Lanier County, Georgia

Lanier County, Georgia
County
Lanier County Courthouse in Lakeland
Lanier County Courthouse in Lakeland
Map of Georgia highlighting Lanier County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 31°02′16″N 83°03′46″W / 31.0378937°N 83.0626534°W / 31.0378937; -83.0626534
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedAugust 7, 1920
Named afterSidney Lanier
SeatLakeland
Largest cityLakeland
Area
 • Total
200 sq mi (520 km2)
 • Land185 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Water15 sq mi (39 km2)  7.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
9,877
 • Estimate 
(2025)
10,623 Increase
 • Density53/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitelaniercountyboc.com
[1]

Lanier County is a county in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. At the 2020 census, the population was 9,877.[2] The county seat is Lakeland.[3] It is named after Georgia poet Sidney Lanier.[4]

Lanier County is part of the Valdosta metropolitan area and shares Moody Air Force Base with Lowndes County on its western boundary.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 200 square miles (520 km2), of which 185 square miles (480 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (7.3%) is water.[5]

The vast majority of Lanier County is in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. Just a narrow section of the western border of the county, northeast and southeast of Ray City, is in the Withlacoochee River sub-basin of the same Suwannee River basin, and a very narrow section of the eastern border of Lanier County is in the Upper Suwannee River sub-basin of the same Suwannee River basin.[6]

Major highways

  • U.S. Route 84
  • U.S. Route 129
  • U.S. Route 221
  • State Route 11
  • State Route 11 Bypass
  • State Route 31
  • State Route 31 Connector
  • State Route 37
  • State Route 38
  • State Route 64
  • State Route 122
  • State Route 122 Connector
  • State Route 125
  • State Route 135
  • State Route 135 Bypass
  • State Route 168

Major waterways

Railways

Previous

Defunct

  • Atlantic and Gulf Railroad
  • Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
  • Lakeland Railroad (Defunct, it was used from 1929 to 1957. It ran along the same path as the Milltown Air Line Railroad)
  • Milltown Air Line Railroad (Defunct, it was used from 1904 to 1928. It ran from Lakeland to Naylor, Georgia)
  • Plant System
  • Waycross and Western Railroad (Defunct, it was used from 1912 to 1925 from Waycross, Georgia to Lakeland, Georgia. It roughly followed current Georgia State Route 122)

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge sign

The Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1985, hosts approximately 20,000 visitors annually. It provides hiking, fishing, and boating opportunities on more than 4,000 acres (16 km2) of water, Banks Lake marsh, and swamp. The Robert Simpson III Nature Trail, dedicated in August 2001, is in the Lakeland, Georgia city limits on 75 acres (300,000 m2) of pine and hardwood forests. The county is known for its excellent fishing in the Alapaha River, Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge as well as in its many small lakes.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

  • Stockton

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19305,190—
19405,6328.5%
19505,151−8.5%
19605,097−1.0%
19705,031−1.3%
19805,65412.4%
19905,531−2.2%
20007,24130.9%
201010,07839.2%
20209,877−2.0%
2025 (est.)10,623[7] Increase7.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1880[9] 1890-1910[10]
1920-1930[11] 1930-1940[12]
1940-1950[13] 1960-1980[14]
1980-2000[15] 2010[16]

Racial and ethnic composition

Lanier 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[17] Pop 1990[18] Pop 2000[19] Pop 2010[20] Pop 2020[21] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 4,223 3,957 5,122 6,899 6,595 74.69% 71.54% 70.74% 68.46% 66.77%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,378 1,455 1,845 2,367 2,138 24.37% 26.31% 25.48% 23.49% 21.65%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 13 36 35 38 31 0.23% 0.65% 0.48% 0.38% 0.31%
Asian alone (NH) 6 15 26 101 81 0.11% 0.27% 0.36% 1.00% 0.82%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [22] x [23] 3 3 14 x x 0.04% 0.03% 0.14%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 6 4 33 0.00% 0.00% 0.08% 0.04% 0.33%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [24] x [25] 78 205 413 x x 1.08% 2.03% 4.18%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 34 68 126 461 572 0.60% 1.23% 1.74% 4.57% 5.79%
Total 5,654 5,531 7,241 10,078 9,877 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 9,877 people, 3,570 households, and 2,536 families residing in the county.[26] The median age was 35.1 years, 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18, and 13.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older.[26]

For every 100 females there were 100.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.5 males age 18 and over.[26] 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[27]

The racial makeup of the county was 66.77% White (non-Hispanic), 21.65% Black or African American (non-Hispanic), 0.31% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 4.52% Other/Mixed, and 5.79% Hispanic or Latino residents of any race.[28]

There were 3,570 households in the county, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26]

There were 4,069 housing units, of which 12.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.9% were owner-occupied and 35.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%.[26]

Economy

The county's economy has remained rural in nature, but the educational, health and social service sector was the largest employment category in 2006. Factors contributing to this economy include the presence of Moody Air Force Base (shared by adjoining Lowndes County), the several lakes and nature reserve, the hospital, and a large state correctional facility.

