Thomas County
Community
Profile
67th in order of
county creation
December 23, 1825
Prepared for Thomas County Cooperative Extension
by the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA
Total Population
Thomas County
2010 Trend CAED
46,467
46,235
45,135
42,737
38,986
38,098
34,515
34,319
33,932
2010 Proj. OPB
2006 Est.
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
31,289
32,612
1940
1930
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
Primary data sources: U.S. Census Bureau, decennial censuses & estimate; CAED (Center for
Agribusiness & Economic Development); OPB (State Office of Planning & Budget).
50,000
Population Composition by Age
Thomas County
100%
65 +
45-64
20-44
5-19
<5
6.0
16.0
36.9
31.3
7.8
17.8
34.8
27.8
10.0
10.5
12.1
14.0
20.0
20.8
19.6
19.3
28.0
30.3
27.9
31.7
32.8
35.2
13.7
22.9
33.6
28.0
23.9
11.7
9.2
7.5
7.6
6.7
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
+ 3.6
- 1.6
23.1
11.9
2005 Estimated Median Age
- 0.3
- 0.8
9.8
0%
Change in
proportion
1990-2000
Thomas Co. = 37.0 yrs.
- 0.9
GA = 34.0 yrs.
2006 County Population Comparisons
Total
Total
Rank
Density
per sq.mi.
land area
% Chg.
2000-06
Rank of
% Chg.
THOMAS
45,135
43
82.3
5.6
86
BROOKS
16,464
99
33.4
0.1
128
COLQUITT
44,821
45
81.2
6.6
75
COOK
16,333
102
71.3
3.6
100
DECATUR
28,665
59
48.0
1.5
117
GRADY
25,082
69
54.7
6.0
79
MITCHELL
23,852
74
46.6
-0.3
132
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau
Population Change: 1930-2000
30
Percentage Change
25
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
1930-40
1940-50
1950-60
U.S.
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
1960-70
Georgia
1970-80
1980-90
1990-2000
Thomas Co.
Components of Population Change: 2000-2006
Natural Increase & Net Migration*
Area
Numerical
Change
# Natural
Increase
(BirthsDeaths)
Rate of
Natural
Increase
# Net
Migration
Rate of
Net Migration
THOMAS
2,401
915
3.3
1,621
5.9
BROOKS
14
85
0.8
-16
-0.2
COLQUITT
2,783
1,673
6.2
1,259
4.6
562
358
3.6
263
2.6
3.7
6.2
3.2
4.5
8.0
-127
568
-484
3,816
606,673
-0.7
3.7
-3.2
8.7
11.1
COOK
DECATUR
GRADY
MITCHELL
Avg. GA Co.
GEORGIA
Primary data source:
U. S. Census Bureau
425
656
1,423
943
-82
473
7,403
2,761
1,777,125 438,939
* Numerical change includes “residual” not represented in either NI or NM.
Average annual estimates of annual rates per 1,000 population
Population Change: 2000-2006
LOSS
0 – 6.4%
6.4 – 14.4%
14.4 – 34%
34 – 53.4%
Avg. GA
County = 9.1%
GA = 14.4%
US = 6.4%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau (3/07)
Selected Vital Statistics
2005 Rates
13.6
Total births per 1,000 pop
15.5
48.0
Unwed per 100 total births
40.7
Teen pregnancy per 1,000
females age 10-19
34.4
34.2
9.5
Deaths per 1,000 pop
Induced terminations per
1,000 females age 15-44
Low birth weight per 100
births
Infant deaths per 1,000 births
7.2
0.6
10.7
9.8
8.9
9.4
Thomas Co.
Georgia
8.5
10-yr. rates 1996-2005
2005 Thomas Co. Natality Data
608 total births, 292 unwed births
13 induced terminations
109 teen pregnancies
64 low birth weight babies
2005 Thomas Co. Mortality Data
423 total deaths
6 infant deaths
Primary data source: GA Dept. Public Health
Highest Level of Educational Attainment: 2000
6.2
Grad or Prof Degree
8.3
10.6
Bachelor's degree
16.0
4.5
5.2
Associate degree
18.6
20.4
Some college, no degree
33.6
HS Grad
28.7
16.4
9th-12th no diploma
Thomas Co.
Georgia
13.8
10.0
< 9th grade
7.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Percent of Persons Age 25+
Thomas Co.
