Gwinnett County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population is 588,448. The county's incredible growth is evident with a population of 673,345 according to the 2003 U.S. Census Estimate. The county seat is Lawrenceville⁶. The county was named for Button Gwinnett, one of the delegates to have signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence on behalf of Georgia.

This county is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. It contains many important suburbs of Atlanta, all of which depend on I-85 for a fast commute.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,131 km² (437 mi²). 1,121 km² (433 mi²) of it is land and 10 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.91% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 588,448 people, 202,317 households, and 152,344 families residing in the county. The population density is 525/km² (1,360/mi²). There are 209,682 housing units at an average density of 187/km² (485/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 72.71% White, 13.29% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 7.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.32% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. 10.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 202,317 households out of which 42.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% are married couples living together, 10.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% are non-families. 18.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.88 and the average family size is 3.28.

In the county the population is spread out with 28.20% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 37.50% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 5.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $60,537, and the median income for a family is $66,693. Males have a median income of $42,343 versus $31,772 for females. The per capita income for the county is $25,006. 5.70% of the population and 3.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.90% of those under the age of 18 and 5.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government and Elections

Under Georgia's "home rule" provision, county governments have free reign to legislate on all matters within the county, provided that such legislation does not conflict with state or federal law, or the state or federal Constitutions.

Gwinnett County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, which has both legislative and executive authority within the county. The chairman of the Board is elected county-wide and serves in a full-time position. The other four Commissioners are elected from single-member districts and serve in part-time positions. The Board hires a County Administrator who oversees day-to-day operations of the county's 11 executive departments.

In addition to the Board of Commissioners, county residents also elect a Sheriff, District Attorney, Probate Court Judge, Clerk of State/Superior Court, State Court Solicitor, Chief Magistrate Judge (who then appoints other Magistrate Court judges), Chief Superior Court Judge and Superior Court Judges, and a Chief State Court Judge and State Court Judges.

Note: In addition to the county Sheriff, the constitutional chief law-enforement officer of the county, Gwinnett County has a separate police department under the authority of the Board of Commissioners.

Cities and towns

• Auburn
• Berkeley Lake
• Braselton
• Buford
• Centerville (unincorporated)
• Dacula
• Duluth
• Five Forks (unincorporated)
• Grayson
• Lawrenceville
• Lilburn
• Loganville
• Mountain Park (unincorporated)
• Norcross
• Rest Haven
• Snellville
• Sugar Hill
• Suwanee

External links

• Official Web site of Gwinnett County Government (http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/)
• Web site of the Sheriff of Gwinnett County (http://www.gwinnettcountysheriff.com/)
• Web site of the Courts of Gwinnett County (http://www.gwinnettcourts.com/)
• Gwinnett County Transit web site (public transportation agency) (http://www.gctransit.com/)
• Gwinnett County Public Schools (http://gwinnett.k12.ga.us/)