Barrow County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, its population was 83,505. Its county seat is Winder. Barrow County is included in the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell metropolitan statistical area.

History

Barrow County was created from portions of Gwinnett, Jackson, and Walton counties when Georgia voters approved a constitutional amendment on November 3, 1914, making Barrow County the 149th Georgia county; there are now 159. Barrow County was named after David Crenshaw Barrow, Jr., a University of Georgia mathematics and engineering professor who was later Chancellor serving in that position from 1906 to 1925. Barrow died on January 11, 1929, in Athens and is buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 163 sqmi, of which 160 sqmi is land and 2.6 sqmi (1.6%) is water. The entirety of Barrow County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Demographics

At the 2020 United States census, there were 83,505 people, 27,765 households, and 20,948 families residing in the county. In 2010, there here were 69,367 people, 23,971 households, and 18,214 families living in the county. The population density was 432.7 PD/sqmi. There were 26,400 housing units at an average density of 164.7 /sqmi. In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 84.84% White, 10.72% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 3.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Barrow County is considered a part of the Atlanta, GA combined statistical area despite its comparatively small population. In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 78.8% White, 11.4% Black or African American, 3.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.6% were American, 10.7% were Irish, 9.1% were German, and 8.5% were English. By the 2020 census, its racial and ethnic makeup was 66.56% non-Hispanic white, 12.14% Black or African American, 0.16% American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.16 % Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.55% some other race, 4.05% multiracial, and 12.65% Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $48,958 and the median income for a family was $55,415. Males had a median income of $42,869 versus $33,175 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,882. About 9.4% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, its median household income was $78,216 with a per capita income of $30,903. Approximately 9.5% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

Education

Barrow County Schools is the sole school district covering the county. Winder-Barrow Cluster: Apalachee Cluster:

Transportation

Major highways

Politics