For other uses, see White County (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with White, Georgia.
White County, Georgia
CountyWhite County
StateGeorgia
Founded1857 (age 169)
Seat wlCleveland
Largest city wlCleveland
Area total242 sq mi
Area land241 sq mi
Area water1.5 sq mi
Area percentage0.6%
Census yr2020
Pop28003
Pop est as of2025
Population est29802
Websitewhitecountyga.gov
District9th
Named forDavid T. White
Time zoneEastern
Ex imageWhite County Courthouse, Cleveland.jpg
Ex image capWhite County Courthouse in Cleveland

White County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,003.[1] The county seat is Cleveland.[2] The county was created on December 22, 1857, formerly a part of Habersham County and most likely was named for Newton County Representative David T. White, who helped a Habersham representative successfully attain passage of an act creating the new county.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 242 square miles (630 km2), of which 241 square miles (620 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (0.6%) is water.[4]

The county is mostly located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Northern parts of the county have the highest elevations, being in the mountains themselves. The highest point in White County is 4,430-foot (1,350-metre) Tray Mountain, shared with Towns County to the north. Tray Mountain is the 6th-highest mountain in Georgia. Another very prominent White County peak is Yonah Mountain, also known as Mount Yonah. This 3,143-foot (958-metre) peak, located between Helen and Cleveland, is rimmed by sheer cliffs and is the highest point on Georgia's Piedmont Plateau.

All of White County is located in the Upper Chattahoochee River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).[5]

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Transportation

Major highways

Pedestrians and cycling

  • Yonah Preserve Trail

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

White County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980[6]Pop 1990[7]Pop 2000[8]Pop 2010[9]Pop 2020[10]% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)9,64812,45318,80425,453style='background: #ffffe6; |24,95995.34%95.75%94.28%93.77%style='background: #ffffe6; |89.13%
Black or African American alone (NH)390359432454style='background: #ffffe6; |4673.85%2.76%2.17%1.67%style='background: #ffffe6; |1.67%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)193780120style='background: #ffffe6; |1050.19%0.28%0.40%0.44%style='background: #ffffe6; |0.37%
Asian alone (NH)155895124style='background: #ffffe6; |1590.15%0.45%0.48%0.46%style='background: #ffffe6; |0.57%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [11]x [12]189style='background: #ffffe6; |0xx0.09%0.03%style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
Other race alone (NH)01612style='background: #ffffe6; |1160.00%0.01%0.03%0.04%style='background: #ffffe6; |0.41%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [13]x [14]198325style='background: #ffffe6; |1,284xx0.99%1.20%style='background: #ffffe6; |4.59%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)4898311647style='background: #ffffe6; |9130.47%0.75%1.56%2.38%style='background: #ffffe6; |3.26%
Total10,12013,00619,94427,144style='background: #ffffe6; |28,003 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 28,003.[15] The census also counted 8,581 families, though county officials are challenging the accuracy of the count.[16][17]

The median age was 45.9 years, 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 23.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.9 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[16][15]

The racial makeup of the county was 90.2% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.[18]

There were 10,942 households in the county, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]

There were 13,535 housing units, of which 19.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.7% were owner-occupied and 24.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.1%.[16]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 27,144 people, 10,646 households, and 7,750 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 112.8 inhabitants per square mile (43.6 /km2). There were 16,062 housing units at an average density of 66.7 /mi2.[20] The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% white, 1.7% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 16.0% were English, 14.9% were American, 14.5% were Irish, and 10.8% were German.[21]

Of the 10,646 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 42.3 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,756 and the median income for a family was $50,981. Males had a median income of $40,265 versus $31,061 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,680. About 16.9% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.[22]

2000 census

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 19,944 people, 7,731 households, and 5,782 families living in the county. The population density was 83 /mi2. There were 9,454 housing units at an average density of 39 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.16% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 1.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,731 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,084, and the median income for a family was $40,704. Males had a median income of $29,907 versus $22,168 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,193. About 8.40% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 15.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Politics

As of the 2020s, White County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 83.7% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, White County is part of Georgia's 9th congressional district, currently represented by Andrew Clyde. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, White County is divided between District 50 and District 51.[24] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, White County is divided between District 8 and District 9.[25]

[26]

Education

The White County School District has seven schools, including the White County High School.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: White County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins. Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 251. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived July 27, 2003 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "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 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "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
  7. ^ "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
  8. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – White County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
  9. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – White County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
  10. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – White County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
  11. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  12. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  13. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  14. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  17. ^ Schneider, Mike. "'Whoa, that's not right': Georgia towns lead census appeals". AJC. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  19. ^ "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  20. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  21. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  22. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  25. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  26. ^ "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.