Pierce County
countyPierce County is located in southeastern Georgia and offers a blend of rural charm and natural beauty. The county had a population of 19,716 in 2020 and is part of the Waycross, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area. Blackshear serves as the county seat. The area provides a peaceful, small-town atmosphere with access to outdoor recreational activities. Agriculture, timber, and service-related industries drive the local economy in Pierce County. The largest employment sectors include service, retail trade, and wholesale trade. The county aims to enhance its economic landscape by attracting diverse industries and fostering job creation. Pierce County was established in 1857 and named in honor of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. The county's history is intertwined with the Creek Indians and the Civil War, with a former Confederate prison camp located in Blackshear.
Pierce County, Georgia
- Classification
- County
- Country
- United States
- County
- Pierce County
- Region
- Southeastern Georgia
- Total Area
- 343 sq mi
- Land Area
- 316 sq mi
- Water Area
- 27 sq mi
- Latitude
- 31.36
- Longitude
- -82.22
- Notable Features
- Little Satilla River · Satilla River
- Neighboring Areas
- Appling County · Bacon County · Brantley County · Ware County · Wayne County
- Population (2020)
- 19,716
- Est. Population (2023)
- 19,996
- Median Age
- 40.3
- Median Income
- $56,691
- Poverty Rate
- 13.2%
- Family Households
- 69.3%
- Owner-Occupied
- 78.1%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2023, the racial makeup was 82.1% White (Non-Hispanic), 9.83% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), and 2.6% White (Hispanic).
- Government Type
- County Commission
- Governing Body
- Board of Commissioners
- Body Size
- 5 members
- School District
- Pierce County School District
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.3%
- Employment Sectors
- Manufacturing · Health Care & Social Assistance · Educational Services
- Schools
- 5
- Students
- 3,650
- Teachers
- 249
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Graduation Rate
- 97%
- School Districts
- Pierce County School District
- Major Facilities
- Pierce County Courthouse
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Pierce County Recreation Department
- Founded
- 1857
- Named After
- Franklin Pierce, fourteenth president of the United States
- Historical Significance
- Named for a former U.S. President, the county played a minor role during the Civil War.
- Key Events
- County created from Appling and Ware counties · Served as Confederate prison camp during Civil War