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Richmond County, Georgia

A Nexus of History and Governance: An in-depth exploration of the consolidated city-county, its heritage, demographics, and regional significance.

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County Overview

Consolidated Governance

Richmond County, situated in the state of Georgia, is a unique consolidated city-county government. This structure integrates the municipal functions of its primary city, Augusta, with the county's administrative responsibilities. Officially designated as Augusta-Richmond County, this consolidation aims to streamline governance and service delivery across the jurisdiction.[1]

Geographic Context

Located in the eastern part of Georgia, Richmond County is part of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). It spans a total area of 329 square miles, with approximately 1.3% of this area comprising water bodies. The county seat and largest city is Augusta, which serves as the central hub for the surrounding metropolitan statistical area.[4]

Historical Foundation

Established on February 5, 1777, Richmond County is one of Georgia's original counties. Its naming honors Charles Lennox, the 3rd Duke of Richmond, a British statesman known for his sympathetic stance towards the American colonies. The county's history is deeply intertwined with the development of Augusta as a significant regional center.[3]

Historical Trajectory

Origins and Consolidation

Founded in 1777, Richmond County was carved from the colonial Parish of St. Paul. The county's establishment was a direct result of Georgia's first constitution following the American Revolution. A pivotal moment in its modern history was the 1995 consolidation of Augusta's government with that of Richmond County, creating the unified Augusta-Richmond County entity. However, the cities of Hephzibah and Blythe opted to maintain their separate municipal status.[2]

Naming and Early Development

The county bears the name of Charles Lennox, the 3rd Duke of Richmond, a notable British politician and peer who held sympathies for the American colonial cause. He was also a cousin to King George III. This historical connection underscores the county's roots within the broader context of colonial and early American history.[3]

Geographic Landscape

Area and Waterways

Richmond County encompasses a total area of 329 square miles (850 km2), comprising 324 square miles (840 km2) of land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) of water, representing 1.3% of its total area.[4] The majority of the county lies within the Middle Savannah River sub-basin, with a small southwestern portion situated in the Brier Creek sub-basin.[5]

Adjacent Counties

Richmond County shares borders with several neighboring counties, providing context for its regional placement:

  • North: Edgefield County, South Carolina
  • Northeast: Aiken County, South Carolina
  • South: Burke County, Georgia
  • Southwest: Jefferson County, Georgia
  • West: McDuffie County, Georgia
  • Northwest: Columbia County, Georgia

Recreational Trails

The county offers several trails for pedestrian and cycling activities, enhancing its recreational appeal:

  • Augusta Canal Historic Trail
  • New Bartram Trail
  • Phinizy Swamp Constructed Wetlands Trail
  • River Levee Trail
  • Riverwalk Augusta Trail

Key Communities

Municipalities

Richmond County includes the following incorporated cities:

  • Augusta (County Seat)
  • Blythe
  • Hephzibah

Army Installation

The county is home to a significant military installation:

  • Fort Gordon

Demographic Profile

Population Trends

The population of Richmond County has shown steady growth over the decades, reflecting its status as a significant urban center in Georgia. As of the 2020 Census, the county's population was 206,607.[2]

Historical Population
CensusPop.
179011,317
18005,475−51.6%
18106,18913.0%
18208,60839.1%
183011,64435.3%
184011,9322.5%
185016,24636.2%
186021,28431.0%
187025,72420.9%
188034,66534.8%
189045,19430.4%
190053,73518.9%
191058,8869.6%
192063,6928.2%
193072,99014.6%
194081,86312.2%
1950108,87633.0%
1960135,60124.5%
1970162,43719.8%
1980181,62911.8%
1990189,7194.5%
2000199,7755.3%
2010200,5490.4%
2020206,6073.0%
2024 (est.)206,303−0.1%

U.S. Decennial Census^

Racial and Ethnic Composition

The demographic makeup of Richmond County reflects a diverse population, with a notable presence of both White and Black or African American residents. The data below details the composition as recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau:

Richmond County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 88,660 76,236 68,397 44.38% 38.01% 33.10%
Black or African American alone (NH) 98,584 107,365 112,947 49.35% 53.54% 54.67%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 506 570 511 0.25% 0.28% 0.25%
Asian alone (NH) 2,949 3,278 3,907 1.48% 1.63% 1.89%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 228 374 391 0.11% 0.19% 0.19%
Other race alone (NH) 361 310 905 0.18% 0.15% 0.44%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 2,942 4,209 8,100 1.47% 2.10% 3.92%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,545 8,207 11,449 2.78% 4.09% 5.54%
Total 199,775 200,549 206,607 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

Note: The U.S. 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.[17]

Political Landscape

Voting Patterns

Richmond County has historically shown a strong tendency to vote Democratic, particularly since 1992. This trend aligns with many urban counties in Georgia that have significant African American populations. Prior to the mid-20th century, the county, like much of the Solid South, predominantly supported Democratic presidential candidates, with notable exceptions influenced by specific political climates, such as the anti-Catholic sentiment in 1928 or the Dixiecrat movement in 1948.[18]

Presidential Election Results

The following table illustrates the historical voting patterns in presidential elections within Richmond County, highlighting shifts in party alignment over time.

