Lincoln County, Georgia

Infobox U.S. County
county = Lincoln County
state = Georgia


map size = 225
founded = February 20, 1796
seat = Lincolnton
largest city = Lincolnton
area_total_sq_mi = 257
area_total_km2 = 666
area_land_sq_mi = 211
area_land_km2 = 547
area_water_sq_mi = 46
area_water_km2 = 120
area percentage = 17.95%
census estimate yr = 2005
pop = 8207
density_sq_mi = 40
density_km2 = 15
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset = -4
web =

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center. It was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population is 8,348. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,098 [http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2007-01-13.xls] . The county seat is Lincolnton, GeorgiaGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 257 square miles (666 km²), of which, 211 square miles (547 km²) are land and 46 square miles (120 km²) (17.95%) are water.

Major highways

*
*
*
*

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,348 people, 3,251 households, and 2,379 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 4,514 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.25% White, 34.37% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,251 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.70% 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 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,952, and the median income for a family was $36,657. Males had a median income of $27,165 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,351. About 12.40% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Chennault
*Lincolnton

Lincoln County High School, its only high school, is also home to Georgia's winningest coach in high school football, Larry Campbell. As of December 2007, Campbell is ranked 3rd in the nation for wins. The school also has achieved many awards and titles in debate and literary competitions; and continues to do well in all aspects of life.

Geography

Lincoln County consists of convert|186240|acre|km2. It is a rare known fact, but on January 22, 1852 the legislature changed the location of the Wilkes County and Lincoln County line. There is no record as to why the legislature made these changes. Some say it was because of a man by the name of R.O. Barksdale, but no one really knows why.Before the revolutionary war Lincoln county was primarily a farming and agricultural area. Until the 1950s a lot of that changed due to the development and creation of Clarke Hill dam which backed up a large portion of water over Lincoln county and other near by counties. This brought in developers, and in turn many, many neighborhoods and subdivisions.

History

On February 20, 1796 Lincoln County became the twenty fourth county in the state of Georgia. Before then, it was part of Wilkes County which is, presently, just west of Lincoln County. Lincoln County was named after an American patriot, General Benjamin Lincoln. A Revolutionary War hero, Lincoln was born in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1733. Lincoln was made most famous by receiving Gen. Cornwallis's Sword of Surrender at Yorktown, VA to end the war. In 1809 he retired and soon died in 1810.

Recreation and Historical Places

Since the creation of Clarke’s Hill Lake, recreation has been a huge part of Lincoln County's growth. It is attributed to be a main reason of tourism in Lincoln county. Clarke’s Hill Lake provides great fishing, boating, and other water sports for visitors and those who live near and around the lake. Lincoln County borders about convert|380|sqmi|km2 of shoreline on Clarke’s Hill Lake. Toward the eastern part of Lincoln County, just before the South Carolina line, sits Elijah Clarke State Park. This park is roughly convert|447|acre|km2, and attracts many visitors throughout the year. In May of every year, Elijah Clarke State Park holds a bluegrass festival, which has become a big attraction for the town in the last twenty years. Several very well known bluegrass musicians come to this event to play every year, including Lincoln County natives, The Lewis Family. The Lewis Family travels all around the world throughout the year on tour. Also held every year at Elijah Clarke State park is an Arts and Crafts Festival and a Log Cabin Christmas. Both are held in the month of October.

There are many historic places to visit in Lincoln County. Some of these include:
*Lamar-Blanchard House
*The Lincoln County Historical Park
*Graves Mountain

Economy

The growth of economy in Lincoln county is due to many things. In the last fifty years Strom Thurmond Dam, which created Clarks Hill Lake, has played a big part in this. The main business that has boomed in the past years is logging. In Lincoln County, logging is a multi million dollar industry. There are over twenty logging business in our small community which produce most of the jobs for Lincoln County residences.

Also recently, the county has taken steps to become become more industrial with new companies moving into the county, such as, Hero Metal, LLC, Top Grill, LLC, and Charles Owen, Inc

Famous People

Garrison Hearst- Former NFL player, pro bowler, comeback player in 1995 and 2001. He has played for the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers , Denver Broncos, and then retired in 2005 from the Atlanta Falcons due to injuries. He is considered to be one of the best NFL running backs of all time. First person to be put on the front of the video game Madden.

Barney Bussey - Former NFL player, played for the Cincinnati Bengals and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he retired soon after that.

Larry Campbell - currently head coach for the Lincoln County Red Devils, winningest coach in Georgia high school football history and was recently ranked third in the national poll for wins by a high school coach.

The Lewis Family - famous family bluegrass and gospel band , have won numerous music awards, in 1992 they were inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame, album of the year in bluegrass and gospel numerous times. Jeff and Sherri Easter are a world wide Christian singing couple. They also call Lincolnton, Georgia their home.

References

* Perryman, Clinton J. History of Lincoln County, Georgia. Tignall , GA , 1985.
* McGill, Joey. Personal interview. 16 November 2007.
* McGill, AC. Personal interview. 16 November 2007.
* [http://www.lincolncountyreddevil.com Lincoln County Red Devils] . 16 Nov. 2007.
* [http://thelewisfamilymusic.com/bio.html Lewis Family Singers] . 17 Nov 2007.

External links

* [http://www.lincolncountyga.com Lincoln County Georgia Government]
* [http://www.kudcom.com/www/marklc.html Georgia Historic Commission Markers in Lincoln County]