Toombs County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,030. The county seat is Lyons and the largest city is Vidalia. The county was created on August 18, 1905.
Toombs County is part of the Vidalia, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Toombs County was founded as the 144th county in Georgia by the State Legislature on August 18, 1905, and organized on October 9 of that year. The county was originally formed from portions of Tattnall and Montgomery Counties; a small piece of Emanuel County was added in 1907 to give Toombs County its present-day boundaries.
The county is named for Robert Toombs, United States representative and senator. During the Civil War, Toombs also served in the Confederate Provisional Congress, as Secretary of State of the Confederate States, and a brigadier general in the Confederate Army.
Government
Toombs County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, headed by David Sikes, the chairman. It is also governed by Alvie Kight Jr., who has been Sheriff since 1997.
Politics
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.9%) is water.
The southern half of Toombs County, from south of Vidalia southeast to State Route 147, is located in the Altamaha River sub-basin of the larger river basin by the same name. The northern half of the county, centered on Lyons, is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.
Major highways
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 280
State Route 4
State Route 15
State Route 29
State Route 30
State Route 56
State Route 86
State Route 130
State Route 147
State Route 152
State Route 178
State Route 292
State Route 297
State Route 298
Adjacent counties
Emanuel County (north) Tattnall County (east) Appling County (south) Jeff Davis County (southwest) Montgomery County (west) Treutlen County (northwest) Candler County (northeast)
Demographics
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,067 people, 9,877 households, and 6,825 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 11,371 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 69.16% White, 24.15% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.34% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 8.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,877 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 15.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,811, and the median income for a family was $34,478. Males had a median income of $26,988 versus $18,051 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,252. About 17.80% of families and 23.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,223 people, 10,375 households, and 7,109 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 12,144 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 65.1% white, 24.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 11.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were English, 11.9% were American, and 5.9% were Irish.