Butts County
County
Butts County Courthouse in Jackson
Butts County Courthouse in Jackson
Map of Georgia highlighting Butts County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°17′N 83°58′W / 33.29°N 83.96°W / 33.29; -83.96
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded1825 (1825)
Named forSamuel Butts
SeatJackson
Largest cityJackson
Area
 • Total188 sq mi (490 km2)
 • Land184 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Water3.6 sq mi (9 km2)  1.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total25,434[1]
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitebuttscountyga.com

Butts County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,434,[1] up from 23,655 in 2010.[2] The county seat is Jackson.[3] The county was created on December 24, 1825.

Butts County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In 2010, the center of population of Georgia was located in the northeastern portion of the county.[4]

History

Butts County was formed on December 24, 1825, as the sixty-fourth county in Georgia from portions of Henry County and Monroe County. It was named by the Georgia General Assembly in honor of Samuel Butts, an officer who was killed in the Creek War in 1814.[5][6] A year later, Jackson was created as the first city in the new county and became the county seat. Other towns followed, including Indian Springs (1837); Flovilla (1883); Jenkinsburg (1889); and Pepperton (1897). Indian Springs later disincorporated and Pepperton was merged with Jackson in 1966, leaving just three incorporated cities in Butts County. In recent years, Indian Springs has again become a tourist destination including many historic sites, shops, eating establishment and the famous Indian Springs Hotel as its centerpiece.

Much of Butts County and its cities were destroyed by the army of General William T. Sherman in its March to the Sea during the American Civil War. Butts County struggled for decades afterwards to become economically stable again. The arrival of the first railroad train on May 5, 1882, started the resurgence and growth followed. In 1898, caught up in the post-reconstruction fervor that had infected most Georgia counties, Butts County erected a monumental courthouse designed by Bruce & Morgan. This building was used as a courthouse until 2019; following renovations, it is now a museum and visitor's center. The construction of the Lloyd Shoals dam in 1910 created Jackson Lake, a recreational lake located primarily in Butts County.

Progress milestones in Butts County include the first telephones in 1884; first waterworks in 1905; electric lights on February 19, 1907; and traffic lights in 1926.

In 2007, Butts County, along with the city of Flovilla were both designated as Georgia Signature Communities by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. This prestigious designation was given to a total of 12 communities in Georgia that year.

Mass Media

Butts County has one radio station: WJGA FM 92.1 and one local newspaper, the Jackson Progress-Argus. The county has gained attention in recent years as being a frequent backdrop for a number of movies and television shows. Most recently, the Netflix series Stranger Things made the Butts County city of Jackson, Georgia the backdrop of the show's fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, turning the downtown area into a 1980s Indiana small town. In addition to the many buildings of the downtown that are visible in various scenes, the exterior of the Butts County Courthouse is featured, standing in for the Hawkins library.[7]

The fact that Butts County serves as the filming location for key events in the show has already led fans there after just two seasons. Other shows which have filmed in the area include The Originals, a television show, and a recent remake of Endless Love by Universal Studios.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 188 square miles (490 km2), of which 184 square miles (480 km2) is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) (1.9%) is water.[8] The entirety of Butts County is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Government and infrastructure

County government

Butts County is governed by a Board of Commissioners composed of one commissioner from each of the county's five electoral districts. The commission members serve four year, staggered terms. The Board is presided over by the chairman, elected annually from the members of the commission to chair the meetings of the Board. The Board employs a County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, County Clerk and nine department managers to oversee the daily affairs of the government.

There are four Constitutional Officers and three Elected Officials who are elected at-large by the voters of the county. The Constitutional Officers include the Sheriff; Tax Commissioner; Probate Judge and Clerk of the Superior Court. Elected officials include the Magistrate Judge; Coroner and County Surveyor. Other services are provided by departments headed by appointees of the Board of Commissioners.

In 2008, a movement began to create an elected, at-large chairman position to serve as presiding officer over the Board of Commissioners. This movement lost ground in 2009 and has not been revisited.

State representation

Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison

The Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison of the Georgia Department of Corrections is a maximum security prison in unincorporated Butts County. It is home to Georgia's death row for men and Georgia's execution facility.[10] The prison is also home to maximum security general population (non-death row).

Politics

United States presidential election results for Butts County, Georgia[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 8,406 71.38% 3,274 27.80% 96 0.82%
2016 6,717 70.60% 2,566 26.97% 231 2.43%
2012 6,306 67.09% 2,968 31.57% 126 1.34%
2008 5,947 65.32% 3,065 33.67% 92 1.01%
2004 5,119 66.12% 2,572 33.22% 51 0.66%
2000 3,198 56.75% 2,281 40.48% 156 2.77%
1996 2,027 42.61% 2,271 47.74% 459 9.65%
1992 1,768 36.45% 2,448 50.46% 635 13.09%
1988 2,184 55.66% 1,730 44.09% 10 0.25%
1984 2,141 54.05% 1,820 45.95% 0 0.00%
1980 1,210 31.47% 2,574 66.94% 61 1.59%
1976 819 22.03% 2,898 77.97% 0 0.00%
1972 1,968 73.02% 727 26.98% 0 0.00%
1968 584 19.25% 959 31.62% 1,490 49.13%
1964 1,261 45.12% 1,534 54.88% 0 0.00%
1960 382 18.59% 1,673 81.41% 0 0.00%
1956 323 14.63% 1,885 85.37% 0 0.00%
1952 189 9.00% 1,910 91.00% 0 0.00%
1948 61 5.22% 987 84.50% 120 10.27%
1944 85 6.01% 1,330 93.99% 0 0.00%
1940 87 7.90% 1,012 91.92% 2 0.18%
1936 28 3.28% 820 96.13% 5 0.59%
1932 21 1.22% 1,693 98.14% 11 0.64%
1928 148 14.89% 846 85.11% 0 0.00%
1924 50 8.61% 493 84.85% 38 6.54%
1920 141 21.93% 502 78.07% 0 0.00%
1916 27 4.01% 595 88.28% 52 7.72%
1912 46 8.17% 490 87.03% 27 4.80%

