Chatham County, Georgia

Chatham County, Georgia
County
Location in the state of Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Founded	February 5, 1777
County seat	Savannah
Area
• Total	632 sq mi (1,640 km2)
• Land	426 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Water	206 sq mi (530 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	295,291
• Density	470/sq mi (180/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)

Chatham County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 295,291, making it the fifth-most populous county in Georgia. The county seat is Savannah, which is also the largest city in the county.

History

Chatham County was created on February 5, 1777, and was one of the original eight counties of Georgia. It was named after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a British statesman who was sympathetic to the American colonies. The county has a rich history, particularly during the American Civil War, when Savannah was a strategic port city.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 632 square miles (1,640 km²), of which 426 square miles (1,100 km²) is land and 206 square miles (530 km²) (32.6%) is water. Chatham County is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, providing it with a significant amount of coastline.

Adjacent counties

• Effingham County - north
• Bryan County - southwest
• Liberty County - south
• Jasper County, South Carolina - northeast

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 295,291 people, 111,000 households, and 68,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 693 people per square mile (268/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 52.8% White, 40.1% African American, 2.4% Asian, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.1% of the population.

Economy

Chatham County's economy is diverse, with major sectors including manufacturing, tourism, and the military. The Port of Savannah is one of the largest and fastest-growing ports in the United States, playing a crucial role in the county's economy. Tourism is also a significant industry, with Savannah's historic district attracting millions of visitors each year.

Education

Chatham County is served by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, which operates numerous elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to several higher education institutions, including Savannah State University, Armstrong State University, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Transportation

Chatham County is well-connected by several major highways, including Interstate 95 and Interstate 16. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport provides air service to the region, and the Chatham Area Transit offers public transportation within the county.

Government

The county government is based in Savannah and operates under a commission-manager form of government. The Chatham County Commission is the legislative body, while the County Manager oversees the day-to-day operations.

Notable People

• Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, was born in Savannah.
• James Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia, played a significant role in the early history of the area.

See also

• List of counties in Georgia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chatham County, Georgia

External links

• Official Chatham County Website
• Visit Savannah