Region in Georgia, United States
Southwest Georgia is a fourteen-county region in the U.S. state of Georgia.[1] Commonly referred to as SOWEGA, the region is anchored by Albany, the most populous city and the region's sole metropolitan area. As of 2020, Southwest Georgia's population was 352,426.
Geography
Located in the Deep South, Southwest Georgia borders Florida and Alabama. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, it consists of the following counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth.[1] Within the region, it is home to the Kolomoki Mounds and Seminole State Park.[2][3]
Demographics
In 2010, the counties making up the region had a total population of 496,433, making it the least-populated region in Georgia, just slightly behind Southeast Georgia. Additionally, the area has historically been the poorest region of the state since at least 1995, when over 25% of the residents were in poverty. In 2020, the region's total population was 352,426, with a predominantly African American demographic.
Within the Bible Belt, Christianity is Southwest Georgia's largest religion. Similar to Southeast Georgia, Baptists form the largest Christian constituency. The largest single Christian denominations in Southwest Georgia as of 2020 were the Southern Baptist Convention, United Methodist Church, National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Nondenominational Protestants numbered 21,710, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives.[4]
Economy
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Southwest Georgia's largest industry is the food industry.[1]
Politics
Southwest Georgia is part of Georgia's 2nd congressional district, which is represented in congress by Sanford Bishop (D) and has a CPVI of D+6. GA-02 has long been a Democratic stronghold.[5]
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