As of the
census of 2000, there were 9,931 people, 3,644 households, and 2,696
families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people
per square mile (11/km˛). There were 4,149 housing units at an average
density of 12 per square mile (4/km˛). The racial makeup of the county
was 71.98% White, 25.88% Black or African American, 0.06% Native
American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races,
and 0.50% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino of any race.
There were 3,644 households out of which 35.20% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were
married
couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no
husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 23.10% of all households
were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was
65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the
average family size was 3.07.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.80% under the age
of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64,
and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35
years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,257, and the
median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of
$28,827 versus $20,532 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $14,867. About 13.50% of
families and 17.80% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of
those age 65 or over.
Cities and Towns
Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald is a city in Ben Hill and Irwin
Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia, and the county seat of Ben
Hill County. The population was 8,758 at the 2000 census.
It was created in 1895, as a community for Civil
War veterans by Indianapolis newspaper editor Philander H.
Fitzgerald, a former drummer boy in the Union army. Ironically, the
town is located less than 15 miles from the site of the capture of
Confederate president Jefferson Davis on May 10, 1865.
In recent years, the unofficial, and sometimes
controversialmascot of the city has become the Red Junglefowl, a
wild chicken native to the Indian subcontinent. In the late 1960s, a small number were
released into the woods surrounding the city and have thrived to
this day.
Fitzgerald is also home to the famous Dorminy-Massee Bed and
Breakfast. Built in 1915 by J. J. (Captain Jack) Dorminy for his
family, this two-story, colonial-style home is now listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The bed and breakfast
features eight bedrooms, each with a private bath, an elegant living
room and parlor, and spacious grounds. The Inn is within walking
distance of Fitzgerald's historic downtown area, as well as, The
Blue and Gray Museum.
Geography
Fitzgerald is located at
31°42′56″N, 83°15′23″W (31.715432, -83.256464).
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the
city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (18.9 km˛), of which, 7.2 square miles (18.8 km˛) of it is land and 0.04 square
miles (0.1 km˛) of it (0.55%) is water.
Demographics
As of the
census of 2000, there were 8,758 people, 3,448 households, and 2,210
families residing in the city. The population density was 1,208.8
people per square mile (466.4/km˛). There were 3,968 housing units
at an average density of 547.7/sq mi (211.3/km˛). The racial makeup
of the city was 47.27% White, 49.27% African American, 0.18% Native
American, 0.31% Asian, 2.28% from other races, and 0.69% from two or
more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.43% of the population.
There were 3,448 households out of which 31.2% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were
married couples living together, 23.1% had a female householder
with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.8% of all
households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living
alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the
age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to
64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was
35 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,805, and
the median income for a family was $26,577. Males had a median
income of $26,674 versus $17,211 for females. Theper capita income
for the city was $12,775. About 26.7% of families and 31.6% of the
population were below the poverty line, including 45.8% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of
those age 65 or over.
Natives
Well-known natives include World War II hero Ray
Davis, 1936 Summer Olympics track star Forrest Towns, authors
Brainard Cheney and Frances Mayes, recently inducted member of the
Tap Dance Hall of Fame Charles Greene, and Miss Georgia 2007 Leah
Massee. Gerald Thompson, the city's mayor, currently holds the
distinction as the longest serving mayor in the state of Georgia, in
office since 1968.
Irwinville
Mystic
Ocilla
Ocilla is a city in Irwin County, Georgia, United
States. The population was 3,270 at the 2000 census. The city is the
county seat of Irwin County.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km˛), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.7 km˛) of it is land and 0.39% is
water.
Demographics
As of the
census of 2000, there were 3,270 people, 1,099 households, and 762
families residing in the city. The population density was 1,264.3
people per square mile (487.5/km˛). There were 1,283 housing units
at an average density of 496.0/sq mi (191.3/km˛). The racial makeup
of the city was 38.87% White, 59.39% African American, 0.09% Native
American, 0.34% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 0.46% from two or
more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.
There were 1,099 households out of which 36.9% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were
married couples living together, 27.2% had a female householder
with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all
households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living
alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 35.0% under the
age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to
64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was
31 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 73.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was
$22,332, and the median income for a family was $27,411. Males had a
median income of $26,711 versus $18,594 for females. The per capita
income for the city was $10,573. About 27.4% of families and 33.1%
of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.2% of those under age 18 and 26.3% of
those age 65 or over.
