Hall County, Georgia

Hall County, Georgia
County
Hall County courthouse in Gainesville
Hall County courthouse in Gainesville
Official seal of Hall County, Georgia
Seal
Official logo of Hall County, Georgia
Logo
Map of Georgia highlighting Hall County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 34°19′N 83°49′W / 34.32°N 83.82°W / 34.32; -83.82
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 15, 1818 (1818-12-15)
Named afterLyman Hall
SeatGainesville
Largest cityGainesville
Area
 • Total
429 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Land393 sq mi (1,020 km2)
 • Water37 sq mi (96 km2)  8.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
203,136
 • Estimate 
(2025)
226,568 Increase
 • Density517/sq mi (200/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts9th, 7th
Websitehallcounty.org

Hall County is a county in the Northeast region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 203,136,[1] up from 179,684 at the 2010 census.[2] The county seat is Gainesville.[3] The entirety of Hall County comprises the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also part of the Atlanta-Athens-Clarke County-Sandy Springs, Combined Statistical Area.

History

Hall County was created on December 15, 1818, from Cherokee lands ceded by the Treaty of Cherokee Agency (1817) and Treaty of Washington (1819).[4]

The county is named for Lyman Hall,[5] a signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Georgia as both colony and state.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 429 square miles (1,110 km2), of which 393 square miles (1,020 km2) is land and 37 square miles (96 km2) (8.5%) is water.[6] The county is located in the upper Piedmont region of the state in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north.

Slightly more than half of Hall County, the eastern portion of the county, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin, while the western half of the county is located in the Upper Chattahoochee River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).[7]

The Chattahoochee River gathers strength in Hall County, as immortalized in Sidney Lanier's poem, "Song of the Chattahoochee":

OUT of the hills of Habersham,
Down the valleys of Hall,
I hurry amain to reach the plain,
Run the rapid and leap the fall,
Split at the rock and together again,

Adjacent counties

Attractions

Transportation

Major highways

Mass transit

Pedestrians and cycling

  • Chicopee Woods Bike Trail
  • Wilshire Trail

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18205,086—
183011,748131.0%
18407,875−33.0%
18508,71310.6%
18609,3667.5%
18709,6072.6%
188015,29859.2%
189018,04718.0%
190020,75215.0%
191025,73024.0%
192026,8224.2%
193030,31313.0%
194034,82214.9%
195040,11315.2%
196049,73924.0%
197059,40519.4%
198075,64927.3%
199095,42826.1%
2000139,27745.9%
2010179,68429.0%
2020203,13613.1%
2025 (est.)226,568[11] Increase11.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1880[13] 1890-1910[14]
1920-1930[15] 1930-1940[16]
1940-1950[17] 1960-1980[18]
1980-2000[19] 2010[2] 2020[1]

Hall County remains extremely rural and many of its residents reside in unincorporated areas, accounting for more than half of the county's population.

Racial and ethnic composition

Hall County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[20] Pop 1990[21] Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[23] Pop 2020[24] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 68,027 81,860 98,942 114,300 120,418 89.92% 85.78% 71.04% 63.61% 59.28%
Black or African American alone (NH) 6,766 8,173 9,900 12,757 14,256 8.94% 8.56% 7.11% 7.10% 7.02%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 102 177 331 372 341 0.13% 0.19% 0.24% 0.21% 0.17%
Asian alone (NH) 135 609 1,820 3,181 4,198 0.18% 0.64% 1.31% 1.77% 2.07%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [25] x [26] 29 57 85 x x 0.02% 0.03% 0.04%
Other race alone (NH) 67 51 80 249 708 0.09% 0.05% 0.06% 0.14% 0.35%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [27] x [28] 933 1,862 6,120 x x 0.67% 1.04% 3.01%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 552 4,558 27,242 46,906 57,010 0.73% 4.78% 19.56% 26.10% 28.06%
Total 75,649 95,428 139,277 179,684 203,136 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%


