Barrow County, Georgia

Barrow County is a county located in the East Central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, its population was 83,505. Its county seat is Winder. Barrow County is included in the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell metropolitan statistical area.

History

Barrow County was created from portions of Gwinnett, Jackson, and Walton counties when Georgia voters approved a constitutional amendment on November 3, 1914, making Barrow County the 149th Georgia county; there are now 159. Barrow County was named after David Crenshaw Barrow Jr., a University of Georgia mathematics and engineering professor who was later Chancellor serving in that position from 1906 to 1925. Barrow died on January 11, 1929, in Athens and is buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 163 square miles (420 km²), of which 160 square miles (410 km²) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) (1.6%) is water. The entirety of Barrow County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.

Adjacent counties

• Hall County – north
• Clarke County – east at single point
• Jackson County – east
• Oconee County – southeast
• Walton County – south
• Gwinnett County – west

Communities

Cities

• Auburn
• Statham
• Winder

Towns

• Bethlehem
• Braselton
• Carl

Census-designated place

• Russell

Other unincorporated communities

• Barrow Heights

Demographics

At the 2020 United States census, there were 83,505 people, 27,765 households, and 20,948 families residing in the county. In 2010, there here were 69,367 people, 23,971 households, and 18,214 families living in the county. The population density was 432.7 inhabitants per square mile (167.1/km²). There were 26,400 housing units at an average density of 164.7 per square mile (63.6/km²).

In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 84.84% White, 10.72% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 3.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Barrow County is considered a part of the Atlanta, GA combined statistical area despite its comparatively small population. In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 78.8% White, 11.4% Black or African American, 3.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.6% were American, 10.7% were Irish, 9.1% were German, and 8.5% were English. By the 2020 census, its racial and ethnic makeup was 66.56% non-Hispanic white, 12.14% Black or African American, 0.16% American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.55% some other race, 4.05% multiracial, and 12.65% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $48,958 and the median income for a family was $55,415. Males had a median income of $42,869 versus $33,175 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,882. About 9.4% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, its median household income was $78,216 with a per capita income of $30,903. Approximately 9.5% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

Education

Barrow County Schools is the sole school district covering the county.

Winder-Barrow Cluster:

• Winder-Barrow High School
• Richard B. Russell Middle School
• Winder-Barrow Middle School (1956–2013)
• Bear Creek Middle School (WBMS replacement)
• Holsenbeck Elementary School
• Bramlett Elementary School
• Statham Elementary School
• County Line Elementary

Apalachee Cluster:

• Apalachee High School
• Westside Middle School
• Haymon-Morris Middle School
• Auburn Elementary School
• Kennedy Elementary School
• Bethlehem Elementary School
• Yargo Elementary School
• Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy

Transportation

Major highways

Politics

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Barrow County, Georgia
• List of counties in Georgia

References

External links

• Georgia Encyclopedia - Barrow County entry Archived February 28, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
• Barrow County Georgia website
• Barrow County Chamber of Commerce
• Barrow County News
• Barrow County historical marker
• Bethabra Baptist Church historical marker