Cobb County, Georgia
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Map_of_Georgia_highlighting_Cobb_County.png
Image:Map of Georgia highlighting Cobb County.png
Cobb County is a county located in the state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population is 607,751. The county's incredible growth is evident with a population of 654,005 according to the 2004 U.S. Census Estimate. Its county seat is Marietta6, located in the center of the county.
The county is part of the core Atlanta metropolitan area.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 892 km² (345 mi²). 881 km² (340 mi²) of it is land and 11 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.27% water.
The county is divided along two major watersheds. Most runoff flows into the Chattahoochee River (along the southeastern border), via Sope Creek, Willeo Creek, Rottenwood Creek, and Sweetwater Creek. A ridge from Lost Mountain in the west, to Kennesaw Mountain in the north, to Sweat Mountain in the extreme northeast, divides the far north-northwest of the county into the Lake Allatoona area, including the northward-flowing Noonday Creek.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 607,751 people, 227,487 households, and 156,511 families residing in the county. The population density is 690/km² (1,787/mi²). There are 237,522 housing units at an average density of 270/km² (698/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 72.40% White, 18.80% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 3.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.58% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 7.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 227,487 households out of which 35.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% are married couples living together, 10.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% are non-families. 23.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.64 and the average family size is 3.14.
In the county the population is spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 36.50% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 6.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $58,289, and the median income for a family is $67,649. Males have a median income of $45,362 versus $33,453 for females. The per capita income for the county is $27,863. 6.50% of the population and 4.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.10% of those under the age of 18 and 6.80% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government and elections
Under Georgia's home rule provision, county governments have free reign to legislate on all matters within the county, provided that such legislation does not conflict with state or federal laws or constitutions. When this home rule was enacted by the Georgia General Assembly in the early 1960s, Ernest W. Barrett became the first chairman of the new county commission.
Cobb County is currently governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, which has both legislative and executive authority within the county. The chairman of the Board is elected county-wide. The other four commissioners are elected from single-member districts; though during 2004, the commission has discussed adding at least one member, to keep up with the county's growing population. The Board hires a county manager who oversees day-to-day operations of the county's executive departments.
County residents also elect a sheriff, district attorney, probate court judge, clerk of superior court, state court solicitor, chief magistrate judge (who then appoints other magistrate court judges), superior court judges, state court judges, tax commissioner, surveyor, and a seven-member board of education.
In addition to the county sheriff, the constitutional chief law enforcement officer of the county, Cobb County has a separate police department under the authority of the Board of Commissioners. The sheriff oversees the jail, to which everyone arrested under state law is taken, regardless of the city or other area of the county where it happens, or what police department makes the arrest.
In addition to the 4% statewide sales tax, Cobb County levies an additional 1% SPLOST for special projects, subject to renewal every few years by countywide referendum. This funds mainly transportation and parks (and will also be funding the laptops in county's schools, if it is approved). Cobb does not levy a 1% tax to fund higher homestead exemptions for property taxes. It has also voted not to pay the extra 1% to join MARTA, which has made operating and expanding that rapid transit system difficult even in the counties it does operate.
Cities and communities
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Existing communities:
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Part of northeastern Cobb is considered unincorporated Roswell, and part of southeastern Cobb (mainly Vinings) is considered unincorporated Atlanta. Both cities are in neighboring Fulton County.
Neighboring counties
- Fulton County (east and southeast)
- Douglas County (southwest)
- Paulding County (west)
- Bartow County (northwest)
- Cherokee County (north)
Major businesses
- The Weather Channel, headquartered in Vinings
- Home Depot, also headquartered in Vinings
- Lockheed Martin, next to Dobbins in Marietta
- Georgia Northeastern Railroad, in Marietta
Transportation
- Interstate 75
- Interstate 285
- Interstate 20
- Interstate 575
- Cobb County Airport at McCollum Field
- Dobbins Air Reserve Base (where the U.S. President arrives when visiting Atlanta)
- Norfolk Southern railyard at Austell
- CSX Transportation through Smyrna, Marietta, and Kennesaw
- Cobb Community Transit (CCT)
Recreation
- American Adventures (Marietta)
- Six Flags White Water (Marietta)
- Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell)
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
- Lake Allatoona (near Acworth)
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Kennesaw to Marietta)
- Marietta National Cemetery (Marietta)
- Marietta Confederate Cemetery (Marietta)
- Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art (Marietta)
- Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History (Kennesaw)
- Mable House (Mableton)
- Silver Comet Trail (westward from Smyrna)
Schools
- Cobb County Public Schools (all except Marietta)
- Marietta City Schools
- Southern Polytechnic State University
- Kennesaw State University
- Life University
- Chattahoochee Technical College
See also: Cobb County Public Library System (CCPLS)
External links
- Cobb County government (http://www.cobbcounty.org)
- Cobb County Sheriff's Office (http://www.cobbsheriff.org/)
- Cobb County Police Department (http://www.cobbpolice.com/)
- Cobb County Board of Elections & Registration (http://www.cobbelections.org/)
- Cobb County business directory (http://www.cobbpages.com)