Major highways

• U.S. Highway 278
• U.S. Highway 411
• State Route 9
• State Route 35
• State Route 68
• State Route 273
• State Route 283

Adjacent counties

• DeKalb County - north
• Chattooga County, Georgia - northeast
• Floyd County, Georgia - east
• Polk County, Georgia - southeast
• Cleburne County - south
• Calhoun County - south
• Etowah County - west

National protected areas

• Little River Canyon National Preserve (part)
• Talladega National Forest (part)

Water Features

• The Coosa River flows through the county, much of it now part of Weiss Lake.

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 24,971 people, 10,737 households, and 7,307 families residing in the county.

2010

As of the census of 2010,^[13] there were 25,989 people, 10,626 households, and 7,493 families living in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km²). There were 16,267 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.7% White, 4.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 10,626 households 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 26.0% of households were one person and 10.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median household income was $40,690 and the median family income was $47,365. Males had a median income of $40,050 versus $27,352 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,322. About 13.7% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,988 people, 9,719 households, and 7,201 families living in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km²). There were 14,025 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.83% White, 5.54% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[14] Of the 9,719 households 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.90% of households were one person and 10.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.86.

The age distribution was 22.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median household income was $30,874 and the median family income was $36,920. Males had a median income of $29,978 versus $20,958 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,543. About 11.80% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Districts

School districts include:^[16]

• Cherokee County School District

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

• Bluffton
• Turkey Town