Walton County, Georgia

County in Georgia, United States

For the Walton County which existed in the state's northeast from 1803 to 1811, see Walton War.

County in Georgia

Walton County

County

Walton County courthouse in Monroe

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Location within the U.S. state of Georgia

Georgia's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 33°47′N 83°44′W﻿ / ﻿33.78°N 83.74°W﻿ / 33.78; -83.74
Country|  United States
State|  Georgia
Founded| December 22, 1818; 207 years ago (1818)
Named after| George Walton
Seat| Monroe
Largest city| Monroe
Area

• Total

| 330 sq mi (900 km2)
• Land| 326 sq mi (840 km2)
• Water| 4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  1.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 96,673
• Density| 297/sq mi (115/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 10th
Website| waltoncountyga.gov

Walton County is a county located in the Middle Georgia portion of the U.S. - State of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 96,673.[1] It is located about 30 miles east of the state capital, the city of Atlanta. Monroe is the county seat; Loganville is another major city.[2]

Walton County is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area.

## History

[edit]

Walton County was created on December 15, 1818. It is named for George Walton, one of the three men from Georgia who signed the United States Declaration of Independence.[3] The other two were Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall.

A Supreme Court ruling in April 1946 had ruled that white primaries were unconstitutional, enabling some black citizens in Georgia to cast ballots for the first time during the primary race later that summer.[4] This increased social tensions in many areas, as whites continued to oppose voting by blacks. In addition, many whites resisted black veterans' efforts to gain expanded freedoms following their service during World War II.

### Moore's Ford lynchings (1946)

[edit]

Main article: Moore's Ford lynchings

In July 1946, four African Americans were lynched in Walton County, Georgia. The victims were two married couples: George and Mae Murray Dorsey, and Roger and Dorothy Dorsey Malcom (reportedly pregnant).[4]

A historical highway marker erected by the state in the 21st century reads:

> 2.4 miles east, at Moore’s Ford Bridge on the Apalachee River, four African-Americans - George and Mae Murray Dorsey and Roger and Dorothy Dorsey Malcom (reportedly 7 months pregnant) - were brutally beaten and shot by an unmasked mob on the afternoon of July 25, 1946. The lynching followed an argument between Roger Malcom and a local white farmer. These unsolved murders played a crucial role in both President Truman’s commitment to civil rights legislation and the ensuing modern civil rights movement.[5]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 330 square miles (850 km2), of which 326 square miles (840 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (1.3%) is water.[6] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The western half of Walton County, in a half circle from Social Circle through Monroe to northeast of Loganville, is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern part of the county, east of that curve, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin.[7]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Barrow County – north
* Oconee County – northeast
* Morgan County – southeast
* Newton County – south
* Rockdale County – southwest
* Gwinnett County – northwest

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Good Hope
* Jersey
* Loganville
* Monroe
* Social Circle
* Walnut Grove

### Towns

[edit]

* Between

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Bold Springs
* Campton
* Gratis
* Mt. Vernon
* Pannell
* Windsor
* Youth
* Split Silk

## Demographics

[edit]

There was a noted decline in the African American population from 1900 to 1960 as thousands left rural areas in the South during the Great Migration to the North, Midwest and West Coast to escape social oppression and to gain better jobs and opportunities.

With dramatic new growth related to the rise of Atlanta as a corporate city, the demographics have changed and the county is majority white in the 21st century. The area has been developed for suburban housing and retail.

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1810| 1,026| | —
1820| 4,192| | 308.6%
1830| 10,929| | 160.7%
1840| 10,209| | −6.6%
1850| 10,821| | 6.0%
1860| 11,074| | 2.3%
1870| 11,038| | −0.3%
1880| 15,622| | 41.5%
1890| 17,467| | 11.8%
1900| 20,942| | 19.9%
1910| 25,393| | 21.3%
1920| 24,216| | −4.6%
1930| 21,118| | −12.8%
1940| 20,777| | −1.6%
1950| 20,230| | −2.6%
1960| 20,481| | 1.2%
1970| 23,404| | 14.3%
1980| 31,211| | 33.4%
1990| 38,586| | 23.6%
2000| 60,687| | 57.3%
2010| 83,768| | 38.0%
2020| 96,673| | 15.4%
2023 (est.)| 106,702| [8]| 10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1880[10] 1890-1910[11]
1920-1930[12] 1930-1940[13]
1940-1950[14] 1960-1980[15]
1980-2000[16] 2010[17] 2020[18]
Walton 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[19] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 49,731  | 65,677  | 68,499  | 81.95%  | 78.40%  | 70.86%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 8,703  | 12,993  | 17,136  | 14.34%  | 15.51%  | 17.73%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 145  | 194  | 188  | 0.24%  | 0.23%  | 0.19%
Asian alone (NH)  | 410  | 947  | 1,409  | 0.68%  | 1.13%  | 1.46%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 10  | 38  | 44  | 0.02%  | 0.05%  | 0.05%
Other race alone (NH)  | 25  | 159  | 552  | 0.04%  | 0.19%  | 0.57%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | 500  | 1,077  | 3,617  | 0.82%  | 1.29%  | 3.74%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 1,163  | 2,683  | 5,228  | 1.92%  | 3.20%  | 5.41%
Total | 60,687 | 83,768 | 96,673 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 96,673 people, 33,350 households, and 25,736 families residing in the county.

## Government

[edit]

Walton County has a six-member commission elected from single-member districts. This legislative body can pass laws for the county and tax bills. The county chairman is elected at-large to serve as the leader. If a seat becomes vacant during the term, the governor can appoint someone to fill the seat, based on recommendations. In 2015, two of the six positions were filled by appointees.

