Burke County is an original county of Georgia, created February 5, 1777, and named for English political writer,Edmund Burke, aMember of Parliament in theWhig Party who favored conciliation with the colonies.[4] In 1779, Col.John Twiggs and brothers Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, defeated British in the Battle of Burke Jail.
Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area). During the antebellum period, it was developed by slave labor for large cotton plantations. The county was majority African American in population in this period, as slaveholders wanted high numbers of slaves for laborers to cultivate and process cotton.
The military tradition continued during the American Civil War, when Burke County provided volunteers for numerous units: the 2nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Sharpshooters), 3rd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company A (Burke Guards), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company C (Williams Volunteers), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company K (Alexander Greys), 48th Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Volunteers), Cobb's Legion Infantry company E (Poythress Volunteers), and the Cobb's Legion Cavalry Company F (Grubb's Hussars).
Agriculture continued as the basis of the economy for decades after theAmerican Civil War, when mostfreedmen worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Cotton was the major commodity crop.[5] In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many African-American farm workers to lose their jobs.
As can be seen from the census tables below, the county lost population from 1900 to 1910, and from 1920 to 1970. Part of the decline was related to theGreat Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South andJim Crow oppression for jobs and opportunities in industrial cities of the Midwest and the North. From World War II on, primary migration destinations were West Coast cities because of the buildup of the defense industry. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in cities such as Atlanta.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6] It is the second-largest county by area in Georgia.
The southern half of Burke County, defined by a line running alongState Route 80 toWaynesboro, then southeast to east ofPerkins, is located in the UpperOgeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin. North of Waynesboro, and bordered on the north by a line running fromKeysville southeast toGirard, the territory is part of theBrier Creek sub-basin of theSavannah River basin. The most northern sliver of Burke County is located in the MiddleSavannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[7]
Burke County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
According to the2020 United States census, there were 24,596 people, 8,193 households, and 5,939 families residing in the county. In 2010, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 28.2 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km2). There were 9,865 housing units at an average density of 11.9 per square mile (4.6/km2).[20] At the2000 census, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families living in the county.[21]
Among the county population in 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 48.55%non-Hispanic white, 44.55%African American, 0.18%Native American, 0.39%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.27% some other race, 2.86%multiracial, and 3.16%Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] In contrast, in 2010 49.5% of the county population was Black or African American, 47.5% White, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).[22] The racial makeup of the county in 2000 was 51.0% Black or African American, 46.9% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In terms of ancestry as of 2010, 49.5% had some African ancestry, 11.0% identified as ofAmerican, 9.3% wereIrish, 5.5% wereEnglish, and 5.1% wereGerman.[23]
In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $33,155 and the median income for a family was $41,659. Males had a median income of $37,061 versus $24,952 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 20.0% of families and 25.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.[24] In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $27,877, and the median income for a family was $31,660. Males had a median income of $29,992 and females had an income of $19,008. Theper capita income for the county was $13,136. About 23.80% of families and 28.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 39.00% of those under age 18 and 29.80% of those age 65 or over.
It is within theBurke County School District.[25] The district has one high school, one middle school, one complete elementary school, one upper elementary school, one primary school, and one alternative school.[26]
Burke County was traditionally a swing county in federal politics, voting for the winner in every presidential election from1984 and2012 except2000 (when RepublicanGeorge W. Bush won the presidency while losing the county to DemocratAl Gore). More recently, the county has developed a slight Republican lean, voting for RepublicanDonald Trump in2024 by a comfortable margin.
United States presidential election results for Burke County, Georgia[27]
