The county's name derives from the Oconee, a Muskogean people of central Georgia. The name exists in several variations, including Ocone, Oconi, Ocony, and Ekwoni.[3] Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke County in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly. The new county was created to satisfy southwestern Clarke County residents' demand for their own county after the county seat was moved from Watkinsville to Athens by the General Assembly in 1872. It is named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border.[4]
The county was ranked as the third-best rural county to live in by Progressive Farmer magazine in 2006.[5]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 186 square miles (480 km2), of which 184 square miles (480 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (1.1%) is water.[6] The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 41,799 people, 13,423 households, and 10,727 families residing in the county.
Government
Oconee County is governed by a four-member board of commissioners, which holds legislative power. The board is led by a separately-elected chairman, who holds executive power. The board is vested with budget and taxing authority, ordinance-making authority, and control of county property, roads and facilities. The chairman and all members of the board are elected from at-large districts (called "posts") to staggered terms of four years.[19]
The chairman of the board is the county's chief executive officer who, in consultation with the commissioners, appoints officers and staff as needed to administer the responsibilities of the board.
The judicial branch of government is administered through the Georgia court system as a part of the 10th Judicial District, Western Circuit.[20]
Primary law enforcement services in the portion of the county outside the City of Watkinsville are provided by the sheriff's office. (Law enforcement within the Watkinsville City Limits is the jurisdiction of the Watkinsville Police Department.)[21] The office of Sheriff is an elected position; since 2020, the office has been held by James Hale.
Politics
United States presidential election results for Oconee County, Georgia[22]
The Oconee County School District provides education for grades pre-school to twelve and consists of six elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools.[23] The district has 361 full-time teachers and over 5,615 students.[24]
Private schools
There are currently three private schools located in the county. They are:
The University of North Georgia maintains a satellite campus near Watkinsville. It was a Gainesville State College campus until the 2012 merger of Gainesville State College with North Georgia College and State University.[28]
The College of Athens (CoA) is a private Christian college that was established in 2012 near Watkinsville. CoA currently offers certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in nine various major areas.[29]
Cox Media Group also operates a radio broadcast facility on Tower Place in northeast Oconee County. Four radio stations are operated from this facility:[30]
