Brooks County, Georgia

Brooks County, Georgia

General Information
Name	Brooks County, Georgia
Native Name
Other Names
Settlement Type	County
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates
Map
Population
Total	15,457
Density	per km²
Area
Total	km²
Land	km²
Water	km²
Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard	UTC-5
DST	UTC-4

Brooks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,457. The county seat is Quitman.

History

Brooks County was created on December 11, 1858, from portions of Lowndes and Thomas counties. It was named after Preston Brooks, a U.S. Representative from South Carolina known for his strong pro-slavery stance and his infamous attack on abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner.

During the American Civil War, Brooks County was known for its agricultural production, particularly cotton, which was a major part of the Southern economy. The county's economy was heavily reliant on slave labor during this period.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 498 square miles (1,290 km²), of which 493 square miles (1,280 km²) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km²) (1.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Lowndes County (north)
• Lanier County (northeast)
• Cook County (east)
• Thomas County (west)
• Colquitt County (northwest)
• Madison County, Florida (south)

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,457 people, 5,800 households, and 3,900 families residing in the county. The racial makeup of the county was diverse, with a significant African American population.

Economy

The economy of Brooks County is primarily based on agriculture, with major crops including cotton, peanuts, and tobacco. The county also has a growing timber industry.

Education

Brooks County is served by the Brooks County School District, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Brooks County High School. The district is committed to providing quality education to all students in the county.

Communities

• Quitman (county seat)
• Barney
• Dixie
• Morven
• Pavo

Notable People

• Henry Gray Turner, a U.S. Representative and judge, was born in Brooks County.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Brooks County, Georgia

External links

• Official Brooks County Website