Not completing HS = 26.5%
With a bachelor’s + degree = 16.8%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Selected Public School Statistics
School Year 2005-06
51.9
55.2
55.4
Teachers w/adv degrees
College prep certif
73.9
73.6
70.8
Class '05 Grad Rate
5.0
Gifted
8.6
14.7
11.9
Special Ed
Free/Reduc lunch
78.5
49.8
3.7
4.3
Retained in grade
Thomas Co.
Georgia
12.1
9.8
Absent >15 days
4.1
4.7
HS Dropout rate
0
10
Primary data source:
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement
20
30
40
50
Percentage
60
70
80
Thomas Co.
K12 enrollment = 8,049
HS dropouts = 109
General Fund Expenditures per FTE = $6,738
Per Capita Income: 2000-2005
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
2000
2001
2002
Thomas Co.
2005 PCI
Thomas Co. = $28,718
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/07)
2003
2004
Georgia
Georgia = $30,914
US = $34,471
2005
US
Per Capita Income: 2000-2005
Percentage Change
9
Percentage
7
5
3
1
-1
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
Thomas Co.
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/07)
2003-2004
Georgia
2004-2005
US
Per Capita Income: 2005
PCI
Rank of
PCI
% PCI of
GA Total
% Change
in PCI
2000-2005
THOMAS
$28,718
21
96.4
24.0
BROOKS
$22,728
97
76.3
12.3
COLQUITT
$21,833
115
73.3
13.6
COOK
$19,663
149
66.0
9.5
DECATUR
$22,361
103
75.1
12.2
GRADY
$22,104
111
74.2
17.3
MITCHELL
$20,162
144
67.7
16.2
GA Avg. Co.
$24,592
--
82.6
14.7
County
Primary data source: U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/06)
Median Household Income
2004 Model-Based Estimates
US
$44,334
GEORGIA
$42,679
GA Avg. Co.
$35,708
$31,702
THOMAS
$26,064
BROOKS
$27,983
COLQUITT
COOK
$28,201
DECATUR
$28,148
$29,698
GRADY
$25,812
MITCHELL
$0
$10,000
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
2005 Transfer Receipts
Thomas Co. Total = $291,995,000
31.3
Retirement/Disab
35.0
18.6
20.5
Medicare
26.7
Pub Med Assist
20.3
3.6
2.8
Supp Sec Inc
Thomas Co.
0.5
0.6
2.4
2.8
Family Assist
Food Stamps
Georgia
Thomas Co.
$6,541 per capita
transfer receipts
7.0
6.8
Other Inc Maint
1.5
1.4
2.7
3.1
Unemp
Veteran Benefit
22.8% of total personal income
9.0% change in total 2004-2005
5.7
6.8
All Other
0
5
10
15
20
Percentage
Primary data source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/07)
25
30
35
40
Persons Living Below Poverty Level
2004 Model-Based Estimates
# of
Persons
% of all
Persons
Rank
of %
THOMAS
7,611
17.4
84
BROOKS
3,488
21.7
136
COLQUITT
8,681
20.1
120
COOK
2,962
18.3
99
DECATUR
6,029
21.5
133
GRADY
4,581
18.8
104
MITCHELL
5,104
23.2
148
GA Avg. Co.
7,658
16.6
--
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (12/06)
Persons Living Below the Poverty Level
2004 Model-Based Estimates
5.3 – 11.9%
11.9 – 15.4%
15.4 – 18.2%
18.2 – 21.2%
21.2 – 26.3%
Weighted
average poverty
threshold for a
family of 4
persons in 2004
= $19,307
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau (12/06)
Georgia
1,217,686
persons
13.7%
------------US = 12.7%
Unemployment Rates
Rate per 100 in Labor Force
7
Thomas Co.
Georgia
U. S.
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1997
1998
2006 Rates
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Thomas Co. = 4.1
GA = 4.6
Avg. GA County = 5.0
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor (3/07)
2005
2006
US = 4.6
Business Establishments, Employment and Wages
Thomas County 2005 Annual Averages, % of Total
Estab
Emp
Wages
Agriculture
Whlsle trade
Information
Admin-waste svc
All other svc
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
Construction
Retail trade
Finance/Insur
Health svc
Govt
Manufacturing
Transp-warehous
Prof-Sci-Tech Svc
Accom/Food Svc
All Other
Employment Comparisons by Industry: 2005
Total GOODS
Producing
Agriculture
Construction
21.1
17.7
1.4
0.7
2.6
5.2
Manufacturing
11.7
Total SERVICE
Producing
5.6
5.4
Wholesale trade
Transp-warehous
Information
Prof-Sci-Tech
Adm-Waste svc
Health-Soc Svcs
Accomo-Food svc
All other svcs
0.4
62.3
65.4
10.0
11.6
Retail trade
Finance-Ins
15.8
3.9
0.8
3.1
2.3
4.1
1.8
5.0
6.9
8.8
5.6
8.4
5.9
8.2
Total
GOVERNMENT
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
17.4
12.5
Thomas Co.
