Paulding County, Georgia

Paulding County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. 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 square miles (810 km2), of which 312 square miles (810 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.7%) is water. The Tallapoosa River originates in Paulding County.

Paulding county is located in the Piedmont region of the Appalachian Mountains, with a few small hills and mountains located in the county that exceed elevations of 1,000 ft. The highest point in Paulding county is an unnamed peak located in Yorkville with an elevation of 1,410 ft (430 m) above sea level. The highest named peak in Paulding County is Vinson Mountain with an elevation of 1,330 ft (405 m) above sea level.

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

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Route 278
• State Route 6
• State Route 6 Business
• State Route 61
• State Route 92
• State Route 101
• State Route 113
• State Route 120
• State Route 120 Connector
• State Route 360
• 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

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 168,661 people, 56,911 households, and 44,021 families residing in the county.

The median age was 36.4 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.8 males age 18 and over.

79.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 20.5% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 65.9% White, 22.1% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.0% from some other race, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.4% of the population.

There were 56,911 households in the county, of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 59,172 housing units, of which 3.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.8% were owner-occupied and 21.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.

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 inhabitants per square mile (176.0/km2). There were 52,130 housing units at an average density of 167.0 per square mile (64.5/km2). 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 inhabitants per square mile (101/km2). There were 29,274 housing units at an average density of 93 per square mile (36/km2). 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

There is one school district: Paulding County School District.

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

Communities

Cities

• Dallas (county seat)
• Hiram
• Braswell

Unincorporated communities

• New Hope
• Yorkville
• Nebo
• Sudie
• New Georgia
• Union
• Burnt Hickory

2022 police body-slamming incident

On March 4, 2022, at approximately 6:00 a.m., 25-year-old Deputy Michael McMaster of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious person, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, attempting to break into a vehicle in the Evans Mill Subdivision. A short time later, Deputy McMaster arrived at the location and observed 30-year-old Tyler Lee Canaris walking along the roadside at the entrance to the subdivision. Canaris, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, appeared to match the description of the suspect that was provided by dispatch. Deputy McMaster then approached Canaris who he claimed to have refused to comply with the Deputy’s commands to remove his backpack and place his hands behind his back.

Thereafter, Deputy McMaster used force to bring Canaris to the ground and placed him under arrest. Once arrested, Canaris was evaluated on the scene by medical personnel. Canaris was then transported to the hospital by the Sheriff’s Office for medical evaluation. Sheriff's officials say it was later determined that Canaris was not breaking into cars, but he was charged with Obstruction of Justice. Soon after, the attorneys for Canaris accused the Paulding County deputy of leaving their client with $75,000 worth of medical bills from fractured bones and a ruptured eardrum. Prior to the incident, Deputy McMaster already had 10 reprimands, and was advised to undergo anger management counseling.

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office initially refused to release the dash-cam footage that captured the incident to the public, however some of the footage was later leaked by Canaris' lawyers in early 2023, which led to Canaris being charged with Obstruction of Justice a second time. The Sheriff's Office would release the full dash-cam footage a week later. On September 22, 2023, Canaris would file a lawsuit against McMaster and the Sheriff's Office. Due to the backlash the dash-cam video would receive online, McMaster would eventually be fired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and would end up on the Brady List as a result.

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 Georgia State Legislature, Paulding County is represented by two State Senators and four State Representatives. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Paulding County is divided between District 30 and District 31. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Paulding County is divided between districts 16, 17, 18, and 19. For federal elections, it is located in Georgia's 14th congressional district, currently represented by Clay Fuller.

Paulding County has been a Republican stronghold since 1984, but in recent elections, the Republican strength has decreased. In 2024, even though Donald Trump still won over 60% of the vote, Kamala Harris' performance of 37% was the best by a Democrat since 1980.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Paulding County, Georgia
• List of counties in Georgia

External links

33°55′N 84°52′W/33.92°N 84.87°W/ 33.92; -84.87