The top ten employers in Lanier County are:

  • Moody Air Force Base
  • Farmers & Merchants Bank
  • Louis Smith Hospital
  • Patten Probation Detention Center
  • Georgia Department of Corrections
  • Patten Seed Company
  • City of Lakeland, Georgia
  • Wausau Homes, Inc
  • J.H. Harvey Co, LLC (parent company of Harveys Supermarkets)

Media

  • Lanier County News - Legal organ and hometown newspaper since 1913. The paper was originally named The Milltown Advocate, but changed its name after Lanier County was formed in 1920.
  • Lanier County Advocate (newspaper) - Legal organ newspaper as of January 1, 2015.

Historic sites

Historic sites include Governor Eurith D. Rivers' home, which was moved from its original spot on Banks Lake to West Main Street in Lakeland in the early 1980s; Union Baptist Church, located near Georgia Highway 135; and Fender Cemetery, located east of Lakeland at the junction of U.S. 221 and Georgia Highway 37 on land that once belonged to David Fender. The site of the cemetery, in which many of the area's first settlers are buried, was chosen so that mourners would not have to ferry their dead across the river for burial. Also, the "Murals of Milltown," which depict community life in the 1920s, grace the exteriors of buildings in downtown Lakeland.

Education

Lanier County School District headquarters

The Lanier County School District, the only school district in the county,[29] operates four schools: Lanier County Primary School, Lanier County Elementary School, Lanier County Middle School, and Lanier County High School.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Lanier County, Georgia[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1924 46 11.41% 356 88.34% 1 0.25%
1928 138 31.29% 303 68.71% 0 0.00%
1932 3 1.38% 211 97.24% 3 1.38%
1936 30 3.59% 800 95.81% 5 0.60%
1940 16 2.56% 607 97.12% 2 0.32%
1944 40 6.02% 625 93.98% 0 0.00%
1948 92 13.53% 486 71.47% 102 15.00%
1952 170 16.75% 845 83.25% 0 0.00%
1956 152 14.59% 890 85.41% 0 0.00%
1960 198 15.88% 1,049 84.12% 0 0.00%
1964 719 52.10% 661 47.90% 0 0.00%
1968 241 15.63% 277 17.96% 1,024 66.41%
1972 850 81.50% 193 18.50% 0 0.00%
1976 207 14.02% 1,269 85.98% 0 0.00%
1980 470 29.30% 1,116 69.58% 18 1.12%
1984 852 53.48% 741 46.52% 0 0.00%
1988 725 50.81% 698 48.91% 4 0.28%
1992 600 35.03% 811 47.34% 302 17.63%
1996 519 34.55% 818 54.46% 165 10.99%
2000 1,048 55.04% 832 43.70% 24 1.26%
2004 1,641 63.38% 931 35.96% 17 0.66%
2008 1,787 62.05% 1,062 36.88% 31 1.08%
2012 1,820 61.11% 1,114 37.41% 44 1.48%
2016 1,984 69.10% 806 28.07% 81 2.82%
2020 2,509 70.16% 1,019 28.50% 48 1.34%
2024 2,726 72.97% 995 26.63% 15 0.40%
United States Senate election results for Lanier County, Georgia2
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,481 70.50% 944 26.83% 94 2.67%
2020 2,127 70.15% 905 29.85% 0 0.00%
[31]
United States Senate election results for Lanier County, Georgia3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,191 34.70% 365 10.64% 1,876 54.66%
2020 2,126 70.03% 910 29.97% 0 0.00%
2022 1,860 70.91% 725 27.64% 38 1.45%
2022 1,752 71.42% 701 28.58% 0 0.00%
Georgia Gubernatorial election results for Lanier County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2022 1,932 73.24% 691 26.19% 15 0.57%

As of the 2020s, Lanier County is a Republican stronghold, voting 77% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Lanier County is part of Georgia's 8th congressional district, currently represented by Austin Scott. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Lanier County is part of District 8.[32] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Lanier County is part of District 176.[33]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Lanier County Act Amended, No. 505". Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia. 1920. pp. 45–48. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Lanier County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  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. 129. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 14, 2004.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "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 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  8. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  10. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  12. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  13. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  14. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  15. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  16. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lanier County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lanier County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lanier County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  23. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  24. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  25. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  26. ^ a b c d e "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  27. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  28. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  29. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lanier County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2024. - Text list
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  31. ^ "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  32. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  33. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

References

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