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Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Coordinates: 33°53′N 83°05′W / 33.88°N 83.08°W / 33.88; -83.08
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Not to be confused with Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Oglethorpe County
County
Oglethorpe County Courthouse
Oglethorpe County Courthouse
Flag of Oglethorpe County
Flag
Official logo of Oglethorpe County
Logo
Map of Georgia highlighting Oglethorpe 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°53′N 83°05′W / 33.88°N 83.08°W / 33.88; -83.08
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 19, 1795; 229 years ago (1795)
Named forJames Oglethorpe
SeatLexington
Largest cityCrawford
Area
 • Total442 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Land439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Water3.0 sq mi (8 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,825
 • Density34/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websiteoglethorpecountyga.gov

Oglethorpe County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,825.[1] The county seat is Lexington.[2]

Oglethorpe County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Atlanta-Athens-Clarke County-Sandy Springs, GA Combined Statistical Area. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia.

History

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Oglethorpe County was originally part of a large tract of land surrendered by Creek and Cherokee Native Americans to the Colony of Georgia in the treaty of 1773. The county itself was founded on December 19, 1793, and is named for Georgia's founder, General James Oglethorpe.

On September 10, 1919, Obe Cox was accused of murdering a White farmer's wife. He was seized by a White mob taken to the scene of the crime, his body riddled with bullets and burned at the stake. Several thousand persons witnessed the scene. The lynching was controversial as the local black community "thanked" the mob for just killing Cox and not attacking their community.[3] After an investigation the black media of the time reported that the blacks who wrote the letter thanking the lynching "do not stand for much in the town and are excused for their utter ignorance in condoning [lynching]."[3]

See reference "The Lynching Project:Oglethorpe County"[4]

Controversy

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In June of 2018, Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office came under protest after a controversial hire was made of former Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Tyler Saulters.[5] Saulters, who was fired from ACCPD, was involved in a controversial use of deadly force with his vehicle, striking a fleeing misdemeanor suspect[6] while attempting to apprehend him in Athens, GA. Protestors were upset that Oglethorpe County Sheriff, David Gabriel, defended the hire and the use of force by the former ACCPD officer.[7]

In April of 2021, Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Davis was arrested and charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for two counts of aggravated assault.[8] The arrest stemmed from an on-duty use-of-force, in Clarke County.[9] Davis struck a vehicle he had already performed a traffic stop on.[10] After striking the vehicle, Davis discharged his duty weapon at the vehicle.[11] When the vehicle fled from the unprovoked and unjustified shooting by the Deputy, the deputy pursued and involved officers from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.[12] ACCPD requested an investigation by the GBI, which is standard in most officer involved shootings in Georgia.[13]

In August of 2024, YouTuber DG Hamblin, produced interviews with a former Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Deputy about his experiences as a police officer.[14][15] During the interviews excessive use of force by a Sheriff's commander and failure to report that use of force was discussed as well as Sheriff's commanders' interactions with the controversial Poulan Police Department.[16]

On August 29, 2024, Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Deputies engaged in a pursuit with a motorcycle for a minor traffic violation (missing registration plate) inside Oglethorpe County.[17][18][19][20] During the pursuit, speeds reached 100 mph (160 km/h).[21][22] According to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office, the Deputy pursuing the motorcycle called the chase off inside Clarke County but continued to follow the motorcycle.[23][24] The motorcyclist was involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Lexington Road and Woodgrove Road[25][26] in Clarke County. The motorcyclist died on scene, according to the Georgia State Patrol, who investigated the collision and pursuit that led up to the fatal collision.[27][28][29][30]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 442 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 439 square miles (1,140 km2) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.7%) is water.[31] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The majority of Oglethorpe County is located in the Broad River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. A narrow western portion of the county, in a line from just north of Woodville, through Crawford, to just south of Winterville, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. A small part of the southern portion of the county, from Maxeys east, is located in the Little River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin.[32]

River

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18009,780—
181012,29725.7%
182014,04614.2%
183013,618−3.0%
184010,868−20.2%
185012,25912.8%
186011,549−5.8%
187011,7822.0%
188015,40030.7%
189016,95110.1%
190017,8815.5%
191018,6804.5%
192020,2878.6%
193012,927−36.3%
194012,430−3.8%
19509,958−19.9%
19607,926−20.4%
19707,598−4.1%
19808,92917.5%
19909,7639.3%
200012,63529.4%
201014,89917.9%
202014,825−0.5%
2023 (est.)15,754[33]6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[34]
1790-1880[35] 1890-1910[36]
1920-1930[37] 1930-1940[38]
1940-1950[39] 1960-1980[40]
1980-2000[41] 2010[42]
Oglethorpe County racial composition as of 2020[43]
Race Num. Perc.
White 10,903 73.54%
Black or African American 2,248 15.16%
Native American 40 0.27%
Asian 134 0.9%
Pacific Islander 5 0.03%
Other/Mixed 626 4.22%
Hispanic or Latino 869 5.86%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,825 people, 5,651 households, and 3,711 families residing in the county.

