Baldwin County, Alabama

Baldwin County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Georgia's 29th county was named for Abraham Baldwin, one of Georgia's two signers of the US Constitution and founder of the University of Georgia.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

History

Baldwin County, Alabama

Around 1802, the Creek Indians and United States commissioners signed the Treaty of Fort Wilkinson, which separated Creek lands in two different areas to Georgia. The northern part involved land west of the Oconee River, which the legislature split into two new counties -- Baldwin and Wilkinson -- in1803 on the 11th day of May. Georgia's 29th county was named for Abraham Baldwin, one of Georgia's two signers of the US Constitution and founder of the University of Georgia. Around 1805, the Creeks signed the Treaty of Washington, which extended Georgia westward to the Ocmulgee River. An act of June 26, 1806 added lands ceded by the Creeks to Baldwin and Wilkinson counties. In 1807 on the 10th day of Dec., the legislature divided Baldwin County into four new counties -- Morgan, Jones, Putnam, and Randolph (which was renamed Jasper). In the same act, Baldwin County was agreed land east of the Oconee River from Hancock and Washington counties

Baldwin County's first courthouse was a log cabin owned by George Hill in the resolution of Hillsborough. Here, the first court session was held in 1806 on the 26th day of June. Around Dec. 1807, the legislature created four new counties from Baldwin, with Hillsborough transferred to newly created Randolph (later renamed Jasper) County. At the same session, the legislature elected Milledgeville as the new county seat of Baldwin County and allowed county court sessions to be held in the state capitol. In 1808 the 22nd day of Dec., the General Assembly authorized Baldwin County to levy a tax to construct a courthouse on the southeast corner of Penitentiary Square. Until the courthouse could be erected, county court sessions were to be held in a rented house. Baldwin County's first real courthouse was completed in 1814 at a cost of $3,975 dollars. This building was used until replaced by a larger courthouse built on the same site around 1847. This courthouse burned around 1861, after which court sessions were held in the Georgia Capitol, the Milledgeville Opera House, and the local Masonic Hall. In 1883, the legislature authorized Baldwin County to borrow up to $25,000 to construct four fireproof county offices, as well as a courthouse, on the site of the former courthouse. Around 1885, work began on the new courthouse, which was completed around 1887. This courthouse was remodeled in 1937 and 1965. In 1990, planning began on a new courthouse. After local option sales tax referendums were approved in 1990 and 1992, construction of a new courthouse began in 1995 and was completed in 1997.

According to the census of 2000, there were 200,100 people, 55,336 households, and 40,284 families living in the county. The population density was 34/km² (88/mi²). There were 74,285 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (46/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.15% White, 10.29% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 55,336 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,250, and the median income for a family was $47,028. Males had a median income of $34,507 versus $23,069 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,826. 10.10% of the population and 7.60% of families were below the poverty line. 13.10% of those under the age of 18 and 8.90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Neighboring Counties:

• North: Clarke County
• Northeast: Monroe County; Escambia County
• East: Escambia County, Fla.
• South: Gulf of Mexico
• West: Mobile County
• Northwest: Washington County

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

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