Famous and notable places

Mural at Indian Springs State Park

1821 - The Indian Springs Hotel, now a museum, was the site of the signing of the treaty that ceded all Native American land in Butts County to the government. Today it is operated as a museum and had been carefully preserved by generations of historical society members.[12] Indian Springs State Park surrounds the hotel and is the oldest State Park in the nation.

Jackson Lake, created by the damming of the Ocmulgee River in 1911, is now a recreational venue that attracts many visitors from all over middle and North Georgia.[13]

1929 - Fresh Air Barbecue, the oldest functioning barbecue restaurant still in its original location in Georgia, was awarded the title of Georgia's Best Barbecue in 1984.

1966 - Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison (formerly Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Center, and often shortened to Georgia Diagnostic Prison), is the largest employer in Butts County. The prison is a maximum security prison that also houses the death row inmates. It was the location of the electric chair until recent years, when it was replaced by lethal injection.

1978 - Dauset Trails Nature Center was founded.[14]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18304,944—
18405,3087.4%
18506,48822.2%
18606,455−0.5%
18706,9417.5%
18808,31119.7%
189010,56527.1%
190012,80521.2%
191013,6246.4%
192012,327−9.5%
19309,345−24.2%
19409,182−1.7%
19509,079−1.1%
19608,976−1.1%
197010,56017.6%
198013,66529.4%
199015,32612.2%
200019,52227.4%
201023,65521.2%
202025,4347.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790-1880[16]1890-1910[17]
1920-1930[18] 1930-1940[19]
1940-1950[20] 1960-1980[21]
1980-2000[22] 2010[2] 2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 19,522 people, 6,455 households, and 4,867 families living in the county. The population density was 105 inhabitants per square mile (41/km2). There were 7,380 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.22% White, 28.82% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,455 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.60% were non-families. 20.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 33.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,879, and the median income for a family was $44,937. Males had a median income of $33,155 versus $21,869 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,016. About 8.60% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,655 people, 7,881 households, and 5,834 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 128.3 inhabitants per square mile (49.5/km2). There were 9,357 housing units at an average density of 50.7 per square mile (19.6/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 69.9% white, 27.3% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 22.3% were American, 10.4% were Irish, 9.8% were English, and 6.8% were German.[26]

Of the 7,881 households, 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.0% were non-families, and 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 38.1 years.[24]

The median income for a household in the county was $52,257 and the median income for a family was $59,511. Males had a median income of $38,801 versus $31,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,963. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.[27]

2020 census

Butts County racial composition[28]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 16,628 65.38%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 6,808 26.77%
Native American 39 0.15%
Asian 102 0.4%
Pacific Islander 9 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,045 4.11%
Hispanic or Latino 803 3.16%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,434 people, 8,279 households, and 5,823 families residing in the county.

Education

All parts of the county are in the Butts County School District.[29]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 US 2020 Census Bureau report, Butts County, Georgia
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ Georgia.gov profile of Butts County
  6. ↑ New Georgia Encyclopedia entry for Butts County, Georgia
  7. ↑ "Georgia Locations for Netflix's 'Stranger Things'". Deep South Magazine. Deep South Media. July 28, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017. Georgia's small towns outside of Atlanta, including Douglasville, Conyers, Jackson, Winston and Fayetteville, easily pass for the Midwest, and Jackson's intact downtown isn't a far stretch from 1983 Hawkins on film.
  8. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ↑ "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 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison Archived 2010-04-23 at the Wayback Machine." Georgia Department of Corrections. Retrieved on July 18, 2010. "HWY 36 WEST" "JACKSON, GA 30233." and the travel directions "Take I-75 south toward Macon to Exit 201, Jackson/Barnesville. Exit and turn left, go over the bridge and travel approximately ¼ mile. Go through two lights and you will see the entrance to the Diagnostic Center ahead on the left, several truck stops and fueling stations on the right. Turn left on Prison Boulevard and follow it to the facility."
  11. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  12. ↑ Indian Springs Hotel Museum web page
  13. ↑ History of Jackson Lake
  14. ↑ Dauset Trails web site
  15. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1880.
  17. ↑ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1910.
  18. ↑ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1930.
  19. ↑ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1940.
  20. ↑ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1950.
  21. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1980.
  22. ↑ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 2000.
  23. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 "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 27, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 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 27, 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 27, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  29. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Butts County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list
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