Paulding County, Georgia

Paulding County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. Part of Metro Atlanta, it had an estimated population of 168,661 in 2020. The county seat is Dallas.

History
Paulding County was created from Cherokee County by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 3, 1832. In 1851, a portion of Paulding County was used to help create Polk County. Other portions of Paulding County were annexed to neighboring counties (Campbell, Carroll, Cobb, Douglas, Haralson, and Polk) between 1832 and 1874. Between 1850 and 1874, Paulding County was expanded through annexation of parts of Carroll, Cobb, Douglas, and Polk counties.

The county is named after John Paulding (October 16, 1758 – February 18, 1818), who was famous for the capture of the British spy Major John André in 1780 during the American Revolution. André was on a mission carrying secret papers from Benedict Arnold when he was captured.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 314 sqmi, of which 312 sqmi is land and 2.1 sqmi (0.7%) is water. The Tallapoosa River originates in Paulding County.

The county is mainly located in the Piedmont region of the state, with a few mountains located in the county that exceed elevations of 1,000 ft. The highest point in Paulding county is a small, unnamed hill located in Yorkville with an elevation of 1410 ft above sea level, However it is located on already elevated base and therefore cannot be considered a true mountain. The highest true mountain in Paulding County is Vinson Mountain with an elevation of 1330 ft above sea level, although much of the mountain's base is not entirely within the county. These mountains are considered to be part of the southernmost extensions of the Appalachian Mountains.

The southeastern portion of Paulding County, from just north of Hiram to north of Villa Rica, is located in the Middle Chattahoochee River-Lake Harding sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). The very western portion of the county, centered on State Route 101, is located in the Upper Tallapoosa River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin), with the majority of the central and northern portions of Paulding County located in the Etowah River sub-basin of the same ACT River Basin.

Adjacent counties

 * Bartow County – north
 * Cobb County – east
 * Douglas County – southeast
 * Carroll County – south
 * Haralson County – southwest
 * Polk County – west

Major highways

 * US 278.svg U.S. Route 278
 * Georgia 6.svg State Route 6
 * Georgia 6 Business.svg State Route 6 Business
 * Georgia 61.svg State Route 61
 * Georgia 92.svg State Route 92
 * Georgia 101.svg State Route 101
 * Georgia 113.svg State Route 113
 * Georgia 120.svg State Route 120
 * Georgia 120 Connector.svg State Route 120 Connector
 * Georgia 360.svg State Route 360
 * Georgia 381.svg State Route 381

Secondary highways

 * Dallas-Acworth Highway (Old S.R. 381)
 * Ridge Road (Old S.R. 61 Connector). Connector in South Paulding that runs between SR 92 and SR 61
 * East Paulding Drive (Old S.R. 120 Connector, S.R. 92 Connector and S.R. 176). Road formerly known as Dragstrip Road
 * Goldmine Road (Old U.S. 278/S.R. 6). Former route to Yorkville.
 * Bill Carruth Parkway, formerly known as West Hiram Parkway, originally known as Egg Farm Road
 * Bobo Road (Old S.R. 92)
 * Macland Road (Old S.R. 360). All of Macland Road west of S.R. 120.
 * Mulberry Rock Road
 * Braswell Mountain Road
 * Cedarcrest Road
 * Seven Hills Boulevard
 * Harmony Grove Church Road
 * Dabbs Bridge Road
 * Vinson Mountain Road
 * Brushy Mountain Road
 * Nebo Road

Pedestrians and cycling

 * Dallas Trail Connect
 * Graves Path
 * Lindsey Path
 * Silver Comet Trail

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 168,661 people, 56,476 households, and 44,021 families residing in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 142,324 people, 48,105 households, and 38,103 families living in the county. The population density was 455.8 PD/sqmi. There were 52,130 housing units at an average density of 167.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 77.7% white, 17.1% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were Irish, 11.6% were American, 11.2% were German, and 10.4% were English.

Of the 48,105 households, 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 20.8% were non-families, and 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.30. The median age was 33.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $62,348 and the median income for a family was $67,117. Males had a median income of $50,114 versus $37,680 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,450. About 7.0% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Paulding County has been noted for its rapid population growth in the 21st century, often ranking among the fastest-growing counties in Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia. The rate of population growth increased in each of three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 81,678 people, 28,089 households, and 22,892 families living in the county. The population density was 261 PD/sqmi. There were 29,274 housing units at an average density of 93 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 90.59% White, 6.96% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 28,089 households, out of which 46.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.30% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.50% were non-families. 14.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, 30.70% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 38.40% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,161, and the median income for a family was $56,039. Males had a median income of $38,637 versus $27,341 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,974. About 4.00% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Elementary Schools • Abney Elementary School • Allgood Elementary School • Baggett Elementary School • Burnt Hickory Elementary School • Dallas Elementary School • Dugan Elementary School • Hiram Elementary School • Hutchens Elementary School • McGarity Elementary School • Nebo Elementary School • New Georgia Elementary School • Northside Elementary School • Panter Elementary School • Poole Elementary School • Ragsdale Elementary School • Roberts Elementary School • Russom Elementary School • Shelton Elementary School • Union Elementary School

Middle Schools • Austin Middle School • Dobbins Middle School • East Paulding Middle School • Herschel Jones Middle School • Scoggins Middle School • Moses Middle School • South Paulding Middle School • P.B. Ritch Middle School • Sammy McClure Middle School

High Schools • East Paulding High School • Hiram High School • Paulding County High School • South Paulding High School • North Paulding High School

Media
The county legal organ is The Dallas New Era.

Recreation

 * Silver Comet Trail
 * White Oak Park
 * Ben Hill Strickland Park
 * Taylor Farm Parks & Recreation
 * Burnt Hickory Park
 * Union Park/Mulberry Rock Park
 * Samuel U. Braly Sports Complex
 * Mt. Tabor Park
 * Sara Babb Park (City of Dallas)
 * Veteran's Memorial Park

Cities

 * Dallas (county seat)
 * Hiram
 * Braswell

Unincorporated communities

 * New Hope
 * Yorkville
 * Nebo
 * Sudie

Notable people

 * Jayne County, formerly known as Wayne County: influential transgender punk rock musician after leaving Paulding County for New York City in 1968
 * Taylor Clark Duncan, autism advocate, community entrepreneur, and founder of Alternative Baseball.
 * Caleb Lee Hutchinson, American Idol finalist
 * Patty Loveless, country music star; and her husband, record producer Emory Gordy Jr.
 * Marty Pevey, Iowa Cubs manager
 * Riley Puckett, country music pioneer
 * Spencer Scott, Playboy Playmate of the Month for October 2007
 * Ray Traylor, former WWF superstar
 * Travis Tritt, country music recording artist
 * Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
 * Shannon and Shannade Clermont, Models, Video Vixens

Politics
Paulding County is governed by a five-member board of commissioners, including a chairman and four post members. In the State Legislature, Paulding County is represented by two State Senators and four State Representatives. For federal elections, it is located in Georgia's 14th congressional district.