Walker County, Georgia

County in Georgia, United States

County in Georgia

Walker County

County

Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Georgia

Georgia's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 34°44′N 85°18′W﻿ / ﻿34.73°N 85.3°W﻿ / 34.73; -85.3
Country|  United States
State|  Georgia
Founded| December 18, 1833; 192 years ago (1833)
Named for| Freeman Walker
Seat| LaFayette
Largest city| LaFayette
Area

• Total

| 447 sq mi (1,160 km2)
• Land| 446 sq mi (1,160 km2)
• Water| 0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 67,654

• Estimate

(2023)

| 69,489
• Density| 150/sq mi (58/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 14th
Website| walkercountyga.gov

Walker County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,654,[1] down from 68,756 in 2010.[2] The county seat is LaFayette.[3] The county was created on December 18, 1833, from land formerly belonging to the Cherokee Indian Nation. Walker County is part of the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

[edit]

Walker County was named after Georgia's U.S. Senator, Freeman Walker (1780-1827).[4]

Civil War battles fought in Walker County were part of the Chickamauga Campaign fought between August 21 and September 20, 1863:

* Second Battle of Chattanooga, August 21.
* Battle of Davis's Cross Roads, September 10–11.
* Battle of Chickamauga, September 19–20.

In 2002 the Tri-State Crematory scandal in Noble came to national attention when 339 bodies that were consigned to be cremated were discovered on the property. The owner, Ray Brent Marsh, was convicted of several charges and sentenced to twelve years in prison.[5]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 446 square miles (1,160 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[6] The northern two-thirds of Walker County is located in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. Most of the southeastern portion of the county is located in the Oostanaula River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with a very small southeastern sliver located in the Conasauga River sub-basin in the larger ACT River Basin. The rest of the southern portion of Walker County is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin in the ACT River Basin.[7]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Hamilton County, Tennessee \- north
* Catoosa County \- northeast
* Whitfield County \- east
* Gordon County \- southeast
* Floyd County \- south
* Chattooga County \- south
* DeKalb County, Alabama \- southwest/CST Border
* Dade County \- west

### Natural attractions and features

[edit]

* Chattahoochee National Forest (part)
* Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (part)
* Ellison's Cave (12th deepest cave in the United States)
* Lookout Mountain (part)
* McLemore Cove
* Petty John's Cave
* Pigeon Mountain
* Rocktown
* Rock City
* Lula Lake Land Trust

## Government

[edit]

Until 2020, Walker County was one of only nine counties in the United States still employing the sole commissioner form of government.[8] Georgia is the last remaining state that allows sole commissioners.[9] In a 2018 referendum, Walker County voters approved with an 80% margin a transition to a five-member board of commissioners, consisting of four commissioners elected by district and a chairperson. The first members of the board were elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021 with Districts 1 and 2 commissioners serving an initial 2-year term and Districts 3 and 4 commissioners and the chairperson serving an initial 4-year term. From 2022, every commissioner will serve 4 year terms, therefore ensuring that half the commission is up for reelection every 2 years. The commission meets in LaFayette, the county seat.[10]

The commissioners of each district represent the following areas:[11]

* District 1: Rossville
* District 2: Chickamauga
* District 3: LaFayette
* District 4: Lookout Mountain

## Transportation

[edit]

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Route 27

U.S. Route 27 Business
* State Route 1
* State Route 1 Business
* State Route 2
* State Route 95
* State Route 136
* State Route 151
* State Route 157
* State Route 189
* State Route 193
* State Route 201
* State Route 337
* State Route 341

### Railroads

[edit]

#### Current

[edit]

* Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway
* Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (occasional tourist excursions)

#### Defunct

[edit]

