Pickens County, Georgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pickens County, Georgia | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Georgia |
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 Georgia's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | December 5, 1863 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Jasper |
| Largest city | Jasper |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
233 sq mi (603 km²) 232 sq mi (601 km²) 1 sq mi (2 km²), |
| Population - (2006) - Density |
29,640 |
| Named for: Andrew Pickens | |
Pickens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census showed a population of 22,983. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 30,488 [1]. The county seat is Jasper, Georgia[1].
It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area).
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[edit] History
The Georgia General Assembly passed an act on December 5, 1863 to create Pickens County from portions of Cherokee and Gilmer counties. Pickens received several more land additions from Cherokee (1869) and Gilmer Counties (1858 and 1863); however several sections of Pickens County have also been transferred to other counties: Dawson County (1857), Gordon County (1860), and Cherokee County (1870).
Pickens County is named for American Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens.
Most of Pickens County's early industry revolved around the marble industry. Georgia Marble Company is located in Marble Hill near Tate. The Tate Elementary school is built out of marble. The marble was also used to make the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. Most of the marble is white, but there is also very rare pink marble. It is one of the few places in the world where pink marble is found. The marble is also used for tombstones for the United States Military.
Pickens County has seen very rapid growth with the building of Georgia State Route 515, locally referred to as the '4 lane'. Many new businesses and residents continue to move to Pickens County.
Pickens County is home the Georgia Marble Festival.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 233 square miles (603 km²), of which, 232 square miles (601 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2 km²) of it (0.28%) is water. The highest point in Pickens County is the 3,288 foot summit of Mount Oglethorpe.
Other notable peaks in Pickens County include Sharp Top Mountain and Sharp Mountain. One of the best viewpoints of Sharp Top Mountain is from Grandview Lake Dam on Grandview Road.
[edit] State Highways
Georgia State Route 5
Georgia State Route 53- Georgia State Route 53 Business
Georgia State Route 108
Georgia State Route 136- Georgia State Route 136 Connector
Georgia State Route 515
[edit] Major County Highways
- Canton Highway (Old S.R. 5)
- Talking Rock Road (Old S.R. 5)
- Ellijay Road (Old S.R. 5)
- Church Street (S.R. 53 Buisness)
- Refuge Road (Old S.R. 108)
- Burnt Mountain Road (Old S.R. 108)
- Yellow Creek Road
- Steve Tate Highway
- Henderson Mountain Road (Old S.R. 143/379)
- Sunrise Ridge Road (Old S.R. 108)
- Whitestone Road
- Jones Mountain Road
- Cove Road
- Philadelphia Road
- Lumber Company Road
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Gilmer County, Georgia - north
- Dawson County, Georgia - east
- Cherokee County, Georgia - south
- Bartow County, Georgia - southwest
- Gordon County, Georgia - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 22,983 people, 8,960 households, and 6,791 families residing in the county. The population density was 99 people per square mile (38/km²). There were 10,687 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.21% White, 1.27% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,960 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,387, and the median income for a family was $47,123. Males had a median income of $32,039 versus $22,866 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,774. About 6.20% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
Robert Jones is the Sole Commissioner of Pickens County.
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] Notable residents
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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