Atkinson County is located in the southern part of Georgia, bordering the states of Florida and Alabama. It is one of the 159 counties in the state and encompasses an area of 437 square miles. See Countryaah – Counties in Georgia. The county seat is Pearson, which is also its largest city. Other cities include Willacoochee, Broxton, and Hickox.
Atkinson County borders four other counties in Georgia: Coffee to the north, Clinch to the northeast, Ware to the east, and Lanier to the south. To the west lies Seminole County, Florida while to the southwest lies Houston County, Alabama.
The county’s terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills in some areas. The majority of its land consists of pine forests interspersed with agricultural fields and pastures for grazing livestock. There are numerous creeks and rivers that run through Atkinson County such as Big Creek and Little Satilla River which eventually flow into St. Andrews Bay near Panama City Beach, Florida.
Atkinson County has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters with occasional frost during periods of extreme cold weather. The average annual temperature is around 67°F (19°C). Rainfall generally occurs throughout most months but tends to be more frequent during late spring/early summer months due to tropical storms from the Gulf Coast region.
Atkinson County offers a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing on its many lakes including Lake Parkesburg; camping at Tuckahoe State Park; hiking along nature trails; biking along scenic roads; hunting wild game; exploring historical sites; or simply enjoying nature at nearby parks like Atkinson Mill Park or Meeks Pond Park. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax or get active there’s something for everyone here.
Demographics of Atkinson County, Georgia
Atkinson County, Georgia is located in the southeastern part of the state and has a population of 8,375 people according to the 2018 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The county covers an area of 598 square miles and has a population density of 14 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Atkinson County is 69.1% White, 28.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% from other races and 1.3% from two or more races Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6%. The median household income in Atkinson County was $31,890 in 2017 and the per capita income was $17,094 in 2017 which was below the poverty line for families living in the county with an unemployment rate at 7%. Agriculture is an important industry for Atkinson County with over 57 percent of land in farming use with cattle being the most common livestock raised followed by poultry and hogs but timber is also harvested as well as cotton production and vegetable farming are also prevalent in this area. Education levels are lower than average as only 15 percent of residents have bachelor’s degrees or higher while almost 26 percent have not completed high school or equivalent education level.
Places of Interest in Atkinson County, Georgia
Atkinson County, Georgia is home to a variety of attractions for visitors and locals alike. The county is home to the Atkinson County Historical Society Museum, which features artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the county’s history from its earliest inhabitants to its modern day residents. Also located in the county is the Atkinson County Wildlife Management Area, which offers an abundance of outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and camping. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, Atkinson County also has plenty of parks and recreation areas including two state parks – Crooked River State Park and Lake Blackshear State Park – as well as several local parks and trails. Additionally, there are several golf courses located in Atkinson County that offer challenging courses for golfers of all skill levels. Finally, there are many unique shopping opportunities in the area such as antique stores, boutiques, farmers markets and craft fairs. All these places of interest provide visitors with plenty to do while exploring this beautiful part of Georgia.
Notable People of Atkinson County, Georgia
Atkinson County, Georgia is home to a variety of notable people who have achieved success in fields such as business, politics, education, and the entertainment industry. The first person of note is former U.S. Senator Richard B. Russell Jr., who served as Senator from Georgia from 1933 to 1971 and was a major political leader in the state during that time. Another notable person is Mary Elizabeth Bonner, an educator who served as the first African-American woman principal in a public school in Georgia and was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Additionally, Atkinson County is home to Bobby Goldsboro, a country music singer-songwriter whose songs such as “Honey” and “Little Things” were popular hits during the 1960s and 1970s. Other notable people from Atkinson County include Thomas J. Watson Jr., former CEO of IBM; Ruth Fertel, founder of Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Ray Charles Robinson Jr., musician; and Roberta Flack, singer-songwriter best known for her hit song “Killing Me Softly With His Song”. All these people have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have helped shape Atkinson County into what it is today.