Douglasville, Georgia

Douglasville, Georgia
City
Motto: "New Growth, Old Charm, Always Home"[1]

Location in Douglas County and the state of Georgia
Douglasville

Location of Douglasville in Metro Atlanta

Coordinates: 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W / 33.74972; -84.72306
Country United States
State Georgia
County Douglas
Government
  Mayor Rochelle Robinson
  City Manager Marcia Hampton
Area
  Total 22.6 sq mi (58.5 km2)
  Land 22.5 sq mi (58.2 km2)
  Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation 1,201 ft (366 m)
Population (2010)[2]
  Total 30,961
  Estimate (2014)[3] 32,523
  Density 1,448/sq mi (559.0/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
  Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 30134, 30135
Area code(s) 770/678/470
FIPS code 13-23900[4]
GNIS feature ID 0355535[5]
Website www.ci.douglasville.ga.us
Douglas County Courthouse

The city of Douglasville is the county seat of Douglas County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 30,961,[2] up from 20,065 at the 2000 census. Douglasville is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Atlanta and is part of the Atlanta Metro Area.

Highway access can be obtained via three interchanges along Interstate 20.

History

Located along a natural rise in the topography, Douglasville was originally known as "Skint Chestnut". The name derived from a large tree used by Native Americans as a landmark, which was stripped of its bark so as to be more conspicuous.

Douglasville was founded in 1874 as the railroad arrived into the area. That same year, Douglasville was designated county seat of the recently formed Douglas County. The community was named for Senator Stephen A. Douglas.[6]

An election was held on the first Saturday in March 1875, and a mayor, treasurer, records (secretary), and marshal were chosen.

In 1916, the Reverend Atkinson of Douglasville was a key figure in the Arc Light Controversy in Atlanta.

Natural disasters

Douglasville has experienced numerous natural disasters in recent decades. The city experiences strong storms and tornadoes often because of its location in Dixie Alley. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean also makes the area prone to hurricane outer bands or remnants.

Tropical Storm Alberto was a strong tropical storm that made landfall in northwest Florida and southwest Georgia in early July 1994. Its remnants affected the metro Atlanta area with some damage.

In 1995 the county sustained significant damage from Hurricane Opal. The hurricane had strong winds and heavy rain that caused damage to some structures in the area and flooded low-lying areas.

Hurricane Katrina's remnants ripped through the area in 2005, spawning tornadoes, widespread wind damage, and flooding rains.

In 2007, the city suffered one of the worst droughts in its history, causing a complete watering ban and the largest wildfire in Georgia history. The fire was located in southeast Georgia, but it still affected the county with smoke often through the life of the fire.

A tornado touched down in Douglasville on March 7, 2008, in the Chapel Hill area. The tornado was small but caused some damage. A Kroger grocery store was damaged by the storm, many trees fell, and some homes in the surrounding area were damaged. One home in the Brookmont subdivision, the hardest-hit area, was ripped in half exposing the whole inside of the home. Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville reported a window blown out by the storm. Only one person was injured by the tornado.

An EF2 tornado touched down in the Douglasville area on May 11, 2008, causing damage throughout Douglas County. Damage was reported sporadically throughout the county. The governor declared a state of emergency for Douglas County and many other counties in the state on May 12.

On September 21, 2009, Douglas County was devastated by the worst flood in Georgia history. Over 18 inches (457 mm) of rain fell in one night, destroying many roads and homes. The county was later declared a disaster area, and the governor of Georgia declared a state of emergency. The flooding most affected the areas of Douglasville, Villa Rica, Austell, Lithia Springs, and Chapel Hill. The disaster killed more than eight people in the county, most of them in the Douglasville area.

Geography

Douglasville is located in north-central Douglas County at 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W / 33.74972; -84.72306Coordinates: 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W / 33.74972; -84.72306 (33.749824, −84.723190). Lithia Springs is 6 miles (10 km) to the northeast along U.S. Route 78, and Villa Rica is 10 miles (16 km) to the west. Hiram is 9 miles (14 km) to the north via SR 92. Downtown Atlanta is 22 miles (35 km) to the east via Interstate 20.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Douglasville has a total area of 22.6 square miles (58.5 km2), of which 22.5 square miles (58.2 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.58%, is water.[2]

Douglasville has an elevation of 1,209 ft (369 m) above sea level.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880286
1890863201.7%
19001,14032.1%
19101,46228.2%
19202,15947.7%
19302,3167.3%
19402,55510.3%
19503,40033.1%
19604,46231.2%
19705,47222.6%
19807,64139.6%
199011,63552.3%
200020,06572.5%
201030,96154.3%
Est. 201432,523[3]5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 30,961 people, 11,627 households, and 7,692 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,376 people per square mile (532.0/km²). There were 13,163 housing units at an average density of 585.0 per square mile (226.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 36.0% White (33.4% Non-Hispanic White), 55.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.3% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. 7.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,627 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.7 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $47,596, and the median income for a family was $54,375. Males had a median income of $45,933 versus $39,675 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,002. 15.9% of the population and 14.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.2% of those under the age of 18 and 15.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.[7]

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,065 people, 7,286 households, and 5,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 938.5 people per square mile (362.4/km²). There were 7,903 housing units at an average density of 369.6 per square mile (142.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 63.84% White, 30.29% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. 3.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,286 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $45,289, and the median income for a family was $52,340. Males had a median income of $37,464 versus $27,038 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,283. 12.2% of the population and 10.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.[7]

Economy

While Downtown hosts many shops and eateries, the main business area in Douglasville is located south of the city between Chapel Hill Road and Georgia State Route 5, around the Douglas Boulevard Corridor. Arbor Place Mall is located in this area, as well as many major retail stores and fast food chains.

