The law to establish Banks County was passed by the Georgia General Assembly on December 11, 1858.[4] It was named for Dr.Richard E. Banks.[5] The legislation called for the creation of Banks County on February 1, 1859, fromFranklin andHabersham counties.
Ty Cobb, aBaseball Hall of Famer, was born in Banks County in 1886 in an area of the county known asThe Narrows - a small farming community consisting of fewer than 100 people. The area and birthplace are on State Highway 105 in the northern part of the county near the Broad River. The legal organ for the county isThe Banks County News, a member of Mainstreet News, Inc. One of the county's oldest church sites is theHebron Presbyterian Church, established in 1796. Banks County is the home of theAtlanta Dragway, located near Banks Crossing. Banks County is also known for being the home of the former world's largestEaster egg hunt. (The 50th annual egg hunt in 2009 was the last in the series.)
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 234 square miles (610 km2), of which 232 square miles (600 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6] Banks County is entirely located in theBroad River sub-basin of theSavannah River basin.[7]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 18,395 people, 6,700 households, and 5,100 families living in the county.[18] The population density was 79.3 inhabitants per square mile (30.6/km2). There were 7,595 housing units at an average density of 32.7 units per square mile (12.6 units/km2).[19] The racial makeup of the county was 91.7% white, 2.3% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 3.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.7% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 18.7% wereAmerican, 8.5% wereIrish, and 8.5% wereEnglish.[20]
Of the 6,700 households, 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 23.9% were non-families, and 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 38.4 years.[18]
The median income for a household in the county was $40,455 and the median income for a family was $48,606. Males had a median income of $41,444 versus $26,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,497. About 13.0% of families and 15.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.[21]
As of thecensus[22] of 2000, there were 14,422 people, 5,364 households, and 4,162 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 62 people per square mile (24 people/km2). There were 5,808 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.16%White, 3.22%Black orAfrican American, 0.30%Native American, 0.60%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 1.96% fromother races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 5,364 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% weremarried couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 19.20% 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 2.69 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,523, and the median income for a family was $43,136. Males had a median income of $29,986 versus $21,698 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,424. About 9.80% of families and 12.50% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.
The Banks County School District is a public school district that services Banks County, and is based in Homer. There are four schools in the district, which educate 2,788 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.[23]