* Chattanooga Southern Railway (became Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway)
* Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway (merged into Southern Railway, then abandoned )
* Chickamauga and Durham Railroad (merged into Chattanooga & Durham)
* Chattanooga and Durham Railroad (merged by Chattanooga, Rome and Southern)
* Chattanooga, Rome and Southern Railroad (merged into Central of GA Railway)
* Central of Georgia Railway (merged into Southern Railway)
* Southern Railway (merged into Norfolk Southern, Walker County line transferred to State of Georgia, leased to Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1840| 6,572| | —
1850| 13,109| | 99.5%
1860| 10,082| | −23.1%
1870| 9,925| | −1.6%
1880| 11,056| | 11.4%
1890| 13,282| | 20.1%
1900| 15,661| | 17.9%
1910| 18,692| | 19.4%
1920| 23,370| | 25.0%
1930| 26,206| | 12.1%
1940| 31,024| | 18.4%
1950| 38,198| | 23.1%
1960| 45,264| | 18.5%
1970| 50,691| | 12.0%
1980| 56,470| | 11.4%
1990| 58,340| | 3.3%
2000| 61,053| | 4.7%
2010| 68,756| | 12.6%
2020| 67,654| | −1.6%
2023 (est.)| 69,489| [12]| 2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1880[14] 1890-1910[15]
1920-1930[16] 1930-1940[17]
1940-1950[18] 1960-1980[19]
1980-2000[20] 2010[21] 2020[21]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Walker 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 2000[22] | Pop 2010[23] | Pop 2020[21] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 57,336  | 63,343  | 59,654  | 93.91%  | 92.13%  | 88.18%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 2,300  | 2,809  | 2,840  | 3.77%  | 4.09%  | 4.20%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 172  | 170  | 149  | 0.28%  | 0.25%  | 0.22%
Asian alone (NH)  | 165  | 291  | 293  | 0.27%  | 0.42%  | 0.43%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 13  | 30  | 25  | 0.02%  | 0.04%  | 0.04%
Other race alone (NH)  | 48  | 53  | 204  | 0.08%  | 0.08%  | 0.30%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | 454  | 947  | 2,804  | 0.74%  | 1.38%  | 4.14%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 565  | 1,113  | 1,685  | 0.93%  | 1.62%  | 2.49%
Total | 61,053 | 68,756 | 67,654 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 67,654 people, 26,760 households, and 17,810 families residing in the county.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 68,756 people, 26,497 households, and 18,898 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 154.0 inhabitants per square mile (59.5/km2). There were 30,100 housing units at an average density of 67.4 per square mile (26.0/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 4.1% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were American, 15.3% were Irish, 11.2% were English, and 9.3% were German.[26]

Of the 26,497 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.7% were non-families, and 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years.[24]

The county's population age groups were spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 20 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The gender ratio of the county's population was 50.9% female versus 49.1% male.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,723 and the median income for a family was $46,307. Males had a median income of $38,297 versus $29,285 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,440. About 11.6% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.[27]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[28] of 2000, there were 61,053 people, 23,605 households, and 17,467 families living in the county. The population density was 137 inhabitants per square mile (53/km2). There were 25,577 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.43% White, 3.78% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 23,605 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 37 years.

The county's population age groups were spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,406, and the median income for a family was $39,034. Males had a median income of $29,448 versus $21,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,867. About 10.00% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Chickamauga
* Fort Oglethorpe (small portion only)
* LaFayette (county seat)
* Lookout Mountain
* Rossville

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Chattanooga Valley
* Fairview
* Lakeview
* Rock Spring

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Flintstone
* High Point
* Hinkles
* Kensington
* Naomi
* Villanow
* East Armuchee

## Media

[edit]

* Walker County Messenger

## Education

[edit]

Walker County School District includes most areas, while areas in the Chickamauga city limits are in the Chickamauga City School District.[29]

