattnall counties General Clement Anselm Evans (1832–1911), a hero of the American Civil War; the commander in chief of the United Confederate Veterans 58.13/sq mi
(22.44/km2)
10,754 185 sq mi
(479 km2)
 
Fannin County 111 Blue Ridge 1854 Gilmer and Union counties Colonel James Walker Fannin Jr. (1809–36), a hero of the Texas Revolution 67.24/sq mi
(25.96/km2)
25,955 386 sq mi
(1,000 km2)
 
Fayette County 113 Fayetteville 1821 Creek Cession of 1821 Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), a French hero of the Revolutionary War 626.15/sq mi
(241.76/km2)
123,351 197 sq mi
(510 km2)
 
Floyd County 115 Rome 1832 Cherokee County General John Floyd (1769–1839), soldier, U.S. Congressman 195.15/sq mi
(75.35/km2)
100,113 513 sq mi
(1,329 km2)
 
Forsyth County 117 Cumming 1832 Cherokee County John Forsyth (1780–1841), Secretary of State under President Martin Van Buren 1,207.46/sq mi
(466.20/km2)
272,887 226 sq mi
(585 km2)
 
Franklin County 119 Carnesville 1784 Cherokee and Creek Cessions of 1783 Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), writer, inventor, philosopher, publisher, and a Founding Father of the United States 94.23/sq mi
(36.38/km2)
24,782 263 sq mi
(681 km2)
 
Fulton County 121 Atlanta 1853 DeKalb County + the former Campbell and Milton counties and a portion of Cobb County Hamilton Fulton (1781–1833), a Scottish civil and hydraulic engineer. 2,039.90/sq mi
(787.61/km2)
1,079,105 529 sq mi
(1,370 km2)
 
Gilmer County 123 Ellijay 1832 Cherokee County George Rockingham Gilmer (1780–1859), 16th governor of Georgia 76.96/sq mi
(29.71/km2)
32,860 427 sq mi
(1,106 km2)
 
Glascock County 125 Gibson 1857 Warren County General Thomas Glascock (1780–1841), a hero of the War of 1812 and the Seminole War of 1817; U.S. Congressman 20.51/sq mi
(7.92/km2)
2,954 144 sq mi
(373 km2)
 
Glynn County 127 Brunswick 1777 St. David and St. Patrick parishes John Glynn (1722–79), British Member of Parliament and Serjeant-at-law, who sympathized with the cause of American independence 204.20/sq mi
(78.84/km2)
86,172 422 sq mi
(1,093 km2)
 
Gordon County 129 Calhoun 1850 Cass (now Bartow) and Floyd counties William Washington Gordon (1796–1842), first president of the Central of Georgia Railroad 168.33/sq mi
(64.99/km2)
59,757 355 sq mi
(919 km2)
 
Grady County 131 Cairo 1905 Decatur and Thomas counties Henry Woodfin Grady (1850–89), orator; managing editor of the Atlanta Constitution 56.91/sq mi
(21.97/km2)
26,066 458 sq mi
(1,186 km2)
 
Greene County 133 Greensboro 1786 Washington County General Nathanael Greene (1742–86), a hero of the Revolutionary War 53.41/sq mi
(20.62/km2)
20,722 388 sq mi
(1,005 km2)
 
Gwinnett County 135 Lawrenceville 1818 Cherokee Cession of 1817 and Creek Cession of 1818 Button Gwinnett (1735–1777), one of Georgia's delegates to the Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence 2,271.42/sq mi
(877.00/km2)
983,526 433 sq mi
(1,121 km2)
 
Habersham County 137 Clarkesville 1818 Cherokee Cessions of 1817 and 1819 Colonel Joseph Habersham (1751–1815), a hero of the Revolutionary War; U.S. Postmaster General in the Cabinet of George Washington 175.38/sq mi
(67.71/km2)
48,757 278 sq mi
(720 km2)
 
