Toombs County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,030.[1] The county seat is Lyons[2] and the largest city is Vidalia. The county was created on August 18, 1905.
Toombs County is part of the Vidalia micropolitan statistical area.
History
Toombs County was founded as the 144th county in Georgia by the State Legislature on August 18, 1905, and organized on October 9 of that year. The county was originally formed from portions of Tattnall and Montgomery Counties; a small piece of Emanuel County was added in 1907 to give Toombs County its present-day boundaries.[citation needed]
The county is named for Robert Toombs, a United States representative and senator.[3]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 371 square miles (960 km2), of which 364 square miles (940 km2) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km2) (1.9%) is water.[4]
The southern half of Toombs County, from south of Vidalia southeast to State Route 147, is located in the Altamaha River sub-basin of the larger river basin by the same name. The northern half of the county, centered on Lyons, is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[5]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Emanuel County (north)
- Tattnall County (east)
- Appling County (south)
- Jeff Davis County (southwest)
- Montgomery County (west)
- Treutlen County (northwest)
- Candler County (northeast)
Communities
Cities
- Lyons (county seat)
- Santa Claus
- Vidalia
Census-designated place
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 11,206 | — | |
| 1920 | 13,897 | 24.0% | |
| 1930 | 17,165 | 23.5% | |
| 1940 | 16,952 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 17,382 | 2.5% | |
| 1960 | 16,837 | −3.1% | |
| 1970 | 19,151 | 13.7% | |
| 1980 | 22,592 | 18.0% | |
| 1990 | 24,072 | 6.6% | |
| 2000 | 26,067 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 27,223 | 4.4% | |
| 2020 | 27,030 | −0.7% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 27,545 | [6] | 1.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1880[8] 1890-1910[9] 1920-1930[10] 1930-1940[11] 1940-1950[12] 1960-1980[13] 1980-2000[14] 2010[15] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[16] | Pop 1990[17] | Pop 2000[18] | Pop 2010[19] | Pop 2020[20] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 16,656 | 17,446 | 17,226 | 16,887 | 16,007 | 73.73% | 72.47% | 66.08% | 62.03% | 59.22% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 5,668 | 5,621 | 6,237 | 6,716 | 6,980 | 25.09% | 23.35% | 23.93% | 24.67% | 25.82% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 26 | 34 | 44 | 37 | 31 | 0.12% | 0.14% | 0.17% | 0.14% | 0.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 56 | 139 | 119 | 199 | 207 | 0.25% | 0.58% | 0.46% | 0.73% | 0.77% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [21] | x [22] | 0 | 14 | 6 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 11 | 8 | 5 | 42 | 79 | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.15% | 0.29% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [23] | x [24] | 126 | 273 | 676 | x | x | 0.48% | 1.00% | 2.50% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 175 | 824 | 2,310 | 3,055 | 3,044 | 0.77% | 3.42% | 8.86% | 11.22% | 11.26% |
| Total | 22,592 | 24,072 | 26,067 | 27,223 | 27,030 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 27,030 people, 10,505 households, and 6,537 families residing within its borders.[25][26]
The median age was 39.0 years, 25.0% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 91.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.7 males age 18 and over. 50.3% of residents lived in urban areas while 49.7% lived in rural areas.[26][27]
The racial makeup of the county was 61.3% White, 26.0% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 6.5% from some other race, and 5.1% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 11.3% of the population.[25]
There were 10,505 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 34.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present; about 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26]
There were 12,027 housing units, of which 12.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.3% were owner-occupied and 40.7% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.5%.[26]
Government
Toombs County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, headed by David Sikes, the chairman. Alvie Kight Jr. is the County Sheriff, since 1997.
