Named for William E. Dodge Congressional district 8th Website www.dodgecountyga.com Founded 1870 Unemployment rate 7.9% (Apr 2015) | Seat Eastman Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4 Area 1,303 km² Population 21,221 (2013) Largest city Eastman | |
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Cities Eastman, Rhine, Chauncey, Chester Rivers Ocmulgee River, Joiner Creek, Turnpike Creek | ||
Dodge County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 21,796. The county seat is Eastman. Dodge County lies in the Historic South and Black Belt region of Georgia, an area that was devoted to cotton production in the antebellum years. It has significant historic buildings and plantations, has a substantial African-American population, and shows cultural aspects of the South.
Contents
- Map of Dodge County GA USA
- History
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- 2000 census
- 2010 census
- Airport
- Cities
- Towns
- Census designated place
- References
Map of Dodge County, GA, USA
History
Dodge County was organized on October 26, 1870, during the Reconstruction era. The county was named by the Republican-dominated legislature for William E. Dodge, a New York U. S. Representative and businessman, and abolitionist. He was considered a "carpetbagger" by Democrats, as he migrated to this area and purchased large tracts of timberland after the Civil War. He helped build the timber industry.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 503 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 496 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (1.4%) is water.
The western half of Dodge County, roughly west of Eastman, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern half of the county is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin, with a small northern corner of Dodge County, north and west of Chester, located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the larger Alamaha River basin. The rivers were important for trade, carrying cotton and timber downriver to markets.
Adjacent counties
2000 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 21,796 people, 8,177 households, and 5,528 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 9,857 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.8% White, 29.8% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 3.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,177 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 27% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 20 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females there were 110.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,815, and the median income for a family was $44,831. Males had a median income of $38,178 versus $30,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,417. About 15.3% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,796 people, 8,177 households, and 5,528 families residing in the county. The population density was 44.0 inhabitants per square mile (17.0/km2). There were 9,857 housing units at an average density of 19.9 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 66.8% white, 29.8% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.5% were English, and 12.9% were American.
Of the 8,177 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 38.5 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,580 and the median income for a family was $46,460. Males had a median income of $38,050 versus $28,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,288. About 17.1% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.
Airport
The Heart of Georgia Regional Airport is located three miles east of Eastman off of State Route 46. Elevation 304'. Runway 02/20 is 6,506'x100'and has a precision instrument landing system. The airport is owned by the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority and is home to the Middle Georgia State College Georgia Aviation campus. Middle Georgia State College operates the Federal Aviation Administration's #1 ranked student control tower in the United States. Other businesses at the airport include aircraft manufacturing, aircraft metal finishing, and general metal fabrication. The airport's fixed-base operator is located in the terminal building midfield. The terminal building is named after W. S. Stuckey, Sr., founder of Stuckey's Candy Company (now Standard Candy) an aviation pioneer who is from Eastman.