Census data typically comes out every 10 years, but the pandemic pushed the process back. Now, the data is available and it shows just how much the state — and especially Columbia County — has grown in the last 10 years.
The eighth-most populated state in the country, Georgia grew over the last decade. The state’s total population is 10,711,908, up 10.6% from 2010 when the state had a population of 9,687,653.
South Carolina coming in at 5,118,425, up 10.7% from 2010 when the state’s population was 4,625,364.
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The Atlanta area (Fulton County) grew 15.9%, from 920,581 in 2010 to 1,066,710 in 2020; Savannah (Chatham County) grew 11.4%, from 265,128 to 295,291.
Aiken County in South Carolina grew 5.4%, up from 160,099 in 2010 to 168,808 in 2020.
Richmond County experienced a marginal amount of growth, up 3% since 2010, from 200,549 to 206,607. Columbia County, however, skyrocketed 25.8%, growing from 124,053 in 2010 to 156,010 in 2020.
Demographic data about the state was also released. In terms of race, Georgia is made up of 50.01% white, 30.6% non-Hispanic black or African-American, 10.4% Hispanic or Latino and 4.4% non-Hispanic Asian.
District lines will be examined and redrawn as a result of the census data. New maps defining the Congressional and state House and Senate districts will be voted on later this year.
The members of the Georgia House and Senate Reappointment Committees wrapped up their series of 11 community input meetings after a stop in Augusta Aug. 11.
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Commissioners Ben Hasan and Jordan Johnson were among those in attendance. Both men are members of the Richmond County redistricting committee, made up of representatives from the Augusta Commission, Richmond County Board of Education and the local legislative delegation.
Hasan said, “Ultimately, what we will do here is going to end up in the state’s hands so we can make sure we get it right and we can have less intrusion from the state.”
Richmond County Board of Elections Executive Director Lynn Bailey said, “I know that here locally, although the local committee hasn’t formulated their guiding principals yet, they’ll be looking at suggestions to keep neighborhoods together, keep precinct boundaries together and other things that are important for continuity to votes.”
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com.
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