Hall County 139 Gainesville 1818 Cherokee Cessions of 1817 and 1819 Dr. Lyman Hall (1724–90), one of Georgia's delegates to the Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence; became the governor of Georgia in 1783 551.44/sq mi
(212.91/km2)
217,267 394 sq mi
(1,020 km2)
 
Hancock County 141 Sparta 1793 Greene and Washington counties John Hancock (1737–93), President of the Continental Congress; first signer of the Declaration of Independence 18.34/sq mi
(7.08/km2)
8,676 473 sq mi
(1,225 km2)
 
Haralson County 143 Buchanan 1856 Carroll and Polk counties General Hugh Anderson Haralson (1805–54), U.S. Congressman 113.61/sq mi
(43.87/km2)
32,038 282 sq mi
(730 km2)
 
Harris County 145 Hamilton 1827 Muscogee and Troup counties Charles Harris (1772–1827), prominent attorney from Savannah 79.00/sq mi
(30.50/km2)
36,654 464 sq mi
(1,202 km2)
 
Hart County 147 Hartwell 1853 Elbert and Franklin counties Nancy Morgan Hart (1735–1830), a heroine of the Revolutionary War 118.78/sq mi
(45.86/km2)
27,556 232 sq mi
(601 km2)
 
Heard County 149 Franklin 1830 Carroll, Coweta and Troup counties Stephen Heard (1740–1815), a hero of the Revolutionary War 40.66/sq mi
(15.70/km2)
12,034 296 sq mi
(767 km2)
 
Henry County 151 McDonough 1821 Creek Cession of 1821 Patrick Henry (1736–99), prominent lawyer, orator, and a Founding Father of the United States 788.28/sq mi
(304.36/km2)
254,613 323 sq mi
(837 km2)
 
Houston County 153 Perry 1821 Creek Cession of 1821 John Houstoun (1744–1796), member of the Continental Congress; became governor of Georgia in 1778 456.16/sq mi
(176.12/km2)
171,974 377 sq mi
(976 km2)
 
Irwin County 155 Ocilla 1818 Creek Cessions of 1814 and 1818 Jared Irwin (1751–1818), the governor who rescinded the Yazoo Act in 1796 25.55/sq mi
(9.86/km2)
9,120 357 sq mi
(925 km2)
 
Jackson County 157 Jefferson 1796 Franklin County General James Jackson (1757–1806), a hero of the Revolutionary War 259.11/sq mi
(100.04/km2)
88,615 342 sq mi
(886 km2)
 
Jasper County 159 Monticello 1807 Baldwin (FKA Randolph County 1807–12) Sergeant William Jasper (1750–1779), a hero of the Revolutionary War 44.47/sq mi
(17.17/km2)
16,455 370 sq mi
(958 km2)
 
Jeff Davis County 161 Hazlehurst 1905 Appling and Coffee counties Jefferson Davis (1808–89), the first and only President of the Confederate States of America 44.76/sq mi
(17.28/km2)
14,906 333 sq mi
(862 km2)
 
Jefferson County 163 Louisville 1796 Burke and Warren counties Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third President of the United States 28.76/sq mi
(11.10/km2)
15,183 528 sq mi
(1,368 km2)
 
Jenkins County 165 Millen 1905 Bulloch, Burke, Emanuel, and Screven counties Charles Jones Jenkins (1805–83), governor of Georgia, who was the author of the famous Georgia Platform of 1850 24.65/sq mi
(9.52/km2)
8,627 350 sq mi
(906 km2)
 
Johnson County 167 Wrightsville 1858 Emanuel, Laurens and Washington counties Herschel Vespasian Johnson (1812–80), U.S. Senator; Governor of Georgia 30.53/sq mi
(11.79/km2)
9,282 304 sq mi
(787 km2)
 
Jones County 169 Gray 1807 Baldwin County James Jones (1769–1801), U.S. Congressman 73.53/sq mi
(28.39/km2)
28,969 394 sq mi
(1,020 km2)
 
Lamar County 171 Barnesville 1920 Monroe and Pike counties Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar (1825–93), U.S. Senator; Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 110.28/sq mi
(42.58/km2)
20,401 185 sq mi
(479 km2)
 
