Habersham County, Georgia | |
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 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofGeorgia | |
 Georgia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:34°38′N83°32′W / 34.63°N 83.53°W /34.63; -83.53 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | 1818; 207 years ago (1818) |
| Named after | Joseph Habersham |
| Seat | Clarkesville |
| Largest city | Cornelia |
| Area | |
• Total | 279 sq mi (720 km2) |
| • Land | 277 sq mi (720 km2) |
| • Water | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2) 0.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 46,031 |
• Estimate (2024) | 49,665 |
| • Density | 166/sq mi (64.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
Habersham County is acounty in theNortheast region of theU.S. state ofGeorgia. As of the2020 census, the population was 46,031.[1] Thecounty seat isClarkesville.[2] The county was created on December 15, 1818, and named for ColonelJoseph Habersham of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.[3] Habersham County comprises the Cornelia, GAMicropolitan Statistical Area.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 279 square miles (720 km2), of which 277 square miles (720 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4] The county is located within theBlue Ridge Mountains, a segment of theAppalachian Mountains. The county also includes part of theChattahoochee National Forest.
The highest point in the county is a 4,400-foot (1,300 m) knob less than 700 feet (210 m) southeast of the top ofTray Mountain, theseventh-highest mountain in Georgia. Habersham shares this portion of Tray Mountain, just 30 vertical feet shy of the peak's 4,430-foot summit, with White County to the west and Towns County to the north. 2.4 miles to the northeast of Tray Mountain isYoung Lick (elevation 3,809 feet (1,161 m)). TheAppalachian Trail runs along the top of the high ridge between Young Lick and Tray, a part of the Blue Ridge Mountain crest.
Habersham is mostly located in the UpperChattahoochee River sub-basin of theACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin), with the northeastern corner of the county located in theTugaloo River sub-basin in the largerSavannah River basin, and the southeastern portion located in theBroad River sub-basin of the sameSavannah River basin.[5]
TheChattahoochee River rises in what used to be Habersham County, as portrayed inSidney Lanier's poem "Song of the Chattahoochee":
The county, originally comprising much of Northeast Georgia, was cut up dramatically in the latter half of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century; as population increased in the area, new counties were organized from it and borders were changed. In 1857, its most western part was added toLumpkin County, which had been created in 1832. That same year, the area east of Lumpkin and west of present-day Habersham becameWhite County. In 1859,Banks County was carved from Habersham's southernmost territory. Finally, in 1905,Stephens County was formed from parts of Habersham and Banks.
U.S. Route 23
U.S. Route 123
U.S. Route 441
U.S. Route 441 Business (west ofToccoa)
State Route 15
State Route 15 Connector
State Route 15 Loop
State Route 17
State Route 17 Alternate
State Route 105
State Route 115
State Route 197
State Route 197 Connector
State Route 255
State Route 255 Alternate
State Route 356
State Route 365
State Route 384
State Route 385
All of Habersham County is served by theHabersham County School District.[6]
TheTallulah Falls School is located in Tallulah Falls.Piedmont University andNorth Georgia Technical College are also located in Habersham county.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 3,145 | — | |
| 1830 | 10,671 | 239.3% | |
| 1840 | 7,961 | −25.4% | |
| 1850 | 8,895 | 11.7% | |
| 1860 | 5,966 | −32.9% | |
| 1870 | 6,322 | 6.0% | |
| 1880 | 8,718 | 37.9% | |
| 1890 | 11,573 | 32.7% | |
| 1900 | 13,604 | 17.5% | |
| 1910 | 10,134 | −25.5% | |
| 1920 | 10,730 | 5.9% | |
| 1930 | 12,748 | 18.8% | |
| 1940 | 14,771 | 15.9% | |
| 1950 | 16,553 | 12.1% | |
| 1960 | 18,116 | 9.4% | |
| 1970 | 20,691 | 14.2% | |
| 1980 | 25,020 | 20.9% | |
| 1990 | 27,621 | 10.4% | |
| 2000 | 35,902 | 30.0% | |
| 2010 | 43,041 | 19.9% | |
