Wilcox County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the south-central Coastal Plain roughly 45 miles southeast of Macon. It had a population of 8,766 at the 2020 census, making it one of the state’s more sparsely settled counties, and covers 382 square miles (990 km2) of mostly flat farmland centred near 31°58′N 83°26′W.
Abbeville is the county seat, and its postal code is 31001. The county has three incorporated cities (Abbeville, Rochelle, Pitts), one incorporated town (Pineview), and one census-designated place (Seville). Wilcox County sits in the Eastern time zone and carries FIPS code 13315.
Towns & Villages in Wilcox County
Most of the county’s population lives in or around its five named communities, with the remainder scattered across unincorporated crossroads and farm settlements.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | City · seat | 2,685 | 31001 |
| Rochelle | City | 1,167 | 31079 |
| Pitts | City | — | — |
| Pineview | Town | — | — |
| Seville | CDP | — | — |
| Browning | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Double Run | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Five Points | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Forest Glen | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Kramer | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Owensboro | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sibbie | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Statham Shoals | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 31001 — Abbeville (also serves the surrounding rural south of the county)
- 31079 — Rochelle (also serves Browning and Kramer)
Pitts, Pineview, Seville, Double Run, Five Points, Forest Glen, Owensboro, Sibbie, and Statham Shoals were not independently verified against a postal source for this rewrite, so their ZIP codes are omitted rather than guessed.
Geography
Wilcox County lies in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, a landscape of pine flatwoods, farmland, and the Ocmulgee River along its eastern edge. Of its 382 square miles, 378 square miles are land and 4.4 square miles (1.2 percent) are water. The county borders Pulaski County to the north, Dooly County to the northwest, Crisp County to the west, Turner County to the southwest, Ben Hill County to the south, and Telfair and Dodge counties to the east, the Ocmulgee River forming much of that eastern line.
Demographics
Wilcox County’s population was 8,766 at the 2020 census. Abbeville and Rochelle are the county’s two largest communities, with 2,685 and 1,167 residents respectively. Median household income in the county runs below the Georgia state figure of $74,632 (2023 ACS), reflecting the county’s agricultural economy and limited industrial base. Population density is about 23 people per square mile, among the lower densities in south Georgia.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors Wilcox County’s economy, with row crops, timber, and poultry operations dominating the rural landscape outside Abbeville and Rochelle. Wilcox County School System is among the county’s largest employers, alongside county and municipal government and local agribusiness. The Wilcox County Fair, held each fall, is the county’s biggest annual community event.
History
Wilcox County was created on December 22, 1857, from parts of Irwin, Pulaski, and Dooly counties. It was named for General Mark Wilcox, a Georgia state legislator and one of the founders of the Georgia Supreme Court. The first county courthouse went up in 1858; the current courthouse in Abbeville dates to 1903 and still serves as the seat of county government.
Getting There
U.S. Routes 129 and 280 cross Wilcox County, along with several Georgia state routes connecting Abbeville to its neighboring county seats.
- Cordele — 20 miles west
- Fitzgerald — 20 miles south
- Vienna — 25 miles northwest
- Macon — 45 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon; the nearest Amtrak service is also from Amtrak’s Macon-area connections, as no rail passenger service runs through Wilcox County itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Abbeville postcode?
Abbeville, the Wilcox County seat, uses ZIP code 31001.
What county seat serves Wilcox County?
Abbeville is the county seat.
How big is Wilcox County?
Wilcox County covers 382 square miles (990 km2), of which 378 square miles are land.
What was Wilcox County’s population at the 2020 census?
The county had 8,766 residents at the 2020 census.
When was Wilcox County created?
Wilcox County was formed on December 22, 1857, from parts of Irwin, Pulaski, and Dooly counties.
Who is Wilcox County named after?
The county is named for General Mark Wilcox, a Georgia state legislator and a founder of the Georgia Supreme Court.
Which counties border Wilcox County?
Pulaski, Dooly, Crisp, Turner, Ben Hill, Telfair, and Dodge counties all border Wilcox County.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.