Hart County, Georgia

Hart County, Georgia
County	Hart County
State	Georgia
Founded	1853
Seat	Hartwell
Largest city	Hartwell
Area total sq mi	256
Area land sq mi	232
Area water sq mi	24
Area percentage	9.4%
Population as of	2020
Population total	26205
Population density sq mi	113
Time zone	Eastern
Named for	Nancy Hart
District	9th

Hart County, Georgia. Located in the northeastern part of the state, Hart County is part of the Appalachian foothills region and is bordered by Lake Hartwell, a major reservoir on the Savannah River. The county was created in 1853 from parts of Franklin and Elbert counties and named for the Revolutionary War heroine Nancy Hart. Its county seat and largest city is Hartwell, which serves as the commercial and governmental hub for the area.

History

The land that became Hart County was originally inhabited by the Cherokee and Creek peoples before European settlement. Following the American Revolution and the subsequent Treaty of New Echota, the area was opened for settlement by pioneers. The county was officially established by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 7, 1853. During the American Civil War, the area contributed soldiers to the Confederate States Army and experienced the economic hardships common to the post-war Reconstruction era. The early 20th century saw the arrival of the Georgia Railroad and the transformative construction of the Hartwell Dam by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s, which created Lake Hartwell and spurred regional development.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 256 square miles, of which 232 square miles is land and 24 square miles is water, primarily from Lake Hartwell. The county lies within the Piedmont region, characterized by rolling hills and red clay soil. It is bordered by Stephens County to the north, Franklin County to the west, Elbert County to the south, and across Lake Hartwell by Anderson County in South Carolina. Major waterways include the Savannah River and its tributaries, such as the Tugaloo River.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 26,205. The racial makeup was approximately 78.5% White, 13.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, and 4.5% identifying as two or more races. Individuals of Hispanic or Latino origin comprised 6.8% of the population. The population density was about 113 people per square mile. The median household income was below the state average, and a notable portion of the population commutes to larger employment centers in Anderson and the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Government and infrastructure

Hart County operates under a commission-manager form of government. The county is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit and is patrolled by Post 32 of the Georgia State Patrol. Key infrastructure includes the Hart County Airport and the Hartwell Dam, a critical component for flood control, hydroelectric power, and recreation managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The county is represented in the United States House of Representatives by the 9th District.

Economy

The economy has historically been based on agriculture, with poultry farming, cattle, and cotton as significant products. Manufacturing has grown in importance, with facilities operated by companies like Panasonic and Tenneco. Lake Hartwell is a major economic driver, supporting a robust tourism and recreation industry centered on boating, fishing, and waterfront real estate. Retail and healthcare services are concentrated in Hartwell, with the Hart County Hospital being a primary employer.

Education

Public education is administered by the Hart County School District, which includes Hart County High School. The district also oversees several elementary and middle schools. Higher education opportunities are available through nearby institutions such as the University of Georgia and Piedmont University. The county is served by the Hart County Library system, part of the Cherokee Regional Library.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Hart County include Bobby Brown, a former National Football League player; Josh Hopkins, an actor known for roles on Cougar Town and Quantico; and William B. W. Dent, a former U.S. Representative from Georgia. The county's namesake, Nancy Hart, is a famed figure of Georgia folklore for her exploits during the American Revolutionary War.

Category:Hart County, Georgia Category:Georgia (U.S. state) counties Category:1853 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)