Lanier County 173 Lakeland 1920 Berrien, Clinch and Lowndes counties Sidney Lanier (1842–1881), attorney, linguist, mathematician,[16] and musician 55.89/sq mi
(21.58/km2)
10,452 187 sq mi
(484 km2)
 
Laurens County 175 Dublin 1807 Wilkinson County Colonel John Laurens (1754–82), aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War 61.43/sq mi
(23.72/km2)
49,941 813 sq mi
(2,106 km2)
 
Lee County 177 Leesburg 1826 Creek Cessions of 1826 Lieutenant Colonel Henry Lee III (1732–1794), a hero of the Revolutionary War, who attained the nickname "Light-Horse Harry" 95.15/sq mi
(36.74/km2)
33,872 356 sq mi
(922 km2)
 
Liberty County 179 Hinesville 1777 St Andrew, St James, and St John Parishes Named in honor of the noted patriotism of the citizens of Midway in their support of the cause of colonial independence 133.35/sq mi
(51.49/km2)
69,210 519 sq mi
(1,344 km2)
 
Lincoln County 181 Lincolnton 1796 Wilkes County General Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a hero of the Revolutionary War; was later assigned to the suppression of Shays' Rebellion 37.34/sq mi
(14.42/km2)
7,879 211 sq mi
(546 km2)
 
Long County 183 Ludowici 1920 Liberty County Dr. Crawford Williamson Long (1815–78), in 1842 the first man to use diethyl ether as an anesthetic for dental surgery 48.86/sq mi
(18.86/km2)
19,594 401 sq mi
(1,039 km2)
 
Lowndes County 185 Valdosta 1825 Irwin County William Jones Lowndes (1782–1822), prominent figure in the affairs of South Carolina throughout the formative years of the United States 239.51/sq mi
(92.48/km2)
120,712 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
 
Lumpkin County 187 Dahlonega 1832 Cherokee, Habersham, and Hall counties Wilson Lumpkin (1783–1870), Governor of Georgia; U.S. Senator 124.15/sq mi
(47.93/km2)
35,258 284 sq mi
(736 km2)
 
Macon County 193 Oglethorpe 1837 Houston and Marion counties General Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), Speaker of the House of Representatives; U.S. Senator 29.32/sq mi
(11.32/km2)
11,817 403 sq mi
(1,044 km2)
 
Madison County 195 Danielsville 1811 Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Jackson and Oglethorpe counties James Madison (1751–1836), fourth President of the United States; chief writer of the U.S. Constitution 113.35/sq mi
(43.76/km2)
32,191 284 sq mi
(736 km2)
 
Marion County 197 Buena Vista 1827 Lee and Muscogee counties General Francis Marion (1732–95), the "Swamp Fox"; a hero of the Revolutionary War 20.27/sq mi
(7.83/km2)
7,440 367 sq mi
(951 km2)
 
McDuffie County 189 Thomson 1870 Columbia and Warren counties George McDuffie (1790–1851), orator and governor of South Carolina 83.84/sq mi
(32.37/km2)
21,799 260 sq mi
(673 km2)
 
McIntosh County 191 Darien 1793 Liberty County General Lachlan McIntosh (1727–1806), a hero of the Revolutionary War 26.50/sq mi
(10.23/km2)
11,501 434 sq mi
(1,124 km2)
 
Meriwether County 199 Greenville 1827 Formed from Troup County General David Meriwether (1755–1822), a hero of the Revolutionary War; U.S. Congressman 41.61/sq mi
(16.07/km2)
20,931 503 sq mi
(1,303 km2)
 
Miller County 201 Colquitt 1856 Baker and Early counties Andrew Jackson Miller (1806–56), president of the Medical College of Georgia 20.31/sq mi
(7.84/km2)
5,747 283 sq mi
(733 km2)
 
Mitchell County 205 Camilla 1857 Baker County Gen. Henry Mitchell (1760–1839), a hero of the Revolutionary War 41.24/sq mi
(15.92/km2)
21,114 512 sq mi
(1,326 km2)
 
