Lincoln County, Georgia
Lincoln County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,690.[1] The county seat is Lincolnton.[2] The county was created on February 20, 1796. Lincoln County is included in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan statistical area, the Savannah River forming its northeastern border. Located above the fall line, it is part of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center.
History
[edit]On February 20, 1796, Lincoln County was established as the twenty-fourth county in the state of Georgia. Before then, its territory was part of Wilkes County, now on its western side. The new county was named after General Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a Revolutionary War hero notable for receiving Gen. Cornwallis's sword at Yorktown, Virginia.
On January 22, 1852, the legislature changed the location of the line between Wilkes County and Lincoln County, although there is no extant record as to why the legislature made the change.[citation needed]
From before the American Revolutionary War until the 1950s, Lincoln County was primarily a farming and agricultural area. The development and creation of Clarks Hill Dam created a large reservoir that covered portions of Lincoln and nearby counties. Developers have created many residential neighborhoods and subdivisions in areas near the lake.[citation needed]
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 257 square miles (670 km2), of which 210 square miles (540 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (18.2%) is water.[3] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state just above the fall line of the eastern United States.
The bulk of Lincoln County, from just south of Lincolnton heading north, is located in the Upper Savannah River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin, with the exception of a tiny sliver of the northernmost section of the county, which is located in the Broad River sub-basin of the larger Savannah River basin. The southern portion of the county is located in the Little River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[4]
Major highways
[edit]- File:US 378.svg U.S. Route 378
- File:Georgia 43.svg State Route 43
- File:Georgia 44.svg State Route 44
- File:Georgia 47.svg State Route 47
- File:Georgia 79.svg State Route 79
- File:Georgia 220.svg State Route 220
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Elbert County, Georgia - north
- McCormick County, South Carolina - northeast
- Columbia County, Georgia - south
- McDuffie County, Georgia - southwest
- Wilkes County, Georgia - west
Communities
[edit]City
[edit]Unincorporated community
[edit]Demographics
[edit]Racial and ethnic composition
[edit]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[5] | Pop 1990[6] | Pop 2000[7] | Pop 2010[8] | Pop 2020[9] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 3,820 | 4,573 | 5,321 | 5,201 | 5,196 | 56.88% | 61.45% | 63.74% | 65.05% | 67.57% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,795 | 2,801 | 2,857 | 2,562 | 2,116 | 41.62% | 37.64% | 34.22% | 32.04% | 27.52% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 3 | 3 | 30 | 27 | 18 | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.36% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 6 | 9 | 7 | 32 | 20 | 0.09% | 0.12% | 0.08% | 0.40% | 0.26% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [10] | x [11] | 4 | 1 | 3 | x | x | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.11% | 0.13% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [12] | x [13] | 45 | 66 | 235 | x | x | 0.54% | 0.83% | 3.06% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 92 | 56 | 81 | 98 | 92 | 1.37% | 0.75% | 0.97% | 1.23% | 1.20% |
| Total | 6,716 | 7,442 | 8,348 | 7,996 | 7,690 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,690 and 2,142 families residing in the county. The median age was 48.7 years. 18.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.5 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[14][15]
The racial makeup of the county was 68.1% White, 27.6% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.2% of the population.[16]
There were 3,245 households in the county, of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 4,389 housing units, of which 26.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.6% were owner-occupied and 23.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%.[15]
Recreation and historical sites
[edit]Since the creation of Clarks Hill Lake, recreation has contributed to Lincoln County's growth. It is a main destination for tourists, providing fishing, boating, and other water sports opportunities for visitors and nearby residents.
Toward the eastern part of Lincoln County, just before the South Carolina line, is Elijah Clarke State Park. This park is roughly 447 acres (1.81 km2). In May of every year, Elijah Clarke holds a bluegrass festival which has become a major attraction in the last 20 years. Several well-known bluegrass musicians play at this event each year, including Lincoln County natives, The Lewis Family. Also held annually at Elijah Clarke is an Arts and Crafts Festival and a Log Cabin Christmas.
