Whitfield County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
_in_October_2013.jpg) Whitfield County Courthouse in October 2013 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofGeorgia | |
| Coordinates:34°48′N84°58′W / 34.80°N 84.97°W /34.80; -84.97 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | December 30, 1851; 175 years ago (1851) |
| Named after | George Whitefield |
| Seat | Dalton |
| Largest city | Dalton |
| Area | |
• Total | 291 sq mi (750 km2) |
| • Land | 290 sq mi (750 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) 0.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 102,864 |
| • Density | 355/sq mi (137/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 14th |
| Website | whitfieldcountyga.com |
Whitfield County is acounty in theNorthwest region of theU.S. state ofGeorgia. As of the2020 census shows a population of 102,864.[1] Thecounty seat isDalton.[2] The county was created on December 30, 1851, and named afterGeorge Whitefield, Methodist evangelist.[3] The "e" was omitted to reflect the pronunciation of his name.
Whitfield County is part of theDalton metropolitan area, Georgia, which is also included in theChattanooga–Cleveland–Dalton combined statistical area.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 291 square miles (750 km2), of which 290 square miles (750 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4] The majority of Whitfield County is located in theConasauga River sub-basin in theACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a part of the western edge of the county is located in the MiddleTennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of theMiddle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. A very small portion of the southern edge of the county is located in theOostanaula River sub-basin in the largerACT River Basin.[5]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 10,047 | — | |
| 1870 | 10,117 | 0.7% | |
| 1880 | 11,900 | 17.6% | |
| 1890 | 12,916 | 8.5% | |
| 1900 | 14,509 | 12.3% | |
| 1910 | 15,934 | 9.8% | |
| 1920 | 16,897 | 6.0% | |
| 1930 | 20,808 | 23.1% | |
| 1940 | 26,105 | 25.5% | |
| 1950 | 34,432 | 31.9% | |
| 1960 | 42,109 | 22.3% | |
| 1970 | 55,108 | 30.9% | |
| 1980 | 65,789 | 19.4% | |
| 1990 | 72,462 | 10.1% | |
| 2000 | 83,525 | 15.3% | |
| 2010 | 102,599 | 22.8% | |
| 2020 | 102,864 | 0.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 105,070 | [6] | 2.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1880[8] 1890-1910[9] 1920-1930[10] 1930-1940[11] 1940-1950[12] 1960-1980[13] 1980-2000[14] 2010[15] 2020[16] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 60,338 | 63,818 | 57,875 | 72.24% | 62.20% | 56.26% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,066 | 3,631 | 3,553 | 3.67% | 3.54% | 3.45% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 181 | 180 | 182 | 0.22% | 0.18% | 0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 736 | 1,292 | 1,394 | 0.88% | 1.26% | 1.36% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 25 | 29 | 19 | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 82 | 96 | 304 | 0.10% | 0.09% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 678 | 1,082 | 2,621 | 0.81% | 1.05% | 2.55% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18,419 | 32,471 | 36,916 | 22.05% | 31.65% | 35.89% |
| Total | 83,525 | 102,599 | 102,864 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 102,864, along with 36,134 households and 25,351 families; the median age was 36.1 years. Twenty-five point nine percent of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.3 males age 18 and over.[18]
65.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 34.9% lived in rural areas.[19]
The racial makeup of the county was 63.3% White, 3.7%Black or African American, 2.0%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 17.7% from some other race, and 11.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 35.9% of the population.[20]
There were 36,134 households in the county, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]
There were 38,876 housing units, of which 7.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.7% were owner-occupied and 35.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%.[18]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 102,599 people, 35,180 households, and 26,090 families residing in the county.[21] The population density was 353.2 inhabitants per square mile (136.4/km2). There were 39,899 housing units at an average density of 137.4 per square mile (53.1/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the county was 76.6% white, 3.7% black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.6% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.0% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 31.6% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 12.1% wereAmerican, 11.0% wereIrish, 8.4% wereEnglish, and 7.5% wereGerman.[23]
Of the 35,180 households, 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.8% were non-families, and 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.36. The median age was 34.0 years.[21]
The median income for a household in the county was $42,345 and the median income for a family was $48,991. Males had a median income of $34,150 versus $27,315 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,780. About 15.6% of families and 19.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.[24]
