The city of Blackshear is the county seat of Pierce County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 3,506. Blackshear is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Blackshear is located at (31.298941, -82.247726). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (2.06%) is water. History Blackshear was founded in 1858 to serve as the seat of the newly formed Pierce County. The city was named after General David Blackshear, who authorized the construction of roads, bridges and 11 forts for defense. He was a patriot in the American Revolution, fighting in the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge and the Battle of Buford's Bridge. He served as a general during the War of 1812. He also served in the Georgia state legislature as Senator of Laurens County. During the American Civil War, the city became a temporary prisoner-of-war camp for more than 5,000 Union prisoners. This site is marked by a historical landmark sign. The primary crop of this south Georgia community was once tobacco, and is where the first brick tobacco warehouse in Georgia was built, known as the Brantley Brick. Demographics 2020 census As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,506 people, 1,355 households, and 898 families residing in the city. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 3,283 people, 1,354 households, and 894 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,518 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 77.03% White, 21.35% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of the population. There were 1,354 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25