There are many historic places to visit in Lincoln County. They include:
- Lamar-Blanchard House, Lincolnton, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
- The Lincoln County Historical Park
- Graves Mountain
Economy
[edit]Economic growth has been associated with development of the J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Clarks Hill Lake. In Lincoln County, logging is a multimillion-dollar industry. More than 20 logging businesses produce most of the jobs for Lincoln County residents.
Notable people
[edit]- Garrison Hearst- Former NFL player, pro bowler, comeback player in 1995 and 2001
- Barney Bussey - Former NFL player, played for the Cincinnati Bengals and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- The Lewis Family - family bluegrass and gospel band, in 1992 they were inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame
- Tom Nash - NFL player for the Green Bay Packers and Brooklyn Dodgers
Politics
[edit]As of the 2020s, Lincoln County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 72% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Lincoln County is part of Georgia's 10th congressional district, currently represented by Mike Collins. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Lincoln County is part of District 24.[17] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Lincoln County is part of district District 123.[18]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 27 | 9.28% | 264 | 90.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 56 | 14.21% | 333 | 84.52% | 5 | 1.27% |
| 1920 | 3 | 0.59% | 509 | 99.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 121 | 9.57% | 847 | 67.01% | 296 | 23.42% |
| 1928 | 413 | 48.14% | 445 | 51.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 3 | 0.45% | 660 | 99.40% | 1 | 0.15% |
| 1936 | 88 | 13.21% | 561 | 84.23% | 17 | 2.55% |
| 1940 | 67 | 12.45% | 466 | 86.62% | 5 | 0.93% |
| 1944 | 165 | 27.09% | 444 | 72.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| "text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Dixiecrat |1948 | 32 | 4.39% | 99 | 13.58% | 598 | 82.03% |
| 1952 | 327 | 33.68% | 644 | 66.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 155 | 18.21% | 696 | 81.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 197 | 22.75% | 669 | 77.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 943 | 72.76% | 353 | 27.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| "text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/American Independent |1968 | 408 | 18.64% | 491 | 22.43% | 1,290 | 58.93% |
| 1972 | 1,246 | 78.56% | 340 | 21.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 576 | 26.68% | 1,583 | 73.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 806 | 33.03% | 1,617 | 66.27% | 17 | 0.70% |
| 1984 | 1,357 | 54.89% | 1,115 | 45.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,417 | 60.97% | 893 | 38.43% | 14 | 0.60% |
| 1992 | 1,149 | 38.84% | 1,327 | 44.86% | 482 | 16.29% |
| 1996 | 1,391 | 47.33% | 1,334 | 45.39% | 214 | 7.28% |
| 2000 | 1,807 | 58.23% | 1,275 | 41.09% | 21 | 0.68% |
| 2004 | 2,309 | 63.12% | 1,337 | 36.55% | 12 | 0.33% |
| 2008 | 2,731 | 61.73% | 1,650 | 37.30% | 43 | 0.97% |
| 2012 | 2,807 | 63.36% | 1,586 | 35.80% | 37 | 0.84% |
| 2016 | 2,759 | 67.26% | 1,273 | 31.03% | 70 | 1.71% |
| 2020 | 3,173 | 68.37% | 1,432 | 30.86% | 36 | 0.78% |
| 2024 | 3,559 | 72.18% | 1,351 | 27.40% | 21 | 0.43% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow[20] Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:G.A. GovHead Template:G.A. GovRow Template:G.A. GovFoot
Education
[edit]The Lincoln County School District has three schools, including the Lincoln County High School.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Lincoln County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lincoln County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lincoln County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lincoln County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ↑ "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Perryman, Clinton J. History of Lincoln County, Georgia, Tignall, GA: 1985
External links
[edit]- "Lincoln County Red Devils"
- "Biography", The Lewis Family Singers Website
- [1] Jeff & Sheri Easter
- Lincoln County Georgia Government
- Georgia Historic Commission Markers in Lincoln County
Template:Lincoln County, Georgia Template:Central Savannah River Area Template:Georgia (U.S. state) Coordinates: 33°47′N 82°27′W / 33.79°N 82.45°W