Monroe County 207 Forsyth 1821 Creek Cession of 1821 James Monroe (1758–1831), the fifth President of the United States and the creator of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 77.34/sq mi
(29.86/km2)
30,625 396 sq mi
(1,026 km2)
 
Montgomery County 209 Mount Vernon 1793 Washington County General Richard Montgomery (1738–75), a hero of the Revolutionary War 35.76/sq mi
(13.81/km2)
8,761 245 sq mi
(635 km2)
 
Morgan County 211 Madison 1807 Baldwin County General Daniel Morgan (1736–1802), a hero of the Revolutionary War; U.S. Congressman 61.31/sq mi
(23.67/km2)
21,460 350 sq mi
(906 km2)
 
Murray County 213 Chatsworth 1832 Cherokee County Thomas W. Murray (1790–1832), famous state legislator 119.29/sq mi
(46.06/km2)
41,035 344 sq mi
(891 km2)
 
Muscogee County 215 Columbus 1826 Creek Cession of 1826 Muskogee ethnic group, to which the Creek and Seminole Nations belong 934.62/sq mi
(360.86/km2)
201,877 216 sq mi
(559 km2)
 
Newton County 217 Covington 1821 Henry, Jasper, and Walton counties Sergeant John Newton (1755–80), a hero of the Revolutionary War 435.27/sq mi
(168.06/km2)
120,135 276 sq mi
(715 km2)
 
Oconee County 219 Watkinsville 1875 Clarke County Oconee River, which forms its eastern boundary 237.54/sq mi
(91.71/km2)
44,182 186 sq mi
(482 km2)
 
Oglethorpe County 221 Lexington 1793 Wilkes County General James Edward Oglethorpe (1696–1785), the founder of the Colony of Georgia 35.72/sq mi
(13.79/km2)
15,754 441 sq mi
(1,142 km2)
 
Paulding County 223 Dallas 1832 Cherokee County John Paulding (1759–1818), a hero of the Revolutionary War 583.32/sq mi
(225.22/km2)
183,164 314 sq mi
(813 km2)
 
Peach County 225 Fort Valley 1924 Houston and Macon counties Its location in Central Georgia is one of the richest peach-producing regions in the country. 190.76/sq mi
(73.65/km2)
28,805 151 sq mi
(391 km2)
 
Pickens County 227 Jasper 1853 Cherokee and Gilmer counties General Andrew Pickens (1739–1817), a hero of the Revolutionary War; U.S. Congressman 155.04/sq mi
(59.86/km2)
35,969 232 sq mi
(601 km2)
 
Pierce County 229 Blackshear 1857 Appling and Ware counties Franklin Pierce (1804–1869), fourteenth President of the United States 59.55/sq mi
(22.99/km2)
20,425 343 sq mi
(888 km2)
 
Pike County 231 Zebulon 1822 Monroe County General Zebulon Pike (1779–1813), explorer and a hero of the War of 1812 93.86/sq mi
(36.24/km2)
20,461 218 sq mi
(565 km2)
 
Polk County 233 Cedartown 1851 Floyd and Paulding counties James Knox Polk (1795–1849), eleventh President of the United States 142.20/sq mi
(54.90/km2)
44,223 311 sq mi
(805 km2)
 
Pulaski County 235 Hawkinsville 1808 Laurens County Count Kazimierz Pułaski of Poland (1748–79), a hero of the Revolutionary War 40.87/sq mi
(15.78/km2)
10,095 247 sq mi
(640 km2)
 
Putnam County 237 Eatonton 1807 Baldwin County General Israel Putnam (1718–90), a hero of the Revolutionary War 67.24/sq mi
(25.96/km2)
23,129 344 sq mi
(891 km2)
 
Quitman County 239 Georgetown 1858 Randolph and Stewart counties General John Anthony Quitman (1799–1858), a hero of the Mexican-American War 15.00/sq mi
(5.79/km2)
2,280 152 sq mi
(394 km2)
 
