Cook County, Georgia

Cook County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,229.^[1] The county seat is Adel.^[2] The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 30, 1918, and ratified November 5, 1918. It is named for former Civil War general Philip Cook of the Confederate States Army.^[3]

Reed Bingham State Park is in Cook County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 233 square miles (600 km²), of which 227 square miles (590 km²) is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km²) (2.6%) is water.^[4]

The western half of Cook County, located roughly west of Interstate 75, is located in the Little River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The eastern half of the county is located in the Withlacoochee River sub-basin of the same Suwannee River basin.^[5]

Major highways

• Interstate 75
• U.S. Route 41
• State Route 7
• State Route 37
• State Route 76
• State Route 401 (unsigned designation for I-75)

Adjacent counties

• Tift County (north)
• Berrien County (east)
• Lowndes County (southeast)
• Brooks County (southwest)
• Colquitt County (west)

City

• Adel (county seat)

Towns

• Cecil
• Lenox
• Sparks

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 17,229. The median age was 39.1 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over. 40.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 59.2% lived in rural areas.^[15][16][17]

The racial makeup of the county was 63.7% White, 27.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.1% from some other race, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.6% of the population.^[17]

There were 6,432 households in the county, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[16]

There were 7,258 housing units, of which 11.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.7% were owner-occupied and 35.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.5%.^[16]

Education

It is within the Cook County School District. It operates Cook County High School.^{[citation needed]}

Politics

As of the 2020s, Cook County is a Republican stronghold, voting 73% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Cook County is part of Georgia's 8th congressional district, currently represented by Austin Scott. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Cook County is part of District 11.^[18] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Cook County is part of districts 170 and 172.^[19]

See also

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

References

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Cook County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins. Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. Archived July 10, 2003 at the Wayback Machine.
4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
6. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Georgia - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980". United States Census Bureau. p. 12-52. Archived February 18, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. – via Wayback Machine
7. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin". United States Census Bureau. p. 15-65. Archived September 1, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. – via Wayback Machine
8. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cook County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
9. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cook County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
10. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cook County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau
11. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
12. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
13. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
14. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
18. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
19. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-28.

External links

• Official Site
• Cook County historical marker