Burke County, Georgia

Burke County is a county located along the eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia in the Piedmont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,596. The county seat is Waynesboro. Burke County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA- SC metropolitan statistical area.

History

Burke County is an original county of Georgia, created February 5, 1777, and named for English political writer, Edmund Burke, a Member of Parliament in the Whig Party who favored conciliation with the colonies. In 1779, Col. John Twiggs and brothers Col. William Few and Benjamin Few, along with 250 men, defeated British in the Battle of Burke Jail.

Burke County is located within the CSRA (the Central Savannah River Area). During the antebellum period, it was developed by slave labor for large cotton plantations. The county was majority African American in population in this period, as slaveholders wanted high numbers of slaves for laborers to cultivate and process cotton.

The military tradition continued during the American Civil War, when Burke County provided volunteers for numerous units: the 2nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Sharpshooters), 3rd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company A (Burke Guards), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company C (Williams Volunteers), 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry Company K (Alexander Greys), 48th Regiment Georgia Infantry Company D (Burke Volunteers), Cobb's Legion Infantry company E (Poythress Volunteers), and the Cobb's Legion Cavalry Company F (Grubb's Hussars).

Agriculture continued as the basis of the economy for decades after the American Civil War, when most freedmen worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Cotton was the major commodity crop. In the early 20th century, mechanization of agriculture caused many African-American farm workers to lose their jobs.

As can be seen from the census tables below, the county lost population from 1900 to 1910, and from 1920 to 1970. Part of the decline was related to the Great Migration, as millions of African Americans left the rural South and Jim Crow oppression for jobs and opportunities in industrial cities of the Midwest and the North. From World War II on, primary migration destinations were West Coast cities because of the buildup of the defense industry. In addition, whites left rural areas for industrial jobs in cities such as Atlanta.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water. It is the second-largest county by area in Georgia.

The southern half of Burke County, defined by a line running along State Route 80 to Waynesboro, then southeast to east of Perkins, is located in the Upper Ogeechee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin. North of Waynesboro, and bordered on the north by a line running from Keysville southeast to Girard, the territory is part of the Brier Creek sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. The most northern sliver of Burke County is located in the Middle Savannah River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

* Richmond County (north)
* Aiken County, South Carolina (northeast)
* Barnwell County, South Carolina (east-northeast)
* Allendale County, South Carolina (east)
* Screven County (southeast)
* Jenkins County (south)
* Emanuel County (southwest)
* Jefferson County (west)

Communities

Cities

* Midville
* Sardis
* Vidette
* Waynesboro (county seat)

Towns

* Girard
* Keysville

Census-designated place

* Gough

Unincorporated community

* Drone

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 24,596 people, 8,193 households, and 5,939 families residing in the county. In 2010, there were 23,316 people, 8,533 households, and 6,110 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 9,865 housing units at an average density of . At the 2000 census, there were 22,243 people, 7,934 households, and 5,799 families living in the county.

Among the county population in 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 48.55% non-Hispanic white, 44.55% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.27% some other race, 2.86% multiracial, and 3.16% Hispanic or Latino of any race. In contrast, in 2010 49.5% of the county population was Black or African American, 47.5% White, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). The racial makeup of the county in 2000 was 51.0% Black or African American, 46.9% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In terms of ancestry as of 2010, 49.5% had some African ancestry, 11.0% identified as of American, 9.3% were Irish, 5.5% were English, and 5.1% were German.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $33,155 and the median income for a family was $41,659. Males had a median income of $37,061 versus $24,952 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 20.0% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over. In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $27,877, and the median income for a family was $31,660. Males had a median income of $29,992 and females had an income of $19,008. The per capita income for the county was $13,136. About 23.80% of families and 28.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.00% of those under age 18 and 29.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

It is within the Burke County School District. The district has one high school, one middle school, one complete elementary school, one upper elementary school, one primary school, and one alternative school.
* SGA Elementary School (Pre k-5)
* Blakeney Elementary School (3–5)
* Waynesboro Primary School (pre K-2)
* Burke County Middle School (6–8)
* Burke County High School (9–12)
* Burke County Alternative School (6–12)

Private Schools

Faith Christian Academy
(pre K-12)
* Edmund Burke Academy (Pre K-12)
* Waynesboro Mennonite School (1–12)

Politics

Burke County was traditionally a swing county in federal politics, voting for the winner in every presidential election from 1984 and 2012 except 2000 (when Republican George W. Bush won the presidency while losing the county to Democrat Al Gore). More recently, the county has developed a slight Republican lean, voting for Republican Donald Trump in 2024 by a comfortable margin.

See also

* Central Savannah River Area
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Burke County, Georgia
* List of counties in Georgia

References

External links

* Albert M. Hillhouse. ''A History of Burke County, Georgia, 1777-1950.'' Reprint Company and Magnolia Press, 1985.

Burke County Official Website

Edmund Burke Academy

Burke County Chamber of Commerce

Burke County
historical marker

Botsford Church
historical marker

{{Coord, 33.06, -82.00, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-GA_source:UScensus1990

1777 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
Populated places established in 1777
Georgia (U.S. state) counties
Augusta metropolitan area
Majority-minority counties in Georgia