Georgia
16.5
16.5
Farm Gate Value by Commodity Group: 2006
Thomas Co. Total Value = $104,267,341
Row-Forage crops
32.2%
Poultry-Egg
9.9%
Livestock
14.4%
Other
23.4%
Forestry
6.8%
Fruits-Nuts
3.3%
Ornamental
Horticulture
5.3%
Veges
4.7%
Primary data source: Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development, UGA
Components of Gross Property Tax Digest: 2006
Thomas Co. Gross Digest (40% Value) = $1,185,459,141
36.7
Residential
25.6
22.5
Ag/Pref/Environ
6.6
12.8
Commercial
41.9
20.7
22.2
5.3
7.6
6.6
Industrial
1.9
Utility
Motor Vehicle
Mobile Home
Timber
5.3
3.6
7.8
7.4
6.1
1.5
1.2
0.4
0.5
1.1
0.2
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Thomas Co.
GA Avg. Co.
GA Total
54.3
County Property Tax Digest Comparisons: 2006
County
THOMAS
BROOKS
COLQUITT
COOK
DECATUR
GRADY
MITCHELL
Avg. GA Co.
% Resi- % Agri- % Com- % In- % Motor
%
dential cultural mercial dustrial Vehicle Other
36.7
26.2
40.8
31.8
34.1
44.0
28.4
41.9
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
25.6
44.4
15.6
27.8
20.2
28.7
36.0
22.5
20.7
5.5
21.1
19.7
15.8
10.2
14.2
12.8
5.3
9.7
4.4
7.9
15.9
4.9
8.5
7.6
7.8
6.9
10.5
7.3
7.7
7.7
6.4
7.4
3.9
7.2
7.4
5.5
6.3
4.5
6.5
7.7
Millage Rates, Taxes Levied, & Sales Tax
County
THOMAS
BROOKS
COLQUITT
COOK
DECATUR
GRADY
MITCHELL
’06 Countywide
Millage*
’06
School
Millage*
’05 Taxes
Levied*
($000)
Sales
Tax Rate
LOST
Type*
as of 4/07
as of 4/07
23.74
28.79
26.46
23.72
21.40
21.55
29.82
13.96
15.23
8.66
14.15
12.84
11.80
12.48
$27,951
$9,380
$20,352
$8,107
$15,343
$12,493
$15,917
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
*All tax districts are assessed an additional .250 state millage. Taxes Levied, but not
necessarily collected. L=Local Option Sales Tax, S=Special Purpose, E=Educational
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Retail Sales Analysis: 2005
Thomas Co. Total Retail Sales = $603,340,000
1.28
Total Retail Sales
Health-Personal Care
1.42
Bldg Mat-garden equip-supplies
0.52
Gas stations
1.40
1.45
Motor Vehicle-parts
Furniture-Home Furn-Appliance
0.71
1.71
Clothing & Accessories
General Merchandise
1.66
Food Services-Drinking Places
0.86
Food-Beverage Stores
1.48
0
1
2
Sales Activity Index-Wealth Factor
A “pull factor” of 1.0 means that the county’s sales are what would be expected
based upon the number of residents and their relative wealth.
Primary data sources: “2006 Georgia Outshopping Report,” SBDC, Applied Research, The University of Georgia.
Commuting to Work: 2000
Percentage of:
Residents working in
county
86.1
Residents working
out of county
13.9
Workers coming into
county
24.4
Residents driving to
work alone
79.6
Residents carpooling
Residents working at
home
16.0
2.0
Resident workers 16+ = 17,833
Residents working in county = 15,361
Residents working out of county = 2,472
Total working in county = 20,318
Workers commuting into county = 4,957
Thomas County
Mean travel time to work = 19.1 min.
Ratio of IN to OUT = 2.01
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
This study was developed to assist
community leadership with their
future planning and decision making.
Special Area Report
# 07-19
June, 2007
Prepared for Thomas County Cooperative Extension
by Susan R. Boatright
Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA
Georgia Cooperative Extension
706-542-0760 • 706-542-8938
To find out more about your county,
click on “Georgia Statistics System” at our website:
www.caed.uga.edu