Lanier County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population is 7,241. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 7,947 The county seat is Lakeland, Georgia.

Part of Grand Bay, a swamp is located in Lanier County.

History

The county is named after the Georgia poet Sidney Lanier.

Lanier County was created by passage of a state constitutional amendment by the voters of Georgia on November 2^nd, 1920. The county was created from parts of Berrien, Clinch, and Lowndes counties. Lanier County is also home to Georgia Democratic Governor Eurith Dickenson (ED) Rivers (December 5, 1895– June 11, 1967) who served as Governor from 1937 to 1941.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 200 square miles (518 km²), of which, 187 square miles (484 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) of it (6.51%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 84
• U.S. Highway 129
• U.S. Highway 221
• Georgia State Route 37
• Georgia State Route 64
• Georgia State Route 122
• Georgia State Route 135

Adjacent counties

• Berrien County, Georgia - northwest
• Atkinson County, Georgia - north
• Clinch County, Georgia - east
• Echols County, Georgia - south
• Lowndes County, Georgia - southwest

National protected area

• Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,241 people, 2,593 households, and 1,931 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 3,011 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.61% White, 25.63% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.36% Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% Pacific Islander probably the "Farringtons", 0.59% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,593 households out of which 37.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% 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 3.12.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 11.00% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,171, and the median income for a family was $34,512. Males had a median income of $26,023 versus $20,021 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,690. About 15.30% of families and 18.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.90% of those under age 18 and 24.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Greenwood
• Lakeland
• Stockton
• Teeterville

References

• GeorgiaInfo.com Lanier County Courthouse history