Paulding County, Georgia

Paulding County
County
The Old Paulding County Courthouse in Dallas is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Seal Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°55′N 84°52′W / 33.92°N 84.87°W / 33.92; -84.87
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Founded	December 3, 1832; 192 years ago (1832)
Named for	John Paulding
Seat	Dallas
Largest city	Dallas
Area
• Total	314 sq mi (810 km2)
• Land	312 sq mi (810 km2)
• Water	2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	168,661
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	14th
Website	paulding.gov

Paulding County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia. Part of Metro Atlanta, it had an estimated population of 168,661 in 2020.^[1][2] The county seat is Dallas.^[3]

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.^[4] André was on a mission carrying secret papers from Benedict Arnold when he was captured.

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.^[5] The Tallapoosa River originates in Paulding County.

The county is mainly located in the Piedmont region of the state, with a few mountains located in the county that exceed elevations of 1,000 ft. The highest point in Paulding county is a small, unnamed hill located in Yorkville with an elevation of 1,410 ft (430 m) above sea level, However it is located on already elevated base and therefore cannot be considered a true mountain. The highest true mountain in Paulding County is Vinson Mountain with an elevation of 1,330 ft (405 m) above sea level, although much of the mountain's base is not entirely within the county.^[6] These mountains are considered to be part of the southernmost extensions of the Appalachian Mountains.

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.^[7]

• Bartow County – north
• Cobb County – east
• Douglas County – southeast
• Carroll County – south
• Haralson County – southwest
• Polk County – west

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	2,556		—
1850	7,039		175.4%
1860	7,038		0.0%
1870	7,639		8.5%
1880	10,887		42.5%
1890	11,948		9.7%
1900	12,969		8.5%
1910	14,124		8.9%
1920	14,025		−0.7%
1930	12,327		−12.1%
1940	12,832		4.1%
1950	11,752		−8.4%
1960	13,101		11.5%
1970	17,520		33.7%
1980	26,110		49.0%
1990	41,611		59.4%
2000	81,678		96.3%
2010	142,324		74.3%
2020	168,661		18.5%
2023 (est.)	183,164	[8]	8.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1880[10] 1890-1910[11] 1920-1930[12] 1930-1940[13] 1940-1950[14] 1960-1980[15] 1980-2000[16] 2010[2] 2020[1]

Paulding County racial and ethnic composition^[17]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	108,444	64.3%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	36,609	21.71%
Native American	394	0.23%
Asian	1,926	1.14%
Pacific Islander	114	0.07%
Other/Mixed	8,610	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	12,564	7.45%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 168,661 people, 56,476 households, and 44,021 families residing in the county.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 142,324 people, 48,105 households, and 38,103 families living in the county.^[18] 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).^[19] 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.^[18] In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were Irish, 11.6% were American, 11.2% were German, and 10.4% were English.^[20]

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.^[18]

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.^[21]

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.^[22]

As of the census^[23] 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.

Elementary Schools • Abney Elementary School • Allgood Elementary School • Baggett Elementary School • Burnt Hickory Elementary School • Dallas Elementary School • Dugan Elementary School • Hiram Elementary School • Hutchens Elementary School • McGarity Elementary School • Nebo Elementary School • New Georgia Elementary School • Northside Elementary School • Panter Elementary School • Poole Elementary School • Ragsdale Elementary School • Roberts Elementary School • Russom Elementary School • Shelton Elementary School • Union Elementary School

Middle Schools • Austin Middle School • Dobbins Middle School • East Paulding Middle School • Herschel Jones Middle School • Scoggins Middle School • Moses Middle School • South Paulding Middle School • P.B. Ritch Middle School • Sammy McClure Middle School

High Schools • East Paulding High School • Hiram High School • Paulding County High School • South Paulding High School • North Paulding High School

The county legal organ is The Dallas New Era.^[24]

• Silver Comet Trail^[25]
• 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

• Dallas (county seat)
• Hiram
• Braswell

• New Hope
• Yorkville
• Nebo
• Sudie

• 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

Paulding County is governed by a five-member board of commissioners, including a chairman and four post members. In the State Legislature, Paulding County is represented by two State Senators and four State Representatives. For federal elections, it is located in Georgia's 14th congressional district.

United States presidential election results for Paulding County, Georgia^[26]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	58,769	61.52%	35,802	37.48%	953	1.00%
2020	54,517	63.82%	29,695	34.76%	1,205	1.41%
2016	44,662	68.21%	18,025	27.53%	2,793	4.27%
2012	40,846	70.98%	15,825	27.50%	872	1.52%
2008	39,192	68.67%	17,229	30.19%	655	1.15%
2004	30,843	76.13%	9,420	23.25%	251	0.62%
2000	16,881	69.58%	6,743	27.79%	636	2.62%
1996	10,152	57.57%	5,699	32.32%	1,782	10.11%
1992	7,180	47.59%	5,212	34.54%	2,696	17.87%
1988	7,329	72.63%	2,717	26.92%	45	0.45%
1984	6,048	69.77%	2,621	30.23%	0	0.00%
1980	2,845	36.87%	4,686	60.72%	186	2.41%
1976	1,432	20.90%	5,420	79.10%	0	0.00%
1972	2,814	73.70%	1,004	26.30%	0	0.00%
1968	977	19.33%	1,023	20.24%	3,054	60.43%
1964	1,914	43.23%	2,513	56.77%	0	0.00%
1960	812	25.31%	2,396	74.69%	0	0.00%
1956	940	37.02%	1,599	62.98%	0	0.00%
1952	788	26.80%	2,152	73.20%	0	0.00%
1948	139	9.55%	981	67.38%	336	23.08%
1944	775	36.33%	1,355	63.53%	3	0.14%
1940	770	31.62%	1,653	67.89%	12	0.49%
1936	645	31.71%	1,386	68.14%	3	0.15%
1932	276	12.40%	1,914	85.98%	36	1.62%
1928	1,301	65.34%	690	34.66%	0	0.00%
1924	378	40.95%	419	45.40%	126	13.65%
1920	954	73.72%	340	26.28%	0	0.00%
1916	10	0.68%	670	45.80%	783	53.52%
1912	32	2.80%	426	37.30%	684	59.89%
1908	630	58.44%	256	23.75%	192	17.81%
1904	341	27.91%	402	32.90%	479	39.20%
1900	609	46.00%	496	37.46%	219	16.54%
1896	552	44.52%	627	50.56%	61	4.92%
1892	158	10.50%	641	42.59%	706	46.91%
1888	185	23.57%	592	75.41%	8	1.02%
1884	221	24.29%	689	75.71%	0	0.00%
1880	258	21.32%	952	78.68%	0	0.00%

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

• Paulding County Government
• AccessPaulding.com
• GeorgiaInfo Paulding County Courthouse History

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