Lincoln County, Georgia

Lincoln County, Georgia
County	Lincoln County
State	Georgia
Founded	1796
Seat	Lincolnton
Largest city	Lincolnton
Area total sq mi	257
Area land sq mi	210
Area water sq mi	47
Area percentage	18.3%
Population as of	2020
Population total	7690
Population density sq mi	36.6
Time zone	Eastern
Named for	Benjamin Lincoln
District	10th

Lincoln County, Georgia. Located in the east-central part of the state, it is part of the Augusta-Richmond County metropolitan statistical area. The county was created in 1796 from parts of Wilkes County and is named for Revolutionary War general Benjamin Lincoln. Its county seat and largest community is Lincolnton.

History

The area that would become Lincoln County was originally inhabited by Creek and Cherokee nations before European settlement. Following the American Revolutionary War, it was carved from the expansive Wilkes County, one of Georgia's original counties. The county was officially established by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on February 20, 1796. During the American Civil War, the county was largely spared from major battles, though it contributed soldiers to the Confederate States Army. In the late 19th century, the arrival of the Georgia Railroad spurred economic development. The historic Lincolnton courthouse, built in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 257 square miles, of which 210 square miles is land and 47 square miles (18.3%) is water. The western border is largely defined by the Savannah River, which separates it from McCormick County, South Carolina. The county lies within the Piedmont region, featuring rolling hills and several significant water bodies. Major lakes include Clarks Hill Lake (also known as Lake Strom Thurmond) and Lake Lincoln. The county is intersected by U.S. Route 378 and Georgia State Route 43.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,690 people residing in the county. The population density was approximately 36.6 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White and African American, with smaller populations of Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income was below the state average, and a notable portion of the population lived below the poverty line. The largest population center is the county seat of Lincolnton.

Government and infrastructure

Lincoln County operates under a commission-manager form of government, with a sole commissioner. The county is part of the 10th Congressional District, represented in the U.S. House by Mike Collins. At the state level, it lies within the Georgia Senate district represented by Lee Anderson and the Georgia House district represented by Rob Leverett. Key infrastructure includes the Lincoln County Airport and the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center. The county is served by the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Economy

The economy has historically been based on agriculture, particularly cotton, soybean, and poultry farming. Forestry also remains a significant industry. In the 20th century, the construction of Clarks Hill Lake and Lake Lincoln boosted tourism and recreational fishing. Major employers include the Lincoln County Board of Education, the county government, and various small manufacturing and retail establishments. The county is part of the Central Savannah River Area economic development region.

Education

Public education is administered by the Lincoln County School District, which operates Lincoln County High School, Lincoln County Middle School, and Lincoln County Elementary School. The district's athletic teams, the Lincoln County Red Devils, have a storied history in Georgia High School Association football. There are no institutions of higher education within the county; residents typically attend colleges in neighboring areas such as Augusta University in Richmond County or Piedmont University.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the county include Lewis Grizzard, the nationally syndicated humor columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Mack Taylor, who served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia, was born in Lincolnton. Professional baseball player Brandon Phillips, a multiple-time MLB Gold Glove winner and All-Star, spent part of his childhood in the county. Musician and Grand Ole Opry star T. Graham Brown also has familial roots in Lincoln County.

Category:Lincoln County, Georgia Category:1796 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Augusta metropolitan area