Rabun County 241 Clayton 1819 Cherokee Cession of 1819 William Rabun (1771–1819), Governor of Georgia (1817–19) 47.01/sq mi
(18.15/km2)
17,442 371 sq mi
(961 km2)
 
Randolph County 243 Cuthbert 1828 Lee County John Randolph of Roanoke (1773–1833), U.S. Congressman 14.17/sq mi
(5.47/km2)
6,078 429 sq mi
(1,111 km2)
 
Richmond County 245 Augusta 1777 St Paul Parish Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond (1735–1806), who sympathized with the cause of American independence 633.99/sq mi
(244.78/km2)
205,414 324 sq mi
(839 km2)
 
Rockdale County 247 Conyers 1870 Henry and Newton counties Rockdale Church, which was so named for the subterranean bed of granite that underlies this region of the state 732.73/sq mi
(282.91/km2)
95,987 131 sq mi
(339 km2)
 
Schley County 249 Ellaville 1857 Marion and Sumter counties William Schley (1786–1858), governor of Georgia (1835–37) 26.94/sq mi
(10.40/km2)
4,526 168 sq mi
(435 km2)
 
Screven County 251 Sylvania 1793 Burke and Effingham counties General James Screven (1744–1778), a hero of the Revolutionary War 21.87/sq mi
(8.44/km2)
14,174 648 sq mi
(1,678 km2)
 
Seminole County 253 Donalsonville 1920 Decatur and Early counties Seminole Nation 38.20/sq mi
(14.75/km2)
9,092 238 sq mi
(616 km2)
 
Spalding County 255 Griffin 1851 Fayette, Henry, and Pike counties Thomas Spalding (1774–1851), U.S. Congressman, state legislator, and agriculturalist 353.26/sq mi
(136.39/km2)
69,946 198 sq mi
(513 km2)
 
Stephens County 257 Toccoa 1905 Franklin and Habersham counties Alexander Stephens (1812–83), U.S. Congressman; Governor of Georgia; first and only Vice President of the Confederate States of America 152.11/sq mi
(58.73/km2)
27,228 179 sq mi
(464 km2)
 
Stewart County 259 Lumpkin 1830 Randolph County General Daniel Stewart (1759–1829), a hero of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 10.18/sq mi
(3.93/km2)
4,674 459 sq mi
(1,189 km2)
 
Sumter County 261 Americus 1831 Lee County General Thomas Sumter (1734–1832), the "Fighting Gamecock," a hero of the Revolutionary War 59.57/sq mi
(23.00/km2)
28,890 485 sq mi
(1,256 km2)
 
Talbot County 263 Talbotton 1827 Muscogee County Matthew Talbot (1762–1827), served in the Georgia State Senate for 15 years, including two years as the President of the Senate, and Governor of Georgia for two weeks in 1819 14.55/sq mi
(5.62/km2)
5,718 393 sq mi
(1,018 km2)
 
Taliaferro County 265 Crawfordville 1825 Greene, Hancock, Oglethorpe, Warren, and Wilkes counties Colonel Benjamin Taliaferro (1750–1821), U.S. Congressman; a hero of the Revolutionary War 8.25/sq mi
(3.19/km2)
1,609 195 sq mi
(505 km2)
 
Tattnall County 267 Reidsville 1801 Montgomery County Josiah Tattnall (1764–1803), U.S. Senator; Governor of Georgia 50.20/sq mi
(19.38/km2)
24,296 484 sq mi
(1,254 km2)
 
Taylor County 269 Butler 1852 Macon, Marion and Talbot counties Zachary Taylor (1784–1850), the twelfth President of the United States 20.52/sq mi
(7.92/km2)
7,758 378 sq mi
(979 km2)
 
Telfair County 271 McRae-Helena 1807 Wilkinson County Edward Telfair (1735–1807), the second Governor of Georgia following the establishment of the United States 24.76/sq mi
(9.56/km2)
10,920 441 sq mi
(1,142 km2)
 