Education

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Main article: Oglethorpe County School District

Recreation

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  • White Water Rafting on the Broad and South Fork Broad Rivers
  • ATV and Motor Bike Park
  • Sportsman Hunting: Seasonal Whitetail Deer, Turkey and Rabbit

Historic Districts and Heritage Research, Antique Stores in Historic Lexington, Agriculture and Agritourism as well as Oglethorpe Fresh Produce

In 2016, the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department was named both the District 7 and State Agency of the Year for populations under 20,000 through the Georgia Recreation and Park Association.

Transportation

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Major highways

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Pedestrians and cycling

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The county has limited walkability options available.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Oglethorpe County, Georgia[44]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,592 68.71% 2,439 29.97% 107 1.31%
2016 4,625 69.30% 1,831 27.43% 218 3.27%
2012 4,251 67.64% 1,914 30.45% 120 1.91%
2008 4,144 64.12% 2,232 34.54% 87 1.35%
2004 3,688 65.41% 1,899 33.68% 51 0.90%
2000 2,706 61.71% 1,519 34.64% 160 3.65%
1996 1,826 48.03% 1,570 41.29% 406 10.68%
1992 1,590 42.94% 1,491 40.26% 622 16.80%
1988 1,951 62.61% 1,154 37.03% 11 0.35%
1984 2,122 63.15% 1,238 36.85% 0 0.00%
1980 1,187 41.56% 1,611 56.41% 58 2.03%
1976 811 30.43% 1,854 69.57% 0 0.00%
1972 1,712 84.00% 326 16.00% 0 0.00%
1968 383 14.71% 483 18.56% 1,737 66.73%
1964 1,126 56.58% 864 43.42% 0 0.00%
1960 142 9.17% 1,406 90.83% 0 0.00%
1956 167 10.63% 1,404 89.37% 0 0.00%
1952 208 12.46% 1,461 87.54% 0 0.00%
1948 62 5.55% 819 73.26% 237 21.20%
1944 173 15.80% 922 84.20% 0 0.00%
1940 131 13.79% 818 86.11% 1 0.11%
1936 115 11.93% 845 87.66% 4 0.41%
1932 34 2.66% 1,240 97.03% 4 0.31%
1928 205 20.14% 813 79.86% 0 0.00%
1924 129 6.56% 1,748 88.96% 88 4.48%
1920 42 4.74% 844 95.26% 0 0.00%
1916 18 2.51% 657 91.63% 42 5.86%
1912 50 9.09% 400 72.73% 100 18.18%

Notable people

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See also

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Bibliography

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Notes
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Oglethorpe County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Brundage 1993, p. 47.
  4. ^ "The Lynching Project: Oglethorpe County".
  5. ^ Editor, Hunter Riggall | Assistant News (June 15, 2018). "Policing the police: Athens residents protest Oglethorpe sheriff hiring ex-Athens cop". The Red & Black. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ Writer, Ashley Soriano | Staff (June 5, 2018). "Athens officer used 'poor judgement' when hitting fleeing suspect with car, investigation finds". The Red & Black. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  7. ^ Editor, Hunter Riggall | Assistant News (June 15, 2018). "Policing the police: Athens residents protest Oglethorpe sheriff hiring ex-Athens cop". The Red & Black. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ null. "GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  9. ^ null. "GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  10. ^ null. "GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  11. ^ null. "GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  12. ^ null. "GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  13. ^ null. "GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  14. ^ DG Hamblin (August 5, 2024). What happened with Poulan Police Department?. Retrieved August 31, 2024 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ DG Hamblin (August 12, 2024). What happened with Poulan PD (part two). Retrieved August 31, 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ DG Hamblin (August 12, 2024). What happened with Poulan PD (part two). Retrieved August 31, 2024 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Ford, Wayne. "Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens". Online Athens. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Motorcyclist crashes, dies during pursuit in Athens-Clarke County". FOX 5 Atlanta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  19. ^ Purcell, Joy (August 30, 2024). "Police: Biker crashes and dies while fleeing from deputies". Now Habersham. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  20. ^ News, Classic City (August 30, 2024). "Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens". Classic City News. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ Ford, Wayne. "Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens". Online Athens. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  22. ^ News, Classic City (August 30, 2024). "Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens". Classic City News. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  23. ^ "Motorcyclist crashes, dies during pursuit in Athens-Clarke County". FOX 5 Atlanta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  24. ^ News, Classic City (August 30, 2024). "Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens". Classic City News. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ News, Classic City (August 30, 2024). "Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens". Classic City News. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ^ Ford, Wayne. "Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens". Online Athens. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  27. ^ Ford, Wayne. "Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens". Online Athens. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  28. ^ "Motorcyclist crashes, dies during pursuit in Athens-Clarke County". FOX 5 Atlanta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Purcell, Joy (August 30, 2024). "Police: Biker crashes and dies while fleeing from deputies". Now Habersham. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  30. ^ News, Classic City (August 30, 2024). "Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens". Classic City News. Retrieved August 31, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  31. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  32. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  33. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  34. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  35. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  36. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  37. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  38. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  39. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  40. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  41. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  42. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  43. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  44. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
References
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33°53′N 83°05′W / 33.88°N 83.08°W / 33.88; -83.08

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