Mitchell County, Georgia


Mitchell County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], the population was 21,755. The county seat is Camilla. Mitchell County was created on December 21, 1857.

Etymology

Sources conflict as to whether Mitchell County was named for David Brydie Mitchell, the 27th Governor of Georgia, or for Henry Mitchell, a general in the Revolutionary War. However, it is most likely that the county was named for General Henry Mitchell, as a marker outside of the Mitchell County Courthouse says, "However, the Georgia Laws of 1857, creating Mitchell County, say the county was named in honor of Gen. Henry Mitchell...."

History

Mitchell County was created out of Baker County on December 21, 1857. It is the state's 123rd county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
The bulk of Mitchell County is located in the Lower Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin. The county's southeastern corner, bordered by a line from Sale City southwest through Pelham, is located in the Lower Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the same Ochlockonee River basin.

Major highways

Cities

Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010
White alone 11,74610,89410,10649.08%46.36%46.45%
Black or African American alone 11,42311,18510,05447.73%47.60%46.21%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 4160370.17%0.26%0.17%
Asian alone 611201080.25%0.51%0.50%
Pacific Islander alone 8400.03%0.02%0.00%
Race and ethnicity in [the United States census|Other race] alone 818410.03%0.08%0.19%
Mixed race or Multiracial 1541894450.64%0.80%2.05%
Hispanic or Latino 4911,0289642.05%4.37%4.43%
Total23,93223,49821,755100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 21,755 people, 8,156 households, and 5,454 families residing in the county. The median age was 42.3 years, with 21.6% of residents under the age of 18 and 19.0% of residents aged 65 years or older.
For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.2 males. 24.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 75.8% lived in rural areas.
The racial makeup of the county was 47.2% White, 46.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.8% from some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.4% of the population.
Among the 8,156 households in the county, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 36.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 9,036 housing units, of which 9.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.5% were owner-occupied and 36.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.

Education

The Mitchell County School District operates public schools in the majority of the county, although Pelham City School District includes the city limits of Pelham.
Andersonville Theological Seminary has its headquarters based in Camilla. The seminary's headquarters consists of two administrative buildings. Most of the seminary's students take online classes to complete their degree programs, but in January 2020 the school started to provide on-site courses at their location in Camilla.

Politics

As of the 2020s, Mitchell County is a Republican stronghold, voting 58% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Mitchell County is part of Georgia's 2nd congressional district, currently represented by Sanford Bishop. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Mitchell County is part of District 12. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Mitchell County is part of District Georgia's 171st [House of Representatives district|171].

Notable people