Terrell County 273 Dawson 1856 Lee and Randolph counties Dr. William Terrell (1778–1855), U.S. Congressman 25.95/sq mi
(10.02/km2)
8,718 336 sq mi
(870 km2)
 
Thomas County 275 Thomasville 1825 Decatur and Irwin counties General Jett Thomas (1776–1817), a hero of the War of 1812 83.30/sq mi
(32.16/km2)
45,649 548 sq mi
(1,419 km2)
 
Tift County 277 Tifton 1905 Berrien, Irwin and Worth counties Colonel Nelson Tift (1810–91), a captain in the Confederate States Navy; U.S. Congressman 156.81/sq mi
(60.54/km2)
41,554 265 sq mi
(686 km2)
 
Toombs County 279 Lyons 1905 Emanuel, Montgomery, and Tattnall counties General Robert Toombs (1810–85), U.S. Senator; Confederate States Secretary of State 73.68/sq mi
(28.45/km2)
27,040 367 sq mi
(951 km2)
 
Towns County 281 Hiawassee 1856 Rabun and Union counties George Washington Towns (1801–54), governor of Georgia during the antebellum period 78.52/sq mi
(30.32/km2)
13,035 166 sq mi
(430 km2)
 
Treutlen County 283 Soperton 1918 Emanuel and Montgomery counties John A. Treutlen (1726–82), the first elected Governor of Georgia (1777–78) 31.55/sq mi
(12.18/km2)
6,341 201 sq mi
(521 km2)
 
Troup County 285 LaGrange 1826 Creek Cession of 1826 George M. Troup (1780–1856), Governor of Georgia (1823–27); U.S. Senator 170.87/sq mi
(65.97/km2)
70,742 414 sq mi
(1,072 km2)
 
Turner County 287 Ashburn 1905 Dooly, Irwin, Wilcox and Worth counties Captain Henry G. Turner (1839–1904), U.S. Congressman; a hero of the American Civil War 31.15/sq mi
(12.03/km2)
8,909 286 sq mi
(741 km2)
 
Twiggs County 289 Jeffersonville 1809 Wilkinson County General John Twiggs (1750–1816), a hero of the Revolutionary War; Governor of Georgia 21.36/sq mi
(8.25/km2)
7,691 360 sq mi
(932 km2)
 
Union County 291 Blairsville 1832 Cherokee County Federal union of the states 83.98/sq mi
(32.42/km2)
27,124 323 sq mi
(837 km2)
 
Upson County 293 Thomaston 1824 Crawford and Pike counties Stephen Upson (1786–1824), state legislator 86.70/sq mi
(33.48/km2)
28,263 326 sq mi
(844 km2)
 
Walker County 295 LaFayette 1833 Murray County Major Freeman Walker (1780–1827), U.S. Senator (1819–1821) 155.80/sq mi
(60.15/km2)
69,489 446 sq mi
(1,155 km2)
 
Walton County 297 Monroe 1818 Creek Cession of 1818 George Walton (1749–1804), one of Georgia's delegates to the Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence 324.32/sq mi
(125.22/km2)
106,702 329 sq mi
(852 km2)
 
Ware County 299 Waycross 1824 Appling County Nicholas Ware (1769–1824), U.S. Senator (1821–24) 40.14/sq mi
(15.50/km2)
36,243 903 sq mi
(2,339 km2)
 
Warren County 301 Warrenton 1793 Columbia, Hancock, Richmond, and Wilkes counties General Joseph Warren (1741–75), a hero of the Revolutionary War 17.85/sq mi
(6.89/km2)
5,106 286 sq mi
(741 km2)
 
Washington County 303 Sandersville 1784 Creek Cession of 1783 George Washington (1732–99), the first President of the United States, although named after him as a general 29.15/sq mi
(11.25/km2)
19,820 680 sq mi
(1,761 km2)
 
Wayne County 305 Jesup 1803 Creek Cession of 1802 General Anthony Wayne (1745–96), known as "Mad Anthony Wayne"; U.S. Congressman; a hero of the Revolutionary War and the Northwest Indian War 48.64/sq mi
(18.78/km2)
31,373 645 sq mi
(1,671 km2)
 
