Hart is one of the 159 counties in Georgia. It was formed in 1853 from portions of Elbert and Franklin counties. As of the 2010 census the population was 25,213, up from 22,997 in 2000. The county seat and largest city is Hartwell. The county covers 256.42 square miles (664 km2), of which 232.21 square miles (601 km2) is land. It is bordered by Elbert County to the south, Madison County to the southwest, Franklin County to the west, Oconee County, South Carolina to the north and Anderson County, South Carolina to the northeast.