Wilcox County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,766. The county seat is Abbeville.

History

Wilcox County was formed on December 22, 1857, from parts of Irwin, Pulaski, and Dooly counties. The county was named for General Mark Wilcox, a Georgia state legislator and one of the founders of the Georgia Supreme Court. The first county courthouse was built in 1858; the present courthouse dates from 1903.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 382 sqmi, of which 378 sqmi is land and 4.4 sqmi (1.2%) is water. The northern and eastern three-quarters of Wilcox County, from State Route 215 southeast to Rochelle, then due south, are located in the Lower Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The southwestern portion of the county, west of Rochelle, and roughly centered on Pitts, is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,766 people, 2,575 households, and 1,807 families residing in the county.

Education

The county is served by Wilcox County Schools. The district headquarters are in Abbeville and the schools, including Wilcox County High School, are in Rochelle.

Notable event

The Ocmulgee Wild Hog Festival takes place in Abbeville annually on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Politics