| 2020 | 46,031 | 6.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 49,665 | [7] | 7.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1880[9] 1890-1910[10] 1920-1930[11] 1930-1940[12] 1940-1950[13] 1960-1980[14] 1980-2000[15] 2010[16] 2020[17] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[18] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 30,486 | 34,621 | 34,694 | 84.91% | 80.44% | 75.37% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,551 | 1,412 | 1,722 | 4.32% | 3.28% | 3.74% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 89 | 81 | 83 | 0.25% | 0.19% | 0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 664 | 955 | 990 | 1.85% | 2.22% | 2.15% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 30 | 47 | 35 | 0.08% | 0.11% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 34 | 109 | 0.01% | 0.08% | 0.24% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 327 | 558 | 1,518 | 0.91% | 1.30% | 3.30% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,750 | 5,333 | 6,880 | 7.66% | 12.39% | 14.95% |
| Total | 35,902 | 43,041 | 46,031 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 46,031 people, 15,139 households, and 10,440 families residing in the county.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 43,041 people, 15,472 households, and 11,307 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 155.5 inhabitants per square mile (60.0/km2). There were 18,146 housing units at an average density of 65.6 units per square mile (25.3 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 85.7% white, 3.4% black or African American, 2.2% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 6.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 12.4% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 15.6% wereEnglish, 13.9% wereIrish, 13.7% wereAmerican, and 9.9% wereGerman.[21]
Of the 15,472 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.9% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.08. The median age was 38.6 years.[19]
The median income for a household in the county was $40,192 and the median income for a family was $49,182. Males had a median income of $35,974 versus $27,971 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,286. About 15.7% of families and 19.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.[22]
As of thecensus[23] of 2000,[needs update] there were 35,902 people, 13,259 households, and 9,851 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 129 people per square mile (50 people/km2). There were 14,634 housing units at an average density of 53 units per square mile (20 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.88%White, 4.48%Black orAfrican American, 1.89%Asian, 0.29%Native American, 0.10%Pacific Islander, 2.99% fromother races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 7.66% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 13,259 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% weremarried couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,321, and the median income for a family was $42,235. Males had a median income of $28,803 versus $23,046 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,706. About 8.80% of families and 12.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.
Habersham County is a Republican stronghold, having last voted for a Democrat in1980. In every presidential election since2012, the Republican candidate has received over 80% of the vote.
As of 2012, the county is split into 14 voting precincts:[24]
Ty Akins serves as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners as of July 2022.Since 2011, Habersham County has been represented in theGeorgia House of Representatives byRepublican member Terry Rogers. Habersham County was represented in the US House of Representatives as part of the10th District. RepresentativeCharlie Norwood represented the county for one month, until his death (February 13, 2007). The seat remained vacant until a special election in July 2007, which was won by RepublicanPaul Broun, an Athens physician. Broun served in the House until 2014, when he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiringSaxby Chambliss.
With the 2012 reapportionment, Habersham County became part of the 9th congressional district. FormerGeorgia House of Representatives member Doug Collins won the seat in the 2016 election.
Habersham county is the current home of former governorNathan Deal after his term expired in 2019.
