Webster County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the west-central part of the state between Columbus and Americus. It had a population of 2,348 at the 2020 census, making it one of the state’s least-populated counties, and covers 210 square miles (540 km2) centred near 32°03′N 84°33′W.
Preston is the county seat, and its postal code is 31824. The county has no incorporated cities or towns — Webster adopted a single consolidated county government on January 1, 2009, and every community inside it is legally unincorporated. Webster County sits in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Webster County
All three named communities in Webster County are unincorporated, though Preston has served as the seat since the county’s founding.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Unincorp. · seat | — | 31824 |
| Archery | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Weston | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 31824 — Preston (also serves the surrounding rural county)
Archery and Weston have no ZIP code of their own; mail there is typically routed through Preston or a neighboring county’s post office.
Geography
Webster County lies in the Coastal Plain of west-central Georgia, a region of gently rolling farmland drained by small creeks feeding the Chattahoochee River system to the west. Land makes up 209 of the county’s 210 square miles, with about 1.1 square miles of water. The county borders Marion County to the north, Sumter County to the east, Terrell County to the south, Randolph County to the southwest, and Stewart County to the west.
Demographics
Webster County had 2,348 residents at the 2020 census. Preston and Weston are its two largest named communities. The Georgia state median household income was $74,632 (2023 ACS) — Webster County, a sparsely populated farming county, typically runs well below the state figure. Population density is light, at roughly 11 people per square mile across the county’s 209 land square miles.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors Webster County’s economy, with row crops, timber and cattle operations dominating the rural landscape. Local government itself — the consolidated county administration based in Preston — is one of the area’s largest employers, alongside the county school system. Small-scale farm supply and service businesses cluster around Preston.
History
The Georgia General Assembly created the county on December 16, 1853, naming it Kinchafoonee County after the Kinchafoonee Creek that runs through the area. A law passed February 21, 1856, renamed it Webster County, honoring Daniel Webster, the Massachusetts senator and orator. The county was carved from the eastern portion of Stewart County. Preston was founded the same year as the county seat. On January 1, 2009, Webster County consolidated its county and municipal governments into a single unified government, dissolving Preston’s town charter in the process.
Getting There
U.S. Route 280 runs through Webster County, connecting Preston to Americus in the east and Fort Benning/Columbus to the west; Georgia State Routes 27, 41, 45, 153 and 520 also cross the county.
- Americus — 17 miles east
- Columbus — about 40 miles west
- Cuthbert — about 20 miles southwest
- Buena Vista — about 15 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Southwest Georgia Regional Airport in Albany; Amtrak does not serve Webster County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Webster County, Georgia?
It sits in the west-central part of the state, between Columbus and Americus, bordered by Marion, Sumter, Terrell, Randolph and Stewart counties.
What is the Preston postcode?
31824.
What is the population of Webster County?
2,348 people at the 2020 census.
Which town is the county seat?
Preston is the county seat, though it is legally unincorporated under the county’s consolidated government.
Does Webster County have any incorporated cities?
No. Since January 1, 2009, the county has operated under one consolidated government, and every community — including Preston — is unincorporated.
How big is Webster County?
210 square miles (540 km2), of which 209 square miles are land.
Where did the county’s name come from?
It was created in 1853 as Kinchafoonee County and renamed in 1856 for Daniel Webster, the U.S. senator.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.