Chatham County is a county located in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1777, it was one of the original counties created during the early formation of the state. The county is named after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a British statesman who supported the American colonies during the years preceding the American Revolution.
The county seat and largest city is Savannah, which is also the oldest city in Georgia, founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe. Savannah serves as a major cultural, economic, and historical center for the region. Chatham County is part of the Savannah metropolitan statistical area and lies along the Atlantic coast, bordered by the Savannah River to the south, which forms the boundary with South Carolina.
Chatham County covers a total area of approximately 561 square miles, of which about 357 square miles are land and 204 square miles are water, making it one of the more geographically diverse counties in the state due to its extensive marshlands, rivers, and coastline. The terrain is generally flat, typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Economically, Chatham County benefits from its deepwater port— the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest in the United States— which is a key driver of regional trade and employment. The county also supports tourism, manufacturing, education, and healthcare sectors. Military installations, including Hunter Army Airfield and the former Fort Stewart (with administrative ties), have historically contributed to the local economy.
Demographically, Chatham County has a diverse population. According to U.S. Census data, it includes a significant African American population, and demographic composition has evolved over time due to migration, urbanization, and economic development.
Chatham County operates under a consolidated city-county government with the city of Savannah, a structure adopted in 1996 to streamline services and governance. The governing body is the Chatham County Commission, which oversees county-wide services including infrastructure, public safety, and planning.
The county is home to several institutions of higher education, including Savannah State University, a historically black university, and the Savannah campus of the University of Georgia.
Culturally, Chatham County is renowned for its well-preserved historic district, antebellum architecture, and vibrant arts scene, hosting events such as the Savannah Film Festival and the Savannah Music Festival.
The region is also prone to hurricanes and tropical storms due to its coastal location, necessitating ongoing emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience planning.