Burke County, Georgia
Burke County is the largest county by area in the State of Georgia, encompassing approximately 831 square miles of eastern Georgia terrain along the Savannah River. With an estimated population of approximately 22,400 residents, the county is paradoxically vast in territory yet modest in population, resulting in one of the lowest population densities among Georgia counties. Created in 1777 as one of the original eight counties of Georgia, Burke County was named for Edmund Burke, the British statesman and philosopher who sympathized with the American colonial cause. The county seat is Waynesboro, a city of historical significance and the county's commercial center. Burke County is perhaps best known today as the site of Plant Vogtle, one of the largest nuclear power generating stations in the United States.
Geography and Physical Setting
Burke County stretches across the upper Coastal Plain of eastern Georgia, with the Savannah River forming its entire eastern boundary and separating Georgia from South Carolina. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, with sandy and loamy soils supporting a mix of agricultural fields, pine plantations, and bottomland hardwood forests along the river and its tributaries. Brier Creek, a significant waterway, flows through the center of the county and was the site of an important Revolutionary War engagement in 1779. The Ogeechee River forms a portion of the county's western boundary.
The county's large area encompasses diverse habitats, from upland pine forests to cypress swamps along the major waterways. The Yuchi Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, provides public hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities on a 15,000-acre tract. The climate is humid subtropical, with warm summers, mild winters, and annual precipitation averaging approximately 46 inches.
Economy and Energy
Plant Vogtle, operated by Georgia Power (a subsidiary of Southern Company), is the most significant economic asset in Burke County and one of the most important energy facilities in the southeastern United States. The plant's four nuclear reactor units, including two AP1000 units that entered commercial operation in 2023 and 2024, make it the largest nuclear power station in the nation by generating capacity. Plant Vogtle provides thousands of jobs directly and through contractors, generates substantial tax revenue for the county, and has shaped the local economy for decades.
Agriculture remains a vital sector, with Burke County producing cotton, peanuts, soybeans, corn, and pecans. The county's extensive acreage supports large-scale farming operations, and timber production from pine plantations contributes additional income. Waynesboro provides retail, healthcare, and government services to the county. Despite the economic benefits of Plant Vogtle, the county continues to face challenges including limited retail development, rural poverty, and a need for economic diversification beyond energy and agriculture.
Government
Burke County operates under a commission form of government, with a Board of Commissioners overseeing county administration, budgeting, and service delivery across its vast territory. The county's large geographic area makes road maintenance and emergency service delivery particularly challenging. The Burke County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement, and the county is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit for superior court functions. Waynesboro has a mayor-council form of government, and smaller municipalities including Midville, Sardis, Girard, and Vidette maintain their own local governments.
Key Communities
Waynesboro — The county seat, with a population of approximately 5,500. Waynesboro was a site of activity during the American Revolution and the Civil War, and the city retains historical markers and architecture from its long history. The downtown area serves as the county's commercial hub, with local businesses, government offices, and healthcare facilities. Waynesboro is sometimes called the "Bird Dog Capital of the World" in recognition of the hunting culture prevalent in the region.
Midville — A small city of approximately 500 in the western part of the county, located along U.S. Route 25. Midville serves the surrounding agricultural area with basic commercial and civic services.
Sardis — A small city of approximately 1,000 in the central-northern part of the county, with a traditional small-town character and connections to the surrounding farming community.