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 CAED Trend
46,180
46,235
45,237
42,737
38,986
38,098
34,515
34,319
33,932
2010 OPB Proj.
2007 Estimate
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
31,289
32,612
1940
1930
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
Primary data sources: U.S. Census Bureau, decennial censuses & estimate; OPB (State Office of Planning &
Budget); CAED (Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development) 3/08.
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
28.0
23.9
13.7
22.9
33.6
23.1
9.8
11.9
11.7
9.2
7.5
7.6
6.7
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
0%
2007 Estimated Median Age
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Thomas Co. = 38.0 yrs.
Change in
proportion
1990-2000
- 0.3
+ 3.6
- 1.6
- 0.8
- 0.9
GA = 34.7 yrs.
2007 County Population Comparisons
Total
Total
Rank
Density
per sq.mi.
land area
% Chg.
2000-07
Rank of
% Chg.
THOMAS
45,237
44
82.5
5.9
86
BROOKS
16,340
102
33.1
-0.7
130
COLQUITT
44,814
45
81.1
6.6
82
COOK
16,432
101
71.7
4.2
97
DECATUR
28,544
60
47.8
1.1
113
GRADY
25,042
71
54.7
5.8
87
MITCHELL
24,139
74
47.2
0.9
117
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (3/08)
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
Natural Increase & Net Migration*
2000-2007
Numerical
Change*
2000-2007
# Natural
Increase
(Births-Deaths)
2000-2007
# Net
Migration
2006-07
1-yr Natural
Increase
Rate
2006-07
1 yr.Net
Migration
Rate
THOMAS
2,503
1,124
1,570
5.0
6.8
BROOKS
-110
57
-99
-0.4
3.7
COLQUITT
2,776
1,921
1,049
6.1
7.3
661
514
225
5.3
4.9
304
1,383
205
8,540
1,357,934
778
1,035
710
3,283
521,982
-347
455
-404
4,564
725,733
3.7
7.0
4.1
5.3
8.3
2.7
5.8
11.9
6.6
13.3
Area
COOK
DECATUR
GRADY
MITCHELL
Avg. County
GEORGIA
Primary data source:
U. S. Census Bureau (3/08)
* Numerical change includes “residual” not represented in either NI or NM.
Population Change: 2000-2007
LOSS
0 – 7.2%
7.2 – 16.6%
16.6 – 39.0%
39.0 – 61.5%
Avg. GA
County = 9.9%
GA = 16.6%
US = 7.2%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau (3/08)
Selected Vital Statistics
2006 Rates
14.2
Total births per 1,000 pop
14.6
51.8
Unwed per 100 total births
46.7
Teen pregnancy per 1,000
females age 10-19
34.1
38.4
10.0
Deaths per 1,000 pop
9.2
Induced terminations per
1,000 females age 15-44
Low birth weight per 100
births
Infant deaths per 1,000 births
0.9
8.6
10.3
9.5
Thomas Co.
10.0
Georgia
9.4
10-yr. rates 1997-2006
2006 Thomas Co. Natality Data
639 total births, 331 unwed births
9 induced terminations
106 teen pregnancies
79 low birth weight babies
2006 Thomas Co. Mortality Data
450 total deaths
8 infant deaths
Primary data source: GA Dept. Public Health, OASIS
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 2006-07
50.2
Teachers w/adv degrees
College prep certif
56.3
56.4
75.0
37.7
38.1
HOPE Eligible
70.6
72.3
Class '07 Grad Rate
6.3
8.7
Gifted
14.0
11.7
Special Ed
Econ Disadvantaged
50.0
3.3
4.3
Retained in grade
12.7
10.0
Absent >15 days
3.8
4.1
HS Dropout rate
0
10
Primary data source:
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement
20
60.5
Thomas Co. & Thomasville City
Georgia
30
40
50
Percentage
60
70
80
Thomas Co. and Thomasville City Schools
K12 enrollment = 8,128
HS dropouts = 103
General Fund Expenditures per FTE = $7,668
Per Capita Income: 2001-2006
$40,000
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
2001
2002
2003
Thomas Co.
