Clayton County, Georgia
| Clayton County, Georgia | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Georgia |
|
 Georgia's location in the USA |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1858 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Jonesboro |
| Largest City | Forest Park |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
144 sq mi (374 km²) 143 sq mi (379 km²) 2 sq mi (4 km²), 1.15% |
| PopulationEst. - (2006) - Density |
271,240 1,658/sq mi (640/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website: www.co.clayton.ga.us | |
Clayton County is a county located in the U.S.
state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 236,517. The 2006 Census
estimate placed the population at 271,240 [1]. The county seat is Jonesboro
Clayton County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area and is the county in which most of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport lies.
The county was established in 1858 and named in honor of Augustin Smith Clayton (1783-1839), who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1832 until 1835.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 374 km² (144 mi²). 369 km² (143 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (2 mi²) of it (1.15%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- DeKalb County (northeast)
- Henry County (east)
- Spalding County (south)
- Fayette County (southwest)
- Fulton County (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 236,517 people, 82,243 households, and 59,214 families residing in the county. The population density was 640/km² (1,658/mi²). There were 86,461 housing units at an average density of 234/km² (606/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 37.9% White, 51.6% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 4.49% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.55% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. 7.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 82,243 households out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.70% were married couples living together, 20.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.00% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 35.40% from 25 to 44, 18.40% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,697, and the median income for a family was $46,782. Males had a median income of $32,118 versus $26,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,079. About 8.20% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.
Crime
Clayton County has recently experienced a rise in crime, ranging from shootings to gang-related activity.[citation needed] Crime in the area might be attributed to the increase in population in the county and the large amount of affordable housing that attracts low-income families.[citation needed] In November 2006, the county appointed its first black police chief, Jeffrey E. Turner, who has promised to help alleviate crime in the county.[citation needed]
Cities and towns
- Bonanza (unincorporated)
- College Park
- Conley (unincorporated)
- Ellenwood (unincorporated)
- Forest Park
- Irondale (unincorporated)
- Jonesboro
- Lake City
- Lovejoy
- Morrow
- Rex (unincorporated)
- Riverdale
Unincorporated areas
- Lake Spivey
- Clayton Panhandle
- Old Dixie
- Mountain View
- Flintwoods
- Flint River District
- Lake Harber
- Old Southe
- Botany Woods
- Valley Hill/North Jonesboro
Transportation
Air
Highways
Interstate
75
Interstate
85
Interstate
285
Interstate 675
U.S. Route
19
U.S. Route
23
U.S. Route
29
U.S. Route
41
State Route 3
State Route 54
State Route 85
State Route 138
State Route 351
State Route 401
State
Route 407
State Route 413
Mass transit
Bus
- Clayton County mass transit is run by C-Tran, with fIve fixed bus routes and Paratransit
-
- 500 - Airport Loop
- 501 - S.R. 54/Forest Park/Southlake Mall (Atlanta)/Tara Blvd./Justice Center
- 502 - Southlake Pkwy./Jonesboro/Lake City/Courthouse
- 503 - Gardenwalk/Southern Regional Medical Center/Morrow/Mt. Zion Pkwy.
- 504 - Riverdale Rd./Riverdale/S.R. 85/Flint River Rd./Justice Center
- 503 - ShortTurn Southern Regional Hospital
Rail
- There is commuter rail service in the planning stages along the Norfolk Southern line with proposed stations in Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy. This line is projected to run to Macon as soon as the line is completed.
- MARTA's Airport Station is located in Clayton County.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
The Clayton County School System is the 5th largest in Georgia according to statistics on the school system's web site [2].
Higher education
Clayton State University in Morrow is the only four year institution in the county.
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