Oconee County, Georgia


Oconee 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 41,799. The county seat is Watkinsville.
Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County metropolitan area.
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History

The county's name derives from the Oconee, a Muskogean people of central Georgia. The name exists in several variations, including Ocone, Oconi, Ocony, and Ekwoni. Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke County in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville to Athens by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border.
The county was ranked as the third-best rural county to live in by Progressive Farmer magazine in 2006.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.
The entirety of Oconee County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated community

Demographics

RaceNum.Perc.
White 33,88681.07%
Black or African American 1,8974.54%
Native American310.07%
Asian2,0664.94%
Other/Mixed1,5723.76%
Hispanic or Latino2,3475.61%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 41,799, and the census counted 10,727 families residing in the county.
The median age was 39.7 years, 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 15.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.8 males age 18 and over. 45.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 54.1% lived in rural areas.
The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% White, 4.6% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.6% of the population.
There were 14,360 households in the county, of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 14,998 housing units, of which 4.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 82.0% were owner-occupied and 18.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.3%.

Government

Oconee County is governed by a four-member board of commissioners, which holds legislative power. The board is led by a separately-elected chairman, who holds executive power. The board is vested with budget and taxing authority, ordinance-making authority, and control of county property, roads and facilities. The chairman and all members of the board are elected from at-large districts to staggered terms of four years.
The chairman of the board is the county's chief executive officer who, in consultation with the commissioners, appoints officers and staff as needed to administer the responsibilities of the board.
The current members of the Board are:Chairman: John DaniellPost 1: Mark ThomasPost 2: Chuck HortonPost 3: Amrey HardenPost 4: Mark Saxon
The judicial branch of government is administered through the Georgia court system as a part of the 10th Judicial District, Western Circuit.
Primary law enforcement services in the portion of the county outside the City of Watkinsville are provided by the sheriff's office. The office of Sheriff is an elected position; since 2020, the office has been held by James Hale.

Politics

As of the 2020s, Oconee County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 67% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Oconee County is part of Georgia's 10th congressional district, currently represented by Mike Collins. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Oconee County is part of District 46. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Oconee County is part of districts 120 and 121.

Education

Oconee County School District

The Oconee County School District provides education for grades pre-school to twelve and consists of six elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students.

Private schools

There are currently three private schools located in the county. They are:

Colleges and universities

The University of North Georgia maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville. It was a Gainesville State College campus until the 2012 merger of Gainesville State College with North Georgia College and State University.
The College of Athens is a private Christian college that was established in 2012 near Watkinsville. CoA currently offers certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in nine various major areas.

Media

There is one weekly-published newspaper in Oconee County: .
Cox Media Group also operates a radio broadcast facility on Tower Place in northeast Oconee County. Four radio stations are operated from this facility:
  • WNGC 106.1 FM
  • WGMG 102.1 FM
  • WPUP 100.1 FM WRFC 960 AM

Transportation

Major highways

U.S. Route 78 Business
U.S. Route 129 Business
U.S. Route 441 Business

Pedestrians and cycling

The city has limited walkability options available. However, since 2017 plans are being discussed to develop a multi-use trail network.

Notable people