United States Presidential Election Results for Richmond County, Georgia[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. % No. % No. %
1880 1,497 38.12% 2,430 61.88% 0 0.00%
1884 1,945 37.13% 3,293 62.87% 0 0.00%
1888 113 11.91% 808 85.14% 28 2.95%
1892 3,224 25.59% 8,301 65.89% 1,073 8.52%
1896 1,698 30.06% 3,716 65.78% 235 4.16%
1900 215 9.34% 2,045 88.84% 42 1.82%
1904 174 6.31% 1,816 65.82% 769 27.87%
1908 267 10.91% 1,727 70.55% 454 18.55%
1912 177 7.76% 1,871 81.99% 234 10.25%
1916 238 6.86% 2,708 78.04% 524 15.10%
1920 511 16.14% 2,656 83.86% 0 0.00%
1924 1,296 33.71% 2,169 56.43% 379 9.86%
1928 5,104 70.99% 2,086 29.01% 0 0.00%
1932 738 12.96% 4,873 85.58% 83 1.46%
1936 551 7.06% 7,239 92.69% 20 0.26%
1940 641 9.85% 5,855 89.97% 12 0.18%
1944 1,152 14.28% 6,918 85.72% 0 0.00%
1948 1,528 11.89% 2,450 19.07% 8,868 69.03%
1952 9,347 52.13% 8,584 47.87% 0 0.00%
1956 10,251 60.05% 6,819 39.95% 0 0.00%
1960 11,978 54.83% 9,868 45.17% 0 0.00%
1964 21,481 61.32% 13,545 38.67% 3 0.01%
1968 14,993 41.30% 11,777 32.44% 9,532 26.26%
1972 24,362 72.55% 9,219 27.45% 0 0.00%
1976 17,893 42.67% 24,042 57.33% 0 0.00%
1980 19,619 43.72% 24,104 53.72% 1,148 2.56%
1984 29,869 58.48% 21,208 41.52% 0 0.00%
1988 27,566 57.12% 20,489 42.46% 203 0.42%
1992 24,227 40.70% 28,910 48.57% 6,386 10.73%
1996 23,670 41.62% 30,738 54.05% 2,461 4.33%
2000 25,485 44.29% 31,413 54.60% 640 1.11%
2004 29,764 42.90% 39,262 56.59% 350 0.50%
2008 26,842 33.80% 52,100 65.60% 480 0.60%
2012 25,845 32.64% 52,560 66.39% 769 0.97%
2016 24,461 32.17% 48,814 64.21% 2,750 3.62%
2020 26,780 30.75% 59,119 67.89% 1,178 1.35%
2024 26,472 31.67% 56,657 67.79% 449 0.54%

Transportation Network

Major Highways

Richmond County is strategically connected by a network of major highways, facilitating regional and interstate travel. Key routes include:

  • Interstate 20 (Carl Sanders Highway)
  • Interstate 520 (Bobby Jones Expressway)
  • U.S. Route 1 (Gordon Highway)
  • U.S. Route 25 / SR 121 (Peach Orchard Road / Gordon Highway)
  • U.S. Route 78 / U.S. Route 278 / SR 10 (Gordon Highway)
  • Various State Routes (SR 4, SR 28, SR 56, SR 88, SR 104, SR 223, SR 232, SR 383, SR 540, SR 555/565)

These routes are integral to the county's transportation infrastructure, linking it to broader economic and logistical networks.

Educational Institutions

School System

The entirety of Richmond County falls under the jurisdiction of the Richmond County School System. This unified structure oversees public education within the county, ensuring a consistent educational framework for its students.[19]

Higher Education

The region is also served by several institutions of higher learning, contributing to the educational and professional development of its residents. These include Augusta Technical College, Augusta University, and branches of other state and private universities, providing diverse academic and vocational programs.

Notable Figures

Individuals of Note

Richmond County has been the birthplace or home to several notable individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. Among them are:

  • David E. Twiggs
  • John Twiggs
  • Levi Twiggs

These figures represent a fraction of the county's historical and public service contributions.

References

Source Citations

The information presented on this page is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on Richmond County, Georgia. The following references support the content:

  1. "Richmond County". New Georgia Encyclopedia.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Richmond County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  3. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins. Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 188. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  6. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  8. "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  9. "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  10. "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  11. "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  12. "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  13. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  14. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  15. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Richmond County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Richmond County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Richmond County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  19. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Richmond County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2024.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Richmond County, Georgia Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding geography, history, or local governance. Always refer to official government sources and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.