2006 PCI
Thomas Co. = $29,306
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/08)
2004
2005
Georgia
Georgia = $32,095
US = $36,714
2006
US
Per Capita Income: 2001-2006
Percentage Change
8
Percentage
6
4
2
0
-2
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
Thomas Co.
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/08)
2004-2005
Georgia
2005-2006
US
Per Capita Income: 2006
PCI
Rank of
PCI
% PCI of
GA Total
% Change
in PCI
2001-2006
THOMAS
$29,306
26
91.3
17.5
BROOKS
$23,677
97
73.8
14.9
COLQUITT
$22,331
114
69.6
11.6
COOK
$20,133
150
62.7
8.3
DECATUR
$22,940
104
71.5
10.4
GRADY
$22,812
107
71.1
11.4
MITCHELL
$20,518
144
63.9
13.3
GA Avg. Co.
$25,483
--
79.4
14.5
County
Primary data source: U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/08)
Median Household Income
2007 Model-Based Estimates
US
$50,740
GEORGIA
$49,080
GA Avg. Co.
$40,170
$39,665
THOMAS
$32,302
BROOKS
COLQUITT
$33,024
COOK
$30,607
DECATUR
$32,650
GRADY
$33,060
$30,732
MITCHELL
$0
$10,000
$20,000
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (12/08)
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
Transfer Receipts: 2006
Thomas Co. Total = $300,889,000
32.4
Retirement/Disab
35.1
22.3
23.2
21.7
Medicare
Pub Med Assist
16.8
3.5
2.5
Supp Sec Inc
Thomas Co.
0.4
0.5
2.2
2.7
Family Assist
Food Stamps
Georgia
Thomas Co.
$6,729 per capita
transfer receipts
7.6
6.8
Other Inc Maint
1.6
1.5
2.9
3.4
Unemp
Veteran Benefit
23.0% of total personal income
3.0% change in total 2005-2006
5.3
7.6
All Other
0
5
10
15
20
Percentage
Primary data source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (5/08)
25
30
35
40
Persons Living Below Poverty Level
2007 Model-Based Estimates
# of
Persons
% of all
Persons
Rank
of %
THOMAS
7,510
17.1
66
BROOKS
3,736
23.4
122
COLQUITT
9,721
22.2
113
COOK
3,715
22.9
118
DECATUR
6,208
22.5
116
GRADY
5,491
22.2
114
MITCHELL
5,570
25.3
135
GA Avg. Co.
8,359
18.6
--
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau (12/08)
Persons Living Below the Poverty Level
2007 Model-Based Estimates
5.2 – 12.2%
12.2 – 16.9%
16.9 – 20.6%
20.6 – 24.0%
24.0 – 36.2%
Weighted
average poverty
threshold for a
family of 4
persons in 2007
= $21,203
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau (12/08)
Georgia
1,329,161
persons
14.3%
------------US = 13.0%
Annual Average Unemployment Rates
Thomas Co.
7
Georgia
U. S.
Rate per 100 in Labor Forc
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1999
2000
2008 Rates
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Thomas Co. = 5.7
GA = 6.2
Avg. GA County = 6.9
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
2007
2008
US = 5.8
Business Establishments, Employment and Wages
Thomas Co. 2007 Annual Averages, % of Total
Estab
Emp
Wages
Goods Producing
Agriculture, Mining,
Construction,
Manufacturing
Service Producing
Government
Retail-Wholesale Trade, Transportation-Warehousing,
Information, Finance-Insurance-Real Estate,
Professional-SciTech Serv., Admin-Waste Serv., HealthSocial Serv., Accommodation-Food Serv., & others
Federal,
State,
Local
2007 Averages
# Establishments = 1,329 Monthly Employment = 23,077 Weekly Wage = $631
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
Selected Employment Comparisons by Industry: 2007
Total GOODS
Producing
Agriculture
Construction
1.8
0.6
3.2
5.4
Manufacturing
Total SERVICE
Producing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transp-warehous
Information
Fin/Ins/RE
Prof-Sci-Tech
Adm-Waste svc
Health-Soc Svcs
Accomo-Food svc
RE&Rent&Lease
Total
GOVERNMENT
6.3
5.4
16.820.4
14.0
10.6
62.4
66.4
10.5
11.7
0.4
3.9
0.7
2.8
2.8
4.0
3.1
5.4
12.2
7.1
14.5
9.2
5.8
8.7
1.1
1.6
17.1
16.5
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
Thomas Co.
