| County | Jeff Davis County |
|---|---|
| State | Georgia |
| Founded year | 1905 (age 121) |
| Founded date | August 18 |
| Seat | Hazlehurst |
| Largest city | Hazlehurst |
| Area total | 335 sq mi |
| Area land | 331 sq mi |
| Area water | 4.7 sq mi |
| Area percentage | 1.4% |
| Census yr | 2020 |
| Pop | 14779 |
| Pop est as of | 2025 |
| Population est | 15219 |
| Density | 45 sq mi |
| Time zone | Eastern |
| District | 12th |
| Website | jeffdaviscountyga.gov |
| Named for | Jefferson Davis |
| Ex image | Jeff Davis County courthouse, Hazlehurst, GA, US.jpg |
| Ex image cap | County courthouse |
| Other cities | Denton, Georgia |
Jeff Davis County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,779.[1] The county seat is Hazlehurst.[2] The county was created on August 18, 1905, and named for Jefferson Davis, the only Confederate president.[3]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 335 square miles (870 km2), of which 331 square miles (860 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (1.4%) is water.[4]
Most of the northern border area, as well as part of the western border of Jeff Davis County, from northeast of Hazlehurst to west of Denton, is located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. Most of the eastern corner of the county, east of Hazlehurst and north of Graham, is located in the Altamaha River sub-basin of the larger basin by the same name. The central and southeastern portion of Jeff Davis County, south of Hazlehurst, is located in the Little Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. The remaining central and southern portion of the county is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin.[5]
Major highways
- U.S. Route 23
- U.S. Route 221
- U.S. Route 341
- State Route 19
- State Route 19 Connector
- State Route 27
- State Route 107
- State Route 135
- State Route 135 Connector
- State Route 268
Adjacent counties
- Wheeler County (north)
- Montgomery County (northeast)
- Toombs County (northeast)
- Appling County (southeast)
- Bacon County (southeast)
- Coffee County (southwest)
- Telfair County (northwest)
Communities
Cities
Census-designated place
Economy
Jeff Davis County had an estimated $164,341,000 in retail sales in 2017.[6] Agriculture is a major factor of the economy. Cotton and peanuts, along with the formerly more significant tobacco, are the primary commercial crops. Timber, too, is an important product.[7]
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[8] | Pop 1990[9] | Pop 2000[10] | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 9,509 | 10,025 | 9,992 | 11,056 | style='background: #ffffe6; |9,950 | 82.88% | 83.32% | 78.78% | 73.37% | style='background: #ffffe6; |67.33% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,805 | 1,826 | 1,904 | 2,212 | style='background: #ffffe6; |2,293 | 15.73% | 15.18% | 15.01% | 14.68% | style='background: #ffffe6; |15.52% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 13 | 9 | 23 | 27 | style='background: #ffffe6; |26 | 0.11% | 0.07% | 0.18% | 0.18% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 4 | 24 | 56 | 70 | style='background: #ffffe6; |50 | 0.03% | 0.20% | 0.44% | 0.46% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.34% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [13] | x [14] | 0 | 0 | style='background: #ffffe6; |7 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.00% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 4 | 6 | 6 | style='background: #ffffe6; |33 | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.04% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [15] | x [16] | 52 | 120 | style='background: #ffffe6; |373 | x | x | 0.41% | 0.80% | style='background: #ffffe6; |2.52% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 142 | 144 | 651 | 1,577 | style='background: #ffffe6; |2,047 | 1.24% | 1.20% | 5.13% | 10.47% | style='background: #ffffe6; |13.85% |
| Total | 11,473 | 12,032 | 12,684 | 15,068 | style='background: #ffffe6; |14,779 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 14,779, 5,560 households, and 3,790 families. The median age was 37.0 years; 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.4 males age 18 and over. 33.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 66.7% lived in rural areas.[17][18]
The racial makeup of the county was 70.1% White, 15.6% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.5% from some other race, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 13.9% of the population.[19]
There were 5,560 households in the county, of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]
There were 6,351 housing units, of which 12.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.9% were owner-occupied and 33.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.[18]
Politics
As of the 2020s, Jeff Davis County is a Republican stronghold, voting 84% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Jeff Davis County is part of Georgia's 8th congressional district, currently represented by Austin Scott. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Jeff Davis County is part of District 19.[20] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Jeff Davis County is part of district 157.[21]
The Jeff Davis County School District has four schools, including the Jeff Davis High School.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jeff Davis County, Georgia
- List of counties in Georgia
References
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Jeff Davis County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins. Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 119. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived September 17, 2003 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ "Census Quick Facts: Jeff Davis County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "Jeff Davis County". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Georgia - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980". United States Census Bureau. p. 12-52. Archived February 18, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. – via Wayback Machine
- ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin". United States Census Bureau. p. 15-65. Archived September 1, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. – via Wayback Machine
- ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jeff Davis County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jeff Davis County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jeff Davis County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
- ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
- ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
External links
- Jeff Davis County historical marker