Page 4 - Coffee County Strategic Plan FY19-FY23

Our Community

C offee County was established on February 9,

1854 and is named for General John E. Coffee,
a state legislator and a U. S. representative.
It is located in Southeast Georgia with the vast Ambrose Broxton
majority located on the Satilla River sub-basin of the
St. Marys-Satilla River basin. It is fourteenth in size Nicholls
geographically among the state’s 159 counties, and Douglas
comprises 575.10 square miles. Douglas is the ATLANTA
ATLANTA
county seat. Ambrose, Broxton, and Nicholls are
also located in the county along with several
unincorporated communities.

The county’s population in 2016 was 43,012 and
is composed of 68.9% White, 28.2% Black, and
11.6% Hispanic. The population includes 28.1% COLUMBUS
under 19 years old, 59.4% 20-64 years old, and
12.1% 65 years or older. There are 51.1% males
and 48.9% females. SAVANNAH

Coffee County is a very progressive community.
For much of the county’s history, it was known
for its agricultural products - tobacco, cotton, and
peanuts. Today, agriculture still plays a role but
manufacturing, distribution, material moving,
service occupations, education, healthcare, and
social services are major components of the local
economy and provide a majority of the
employment opportunities.

The mean household income is $34,536 compared to Approximately 225 school-aged children are home schooled.
$55,322 for the state of Georgia. The cost of living is The county has two public post-secondary institutions,
20% lower than the national average. The top 10 largest South Georgia State College and Wiregrass Georgia
employers include the Coffee County Board of Education, Technical College.
Walmart Distribution Center, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation,
Coffee Regional Medical Center, Inc., PCC Airfoils, LLC, The property tax millage rate is not significantly different
Diamond Cargo, LLC, Coffee Correctional Facility, Coffee in any of the taxing jurisdictions in Coffee County. For the
County Government, Elixir Extrusion, and Southwire. calendar year 2017, the millage rate for Ambrose was 24.378
mills, Broxton 31.744 mills, Douglas 32.826 mills, Nicholls
Educational data for 2012-2016 indicates 78.7% of persons 31.227 mills and county unincorporated 24.378. The millage
25 years old or older are high school graduates and 13.1% rate established by the Coffee County Board of Education
hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Coffee County has for FY 2017 was 16.108 which is included in the rates
several licensed day care centers and two private schools. enumerated above.

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