Webster County 307 Preston 1853 Stewart County (Formally Kinchafoonee) Daniel Webster (1782–1852), U.S. Secretary of State; supported Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850 11.13/sq mi
(4.30/km2)
2,337 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
 
Wheeler County 309 Alamo 1912 Montgomery County General Joseph Wheeler (1836–1906), U.S. Congressman; a hero of the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War 23.76/sq mi
(9.17/km2)
7,081 298 sq mi
(772 km2)
 
White County 311 Cleveland 1857 Habersham County Colonel John White, a hero of the Revolutionary War 119.94/sq mi
(46.31/km2)
29,026 242 sq mi
(627 km2)
 
Whitfield County 313 Dalton 1851 Murray County George Whitefield (1714–70), pastor; established the Bethesda Orphanage near Savannah 357.54/sq mi
(138.05/km2)
103,687 290 sq mi
(751 km2)
 
Wilcox County 315 Abbeville 1857 Dooly, Irwin, and Pulaski counties General Mark Wilcox (1800–50), a noted soldier and state legislator 23.10/sq mi
(8.92/km2)
8,779 380 sq mi
(984 km2)
 
Wilkes County 317 Washington 1777 Cherokee and Creek Cessions of 1773 John Wilkes (1727–97), a British Member of Parliament who sympathized with the cause of American independence 20.21/sq mi
(7.80/km2)
9,518 471 sq mi
(1,220 km2)
 
Wilkinson County 319 Irwinton 1803 Creek Cessions of 1802 and 1805 General James Wilkinson (1757–1825), a hero of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812; Senior Officer of the U.S. Army; turned out to be an agent of the Spanish government 19.52/sq mi
(7.54/km2)
8,725 447 sq mi
(1,158 km2)
 
Worth County 321 Sylvester 1853 Dooly and Irwin counties General William J. Worth (1794–1849), a hero of the Mexican–American War 35.57/sq mi
(13.73/km2)
20,273 570 sq mi
(1,476 km2)
 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 215. ISBN 978-1135948597. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  2. ^ Stokes, Stephannie (April 4, 2016). "Why Ga. Has The Second Highest Number Of Counties In The US". WABE. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  3. ^ Jackson, Ed. "A Brief History of Georgia Counties". Georgia Info. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Yung, Corey Rayburn (January 2007). "Banishment by a Thousand Laws: Residency Restrictions on Sex Offenders". Washington Law Review. 85 (1). The majority opinion in Collett did not address the fact that any of the defendants sentenced to 158-county banishment would likely choose to live in Ware or Echols County. The result of the 158-county banishment sentences, while not technically ordering the defendants to leave the state, has been to cause such an exodus to occur.
  5. ^ a b Richards, Doug (February 7, 2022). "Georgia lawmakers consider consolidating counties--What that could mean for metro Atlanta". WXIA-TV. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  6. ^ "2020 Census Count by Georgia County Population" (PDF). Georgia General Assembly. August 12, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  7. ^ Brett, Jennifer (September 6, 2018). "Burt Reynolds considered Georgia his 'good luck state'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  8. ^ Farrier, John (May 4, 2011). "23 Facts You Might Not Know about The Dukes of Hazzard". Neatorama. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  9. ^ Bofill, Lora (September 29, 2014). "Creators Dave Willis and Jim Fortier chat about Adult Swim's Squidbillies". Eclipse Magazine. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  10. ^ Conrad, Andrew (February 26, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' recap, episode 210: '18 Miles Out'". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  11. ^ Riddle, J (March 7, 2013). "The Geography of The Walking Dead". Cinema Archaeologist. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  12. ^ "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". EPA.gov. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  13. ^ a b c National Association of Counties. "NACo – Find a county". Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  14. ^ a b "New Georgia Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Daniel, Donald D. (November 4, 2006). Birthplace of Sidney Lanier Marker. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
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