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Walker County, Georgia

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Template:Infobox U.S. county

Walker County is a county in the northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, its population was 67,654,[1] down from 68,756 in 2010.[2] The county seat is LaFayette.[3] The county was created on December 18, 1833, from land formerly belonging to the Cherokee Indian Nation. Walker County is part of the Chattanooga TN/GA metropolitan statistical area.

History

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Walker County was named after Georgia's U.S. Senator, Freeman Walker (1780–1827).[4]

Civil War battles fought in Walker County were part of the Chickamauga Campaign fought between August 21 and September 20, 1863:

In 2002, the Tri-State Crematory scandal in Noble came to national attention when 339 bodies that were consigned to be cremated were discovered on the property. The owner, Ray Brent Marsh, was convicted of several charges and sentenced to 12 years in prison.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is covered by water.[6] The northern two-thirds of Walker County is located in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. Most of the southeastern portion of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a very small southeastern sliver located in the Conasauga River sub-basin in the larger ACT River Basin. The rest of the southern portion of Walker County is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin.[7]

Adjacent counties

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Natural attractions and features

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Government

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Until 2020, Walker County was one of only nine counties in the United States still employing the sole commissioner form of government.[8] Georgia is the last remaining state that allows sole commissioners.[9] In a 2018 referendum, Walker County voters approved with an 80% margin a transition to a five-member board of commissioners, consisting of four commissioners elected by district and a chairperson. The first members of the board were elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021 with Districts 1 and 2 commissioners serving an initial two-year term and Districts 3 and 4 commissioners and the chairperson serving an initial four-year term. From 2022, every commissioner will serve four-year terms, therefore ensuring that half the commission is up for reelection every two years. The commission meets in LaFayette, the county seat.[10]

The commissioners of each district represent these areas:[11]

Transportation

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Major highways

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Railroads

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Current

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Defunct

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

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Walker 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.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[12] Pop 1990[13] Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 53,792 55,624 57,336 63,343 59,654 95.26% 95.34% 93.91% 92.13% 88.18%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,307 2,241 2,300 2,809 2,840 4.09% 3.84% 3.77% 4.09% 4.20%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 53 132 172 170 149 0.09% 0.23% 0.28% 0.25% 0.22%
Asian alone (NH) 59 124 165 291 293 0.10% 0.21% 0.27% 0.42% 0.43%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [17] x [18] 13 30 25 x x 0.02% 0.04% 0.04%
Other race alone (NH) 10 5 48 53 204 0.02% 0.01% 0.08% 0.08% 0.30%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [19] x [20] 454 947 2,804 x x 0.74% 1.38% 4.14%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 249 214 565 1,113 1,685 0.44% 0.37% 0.93% 1.62% 2.49%
Total 56,470 58,340 61,053 68,756 67,654 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 67,654, 26,206 households, and 17,810 families residing in the county. The median age was 41.6 years, 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.7 males age 18 and over.[21]

The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 4.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.[22]

49.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.0% lived in rural areas.[23]

There were 26,206 households in the county, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]

There were 29,137 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.8% were owner-occupied and 28.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.[21]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, 68,756 people, 26,497 households, and 18,898 families were living in the county.[24] The population density was 154.0 inhabitants per square mile (59.5/km2). The 30,100 housing units had an average density of 67.4/sq mi (26.0/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% White, 4.1% African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were American, 15.3% were Irish, 11.2% were English, and 9.3% were German.[26]

Of the 26,497 households, 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were not families; 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years.[24]

The county's age distribution was 23.6% under 18, 5.3% from 20 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 or older. The gender ratio of the county's population was 50.9% female versus 49.1% male.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,723, and for a family was $46,307. Males had a median income of $38,297 versus $29,285 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,440. About 11.6% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under 18 and 8.1% of those 65 or over.[27]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[28] 61,053 people, 23,605 households, and 17,467 families were living in the county. The population density was 137 inhabitants per square mile (53/km2). There were 25,577 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.43% White, 3.78% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. About 0.93% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 23,605 households, 32.6% had children under 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were not families. About 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 37 years.

The county's age distribution was 24.8% under 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,406, and for a family was $39,034. Males had a median income of $29,448 versus $21,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,867. About 10.00% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Media

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Education

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Walker County School District includes most areas, while areas in the Chickamauga city limits are in the Chickamauga City School District.[29]

Politics

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As of the 2020s, Walker County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 79% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Walker County is part of Georgia's 14th congressional district, currently represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Walker County is part of District 53.[30] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Walker County is divided by District 1 and District 2.[31]

United States presidential election results for Walker County, Georgia[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 215 15.47% 771 55.47% 404 29.06%
1916 300 11.44% 1,883 71.82% 439 16.74%
1920 1,069 44.25% 1,347 55.75% 0 0.00%
1924 878 32.86% 1,740 65.12% 54 2.02%
1928 1,786 62.91% 1,053 37.09% 0 0.00%
1932 405 15.05% 2,255 83.80% 31 1.15%
1936 458 16.50% 2,313 83.32% 5 0.18%
1940 558 16.30% 2,859 83.50% 7 0.20%
1944 765 21.74% 2,753 78.23% 1 0.03%
1948 980 20.02% 3,418 69.83% 497 10.15%
1952 2,866 39.63% 4,366 60.37% 0 0.00%
1956 3,552 49.03% 3,693 50.97% 0 0.00%
1960 4,027 46.86% 4,566 53.14% 0 0.00%
1964 5,939 52.09% 5,454 47.84% 8 0.07%
"text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/American Independent |1968 3,664 25.59% 1,930 13.48% 8,725 60.93%
1972 8,728 84.72% 1,574 15.28% 0 0.00%
1976 4,807 37.51% 8,007 62.49% 0 0.00%
1980 7,088 50.16% 6,809 48.18% 235 1.66%
1984 10,734 68.22% 5,000 31.78% 0 0.00%
1988 10,487 68.63% 4,753 31.11% 40 0.26%
1992 8,489 48.54% 6,217 35.55% 2,782 15.91%
1996 8,817 50.10% 6,743 38.32% 2,038 11.58%
2000 12,326 65.23% 6,341 33.56% 228 1.21%
2004 15,340 71.34% 5,986 27.84% 176 0.82%
2008 17,110 72.33% 6,095 25.77% 449 1.90%
2012 16,247 73.86% 5,274 23.98% 475 2.16%
2016 18,950 77.73% 4,215 17.29% 1,214 4.98%
2020 23,173 78.89% 5,770 19.64% 431 1.47%
2024 25,462 79.17% 6,436 20.01% 262 0.81%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ US 2020 Census Bureau report, Walker County, Georgia
  2. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Walker County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 106. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  5. ↑ Hart, Ariel (November 20, 2004). "Georgia Crematory manager Pleads Guilty and Gives Apology". New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  8. ↑ "NACO County Government Structure: A State by State Report" (PDF). National Association of Counties. March 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 4, 2018.
  9. ↑ "'Sole Commissioner' Wins in Georgia". WSJ. November 9, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Changing Walker County's Form of Government". Walker County, Georgia. December 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Walker County commission districts" (PDF). Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office. December 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 29, 2019.
  12. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Georgia - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-52. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 15-65. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  19. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  22. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  23. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  26. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  27. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  28. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  29. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Walker County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 43 (PDF pp. 5/12). Retrieved September 15, 2024. - Text list
  30. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  33. ↑ "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
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Template:Geographic Location Template:Walker County, Georgia Template:Georgia (U.S. state)

Coordinates: 34°44′N 85°18′W / 34.73°N 85.30°W / 34.73; -85.30

Retrieved from "https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Walker_County,_Georgia"