Jenkins County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the east-central part of the state along the fall line to the coastal plain. It had a population of 8,674 at the 2020 census and covers 352 square miles (910 km2) in total — 347 square miles (900 km2) of land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) of water — centred near 32°47′N 81°58′W.
Millen is the county seat, and its postal code is 30442. The county has one incorporated city and a handful of unincorporated communities and a census-designated place, and it observes Eastern Time.
Towns & Villages in Jenkins County
Jenkins County has one incorporated city — Millen, the seat — plus one census-designated place and several unincorporated communities scattered across its farmland and pine woods. “Unincorp.” below means the place has no city or town government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millen | City · seat | 2,996 | 30442 |
| Perkins | CDP | 282 | 30822 |
| Birdsville | Unincorp. | — | 30442 |
| Scarboro | Unincorp. | — | 30442 |
| Herndon | Unincorp. | — | 30442 |
| Butts | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Emmalane | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Paramore Hill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rogers | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Thrift | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bennetts Landing | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Four Points | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lawton | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 30442 — Millen (also serves Birdsville, Scarboro, and Herndon)
- 30822 — Perkins
The remaining small communities have no post office of their own and share a Millen mailing address.
Geography
Jenkins County sits on the coastal plain of east-central Georgia, drained by Buckhead Creek and the Ogeechee River, which forms part of its eastern boundary. The land is mostly flat to gently rolling, given over to row crops, pine plantation, and pasture. It borders Burke County to the north, Screven County to the east, Bulloch County to the south, and Emanuel County to the west.
Demographics
Jenkins County had 8,674 residents at the 2020 census, the great majority in and around Millen and the Perkins CDP. Median household income in the county runs below the Georgia median of $74,632, typical of the state’s rural coastal-plain counties. Population density is light, roughly 25 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture and forestry anchor the local economy — row crops, timber, and poultry are the mainstays outside Millen. The city was a manufacturing town for decades, home to a Jockey International plant and an MI Windows and Doors facility, both since closed; local employment now leans on county and school-system government, retail, and farm-related work. Millen hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration and a county fair drawing visitors from surrounding counties.
History
Jenkins County was created on August 17, 1905, from parts of Burke, Bulloch, Emanuel, and Screven counties, and named for Charles Jones Jenkins, the 44th governor of Georgia. Millen, the seat, grew up as a railroad junction town in the 19th century. The county’s darkest chapter came on April 13, 1919, during the nationwide period of racial violence known as the Red Summer, when a racially motivated mob killing took place in the county — a history still noted by local historians.
Getting There
U.S. Route 25 and Georgia State Routes 17, 21, 23, 67, and 121 cross the county, with Millen at their hub.
- Statesboro — 30 miles southeast
- Augusta — 45 miles north
- Swainsboro — 25 miles west
- Sylvania — 20 miles east
The nearest commercial airport is Augusta Regional Airport, roughly 45 miles to the north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jenkins County?
It is in east-central Georgia, on the coastal plain along the Ogeechee River, about 45 miles south of Augusta.
What is the population of Jenkins County?
8,674 at the 2020 census.
How big is Jenkins County?
347 square miles (900 km2) of land plus 5.2 square miles (13 km2) of water.
What is the county seat of Jenkins County?
Millen is the county seat.
How many towns are in Jenkins County?
One incorporated city (Millen), one census-designated place (Perkins), and a number of small unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Jenkins County?
30442 (Millen) and 30822 (Perkins) are the main ZIP codes.
What river runs through Jenkins County?
Buckhead Creek crosses the county and the Ogeechee River forms part of its eastern border.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.