Walton County, Georgia

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

Walton County, Georgia
County
Walton County courthouse in Monroe
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°47′N 83°44′W / 33.78°N 83.74°W / 33.78; -83.74
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 22, 1818 (1818)
Named afterGeorge Walton
SeatMonroe
Largest cityMonroe
Area
 • Total
330 sq mi (850 km2)
 • Land326 sq mi (840 km2)
 • Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
96,673
 • Density297/sq mi (115/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewaltoncountyga.gov

Walton County is a county located in the East Central region 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

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)

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

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

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

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
CensusPop.Note%±
18101,026—
18204,192308.6%
183010,929160.7%
184010,209−6.6%
185010,8216.0%
186011,0742.3%
187011,038−0.3%
188015,62241.5%
189017,46711.8%
190020,94219.9%
191025,39321.3%
192024,216−4.6%
193021,118−12.8%
194020,777−1.6%
195020,230−2.6%
196020,4811.2%
197023,40414.3%
198031,21133.4%
199038,58623.6%
200060,68757.3%
201083,76838.0%
202096,67315.4%
2024 (est.)109,792[8]13.6%
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%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 96,673, 33,924 households, and 25,736 families residing in the county. The median age was 39.7 years, 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.6 males age 18 and over.[20]

41.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 58.1% lived in rural areas.[21]

The racial makeup of the county was 72.0% White, 17.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.4% of the population.[22]

There were 33,924 households in the county, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20]

There were 35,473 housing units, of which 4.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.2% were owner-occupied and 24.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%.[20]

Government

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

As of the 2020s, Walton County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 69% for Donald Trump in 2024. 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.

For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Walton County is part of Georgia's 10th congressional district, currently represented by Mike Collins. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Walton County is divided between districts 42 and 46.[23] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Walton County is part of districts 111, 112 and 114.[24]

United States presidential election results for Walton County, Georgia[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1912 40 3.35% 885 74.06% 270 22.59%
1916 83 5.61% 1,305 88.24% 91 6.15%
1920 123 9.38% 1,189 90.63% 0 0.00%
1924 90 8.78% 873 85.17% 62 6.05%
1928 424 27.20% 1,135 72.80% 0 0.00%
1932 36 1.66% 2,136 98.34% 0 0.00%
1936 132 6.33% 1,952 93.58% 2 0.10%
1940 104 4.55% 2,179 95.24% 5 0.22%
1944 172 7.75% 2,046 92.25% 0 0.00%
1948 164 5.71% 2,440 84.99% 267 9.30%
1952 324 8.11% 3,672 91.89% 0 0.00%
1956 470 12.56% 3,271 87.44% 0 0.00%
1960 403 11.52% 3,095 88.48% 0 0.00%
1964 2,874 54.99% 2,350 44.97% 2 0.04%
1968 1,399 19.99% 1,552 22.18% 4,047 57.83%
1972 3,994 77.80% 1,140 22.20% 0 0.00%
1976 1,687 23.80% 5,402 76.20% 0 0.00%
1980 2,618 35.85% 4,525 61.96% 160 2.19%
1984 4,995 66.81% 2,481 33.19% 0 0.00%
1988 5,974 65.56% 3,091 33.92% 47 0.52%
1992 5,619 45.35% 4,821 38.91% 1,951 15.75%
1996 7,934 52.82% 5,618 37.40% 1,468 9.77%
2000 12,966 67.95% 5,484 28.74% 633 3.32%
2004 21,594 78.11% 5,887 21.29% 166 0.60%
2008 27,253 75.54% 8,469 23.47% 357 0.99%
2012 29,036 77.07% 8,148 21.63% 493 1.31%
2016 31,125 76.18% 8,292 20.29% 1,441 3.53%
2020 37,839 74.05% 12,683 24.82% 576 1.13%
2024 42,407 72.50% 15,605 26.68% 482 0.82%

Education

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.[26]

Schools

  • 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

Major highways

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

References

  • 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. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  8. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  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. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2024.
  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. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  21. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  22. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  23. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  24. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  25. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  26. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Walton County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2023. - Text list

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

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