Named for William Yates Atkinson Congressional district 8th Website www.atkinson-ga.org Founded 1917 Unemployment rate 5.9% (Apr 2015) Cities Pearson, Willacoochee | Seat Pearson Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4 Area 893.5 km² Population 8,290 (2013) Largest city Pearson | |
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Rivers Satilla River, Willacoochee River, Alapaha River | ||
Atkinson County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,375. The county seat is Pearson. The county was formed in 1917 from parts of Coffee and Clinch Counties. It is named for William Yates Atkinson, Democratic governor of Georgia from 1894 to 1898. In 2003 it had the highest illiteracy rate of any U.S. county at 36%.
Contents
- Map of Atkinson County GA USA
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- 2000 census
- 2010 census
- Cities
- Unincorporated communities
- References
Map of Atkinson County, GA, USA
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 345 square miles (890 km2), of which 339 square miles (880 km2) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) (1.5%) is water.
The vast majority of Atkinson County is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. The entire narrow western border area, in a line parallel to the western border and running through Willacoochee, is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. A small southeastern corner of the county is located in the Upper Suwannee River sub-basin of the same Suwannee River basin.
Adjacent counties
2000 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,375 people, 2,983 households, and 2,159 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,171 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.2% White, 17.3% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 24.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,983 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.29.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,682.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,375 people, 2,983 households, and 2,159 families residing in the county. The population density was 24.7 inhabitants per square mile (9.5/km2). There were 3,522 housing units at an average density of 10.4 per square mile (4.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 62.2% white, 17.3% black or African American, 0.6% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 0.3% Asian, 17.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 24.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 16.1% were English, 16.0% were Irish, and 7.5% were American.
Of the 2,983 households, 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.6% were non-families, and 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.29. The median age was 33.4 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,834 and the median income for a family was $34,859. Males had a median income of $29,286 versus $25,705 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,456. About 19.8% of families and 28.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.4% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.