As of the 2000 Census, there were 29,385 households, out of which 36.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% weremarried couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.60% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,377, and the median income for a family was $44,652. Males had a median income of $30,122 versus $23,709 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,515. About 8.60% of families and 11.50% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 172 | 15.94% | 907 | 84.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 570 | 39.23% | 883 | 60.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1888 | 421 | 31.89% | 837 | 63.41% | 62 | 4.70% |
| 1892 | 264 | 15.81% | 1,021 | 61.14% | 385 | 23.05% |
| 1896 | 494 | 34.31% | 857 | 59.51% | 89 | 6.18% |
| 1900 | 412 | 36.69% | 587 | 52.27% | 124 | 11.04% |
| 1904 | 427 | 33.49% | 569 | 44.63% | 279 | 21.88% |
| 1908 | 775 | 52.97% | 586 | 40.05% | 102 | 6.97% |
| 1912 | 102 | 7.74% | 772 | 58.62% | 443 | 33.64% |
| 1916 | 16 | 0.88% | 1,093 | 60.19% | 707 | 38.93% |
| 1920 | 1,073 | 58.47% | 762 | 41.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 668 | 33.47% | 1,236 | 61.92% | 92 | 4.61% |
| 1928 | 1,650 | 58.84% | 1,154 | 41.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 483 | 16.59% | 2,384 | 81.87% | 45 | 1.55% |
| 1936 | 877 | 26.05% | 2,481 | 73.69% | 9 | 0.27% |
| 1940 | 991 | 23.83% | 3,162 | 76.03% | 6 | 0.14% |
| 1944 | 1,032 | 26.74% | 2,827 | 73.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,249 | 23.17% | 3,419 | 63.42% | 723 | 13.41% |
| 1952 | 2,795 | 37.49% | 4,661 | 62.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 4,205 | 49.65% | 4,264 | 50.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,148 | 53.51% | 3,604 | 46.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 4,546 | 38.27% | 7,330 | 61.70% | 4 | 0.03% |
| 1968 | 4,828 | 41.95% | 2,726 | 23.69% | 3,954 | 34.36% |
| 1972 | 8,591 | 81.46% | 1,955 | 18.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 4,498 | 30.04% | 10,475 | 69.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 6,404 | 38.96% | 9,691 | 58.95% | 344 | 2.09% |
| 1984 | 11,957 | 69.35% | 5,284 | 30.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 12,761 | 73.12% | 4,618 | 26.46% | 72 | 0.41% |
| 1992 | 12,003 | 53.97% | 7,335 | 32.98% | 2,901 | 13.04% |
| 1996 | 12,368 | 56.69% | 7,720 | 35.39% | 1,729 | 7.93% |
| 2000 | 15,852 | 68.03% | 7,034 | 30.19% | 416 | 1.79% |
| 2004 | 19,297 | 73.10% | 6,933 | 26.26% | 169 | 0.64% |
| 2008 | 19,230 | 69.20% | 8,167 | 29.39% | 394 | 1.42% |
| 2012 | 19,305 | 71.58% | 7,210 | 26.74% | 453 | 1.68% |
| 2016 | 21,537 | 69.98% | 7,937 | 25.79% | 1,302 | 4.23% |
| 2020 | 25,644 | 69.75% | 10,680 | 29.05% | 442 | 1.20% |
| 2024 | 28,655 | 71.75% | 10,953 | 27.43% | 330 | 0.83% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 25,158 | 69.31% | 10,177 | 28.04% | 962 | 2.65% |
| 2020 | 22,501 | 70.88% | 9,245 | 29.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 12,905 | 36.30% | 3,876 | 10.90% | 18,769 | 52.80% |
| 2020 | 25,636 | 70.61% | 10,670 | 29.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2022 | 19,387 | 72.10% | 6,904 | 25.68% | 597 | 2.22% |
| 2022 | 17,726 | 74.52% | 6,061 | 25.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 20,919 | 77.44% | 5,874 | 21.74% | 221 | 0.82% |
Like much of the rest of Georgia, Whitfield County was strongly Democratic in the early 20th century, albeit less so than other parts of the state; it went Republican forWilliam Howard Taft in1908,Warren G. Harding in1920 and forHerbert Hoover in1928. The three Republicans would lose Georgia but win their respective national elections.
Despite being strongly Democratic throughFranklin D. Roosevelt's four elections and in the subsequent two, the county only narrowly went for DemocratAdlai Stevenson II in1956 and flipped Republican forRichard Nixon in1960. It would flip back to the Democrats andLyndon B. Johnson in1964, even asBarry Goldwater would become the first Republican to ever carry the state of Georgia in a presidential election. However, it would be one of the last hurrahs for the Democratic Party in Whitfield County;Hubert Humphrey would finish third here in1968 behind Richard Nixon and third-party candidateGeorge Wallace, and it would give Nixon over 80% of the vote in1972. It snapped back Democratic for native GeorgianJimmy Carter in1976 and1980, but this would be the final time it voted Democratic at the presidential level. It has become a safely Republican area throughout the remainder of the 20th century and into the 21st century. As of the 2020s, Whitfield County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 71% forDonald Trump in2024.
For elections to theUnited States House of Representatives, Whitfield County is part ofGeorgia's 14th congressional district, currently represented byMarjorie Taylor Greene. For elections to theGeorgia State Senate, Whitfield County is part ofDistrict 54.[27] For elections to theGeorgia House of Representatives, Whitfield County is represented by districts2,4 and6.[28]
Places adjacent to Whitfield County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofWhitfield County, Georgia,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Town | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
