Most rural counties in Georgia

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Georgia

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. Stacker compiled a list of the most rural counties in Georgia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Jenkins County

- Rural area: 99.3% (345 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 347 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,686 nationwide

- Population density: 25.3 people / square mile (8,787 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,080 nationwide

#49. Berrien County

- Rural area: 99.3% (449 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 452 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #2,266 nationwide

- Population density: 42.5 people / square mile (19,206 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #1,526 nationwide

#48. McIntosh County

- Rural area: 99.3% (421 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 424 square miles
--- #50 largest county in state, #2,386 nationwide

- Population density: 33.5 people / square mile (14,217 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,305 nationwide

#47. Long County

- Rural area: 99.3% (397 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 400 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #2,525 nationwide

- Population density: 48.1 people / square mile (19,236 residents)
--- #67 lowest density county in state, #1,656 nationwide

#46. Banks County

- Rural area: 99.3% (230 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 232 square miles
--- #127 largest county in state, #2,947 nationwide

- Population density: 81.4 people / square mile (18,900 residents)
--- #92 lowest density county in state, #2,107 nationwide

#45. Wilkes County

- Rural area: 99.3% (466 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 469 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #2,194 nationwide

- Population density: 20.9 people / square mile (9,797 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #925 nationwide

#44. Terrell County

- Rural area: 99.4% (333 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 335 square miles
--- #84 largest county in state, #2,725 nationwide

- Population density: 25.8 people / square mile (8,654 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,093 nationwide

#43. Meriwether County

- Rural area: 99.4% (498 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 501 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #2,076 nationwide

- Population density: 42.1 people / square mile (21,080 residents)
--- #54 lowest density county in state, #1,519 nationwide

#42. Charlton County

- Rural area: 99.4% (769 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 774 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #1,121 nationwide

- Population density: 16.8 people / square mile (13,032 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #795 nationwide

#41. Irwin County

- Rural area: 99.4% (352 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 354 square miles
--- #74 largest county in state, #2,674 nationwide

- Population density: 26.5 people / square mile (9,379 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,110 nationwide

#40. Early County

- Rural area: 99.4% (510 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 513 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #2,031 nationwide

- Population density: 19.9 people / square mile (10,218 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #894 nationwide

#39. Greene County

- Rural area: 99.4% (385 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 387 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #2,577 nationwide

- Population density: 46.0 people / square mile (17,808 residents)
--- #65 lowest density county in state, #1,606 nationwide

#38. Lanier County

- Rural area: 99.4% (184 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 185 square miles
--- #143 largest county in state, #3,020 nationwide

- Population density: 56.9 people / square mile (10,534 residents)
--- #72 lowest density county in state, #1,802 nationwide

#37. Burke County

- Rural area: 99.4% (822 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 827 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #1,021 nationwide

- Population density: 27.3 people / square mile (22,567 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,129 nationwide

#36. Screven County

- Rural area: 99.4% (642 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 645 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,473 nationwide

- Population density: 21.7 people / square mile (13,977 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #949 nationwide

#35. Randolph County

- Rural area: 99.5% (426 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 428 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #2,372 nationwide

- Population density: 16.1 people / square mile (6,888 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #771 nationwide

#34. Jasper County

- Rural area: 99.5% (366 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 368 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #2,638 nationwide

- Population density: 38.2 people / square mile (14,074 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,430 nationwide

#33. Quitman County

- Rural area: 99.5% (151 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 151 square miles
--- #154 largest county in state, #3,060 nationwide

- Population density: 15.1 people / square mile (2,290 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #745 nationwide

#32. Jefferson County

- Rural area: 99.6% (524 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 526 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,988 nationwide

- Population density: 29.4 people / square mile (15,489 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,194 nationwide

#31. Clinch County

- Rural area: 99.7% (798 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 800 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #1,063 nationwide

- Population density: 8.3 people / square mile (6,648 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #508 nationwide

#30. Harris County

- Rural area: 99.8% (463 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 464 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #2,217 nationwide

- Population density: 74.8 people / square mile (34,676 residents)
--- #87 lowest density county in state, #2,034 nationwide

#29. Talbot County

- Rural area: 99.8% (391 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 391 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #2,568 nationwide

- Population density: 16.0 people / square mile (6,245 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #768 nationwide

#28. Pike County

- Rural area: 99.9% (216 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 216 square miles
--- #132 largest county in state, #2,972 nationwide

- Population density: 85.9 people / square mile (18,565 residents)
--- #98 lowest density county in state, #2,142 nationwide

#27. Oglethorpe County

- Rural area: 99.9% (439 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 439 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #2,309 nationwide

- Population density: 34.3 people / square mile (15,040 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,327 nationwide

#26. Montgomery County

- Rural area: 100.0% (239 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 240 square miles
--- #124 largest county in state, #2,931 nationwide