Politics
As of the 2020s, Toombs County is a Republican stronghold, voting 75% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Toombs County is part of Georgia’s 12th congressional district, currently represented by Rick Allen. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Toombs County is part of District 19.[28] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Toombs County is part of District 156.[29]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 20 | 4.74% | 327 | 77.49% | 75 | 17.77% |
| 1916 | 33 | 6.07% | 425 | 78.13% | 86 | 15.81% |
| 1920 | 246 | 38.26% | 397 | 61.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 32 | 8.47% | 314 | 83.07% | 32 | 8.47% |
| 1928 | 551 | 47.26% | 615 | 52.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 54 | 2.79% | 1,868 | 96.49% | 14 | 0.72% |
| 1936 | 78 | 7.20% | 1,001 | 92.43% | 4 | 0.37% |
| 1940 | 134 | 11.21% | 1,061 | 88.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 237 | 11.49% | 1,825 | 88.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 193 | 9.57% | 1,161 | 57.59% | 662 | 32.84% |
| 1952 | 723 | 21.49% | 2,641 | 78.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 565 | 19.07% | 2,397 | 80.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,038 | 31.97% | 2,209 | 68.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,543 | 67.77% | 1,685 | 32.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,397 | 24.52% | 896 | 15.72% | 3,405 | 59.76% |
| 1972 | 4,080 | 85.80% | 675 | 14.20% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,126 | 34.44% | 4,047 | 65.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,835 | 45.75% | 3,255 | 52.53% | 107 | 1.73% |
| 1984 | 4,470 | 65.21% | 2,385 | 34.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 4,433 | 78.89% | 1,152 | 20.50% | 34 | 0.61% |
| 1992 | 3,609 | 48.18% | 2,648 | 35.35% | 1,233 | 16.46% |
| 1996 | 3,646 | 51.81% | 2,763 | 39.26% | 628 | 8.92% |
| 2000 | 4,487 | 62.23% | 2,643 | 36.66% | 80 | 1.11% |
| 2004 | 6,196 | 70.25% | 2,567 | 29.10% | 57 | 0.65% |
| 2008 | 6,658 | 68.61% | 2,964 | 30.54% | 82 | 0.85% |
| 2012 | 6,524 | 69.72% | 2,746 | 29.35% | 87 | 0.93% |
| 2016 | 6,615 | 72.39% | 2,338 | 25.59% | 185 | 2.02% |
| 2020 | 7,873 | 72.14% | 2,938 | 26.92% | 103 | 0.94% |
| 2024 | 8,208 | 75.22% | 2,674 | 24.51% | 30 | 0.27% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 7,793 | 72.17% | 2,832 | 26.23% | 173 | 1.60% |
| 2020 | 6,877 | 73.25% | 2,511 | 26.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 3,503 | 32.90% | 1,760 | 16.53% | 5,384 | 50.57% |
| 2020 | 7,872 | 72.81% | 2,939 | 27.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2022 | 6,298 | 74.44% | 2,062 | 24.37% | 100 | 1.18% |
| 2022 | 5,780 | 74.56% | 1,972 | 25.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 6,522 | 76.86% | 1,920 | 22.63% | 44 | 0.52% |
Education
The Toombs County School District has five schools, including the Toombs County High School.
Notable people
- Mel Blount (football hall of famer and founder of Mel Blount Youth Home)
- Nick Eason (former NFL player and current NFL assistant defensive line coach)
- Craig Campbell (country music singer)
- Fred Stokes (former pro football player)
- Travares Tillman (professional football player)
- Don Collins (former professional baseball player)
- Paul Claxton (PGA tour professional golfer)
- Wally Moses (former professional baseball player)
- Algur H. Meadows (oilman, businessman)
- Iris Blitch (politician)
- Carl Simpson (former professional baseball player)
- Don Harris (journalist killed during Jonestown Massacre)
- Ben Utt (professional football player)
- Paul Anderson (strongest man)
See also
References
- ^ “Census – Geography Profile: Toombs County, Georgia”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ “Find a County”. National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 228. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2003.
- ^ “US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990”. United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ “Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience”. Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ “County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ^ “Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades”. United States Census Bureau.
- ^ “1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
- ^ “1910 Census of Population – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
- ^ “1930 Census of Population – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
- ^ “1940 Census of Population – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
- ^ “1950 Census of Population – Georgia -“ (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
- ^ “1980 Census of Population – Number of Inhabitants – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
- ^ “2000 Census of Population – Population and Housing Unit Counts – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
- ^ “State & County QuickFacts”. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Toombs County, Georgia”. United States Census Bureau.
- ^ “P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Toombs County, Georgia”. United States Census Bureau.
- ^ “P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Toombs County, Georgia”. United States Census Bureau.
- ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ^ a b “2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)”. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d “2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)”. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ “2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)”. United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ “Georgia General Assembly”. www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ^ “Georgia General Assembly”. www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ^ Leip, David. “Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections”. uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ “2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)”. Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
External links
- Welcome to the Georgia General Assembly Archived July 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Home page. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- Toombs County Sheriff’s Office
