Long County

Long County is located in southeast Georgia, occupying 400 square miles of the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,168, but recent estimates place it closer to 17,512 in 2023. Long County is part of the Hinesville-Fort Stewart Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county maintains a rural character, with much of the population residing in the urban area of Ludowici. The economy of Long County has historically been rooted in agriculture, with cotton, tobacco, corn, and soybeans as principal crops. The pine forests have also played a significant role, with timber being a key resource. Fort Stewart, a large military installation, occupies the northern tip of the county and provides civil service jobs to local residents. Several paper mills within a 50-mile radius of Ludowici have also boosted the economy. Long County was created in 1920 and named for Dr. Crawford Long, who is credited with first using ether as an anesthetic. The county's history is also tied to the turpentine industry, and remnants of this past can still be seen in the landscape. The Altamaha River forms the county's southwestern boundary, offering recreational opportunities and historical significance.