### Politics

[edit]

Since 1984, Walton County has been heavily Republican, and no Democratic presidential candidate has managed to reach even 30% of the county's vote since 1996.

United States presidential election results for Walton County, Georgia[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 42,407  | 72.50% | 15,605  | 26.68%  | 482  | 0.82%
2020 | 37,839  | 74.05% | 12,683  | 24.82%  | 576  | 1.13%
2016 | 31,125  | 76.18% | 8,292  | 20.29%  | 1,441  | 3.53%
2012 | 29,036  | 77.07% | 8,148  | 21.63%  | 493  | 1.31%
2008 | 27,253  | 75.54% | 8,469  | 23.47%  | 357  | 0.99%
2004 | 21,594  | 78.11% | 5,887  | 21.29%  | 166  | 0.60%
2000 | 12,966  | 67.95% | 5,484  | 28.74%  | 633  | 3.32%
1996 | 7,934  | 52.82% | 5,618  | 37.40%  | 1,468  | 9.77%
1992 | 5,619  | 45.35% | 4,821  | 38.91%  | 1,951  | 15.75%
1988 | 5,974  | 65.56% | 3,091  | 33.92%  | 47  | 0.52%
1984 | 4,995  | 66.81% | 2,481  | 33.19%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 2,618  | 35.85%  | 4,525  | 61.96% | 160  | 2.19%
1976 | 1,687  | 23.80%  | 5,402  | 76.20% | 0  | 0.00%
1972 | 3,994  | 77.80% | 1,140  | 22.20%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 1,399  | 19.99%  | 1,552  | 22.18%  | 4,047  | 57.83%
1964 | 2,874  | 54.99% | 2,350  | 44.97%  | 2  | 0.04%
1960 | 403  | 11.52%  | 3,095  | 88.48% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 470  | 12.56%  | 3,271  | 87.44% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 324  | 8.11%  | 3,672  | 91.89% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 164  | 5.71%  | 2,440  | 84.99% | 267  | 9.30%
1944 | 172  | 7.75%  | 2,046  | 92.25% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 104  | 4.55%  | 2,179  | 95.24% | 5  | 0.22%
1936 | 132  | 6.33%  | 1,952  | 93.58% | 2  | 0.10%
1932 | 36  | 1.66%  | 2,136  | 98.34% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 424  | 27.20%  | 1,135  | 72.80% | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 90  | 8.78%  | 873  | 85.17% | 62  | 6.05%
1920 | 123  | 9.38%  | 1,189  | 90.63% | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 83  | 5.61%  | 1,305  | 88.24% | 91  | 6.15%
1912 | 40  | 3.35%  | 885  | 74.06% | 270  | 22.59%

## Education

[edit]

Walton County School District is the local school district for all sections except those in Social Circle. Areas in Social Circle are in the Social Circle City School District.[21]

## Schools

[edit]

* Loganville High School
* Monroe Area High School
* Walnut Grove High School
* Foothills Charter High School (alternative school inside of MAHS)
* Loganville Middle School
* Carver Middle School
* Youth Middle School
* Loganville Elementary School
* Bay Creek Elementary School
* Sharon Elementary School
* Walker Park Elementary School
* Youth Elementary School
* Monroe Elementary School
* Victory Baptist School (Private)
* Trinity Prep School (Private)
* George Walton Academy (Private)
* Loganville Christian Academy (Private)
* Monroe Country Day School (Private)

## Transportation

[edit]

### Major highways

[edit]

* I-20 / SR 402 – SR 402 is the unsigned designation for I-20
* US 78 / SR 10
* US 278 / SR 12
* SR 11
* SR 20
* SR 81
* SR 83
* SR 138
* SR 186

Walton County doesn't have any pedestrian trails. However, there are trails in neighboring Gwinnett and Rockdale county such as the Arabia Mountain Path, Conyers Trail and Cedar Creek Trail Loop.

## See also

[edit]

* State of Georgia portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Walton County, Georgia
* Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir
* List of counties in Georgia

## References

[edit]

* Camp, Lynn Robinson, and Jennifer E. Cheek-Collins. Walton County, Georgia (Black America Series; Charleston, S.C., 2003) (ISBN 0-7385-1528-0).
* Sams, Anita B. Wayfarers in Walton: A History of Walton County, Georgia, 1818–1967 (Monroe, Ga., 1967).

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Walton 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 (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 245\. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2003.
4. ^ a b Chelsea Bailey, "Moore's Ford Massacre: Activists Reenact Racist Lynching as a Call for Justice", 02 August 2017; accessed 11 June 2018
5. ^ "Moore's Ford Lynching Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
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 18, 2015.
8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
9. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
10. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
11. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
12. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
13. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
14. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
15. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
16. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
17. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Walton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Walton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Walton County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2023. \- Text list

## External links

[edit]

* Georgia.gov on Walton County
* https://web.archive.org/web/20070704131617/http://www.negrdc.org/counties/walton/default.asp
* "Holding on to Those Who Can't be Held": Reenacting a Lynching at Moore's Ford, Georgia" Southern Spaces, November 8, 2010.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Walton County, Georgia

| Gwinnett County | Barrow County | Oconee County

|
|

|  |

Walton County, Georgia

|  |
Rockdale County | Newton County | Morgan County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Walton County, Georgia, United States

County seat: Monroe

Cities|

* Loganville ‡
* Monroe
* Social Circle ‡

Map of Georgia highlighting Walton County

Towns|

* Between
* Good Hope
* Jersey
* Walnut Grove

Unincorporated
communities|

* Bold Springs
* Campton
* Gratis
* Nicholasville
* Pannell
* Split Silk
* Windsor
* Youth

Footnotes|

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

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33°47′N 83°44′W﻿ / ﻿33.78°N 83.74°W﻿ / 33.78; -83.74
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