Dodge County, Georgia

Dodge County, Georgia
Dodge County Courthouse in Eastman
Location in the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1870
Named for	William E. Dodge
Seat	Eastman
Largest city	Eastman
Area
• Total	503 sq mi (1,303 km2)
• Land	496 sq mi (1,285 km2)
• Water	7.2 sq mi (19 km2), 1.4%
Population
• Total	21,796
• Density	44/sq mi (17/km²)
Congressional district	8th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.dodgecountyga.com

Dodge County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 21,796.^[1] The county seat is Eastman.^[2] Dodge County lies in the Historic South region of Georgia, an area that has architectural wonders and shows the cultural aspects of the South.

History

Dodge County was created on October 26, 1870. The county was named for William E. Dodge,^[3] a New York U. S. Representative and businessman, abolitionist, and "Carpetbagger" who purchased large tracts of timberland in the area after the Civil War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 503 square miles (1,300 km²), of which 496 square miles (1,280 km²) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km²) (1.4%) is water.^[4]

The western half of Dodge County, roughly west of Eastman, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern half of the county is located in the Little Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin, with a small northern corner of Dodge County, north and west of Chester, located in the Lower Oconee River sub-basin of the larger Alamaha River basin.^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Laurens County - northeast
• Wheeler County - east
• Telfair County - southeast
• Wilcox County - west
• Pulaski County - west
• Bleckley County - northwest

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census^[11] of 2010, there were 21,796 people, 8,177 households, and 5,528 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 9,857 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.8% White, 29.8% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 3.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,177 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 27% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 20 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females there were 110.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,815, and the median income for a family was $44,831. Males had a median income of $38,178 versus $30,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,417. About 15.3% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,796 people, 8,177 households, and 5,528 families residing in the county.^[12] The population density was 44.0 inhabitants per square mile (17.0/km²). There were 9,857 housing units at an average density of 19.9 per square mile (7.7/km²).^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 66.8% white, 29.8% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population.^[12] In terms of ancestry, 33.5% were English, and 12.9% were American.^[14]

Of the 8,177 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 38.5 years.^[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,580 and the median income for a family was $46,460. Males had a median income of $38,050 versus $28,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,288. About 17.1% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.^[15]

Transportation

Major highways

Airport

The Heart of Georgia Regional Airport^[16] is located three miles east of Eastman off of State Route 46. Elevation 304'. Runway 02/20 is 6,506'x100'and has a precision instrument landing system. The airport is owned by the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority and is home to the Middle Georgia State College Georgia Aviation campus. Middle Georgia State College operates the Federal Aviation Administration's #1 ranked student control tower in the United States.^[17] Other businesses at the airport include aircraft manufacturing, aircraft metal finishing, and general metal fabrication. The airport's fixed-base operator is located in the terminal building midfield. The terminal building is named after W. S. Stuckey, Sr., founder of Stuckey's Candy Company^[18] (now Standard Candy) an aviation pioneer who is from Eastman.

Education

Communities

• Chauncey
• Chester
• Eastman
• Milan
• Rhine

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dodge County, Georgia

References

External links

• Dodge County
• Dodge County historical marker

	Bleckley County		Laurens County
	Wilcox County and Pulaski County		Wheeler County
		Dodge County, Georgia
			Telfair County

Municipalities and communities of Dodge County, Georgia, United States
County seat: Eastman
City	Chauncey Eastman Milan‡
Towns	Chester Rhine
CDP	Empire‡
Unincorporated community	Plainfield
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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Coordinates: 32°10′N 83°10′W / 32.17°N 83.17°W / 32.17; -83.17