Grady County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,236. The county seat is Cairo.

History

Grady County was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on August 17, 1905, from portions of Decatur and Thomas counties. The county is named for Henry W. Grady, editor of the Atlanta Constitution and noted orator.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 460 sqmi, of which 455 sqmi is land and 5.7 sqmi (1.2%) is water. The bulk of Grady County, centered on Cairo, is located on the Upper Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the larger Ochlockonee River basin. The county's northwestern corner is located in the Lower Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). Grady County's western border, from Whigham south, and all of its southern border, is located in the Lower Ochlockonee River sub-basin of the same Ochlockonee River basin. Finally, a very small chunk of the county's southeastern portion, bisected by U.S. Route 319, is located in the Apalachee Bay-St. Marks sub-basin of the Ochlockonee River basin. Grady County includes part of the Red Hills Region.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 26,236 people, 9,136 households, and 6,320 families residing in the county.

Education

Grady County Schools operates public schools.

Politics