Editing Banks County, Georgia

{{Short description|County in Georgia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Banks County
 | state                = Georgia
 | seal                 = Seal of Banks County, Georgia.png
 | founded              = {{start date and age|1859|02|01}}
 | seat wl              = Homer
 | largest city wl      = Commerce
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 234
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 232
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.8
 | area percentage      = 0.8%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 18035
 | density_sq_mi        = 79
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | web                  = www.bankscountyga.org
 | named for            = [[Richard E. Banks|Richard Banks]]
 | ex image             = Courthouse of Banks County, Georgia.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Banks County courthouse in Homer
 | district             = 9th
}}

'''Banks County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Northeast Georgia|Northeast]] region of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 18,035,<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web|title=QuickFacts: Banks County, Georgia|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bankscountygeorgia/POP010220#POP010220|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 5, 2022}}</ref> down from 18,395 in 2010.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bankscountygeorgia/POP010210 |publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 26, 2017}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Homer, Georgia|Homer]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The [[Old Banks County Courthouse]] is located in Homer and listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. A new county courthouse was constructed adjacent to the old one in 1983.

==History==
The law to establish Banks County was passed by the Georgia General Assembly on December 11, 1858.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/b.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030917072724/http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/b.pdf |archive-date=September 17, 2003 |url-status=live | title=Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins | publisher=Winship Press | author=Krakow, Kenneth K. | year=1975 | location=Macon, GA | pages=13 | isbn=0-915430-00-2}}</ref> It was named for Dr. [[Richard E. Banks]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=REtEXQNWq6MC&pg=PA233 | title=Historical Gazetteer of the United States | publisher=Routledge | date=May 13, 2013 | access-date=November 30, 2013 | author=Hellmann, Paul T. | pages=233| isbn=978-1135948597 }}</ref>  The legislation called for the creation of Banks County on February 1, 1859, from [[Franklin County, Georgia|Franklin]] and [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham]] counties.

[[Ty Cobb]], a [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]r, was born in Banks County in 1886 in an area of the county known as ''The Narrows'' - a small farming community consisting of fewer than 100 people. The area and birthplace are on State Highway 105 in the northern part of the county near the Broad River. The legal organ for the county is ''The Banks County News'', a member of Mainstreet News, Inc. One of the county's oldest church sites is the [[Hebron Church, Cemetery, and Academy|Hebron Presbyterian Church]], established in 1796. Banks County is the home of the [[Atlanta Dragway]], located near Banks Crossing. Banks County is also known for being the home of the former world's largest [[Easter egg hunt]]. (The 50th annual egg hunt in 2009 was the last in the series.)

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|234|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|232|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.8|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Banks County is entirely located in the [[Broad River (Georgia)|Broad River]] sub-basin of the [[Savannah River]] basin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/ |title=Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience |publisher=Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission |access-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003004639/http://www.gaswcc.org/maps/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Image:I-85.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 85 in Georgia|Interstate 85]]
* [[Image:US 441.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 441 in Georgia|U.S. Route 441]]
* [[File:Georgia 15.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 15|State Route 15]]
* [[File:Georgia 51.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 51|State Route 51]]
* [[File:Georgia 52.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 52|State Route 52]]
* [[File:Georgia 59.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 59|State Route 59]]
* [[File:Georgia 63.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 63|State Route 63]]
* [[File:Georgia 98.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 98|State Route 98]]
* [[File:Georgia 105.svg|25px]] [[Georgia State Route 105|State Route 105]]
* [[File:Georgia 164.svg|25px]] [[Georgia State Route 164|State Route 164]]
* [[File:Georgia 184.svg|25px]] [[Georgia State Route 184|State Route 184]]
* [[File:Georgia 198.svg|25px]] [[Georgia State Route 198|State Route 198]]
* [[File:Georgia 323.svg|25px]] [[Georgia State Route 323|State Route 323]]
* [[File:Georgia 326.svg|25px]] [[Georgia State Route 326|State Route 326]]
* [[File:Georgia 403.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 403|State Route 403]] (hidden designation for I-85)
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham County]] - north
* [[Stephens County, Georgia|Stephens County]] - northeast
* [[Madison County, Georgia|Madison County]] - southeast
* [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson County]] - south
* [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall County]] - west
* [[Franklin County, Georgia|Franklin County]] - east