2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 203,136 people, 71,022 households, and 48,776 families residing in the county.[29] The median age was 37.8 years, with 24.3% of residents under the age of 18 and 16.3% aged 65 or older.[29] For every 100 females there were 97.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.2 males age 18 and over.[29]

Seventy-four point one percent of residents lived in urban areas, while 25.9% lived in rural areas.[30]

The census's redistricting data reports that 64.4% of residents identified as White (of any race), while Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 28.1% of the population; the non-Hispanic breakdown is shown in the table above.[31]

There were 71,022 households in the county, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[29]

There were 76,865 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.1% were owner-occupied and 30.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.0%.[29]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 179,684 people, 60,691 households, and 45,275 families residing in the county.[32] The population density was 457.5 inhabitants per square mile (176.6/km2). There were 68,825 housing units at an average density of 175.2 per square mile (67.6/km2).[33] The racial makeup of the county was 74.1% white, 7.4% black or African American, 1.8% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 13.9% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 26.1% of the population.[32] In terms of ancestry, 16.8% were American, 10.6% were Irish, 9.3% were English, and 8.9% were German.[34]

Of the 60,691 households, 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.4% were non-families, and 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.35. The median age was 34.5 years.[32]

The median income for a household in the county was $50,876 and the median income for a family was $57,774. Males had a median income of $38,671 versus $31,378 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,675. About 11.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.[35]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[36] 139,277 people, 80,381 households and 80,009 families resided in the county. The population density was 354 inhabitants per square mile (137/km2). There were 51,046 housing units at an average density of 130 per square mile (50/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.75% White, 7.27% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 8.75% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. About 19.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 80,381 households, 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were not families. About 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.26.

Age distribution was 26.90% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 32.30% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.

The median household income was $44,908, and the median family income was $50,100. Males had a median income of $31,769 versus $24,550 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,690. About 8.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Most of the county is in the Hall County School District. Portions in the city limits of Buford and Gainesville are in the Buford City School District and the Gainesville City School District, respectively.[37]

Colleges and universities

  • Brenau University
  • Lanier Technical College
  • University of North Georgia, Gainesville Campus (formerly Gainesville State College)

High schools

  • Cherokee Bluff High School
  • Chestatee High School
  • East Hall High School
  • Flowery Branch High School
  • Gainesville High School
  • Johnson High School
  • Lakeview Academy
  • North Georgia Christian School[38]
  • North Hall High School
  • Riverside Military Academy
  • West Hall High School

Middle schools

  • Academies of Discovery at South Hall
  • Alternative Learning Center/International Center
  • C. W. Davis Middle School
  • Cherokee Bluff Middle School
  • Chestatee Middle School
  • East Hall Middle School
  • Gainesville Middle School
  • Lanier Career Academy
  • North Georgia Christian School[38]
  • North Hall Middle School
  • West Hall Middle School
  • World Language Middle School (shares building with South Hall)

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

  • Belmont
  • Candler
  • Chestnut Mountain
  • Murrayville (partly in Lumpkin and White Counties)
  • Chicopee
  • Rabbittown

Politics

As of the 2020s, Hall County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 71% for Donald Trump in 2024. Hall County previously had voting patterns similar to the Solid South, voting Democrat in all presidential elections until 1968, with the exception of narrowly supporting Herbert Hoover against Catholic Democrat Al Smith in 1928. Since then, it has been won by the GOP by landslide margins, in stark contrast to nearby inner suburban counties of Atlanta, with the exception of segregationist George Wallace in 1968 and favorite son Jimmy Carter in both of his campaigns. As a measure of how rapidly it turned to the GOP, Carter's 21-point victory in 1980 is the last time a Democrat managed even 40 percent of the county's vote. However, conservative Democrats held most state and local offices as late as 2000.