- Population density: 37.9 people / square mile (9,069 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,420 nationwide

#25. Brantley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (442 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 442 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #2,297 nationwide

- Population density: 42.8 people / square mile (18,924 residents)
--- #57 lowest density county in state, #1,532 nationwide

#24. Union County

- Rural area: 100.0% (322 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 322 square miles
--- #92 largest county in state, #2,756 nationwide

- Population density: 74.5 people / square mile (23,999 residents)
--- #86 lowest density county in state, #2,032 nationwide

#23. Towns County

- Rural area: 100.0% (167 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 167 square miles
--- #151 largest county in state, #3,043 nationwide

- Population density: 70.9 people / square mile (11,815 residents)
--- #82 lowest density county in state, #1,987 nationwide

#22. Fannin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (387 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 387 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #2,580 nationwide

- Population density: 66.7 people / square mile (25,797 residents)
--- #79 lowest density county in state, #1,933 nationwide

#21. Heard County

- Rural area: 100.0% (296 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 296 square miles
--- #98 largest county in state, #2,814 nationwide

- Population density: 39.8 people / square mile (11,785 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #1,465 nationwide

#20. Crawford County

- Rural area: 100.0% (325 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 325 square miles
--- #88 largest county in state, #2,749 nationwide

- Population density: 37.8 people / square mile (12,267 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,415 nationwide

#19. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 100.0% (210 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 210 square miles
--- #135 largest county in state, #2,982 nationwide

- Population density: 37.7 people / square mile (7,929 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,414 nationwide

#18. Schley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (167 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 167 square miles
--- #150 largest county in state, #3,042 nationwide

- Population density: 31.2 people / square mile (5,215 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,247 nationwide

#17. Wheeler County

- Rural area: 100.0% (295 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 295 square miles
--- #99 largest county in state, #2,816 nationwide

- Population density: 26.7 people / square mile (7,897 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,118 nationwide

#16. Atkinson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (339 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 339 square miles
--- #83 largest county in state, #2,713 nationwide

- Population density: 24.5 people / square mile (8,311 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,053 nationwide

#15. Marion County

- Rural area: 100.0% (366 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 366 square miles
--- #69 largest county in state, #2,641 nationwide

- Population density: 23.1 people / square mile (8,450 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,010 nationwide

#14. Wilcox County

- Rural area: 100.0% (378 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 378 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #2,610 nationwide

- Population density: 23.0 people / square mile (8,701 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,008 nationwide

#13. Twiggs County

- Rural area: 100.0% (358 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 358 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #2,659 nationwide

- Population density: 22.9 people / square mile (8,195 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #997 nationwide

#12. Calhoun County

- Rural area: 100.0% (280 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 280 square miles
--- #108 largest county in state, #2,847 nationwide

- Population density: 22.5 people / square mile (6,301 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #978 nationwide

#11. Taylor County

- Rural area: 100.0% (377 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 377 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,613 nationwide

- Population density: 21.6 people / square mile (8,126 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #945 nationwide

#10. Glascock County

- Rural area: 100.0% (144 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 144 square miles
--- #156 largest county in state, #3,065 nationwide

- Population density: 20.8 people / square mile (2,984 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #917 nationwide

#9. Miller County

- Rural area: 100.0% (282 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 282 square miles
--- #105 largest county in state, #2,838 nationwide

- Population density: 20.3 people / square mile (5,725 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #903 nationwide

#8. Wilkinson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (447 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 447 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #2,281 nationwide

- Population density: 20.0 people / square mile (8,945 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #896 nationwide

#7. Warren County

- Rural area: 100.0% (284 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 284 square miles
--- #103 largest county in state, #2,835 nationwide

- Population density: 18.5 people / square mile (5,259 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #836 nationwide

#6. Clay County

- Rural area: 100.0% (195 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 195 square miles
--- #140 largest county in state, #3,003 nationwide

- Population density: 15.0 people / square mile (2,931 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #740 nationwide

#5. Stewart County

- Rural area: 100.0% (459 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 459 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #2,233 nationwide

- Population density: 14.1 people / square mile (6,446 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #710 nationwide

#4. Webster County

- Rural area: 100.0% (209 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 209 square miles
--- #136 largest county in state, #2,985 nationwide

- Population density: 12.4 people / square mile (2,587 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #647 nationwide

#3. Echols County

- Rural area: 100.0% (415 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 415 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #2,438 nationwide

- Population density: 9.5 people / square mile (3,944 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #557 nationwide

#2. Baker County

- Rural area: 100.0% (342 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 342 square miles
--- #80 largest county in state, #2,702 nationwide

- Population density: 9.0 people / square mile (3,090 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #536 nationwide

#1. Taliaferro County

- Rural area: 100.0% (195 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 195 square miles
--- #141 largest county in state, #3,006 nationwide

- Population density: 8.2 people / square mile (1,596 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #503 nationwide

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