===National protected area===
* [[Chattahoochee National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 4707
|1870= 4973
|1880= 7337
|1890= 8562
|1900= 10545
|1910= 11244
|1920= 11814
|1930= 9703
|1940= 8733
|1950= 6935
|1960= 6497
|1970= 6833
|1980= 8702
|1990= 10308
|2000= 14422
|2010= 18395
|2020= 18035
|estyear=2023
|estimate=19789
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 31, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br>1790-1880<ref name=1880CensusGACty>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800 |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 1880|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1880/vol-01-population/1880_v1-08.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1890-1910<ref name=1910CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1910 Census of Population - Georgia  |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 1910|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ga.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref><br> 1920-1930<ref name=1930CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1930 Census of Population - Georgia  |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 1930|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1930-1940<ref name=1940CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1940 Census of Population - Georgia  |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 1940|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 1940-1950<ref name=1950CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1950 Census of Population - Georgia - |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 1950|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/37779083v2p11ch2.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1960-1980<ref name=1980CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia  |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 1980|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_gaABC-01.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 1980-2000<ref name=2000CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia  |website=[[US Census Bureau]]|date= 2000|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-12.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF"/><br> 2020<ref name="2020 Census"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Banks County Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US13011&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 9, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]
|15,578
|86.38%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]]
|394
|2.18%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|54
|0.3%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|189
|1.05%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|8
|0.04%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|648
|3.59%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,164
|6.45%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 18,035 people, 6,740 households, and 4,875 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 18,395&nbsp;people, 6,700&nbsp;households, and 5,100&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13011
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012147/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US13011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|79.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 7,595 housing units at an average density of {{convert|32.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13011
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234602/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US13011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 91.7% white, 2.3% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 3.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 18.7% were [[Americans|American]], 8.5% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 8.5% were [[English people|English]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13011
  |title=DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034212/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US13011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 6,700&nbsp;households, 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 23.9% were non-families, and 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 38.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $40,455 and the median income for a family was $48,606. Males had a median income of $41,444 versus $26,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,497. About 13.0% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13011
  |title=DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022707/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US13011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 14,422 people, 5,364 households, and 4,162 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|62|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 5,808 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.16% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 3.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.30% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.60% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.96% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 5,364 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,523, and the median income for a family was $43,136. Males had a median income of $29,986 versus $21,698 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,424. About 9.80% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

{{PresHead|place=Banks County, Georgia|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref>}}

==Education==
{{Main|Banks County School District}}
The Banks County School District is a public school district that services Banks County, and is based in Homer. There are four schools in the district, which educate 2,788 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.<ref name="Edu">{{Cite web|title=Banks County School District|url=http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/georgia/district/banks-county-school-district/|publisher=Education.com|accessdate=June 29, 2010}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Baldwin, Georgia|Baldwin]] (partly in [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham]])
* [[Commerce, Georgia|Commerce]] (partly in [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson]])
* [[Gillsville, Georgia|Gillsville]] (partly in [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall]])
* [[Lula, Georgia|Lula]] (partly in [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall]])

===Towns===
* [[Alto, Georgia|Alto]] (partly in [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham]])
* [[Homer, Georgia|Homer]]
* [[Maysville, Georgia|Maysville]] (partly in [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson]])

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Hollingsworth, Georgia|Hollingsworth]]
* [[Narrows, Georgia|Narrows]]

==Politics==
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,358|1,136|61|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|7,795|932|78|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,134|684|157|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,354|780|70|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,120|1,027|102|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,410|1,149|33|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,202|1,220|111|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,925|1,536|615|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,551|1,530|590|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,590|984|8|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,549|1,063|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|746|2,091|31|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|330|2,387|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,336|356|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|398|296|1,434|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|548|1,258|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|221|1,170|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|187|989|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|204|1,255|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|38|533|27|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|125|490|4|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|164|668|6|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|181|641|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|58|1,283|20|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|363|422|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|86|291|16|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|342|479|0|Georgia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|118|989|126|Georgia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|83|133|9|Georgia}}

==See also==
{{Portal|State of Georgia}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Banks County, Georgia]]
*[[List of counties in Georgia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{AmCyc Poster|Banks|Banks County, Georgia}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060901103021/http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/histcountymaps/bankshistmaps.htm GeorgiaInfo.com Banks County History]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060622214239/http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/tdgh-oct/oct23.htm ''This Day in Georgia History: October 23'', Ed Jackson and Charly Pou, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia]
* [http://www.bankscountyga.org/history.htm History information from Official Banks County website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060322052232/http://www.visitnortheastgeorgia.com/tyruscobb.htm Ty Cobb Bio on visitnortheastgeorgia.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061205022126/http://baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/cobb_ty.htm National Baseball Hall of Fame Ty Cobb Bio]
* [http://www.mainstreetnews.com Mainstreet Newspapers]
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/banks/banks-county Banks County] historical marker
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/banks/leatherwood-baptist-church Leatherwood Baptist Church] historical marker
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/banks/line-baptist-church Line Baptist Church] historical marker
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/banks/mt.-pleasant-church Mt. Pleasant Church] historical marker
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/banks/nails-creek-baptist-church Nails Creek Baptist Church] historical marker

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Banks County, Georgia
|North     = [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham County]]
|Northeast = [[Stephens County, Georgia|Stephens County]]
|East      = [[Franklin County, Georgia|Franklin County]]
|Southeast = [[Madison County, Georgia|Madison County]]
|South     = [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Banks County, Georgia}}
{{Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|34.35|-83.50|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-GA_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Banks County, Georgia| ]]
[[Category:1859 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1859]]
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) counties]]
[[Category:Northeast Georgia]]