In 2022, local media reported that Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard was under investigation for allegations of theft and misuse of public funds.[39][40]

For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Hall County is part of Georgia's 9th congressional district, currently represented by Andrew Clyde. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Hall County is part of District 49 and District 50.[41] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Hall County is divided between districts 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 100 and 103.[42]

United States presidential election results for Hall County, Georgia[43]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 269 13.36% 1,745 86.64% 0 0.00%
1884 259 17.26% 1,242 82.74% 0 0.00%
1888 274 11.02% 2,170 87.29% 42 1.69%
1892 237 9.51% 1,526 61.26% 728 29.23%
1896 582 31.49% 1,134 61.36% 132 7.14%
1900 262 21.72% 880 72.97% 64 5.31%
1904 190 9.61% 1,135 57.41% 652 32.98%
1908 634 42.81% 707 47.74% 140 9.45%
1912 116 7.55% 1,145 74.54% 275 17.90%
1916 141 6.50% 1,662 76.59% 367 16.91%
1920 852 36.61% 1,475 63.39% 0 0.00%
1924 290 15.57% 1,398 75.04% 175 9.39%
1928 1,573 50.81% 1,523 49.19% 0 0.00%
1932 120 4.32% 2,649 95.29% 11 0.40%
1936 444 13.96% 2,731 85.85% 6 0.19%
1940 513 14.73% 2,943 84.52% 26 0.75%
1944 796 20.61% 3,066 79.37% 1 0.03%
1948 606 14.57% 3,093 74.37% 460 11.06%
1952 1,845 23.16% 6,121 76.84% 0 0.00%
1956 2,752 31.48% 5,989 68.52% 0 0.00%
1960 2,903 31.53% 6,303 68.47% 0 0.00%
1964 4,296 34.90% 8,003 65.01% 11 0.09%
1968 4,923 36.08% 3,174 23.26% 5,546 40.65%
1972 10,686 81.41% 2,440 18.59% 0 0.00%
1976 5,093 28.46% 12,804 71.54% 0 0.00%
1980 7,760 37.81% 12,124 59.08% 637 3.10%
1984 15,076 67.01% 7,421 32.99% 0 0.00%
1988 17,415 68.71% 7,782 30.71% 147 0.58%
1992 16,108 49.67% 11,214 34.58% 5,111 15.76%
1996 19,280 59.84% 10,362 32.16% 2,577 8.00%
2000 26,841 70.36% 10,259 26.89% 1,050 2.75%
2004 38,883 78.09% 10,514 21.12% 395 0.79%
2008 44,962 74.77% 14,457 24.04% 711 1.18%
2012 47,481 77.19% 12,999 21.13% 1,032 1.68%
2016 51,733 72.72% 16,180 22.74% 3,229 4.54%
2020 64,183 70.84% 25,033 27.63% 1,386 1.53%
2024 72,991 71.20% 28,347 27.65% 1,172 1.14%
United States Senate election results for Hall County, Georgia2
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 63,833 71.09% 23,487 26.16% 2,467 2.75%
2020 57,157 72.31% 21,883 27.69% 0 0.00%
United States Senate election results for Hall County, Georgia3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 39,470 44.10% 14,889 16.64% 35,136 39.26%
2020 56,718 71.78% 22,296 28.22% 0 0.00%
2022 51,643 70.74% 19,196 26.29% 2,166 2.97%
2022 47,471 72.70% 17,826 27.30% 0 0.00%
Georgia Gubernatorial election results for Hall County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2022 56,573 76.95% 16,299 22.17% 644 0.88%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts - Hall County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 101. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 147.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  8. ^ Gainesville Theatre Alliance
  9. ^ "Hall Area Transit Bus Services | City of Gainesville, Georgia". www.gainesville.org. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  10. ^ "History | City of Gainesville, Georgia". www.gainesville.org. Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  11. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  12. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  14. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  16. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  17. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  18. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  19. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  20. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Georgia - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-52. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  21. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 15-65. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Hall County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hall County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hall County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  26. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  27. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  28. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  29. ^ a b c d e "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  30. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  31. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  32. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  35. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  36. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  37. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hall County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2023. - Text list
  38. ^ a b North Georgia Christian School
  39. ^ Travis, Randy (February 22, 2023). "Search warrant: Hall County solicitor suspected of theft". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  40. ^ Travis, Randy (October 27, 2022). "Hall County solicitor spent public money on herself while claiming it was for victims". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  41. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  42. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  43. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
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