Emanuel County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the east-central Coastal Plain part of the state. It had a population of 22,768 at the 2020 census and covers 690 square miles (1,787 km2) centred near 32°35′N 82°18′W.
Swainsboro is the county seat, and its postal code is 30401. The county has eight incorporated cities and towns plus several unincorporated communities, sits in the Eastern time zone, and carries FIPS code 13107.
Towns & Villages in Emanuel County
Emanuel County has eight incorporated cities, two census-designated places, and a handful of unincorporated communities and crossroads. Swainsboro is the only one classed as a city · seat; the rest are small towns, CDPs, or unincorporated (Unincorp.) places with no municipal government of their own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swainsboro | City · seat | 7,425 | 30401 |
| Twin City | City | — | 30471 |
| Adrian | City | — | 31002 |
| Garfield | City | — | 30425 |
| Stillmore | City | — | 30464 |
| Nunez | City | — | 30448 |
| Oak Park | City | — | — |
| Summertown | City | — | — |
| Canoochee | CDP | — | — |
| Norristown | CDP | — | — |
| Stevens Crossing | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Five Points | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Blundale | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Colemans Lake | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Modoc | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wesley | Unincorp. | — | — |
A few names from older listings are variants of the same place rather than separate settlements: Blun and Old Dellwood are earlier renderings of Blundale and Dellwood, and Norristown Junction is the rail stop that grew into the Norristown CDP. Those duplicates were folded into a single entry above rather than listed twice.
ZIP Codes
- 30401 — Swainsboro (also serves Oak Park and Summertown)
- 30471 — Twin City
- 31002 — Adrian
- 30425 — Garfield
- 30464 — Stillmore
- 30448 — Nunez (PO Box delivery only)
Emanuel County has six ZIP codes in all; smaller unincorporated communities use the ZIP of the nearest post office town rather than one of their own.
Geography
Emanuel County lies in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, a mostly flat to gently rolling landscape of pine woods, farmland, and blackwater streams. The Ohoopee River crosses the county’s western side and the Canoochee River forms part of its eastern edge, both tributaries of the Altamaha River system; small stretches of open water account for about 9.6 of the county’s 690 square miles.
Emanuel County borders Jefferson County to the north, Jenkins County to the northeast, Burke County further to the northeast, Candler County to the east, Tattnall County and Bulloch County to the southeast, Toombs County to the south, and Johnson County and Treutlen County to the west.
Demographics
Emanuel County’s population was 22,768 at the 2020 census, giving a density of roughly 33 people per square mile. Swainsboro, with 7,425 residents, is by far the largest community, followed by Twin City. Median household income in the county runs well below the Georgia median of $74,632, consistent with the county’s rural, agriculture-based economy.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture and forestry anchor the county’s economy — timber, poultry, and row crops such as cotton and peanuts are the mainstays — alongside manufacturing and healthcare jobs centred on Swainsboro. East Georgia State College, a two-year unit of the University System of Georgia, is based in Swainsboro and is one of the county’s larger employers. The county fairgrounds and local festivals built around the fall harvest are the main community gathering points each year.
History
Emanuel County was created on December 10, 1812, by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, formed from parts of Bulloch and Montgomery counties. It was named for David Emanuel, a former Georgia governor and the only Jewish governor in the state’s history, who served briefly in 1801. Swainsboro was established as the county seat in the same era and grew as a rail and timber town through the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Getting There
Interstate 16 runs through Emanuel County, along with U.S. Routes 1, 80, and 221 and several state routes.
- Statesboro — about 30 miles southeast
- Dublin — about 30 miles west
- Vidalia — about 25 miles south
- Augusta — about 60 miles northeast
The nearest commercial airport is Augusta Regional Airport; Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is also within reasonable driving distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Emanuel County?
It is in east-central Georgia, in the Coastal Plain region roughly midway between Macon and Savannah.
What is the population of Emanuel County?
22,768 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Emanuel County?
690 square miles (1,787 km2), of which about 9.6 square miles is water.
What is the Emanuel County seat?
Swainsboro is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns are in Emanuel County?
Eight incorporated cities and towns, plus two census-designated places and several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Emanuel County?
30401 (Swainsboro), 30471 (Twin City), 31002 (Adrian), 30425 (Garfield), 30464 (Stillmore), and 30448 (Nunez).
Who was Emanuel County named after?
David Emanuel, a former Georgia governor who briefly held office in 1801.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.