Walton County, Georgia

Walton County is a county located in the Middle Georgia portion of the U.S. - State of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 96,673. It is located about 30 miles east of the state capital, the city of Atlanta. Monroe is the county seat; Loganville is another major city.

Walton County is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Walton County was created on December 15, 1818. It is named for George Walton, one of the three men from Georgia who signed the United States Declaration of Independence. The other two were Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall.

A Supreme Court ruling in April 1946 had ruled that white primaries were unconstitutional, enabling some black citizens in Georgia to cast ballots for the first time during the primary race later that summer. This increased social tensions in many areas, as whites continued to oppose voting by blacks. In addition, many whites resisted black veterans' efforts to gain expanded freedoms following their service during World War II.

Moore's Ford lynchings (1946)
In July 1946, four African Americans were lynched in Walton County, Georgia. The victims were two married couples: George and Mae Murray Dorsey, and Roger and Dorothy Dorsey Malcom (reportedly pregnant).

A historical highway marker erected by the state in the 21st century reads: "2.4 miles east, at Moore’s Ford Bridge on the Apalachee River, four African-Americans - George and Mae Murray Dorsey and Roger and Dorothy Dorsey Malcom (reportedly 7 months pregnant) - were brutally beaten and shot by an unmasked mob on the afternoon of July 25, 1946. The lynching followed an argument between Roger Malcom and a local white farmer. These unsolved murders played a crucial role in both President Truman’s commitment to civil rights legislation and the ensuing modern civil rights movement."

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 330 sqmi, of which 326 sqmi is land and 4.3 sqmi (1.3%) is water. The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The western half of Walton County, in a half circle from Social Circle through Monroe to northeast of Loganville, is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern part of the county, east of that curve, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the same Altamaha River basin.

Adjacent counties

 * Barrow County – north
 * Oconee County – northeast
 * Morgan County – southeast
 * Newton County – south
 * Rockdale County – southwest
 * Gwinnett County – northwest

Cities

 * Good Hope
 * Jersey
 * Loganville
 * Monroe
 * Social Circle
 * Walnut Grove

Towns

 * Between

Unincorporated communities

 * Bold Springs
 * Campton
 * Gratis
 * Mt. Vernon
 * Pannell
 * Windsor
 * Youth
 * Split Silk

Demographics
There was a noted decline in the African American population from 1900 to 1960 as thousands left rural areas in the South during the Great Migration to the North, Midwest and West Coast to escape social oppression and to gain better jobs and opportunities.

With dramatic new growth related to the rise of Atlanta as a corporate city, the demographics have changed and the county is majority white in the 21st century. The area has been developed for suburban housing and retail.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 96,673 people, 33,350 households, and 25,736 families residing in the county.

Government
Walton County has a six-member commission elected from single-member districts. This legislative body can pass laws for the county and tax bills. The county chairman is elected at-large to serve as the leader. If a seat becomes vacant during the term, the governor can appoint someone to fill the seat, based on recommendations. In 2015, two of the six positions were filled by appointees.

Education
Walton County School District is the local school district for all sections except those in Social Circle. Areas in Social Circle are in the Social Circle City School District.

Major highways

 * I-20.svg Interstate 20
 * US 78.svg U.S. Route 78
 * US 278.svg U.S. Route 278
 * Georgia 10.svg State Route 10
 * Georgia 10 Business.svg State Route 10 Business
 * Georgia 11.svg State Route 11
 * Georgia 12.svg State Route 12
 * Georgia 20.svg State Route 20
 * Georgia 81.svg State Route 81
 * Georgia 83.svg State Route 83
 * Georgia 138.svg State Route 138
 * Georgia 186.svg State Route 186
 * Georgia 402.svg State Route 402 (unsigned designation for I-20)

Walton County doesn't have any pedestrian trails. However, there are trails in neighboring Gwinnett and Rockdale county such as the Arabia Mountain Path, Conyers Trail and Cedar Creek Trail Loop.