Crisp County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the south-central part of the state along the Flint River. It had a population of 20,128 at the 2020 census and covers 273 square miles (710 km2) of land plus 8.4 square miles (22 km2) of water, centred near 31°56′N 83°46′W.
Cordele is the county seat, and its postal code is 31015. The county has one city, one town, one census-designated place and a handful of unincorporated communities. Crisp County observes Eastern time and carries FIPS code 13081.
Towns & Villages in Crisp County
Crisp County has one incorporated city, one incorporated town, one census-designated place, and several unincorporated communities. Georgia has no civil-township layer, so places are listed with type only. Unincorp. marks a rural crossroads community with no municipal government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordele | City · seat | — | 31015 |
| Arabi | Town | — | 31712 |
| Wenona | CDP | — | 31015 |
| Coney | Unincorp. | — | 31015 |
| Hatley | Unincorp. | — | 31015 |
| Pateville | Unincorp. | — | 31015 |
| Penia | Unincorp. | — | 31015 |
The old settlement list also carried Bedgood, Bridges, East Crisp, Hardin, Lamb Town, Listonia, Marshall, McKenzie, Musselwhite, Raines and Tremont. These are historic rural place names not confirmed against a current gazetteer source, so they are omitted here rather than published unverified; see notes for detail.
ZIP Codes
- 31015 — Cordele (also serves Wenona, Coney, Hatley, Pateville and Penia)
- 31712 — Arabi
- 31010 — Cordele (PO Box only)
Nearly all of the county’s rural communities share Cordele’s 31015 delivery area; Arabi is the only other USPS-recognized town.
Geography
Crisp County sits in the coastal-plain flatwoods of south-central Georgia, split by the Flint River and Lake Blackshear, an impoundment formed by the Blackshear Dam. Pine plantation and row-crop farmland cover most of the land area outside Cordele.
Crisp County borders Dooly County to the north, Wilcox County to the east, Turner County to the southeast, Worth County to the southwest, and Lee County and Sumter County to the west.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 20,128 residents. Cordele, the seat, is by far the largest place; Arabi is the county’s second-largest incorporated municipality. Crisp County’s median household income runs well below the Georgia median of $74,632. Population density is about 74 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Cordele markets itself as the “Watermelon Capital of the World,” and agriculture, particularly watermelon, peanut and cotton farming, remains central to the county’s economy alongside food processing and distribution tied to Cordele’s location on Interstate 75. Crisp Regional Health Services is a major local employer, and Lake Blackshear draws recreational boating and fishing traffic to the area.
History
Crisp County was created on August 17, 1905, from Dooly County and named for Georgia congressman Charles Frederick Crisp, who served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Cordele, founded in the 1880s along a rail line, was named the county seat at the county’s creation.
Getting There
Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 41 both run through Cordele.
- Albany, Georgia — 40 miles southwest
- Tifton, Georgia — 30 miles southeast
- Americus, Georgia — 30 miles west
- Macon, Georgia — 65 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Crisp County?
Crisp County is in south-central Georgia, along the Flint River and Lake Blackshear.
What is the population of Crisp County?
20,128 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Crisp County?
273 square miles (710 km2) of land plus 8.4 square miles (22 km2) of water.
What is the county seat of Crisp County?
Cordele is the county seat.
How many towns and villages are in Crisp County?
One city, one town, one census-designated place and several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Crisp County?
31015 (Cordele), 31712 (Arabi) and 31010 (Cordele PO Box).
Why is Cordele called the Watermelon Capital of the World?
Crisp County has long been a leading Georgia watermelon-growing area, and Cordele has marketed the title since the mid-20th century.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.