Habersham County became the firstSecond Amendment sanctuary county in Georgia on January 13, 2020.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 45 | 5.31% | 485 | 57.26% | 317 | 37.43% |
| 1916 | 48 | 3.23% | 1,032 | 69.45% | 406 | 27.32% |
| 1920 | 626 | 55.45% | 503 | 44.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 322 | 27.01% | 808 | 67.79% | 62 | 5.20% |
| 1928 | 1,404 | 55.96% | 1,105 | 44.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 225 | 11.56% | 1,693 | 86.95% | 29 | 1.49% |
| 1936 | 424 | 18.21% | 1,884 | 80.93% | 20 | 0.86% |
| 1940 | 421 | 18.55% | 1,840 | 81.06% | 9 | 0.40% |
| 1944 | 504 | 21.48% | 1,842 | 78.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 368 | 17.77% | 1,477 | 71.32% | 226 | 10.91% |
| 1952 | 921 | 25.81% | 2,647 | 74.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 855 | 27.31% | 2,276 | 72.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 895 | 26.13% | 2,530 | 73.87% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,595 | 31.84% | 3,412 | 68.12% | 2 | 0.04% |
| 1968 | 1,611 | 28.32% | 1,070 | 18.81% | 3,008 | 52.87% |
| 1972 | 971 | 84.95% | 172 | 15.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,315 | 20.44% | 5,120 | 79.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,224 | 32.80% | 4,394 | 64.80% | 163 | 2.40% |
| 1984 | 4,647 | 68.62% | 2,125 | 31.38% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 4,871 | 69.45% | 2,114 | 30.14% | 29 | 0.41% |
| 1992 | 4,569 | 50.02% | 3,098 | 33.92% | 1,467 | 16.06% |
| 1996 | 4,730 | 51.93% | 3,170 | 34.80% | 1,208 | 13.26% |
| 2000 | 6,964 | 71.86% | 2,530 | 26.11% | 197 | 2.03% |
| 2004 | 10,434 | 78.59% | 2,750 | 20.71% | 92 | 0.69% |
| 2008 | 11,766 | 79.18% | 2,900 | 19.52% | 193 | 1.30% |
| 2012 | 12,166 | 82.90% | 2,301 | 15.68% | 209 | 1.42% |
| 2016 | 13,190 | 80.76% | 2,483 | 15.20% | 660 | 4.04% |
| 2020 | 16,637 | 81.39% | 3,562 | 17.42% | 243 | 1.19% |
| 2024 | 19,142 | 81.91% | 4,036 | 17.27% | 192 | 0.82% |
TheGeorgia Department of Corrections operates theArrendale State Prison in anunincorporated area in the county, nearAlto.[26]
Lee Arrendale State Prison was built in 1926. The prison was named after Lee Arrendale, former chairman of the Georgia Board of Corrections, after he and his wife were killed in a plane crash.[citation needed] The facility was originally constructed as atuberculosis (TB) hospital, when treatment consisted primarily of rest in sanatoriums. It operated until the mid-1950s; with antibiotics, TB was better controlled and such hospitals were no longer needed. The facility was transferred to the Georgia Prison system.
Once acquired by the Georgia Department of Corrections, it was first used to house youthful offenders from ages 18–25. Over a short amount of time, Lee Arrendale prison gained a bad reputation as the second most violent all-male prison in the state. In 2005, however the Department of Corrections decided to make the prison an exclusive general purpose women's prison. As a result of the prison's past troubles and reputation for violence, the state decided to make this change to improve the prison's status in the state. In March 2006, the prison took in 350 women prisoners from Georgia's overflowing jail system to start this process.
Lee Arrendale is also home to the United States' first all-female fire department[citation needed] and the state's first inmate fire department,[citation needed], thanks to the Georgia Department of Corrections' (GDC) Fire Services Division. The GDC operates many fire departments throughout the state, staffed solely by inmates, who are supervised by GDC employees. Such inmates are trained as certified officers but as professional firefighters. The inmate firefighter program provides fire protection to the largely rural communities without local orvolunteer fire departments near the prisons, as well as to other locations in Georgia during emergencies. Inmates are trained and certified in accordance with Georgia law and the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council, as with any regular fire department. In 2007, inmate fire squads responded to the wildfires in South Georgia nearWaycross, Georgia,[citation needed] in addition to the hundreds of other alarms they received statewide.
Places adjacent to Habersham County, Georgia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofHabersham County, Georgia,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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