TOOMBS COUNTY, GEORGIA

'Toombs County' is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 26,067. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 27,274 [1]. The county seat is Lyons, Georgia⁶.

Contents

History

Government

Geography

Major Highways

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

History

The County is named for Robert Toombs, United States representative and senator. It was founded in 1905.
Toombs County is most famously known for its vidalia onions.
Toombs County is also famous for being the boyhood home of Paul Anderson.
It was founded by the Georgia State Legislature on August 18, 1905 and organized in October 9 of that year.

Government

Toombs County is governed by a 5-member Board of Commissioners, headed by Charles Rustin, the Chairman. It is also governed by Alvie Kight, Jr., who has been Sheriff for 9 years now.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 955 km² (369 mi²). 950 km² (367 mi²) of it is land and 5 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.54%) is water.

Major Highways

★ U.S. Highway 1

★ U.S. Highway 280

★ Georgia State Route 29

★ Georgia State Route 56

★ Georgia State Route 86

Adjacent Counties

★ Emanuel County (north)

★ Tattnall County (east)

★ Appling County (south)

★ Jeff Davis County (southwest)

★ Montgomery County (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,067 people, 9,877 households, and 6,825 families residing in the county. The population density was 27/km² (71/mi²). There were 11,371 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (31/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.16% White, 24.15% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.34% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 8.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,877 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 15.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,811, and the median income for a family was $34,478. Males had a median income of $26,988 versus $18,051 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,252. About 17.80% of families and 23.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Lyons

★ Santa Claus

★ Vidalia