Bryan County, Georgia

Bryan County
County
Location in the state of Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Founded	1793
County seat	Pembroke
Area
• Total	454 sq mi (1,180 km2)
• Land	436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
• Water	18 sq mi (50 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	44,738
• Density	99/sq mi (38/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Website	bryancountyga.org

Bryan County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,738. The county seat is Pembroke, and the largest city is Richmond Hill. Bryan County is part of the Savannah metropolitan area.

History

Bryan County was created on December 19, 1793, from parts of Chatham and Effingham counties. It was named after Jonathan Bryan, a colonial settler and a member of the Georgia Provincial Congress.

During the American Civil War, Bryan County was the site of several skirmishes and was traversed by General William Tecumseh Sherman during his March to the Sea.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 454 square miles (1,180 km²), of which 436 square miles (1,130 km²) is land and 18 square miles (47 km²) (4.0%) is water.

The county is divided into two distinct regions: the coastal area, which includes the city of Richmond Hill, and the inland area, which includes the county seat of Pembroke.

Adjacent counties

• Effingham County (north)
• Chatham County (northeast)
• Liberty County (south)
• Bulloch County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 44,738 people, 15,000 households, and 11,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 102.6 inhabitants per square mile (39.6/km²).

The racial makeup of the county was 75% White, 15% African American, 5% Asian, and 5% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7% of the population.

Economy

Bryan County's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county's proximity to Savannah and its location along the Interstate 95 corridor make it an attractive location for businesses and residents alike.

Education

The Bryan County School District serves the educational needs of the county. It operates several elementary, middle, and high schools, providing education to thousands of students.

Transportation

Major highways in Bryan County include:

• Interstate 95
• U.S. Route 17
• U.S. Route 280

Communities

• Pembroke (county seat)
• Richmond Hill
• Ellabell
• Black Creek

Notable People

• Henry Ford, the famous industrialist, had a winter home in Richmond Hill and contributed to the development of the area.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bryan County, Georgia

External links

• Official Bryan County Website
• Bryan County at the New Georgia Encyclopedia