Charlton County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,518. The county seat is Folkston.

History

Charlton County was created from a portion of Camden County, Georgia, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on February 18, 1854. The original county seat was at Trader's Hill, until 1901. Additional lands from Ware County, Georgia, were added to Charlton's borders by an 1855 act of the General Assembly. In 1856, an additional legislative act redefined the Charlton–Camden borders again with each county ceding land to the other.

The county is named for Robert Milledge Charlton, a U. S. Senator from Georgia.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.1%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county by area in Georgia. It is the southernmost county in Georgia. A large portion of the county lies within the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected areas.

The entire central and southern portion of Charlton County is located in the St. Marys sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla basin. The county's northeastern portion, north of Homeland, is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla basin. The western portion of Charlton County is located in the Upper Suwannee River sub-basin of the larger Suwannee River basin. The county's southern region is level with the northernmost part of the central and eastern Panhandle of the Florida peninsula.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

  • Brantley County - north
  • Nassau County, Florida - south and east
  • Camden County - east
  • Baker County, Florida - south
  • Ware County - north and west

National protected area

  • Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Communities

Cities

  • Folkston
  • Homeland

Unincorporated communities

  • Moniac
  • Racepond
  • Saint George
  • Toledo
  • Trader's Hill
  • Uptonville

Demographics

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As of the 2020s, Charlton County is a Republican stronghold, voting 78% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Charlton County is part of Georgia's 1st congressional district, currently represented by Buddy Carter. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Charlton County is part of District 3. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Charlton County is part of District 174.

See also

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

References

  • Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Charlton County historical marker
  • Sardis Church historical marker