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Walker County, Georgia[30] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 25,462  | 79.17% | 6,436  | 20.01%  | 262  | 0.81%
2020 | 23,173  | 78.89% | 5,770  | 19.64%  | 431  | 1.47%
2016 | 18,950  | 77.73% | 4,215  | 17.29%  | 1,214  | 4.98%
2012 | 16,247  | 73.86% | 5,274  | 23.98%  | 475  | 2.16%
2008 | 17,110  | 72.33% | 6,095  | 25.77%  | 449  | 1.90%
2004 | 15,340  | 71.34% | 5,986  | 27.84%  | 176  | 0.82%
2000 | 12,326  | 65.23% | 6,341  | 33.56%  | 228  | 1.21%
1996 | 8,817  | 50.10% | 6,743  | 38.32%  | 2,038  | 11.58%
1992 | 8,489  | 48.54% | 6,217  | 35.55%  | 2,782  | 15.91%
1988 | 10,487  | 68.63% | 4,753  | 31.11%  | 40  | 0.26%
1984 | 10,734  | 68.22% | 5,000  | 31.78%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 7,088  | 50.16% | 6,809  | 48.18%  | 235  | 1.66%
1976 | 4,807  | 37.51%  | 8,007  | 62.49% | 0  | 0.00%
1972 | 8,728  | 84.72% | 1,574  | 15.28%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 3,664  | 25.59%  | 1,930  | 13.48%  | 8,725  | 60.93%
1964 | 5,939  | 52.09% | 5,454  | 47.84%  | 8  | 0.07%
1960 | 4,027  | 46.86%  | 4,566  | 53.14% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 3,552  | 49.03%  | 3,693  | 50.97% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 2,866  | 39.63%  | 4,366  | 60.37% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 980  | 20.02%  | 3,418  | 69.83% | 497  | 10.15%
1944 | 765  | 21.74%  | 2,753  | 78.23% | 1  | 0.03%
1940 | 558  | 16.30%  | 2,859  | 83.50% | 7  | 0.20%
1936 | 458  | 16.50%  | 2,313  | 83.32% | 5  | 0.18%
1932 | 405  | 15.05%  | 2,255  | 83.80% | 31  | 1.15%
1928 | 1,786  | 62.91% | 1,053  | 37.09%  | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 878  | 32.86%  | 1,740  | 65.12% | 54  | 2.02%
1920 | 1,069  | 44.25%  | 1,347  | 55.75% | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 300  | 11.44%  | 1,883  | 71.82% | 439  | 16.74%
1912 | 215  | 15.47%  | 771  | 55.47% | 404  | 29.06%

## See also

[edit]

* State of Georgia portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Walker County, Georgia
* Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority
* List of counties in Georgia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ US 2020 Census Bureau report, Walker County, Georgia
2. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "Walker County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 106. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
5. ^ Hart, Ariel (November 20, 2004). "Georgia Crematory manager Pleads Guilty and Gives Apology". New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
8. ^ "NACO County Government Structure: A State by State Report" (PDF). National Association of Counties. March 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 4, 2018.
9. ^ "'Sole Commissioner' Wins in Georgia". WSJ. November 9, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
10. ^ "Changing Walker County's Form of Government". Walker County, Georgia. December 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
11. ^ "Walker County commission districts" (PDF). Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office. December 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 29, 2019.
12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
13. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
14. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
15. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
16. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
17. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
18. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
19. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
20. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
21. ^ a b c "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
22. ^ "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walker County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
24. ^ a b c "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.
25. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
26. ^ "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.
27. ^ "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.
28. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
29. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Walker County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 43 (PDF pp. 5/12). Retrieved September 15, 2024. \- Text list
30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* City of Chickamauga
* City of LaFayette
* City of Rossville
* City of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
* Walker County Messenger
* WQCH Radio
* Walker County, GA, genealogy
* Walker County, GA | Official Government

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Walker County, Georgia

|  | Hamilton County, Tennessee | Catoosa County

|
|

|  |
Dade County |

Walker County, Georgia

| Whitfield County
|  |
DeKalb County, Alabama | Chattooga County, Floyd County | Gordon County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Walker County, Georgia, United States

County seat: LaFayette

Cities|

* Chickamauga
* Fort Oglethorpe‡
* LaFayette
* Lookout Mountain
* Rossville

Map of Georgia highlighting Walker County

CDPs|

* Chattanooga Valley
* Fairview
* Lakeview‡
* Rock Spring

Other
unincorporated
communities|

* Ascalon
* Bronco
* Cassandra
* Cedar Grove
* Cenchat
* Center Post
* Chestnutflat
* Cooper Heights
* Corinth
* Davis Crossroads
* Durham
* Eagle Cliff
* East Armuchee
* Estelle
* Flintstone
* High Point
* Hinkles
* Kensington
* Lytle
* Naomi
* Pittsburg
* Villanow

Ghost towns|

* Gerber
* Greenbush

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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34°44′N 85°18′W﻿ / ﻿34.73°N 85.30°W﻿ / 34.73; -85.30
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