Georgia
Farm Gate Value by Commodity Group: 2007
Thomas Co. Total Value = $105,775,140
Row-Forage crops
29.3%
Poultry-Egg
11.8%
Livestock
16.1%
Other
23.4%
Forestry
6.1%
Fruits-Nuts
3.9%
Ornamental
Horticulture
5.1%
Veges
4.2%
Primary data source: Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development, UGA (4/08)
Components of Gross Property Tax Digest: 2007
Thomas Co. Gross Digest (40% Value) = $1.24 billion
37.1
Residential
24.9
23.8
Ag/Pref/Environ
6.8
12.7
Commercial
42.4
20.5
22.2
5.2
7.0
6.3
Industrial
2.1
Utility
5.0
3.2
Motor Vehicle
6
8.2
7.2
1.5
1.1
Mobile Home
0.3
0.5
Timber
0.9
0.1
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Thomas Co.
GA Avg. Co.
GA Total
54.9
County Property Tax Digest Comparisons: 2007
County
THOMAS
BROOKS
COLQUITT
COOK
DECATUR
GRADY
MITCHELL
GEORGIA
Avg. GA Co.
% Resi- % Agri- % Comdential cultural mercial
37.1
27.4
42.2
32.1
37.4
43.4
28.4
54.9
42.4
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
24.9
44.5
15.6
27.4
18.8
28.5
35.7
6.8
23.8
% Industrial
20.5 5.2
6.3 7.8
20.2 4.2
20.1 6.2
15.4 14.6
10.3 5.6
14.2 8.6
22.2 6.3
12.7 7.0
% Mo%
%
% UtilMotor bile
Timity
Veh Home ber
2.1
3.2
3.9
3.6
4.0
2.0
4.3
3.2
5.0
8.2
7.6
10.8
8.2
7.7
8.1
6.9
6.0
7.2
1.5
2.3
2.4
1.7
1.3
1.5
1.2
0.4
1.1
0.45
1.04
0.69
0.64
0.78
0.58
0.65
0.2
0.9
Millage Rates, Taxes Levied, & Sales Tax Rate
County
THOMAS
BROOKS
COLQUITT
COOK
DECATUR
GRADY
MITCHELL
’07 County’07 School
wide
Millage*
Millage*
26.522
30.770
26.403
23.965
21.650
22.550
30.573
13.960
16.230
8.463
14.150
12.840
11.800
12.984
’07 Taxes
Levied*
($000)
Sales Tax
Rate as of
LOST
Type*
1/09
as of 1/09
$33,253
$11,106
$23,415
$9,124
$17,482
$14,795
$16,518
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
LSE
*Countywide Includes .250 state millage. School includes bonds, if any. 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: 2007
Thomas Co. Total Retail Sales = $719,445,000
1.32
Total Retail Sales
Health-Personal Care
1.19
Bldg Mat-garden equip-supplies
0.61
Gas stations
2.00
1.79
Motor Vehicle-parts
Furniture-Home Furn-Appliance
1.08
0.97
Clothing & Accessories
General Merchandise
1.66
Food Services-Drinking Places
0.74
Food-Beverage Stores
1.11
0
1
2
Pull 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: “Demographics USA, County Edition, 2007;” pull factor calculations by Center for
Agribusiness and Economic Development.
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
# 0908
March, 2009
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 learn more about your county, click on
“Georgia Statistics System” at our website:
www.caed.uga.edu