Haralson County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,780. The county seat is Buchanan. The county was created on January 26, 1856, and was named for Hugh A. Haralson, a former Georgia congressman.
Haralson County is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water. Much of the county is located within the upper Piedmont region of the state, with a few mountains in the county that are considered part of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
The vast majority of Haralson County is located in the Upper Tallapoosa River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin). Just the very northwestern corner of the county is located in the Upper Coosa River sub-basin of the same ACT River Basin.
Major highways
Interstate 20
U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27 Business
U.S. Route 78
State Route 1
State Route 1 Business
State Route 8
State Route 16
State Route 100
State Route 113
State Route 120
State Route 402 (unsigned designation for I-20)
Adjacent counties
Polk County - north
Paulding County - northeast
Carroll County - south
Cleburne County, Alabama - west (CST)
Demographics
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,690 people, 9,826 households, and 7,192 families living in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile (35/km2). There were 10,719 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.97% White, 5.40% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,826 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,656, and the median income for a family was $38,373. Males had a median income of $31,816 versus $20,821 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,823. About 11.40% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 28,780 people, 10,757 households, and 7,820 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 12,287 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 4.7% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 37.1% were American, 14.1% were Irish, 11.1% were English, and 6.0% were German.
Of the 10,757 households, 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.3% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 38.5 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,996 and the median income for a family was $45,339. Males had a median income of $39,452 versus $32,170 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,033. About 15.6% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 29,919 people, 11,259 households, and 7,960 families residing in the county.
Education
Public education in the county is largely provided by the Haralson County School District. However, the City of Bremen, which straddles the border of Haralson and Carroll Counties, operates the independent Bremen City School District.
Communities
Besma
Bremen
Buchanan (county seat)
Budapest
Draketown
Felton
Tallapoosa
Waco
Law and government
The county was originally governed by a sole Commissioner of Roads and Revenues. The last occupant of this office was Charles Sanders (D). The county is now governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, which replaced the single-commissioner form beginning with the term starting in January 2005. The Chairman of the Board is elected county-wide. The acting occupant of this office is Ronnie Ridley (R). There are four other commissioners, one elected from each of four [http://haralsoncountyga.gov/Elections/documents/HaralsonCountyCommissionerMap-2012.pdf geographical districts]. The current occupants of these offices are District 1's David Tarply (R), District 2's Jamie Brown (R), District 3's John Daniel (R) and District 4's Ryan Farmer (R). The current sheriff of Haralson County is Stacy Williams. Judge J. Edward "Eddie" Hulsey Jr. is the current probate judge.
