Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Oglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 12,635. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,609 [1]. The county seat is Lexington, Georgia⁶. Oglethorpe County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Oglethorpe County is currently the only county in Georgia with only one red light in the entire county ( which they only recently got).

History

Oglethorpe County is named for Georgia's founder, James Oglethorpe. The county was founded on December 19, 1793.

School

Oglethorpe County High School

Oglethorpe County Middle School

Oglethorpe County Elementary School

Oglethorpe County Primary School

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,145 km² (442 mi²). 1,142 km² (441 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water.

Major Highways

• U.S. Highway 78
• Georgia State Route 22
• Georgia State Route 77

Adjacent Counties

• Elbert County (northeast)
• Wilkes County (east)
• Taliaferro County (southeast)
• Greene County (south)
• Oconee County (west-southwest)
• Clarke County (west)
• Madison County (north)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 12,635 people, 4,849 households, and 3,539 families residing in the county. The population density was 11/km² (29/mi²). There were 5,368 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.29% White, 19.75% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,849 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $41,443. Males had a median income of $30,733 versus $22,289 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,089. About 10.00% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Arnoldsville
• Crawford
• Lexington
• Maxeys