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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

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
191011,206
192013,89724.0%
193017,16523.5%
194016,952−1.2%
195017,3822.5%
196016,837−3.1%
197019,15113.7%
198022,59218.0%
199024,0726.6%
200026,0678.3%
201027,2234.4%
202027,030−0.7%
2025 (est.)27,545[6] Increase1.9%
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

Toombs 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[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]

United States presidential election results for Toombs County, Georgia[30]
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%
United States Senate election results for Toombs County, Georgia2
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%
[31]
United States Senate election results for Toombs County, Georgia3
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%
Georgia Gubernatorial election results for Toombs County
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

See also

References

  1. ^ “Census – Geography Profile: Toombs County, Georgia”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ “Find a County”. National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ “US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990”. United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ “Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience”. Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  6. ^ “County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  7. ^ “Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades”. United States Census Bureau.
  8. ^ “1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  9. ^ “1910 Census of Population – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  10. ^ “1930 Census of Population – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  11. ^ “1940 Census of Population – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  12. ^ “1950 Census of Population – Georgia -“ (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  13. ^ “1980 Census of Population – Number of Inhabitants – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  14. ^ “2000 Census of Population – Population and Housing Unit Counts – Georgia” (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  15. ^ “State & County QuickFacts”. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  16. ^ “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.
  17. ^ “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.
  18. ^ “P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Toombs County, Georgia”. United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ “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.
  20. ^ “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.
  21. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  22. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  23. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  24. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  25. ^ a b “2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)”. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  26. ^ a b c d “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. ^ “Georgia General Assembly”. www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  29. ^ “Georgia General Assembly”. www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  30. ^ Leip, David. “Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections”. uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  31. ^ “2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)”. Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.

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