Berrien County is a county in Georgia, United States, near the state’s border with Florida in the south-central part of the state. It had a population of 18,160 at the 2020 census and covers 452 square miles (1,170 km2) of land, plus 6.0 square miles (16 km2) of water, centred near 31°16′N 83°14′W.
Nashville is the county seat, and its postal code is 31639. The county holds two incorporated cities, two incorporated towns, and several unincorporated communities, all in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Berrien County
Berrien County has four incorporated places — two cities and two towns — plus a handful of small unincorporated communities scattered across the countryside. Unincorporated places have no municipal government of their own and are listed here as “Unincorp.”
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | City · seat | — | 31639 |
| Ray City | City | — | 31645 |
| Alapaha | Town | — | 31622 |
| Enigma | Town | — | 31749 |
| Allenville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bannockburn | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cottle | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Gladys | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Glory | Unincorp. | — | — |
| New Lois | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Utopia | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Weber | Unincorp. | — | — |
None of the unincorporated communities has its own ZIP code or verified 2020 census count; each is served by the nearest post office town listed below.
ZIP Codes
- 31639 — Nashville (also serves Allenville, Cottle, Gladys, New Lois)
- 31645 — Ray City (also serves Bannockburn, Glory, Weber)
- 31749 — Enigma
- 31622 — Alapaha (also serves Utopia)
Four ZIP codes cover the whole county; the unincorporated communities share the ZIP of the nearest post office town rather than carrying one of their own.
Geography
Berrien County sits in the flat wiregrass region of south Georgia, drained by the Alapaha River, which forms part of the county’s eastern edge, and by smaller tributaries feeding the Willacoochee and Little rivers. Farmland, pine plantation, and pecan groves cover most of the county, with Nashville and Ray City the only towns of any size. Elevations are low and gently rolling, typical of the Coastal Plain, and the county has no large natural lakes of its own.
Berrien County borders Tift County to the west, Irwin County to the north, Coffee County to the northeast, Atkinson County to the east, Lanier County to the southeast, Lowndes County to the south, and Cook County to the southwest.
Demographics
Berrien County had 18,160 residents at the 2020 census. Nashville, the county seat, and Ray City are the two largest incorporated communities, followed by the towns of Alapaha and Enigma. The county’s 2022 median household income was about $48,670, well below the Georgia median of $74,632, and roughly 23.2% of residents lived below the poverty line. Population density works out to about 40 people per square mile, reflecting the county’s rural, agricultural character.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors the local economy — row crops, timber, cattle, and pecans dominate the countryside, alongside food-processing and light manufacturing centred in and around Nashville. Cotton, peanuts, and blueberries are also grown widely across the county’s flat, sandy farmland. Berrien County High School, the Berrien County school system, and county government are among the larger local employers. Nashville hosts the Berrien County Museum, which preserves the county’s agricultural and rail history, and the county courthouse anchors the small-town commercial square that still serves as the community’s civic center.
History
The Georgia General Assembly created Berrien County on February 25, 1856, from parts of Coffee, Irwin, and Lowndes counties. It is named for John M. Berrien, a Georgia senator and U.S. attorney general under President Andrew Jackson. The county paid a heavy price in World War I: eight weeks before the Armistice, 25 Berrien County men were among roughly 200 recently enlisted soldiers killed when a troopship was lost off the coast of Scotland.
Getting There
US Routes 82 and 129 cross the county, along with Georgia State Routes 11, 37, 64, 76, 125, 135, 158, 168, and 520.
- Tifton — 20 miles west
- Valdosta — 25 miles south
- Fitzgerald — 30 miles northeast
- Waycross — 45 miles east
Valdosta Regional Airport, about 25 miles south of Nashville, is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Berrien County, Georgia?
It lies in south-central Georgia, between Tifton and Valdosta, along US Route 82.
What is the population of Berrien County?
18,160 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Berrien County?
452 square miles (1,170 km2) of land plus 6.0 square miles (16 km2) of water.
What is the county seat of Berrien County?
Nashville is the county seat.
How many towns are in Berrien County?
Four incorporated places — the cities of Nashville and Ray City, and the towns of Alapaha and Enigma — plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Berrien County?
31639 (Nashville), 31645 (Ray City), 31749 (Enigma), and 31622 (Alapaha).
What river runs through Berrien County?
The Alapaha River drains the eastern part of the county.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.