An Overview of Richmond County, Georgia

Richmond County is located in east central Georgia and is home to the city of Augusta With a population of over 200,000 residents, it is one of the most populous counties in Georgia. Richmond County has a rich history and is known for being home to the Augusta National Golf Club, where the annual Masters Tournament is held Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating county!

History of Richmond County

The area that is now Richmond County was originally home to the Creek and Cherokee Native American tribes. The first European settlers arrived in the early 1700s and established trading posts and plantations along the Savannah River. In 1735, General James Oglethorpe founded the city of Augusta, naming it after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. Augusta became an important trading hub and commercial center in the colonial era.

During the Revolutionary War, Augusta was briefly captured by the British before being retaken by the Patriots in 1781. After the war, Augusta continued to prosper as a market town exporting cotton and other agricultural products. Richmond County was officially established in 1777. The county is named after Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond, an advocate of colonial independence.

In the antebellum period, Augusta emerged as a major industrial center with textile mills, machine shops, and foundries. The Augusta Canal was completed in 1845 to provide water power and transportation to the city. Richmond County played a significant role in the Civil War as a manufacturing center for the Confederacy. The city was severely damaged by Union forces in 1865.

After the war, Augusta slowly rebounded and rebuilt its economy around manufacturing and power production along the canal. The city grew steadily into the 20th century, although racial segregation and tensions were present. African-American citizens led civil rights demonstrations in Augusta in the 1960s. Today, Richmond County is a diverse community focused on economic growth and revitalization.

Geography and Climate

Richmond County covers an area of over 300 square miles in east central Georgia. It is bordered by Columbia County to the north, Burke County to the east, Jefferson and McDuffie Counties to the south, and Aiken County, South Carolina to the east.

The county’s terrain is characterized by rolling hills interspersed with level plains. The Savannah River forms the county’s eastern border. The Augusta Canal splits off from the river and winds through the city of Augusta. Other significant waterways include Butler Creek, Spirit Creek, and Rocky Creek.

The climate in Richmond County is humid subtropical with short, mild winters and long, hot, humid summers. July is typically the hottest month with average highs of 92°F. January is usually the coldest month with average lows of 34°F. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather. Rainfall is abundant year-round, averaging nearly 50 inches annually.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Richmond County had a population of 202,518 residents. The county has grown moderately over the past two decades. Approximately 54% of residents are African-American, 40% are white, and 6% are Hispanic or Latino. Other ethnic groups include Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander.

The median household income is $41,800 which is below the national average. 22% of residents live below the poverty line. Most population growth has occurred in suburban areas of south and west Richmond County. The city of Augusta remains the urban core with around 75,000 residents.

Richmond County has a relatively youthful population with a median age of 34 years old. 60% of adults have a high school degree or higher. College graduates make up 20% of the over-25 population. The county’s major employers are the services, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors. Fort Gordon military base is also a major economic driver.

Government and Infrastructure

Richmond County has a consolidated city-county government structure. The legislative body is the Augusta Commission composed of a mayor and 10 commissioners representing specific districts. The Commission enacts laws, levies taxes, and oversees county government operations.

Other elected positions are the District Attorney, Sheriff, Coroner, Clerk of Superior Court, Probate Judge, and Board of Education members. Augusta is the county seat and houses the courthouse, jail, administrative offices, and the Commission chamber.

Richmond County provides residents with a range of services including law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, water and sewer systems, parks, libraries, and recreation centers. Public schooling in Richmond County consists of 57 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, and 9 high schools. There are over 30,000 students enrolled in the district.

Major highways running through the county are I-20, I-520, and US 1, 25, 78, and 278. Augusta Regional Airport provides commercial air service. Public transit is offered by Augusta Public Transit. Healthcare is provided by Augusta University Medical Center and other smaller hospitals and clinics.

Economy and Major Employers

As mentioned, the economy of Richmond County relies heavily on the services, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors for jobs and tax revenue. Many large companies are based in Augusta. Here are some of the top employers:

• Fort Gordon Army Base – Over 20,000 employees
• Augusta University Medical Center – 10,000 employees
• Richmond County School System – 8,500 employees
• Textron Specialized Vehicles – 1,300 employees
• TaxSlayer – 1,200 employees
• UPS – 1,000 employees
• Frito-Lay – 750 employees

Other major companies with a presence include Kellogg’s, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Procter & Gamble, and Amazon. Tourism is also an important industry, especially during Masters Tournament week which brings major revenue to the county.

Richmond County has a number of industrial parks and business clusters that provide employment. The county government offers tax incentives, training programs, and other initiatives to attract new companies and encourage existing businesses to expand. Major ongoing economic goals are reducing poverty and unemployment rates.

Attractions and Events

As the cultural hub of east Georgia, Richmond County boasts many attractions and events for residents and tourists to enjoy:

• Augusta National Golf Club – Home of the Masters golf tournament held each April. Also open to limited public play.

• Augusta Canal National Heritage Area – Includes canal boat tours, historic textile mills, and beautiful parks along the canal.

• Sacred Heart Cultural Center – Performing arts theater that hosts concerts, plays, and other events.

• Morris Museum of Art – An impressive collection of American art with temporary exhibits.

• Augusta Museum of History – Exhibits on Augusta’s history and heritage. Also offers tours.

• Riverwalk Augusta – A scenic trail along the Savannah River with art, restaurants, and shopping.

• Augusta Players – Community theater group staging outstanding local productions.

• Westobou Festival – An annual festival each fall featuring art exhibitions, films, dance, music, and more.

• Augusta Pride Festival – Yearly LGBTQ pride event with parade, music, and entertainment.

With its Southern hospitality, family attractions, sports, arts and culture, scenic beauty, and historic charm, Richmond County offers an outstanding quality of life for residents and visitors alike.