The Fairburn Road area also hosts many shops, food stores and fast food, but some were in the process of vacating for an expansion of the highway set to begin in early 2008.

Expansion is aided by the Douglasville Development Authority (described below).

Top employers

According to Douglasville's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[8] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Walmart 750
2 Kroger 487
3 American Red Cross 450
4 Benton-Georgia 300
5 Sam's Club 180
6 The Home Depot 155
7 A.L.P. Lighting Components 120
8 Medline 111
9 G & L Marble 96
10 Reflek Manufacturing 75

The Douglasville CAFR table of principal employers (p. 77) does not show public employees. The Douglas County School System currently employs over 3,550 employees, including teachers, administrators, and support staff.[9]

Arts & culture

Points of interest

Photo of the White section of the Basket Creek Cemetery including Civil War soldiers' graves and one Native American grave (several rocks piled on top located in the back

The Central Business District (CBD) of downtown Douglasville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district; it is an outstanding example of a turn-of-the-century southern railroad town. The majority of the buildings are one- and two-story brick structures dating from the mid-19th century into the mid-20th century. Most are of Victorian era commercial design set flush with the sidewalk. Styles of the buildings include Romanesque, Italianate, and Queen Anne. Many of the doorways and windows have Gothic arched openings and hooded windows. The dominant landscape feature is the railroad right-of-way running east-to-west through downtown.

In the center of town is a small plaza, which was converted from a street block, known as O'Neal Plaza (named after the former O'Neal's department store, now the Douglasville City Hall). The plaza features a brick pyramid fountain and a small performance venue. It is home to many festivals year round. The Douglasville School of Art makes its home on the plaza, and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival also makes its home here.

Parks & recreation

Government

Law enforcement

The Douglasville police chief is Gary Sparks. The Douglasville Police Department is located at 2083 Fairburn Road.[10] The sheriff is Phil D. Miller, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is located at 8470 Earl D Lee Boulevard in Douglasville.[11]

Education

Education in Douglasville is varied with a large public school system,[12] many private schools,[13][14][15][16][17][18] and several nearby universities and colleges.[19][20][21]

The Douglas County School District operates 21 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and five high schools covering grades pre-K to 12th grade.[22]

Douglasville is home to many secular and religious private schools including:

Douglasville is served by such institutes of higher learning as Strayer University,[19] Mercer University[21] and West Georgia Technical College,[20] all of which have campuses in or near the city.

Media

Douglasville is served by the Douglas County Sentinel, a three-day-a-week publication that covers local and state news.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Douglasville is home to single-runway Pinewood Airport, located 5.7 miles (9.2 km) northwest of downtown.[28]

Healthcare

Residents of Douglasville are served by the WellStar Douglas Hospital located at 8954 Hospital Drive; it has 98 licensed beds.[29]

Douglasville Development Authority

The primary goals of the City of Douglasville Development Authority (CDDA) are to promote the economic prosperity of that city while simultaneously increasing the existing industry and business sectors in order to raise the quality of life for the city's residents. The City Development Authority also focuses on education in order successfully promote the labor force.

In fall 2009, an area of interest for the CDDA was the reconstruction and widening of Highway 92, which runs through the heart of the city.[30] This major roadway reconstruction was expected to have a significant impact on the city and its ability to promote economic development.

See also

References

  1. "City of Douglasville Georgia". City of Douglasville. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Douglasville city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  4. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 228. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. City of Douglasville CAFR
  9. douglas.k12.ga.us
  10. Douglasville official website
  11. http://www.sheriff.douglas.ga.us/
  12. "Douglas County School District". Douglas.k12.ga.us. November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  13. 1 2 "Heirway Christian Academy". Heirway Christian Academy. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  14. "Harvester Academy". Harvester Academy. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  15. 1 2 "St. Rose Academy". Saintroseacademy.net. September 29, 2004. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  16. "Primrose School". Primroseschools.com. November 1, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  17. "Kings Way Christian School". Kwcsinfo.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  18. "Welcome theinternationalmontessoriacademy.com". Theinternationalmontessoriacademy.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  19. 1 2 "Strayer University". Strayer.edu. July 22, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  20. 1 2 "West Georgia Technical College". Westgatech.edu. September 20, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  21. 1 2 "Mercer University". Mercer.edu. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  22. Georgia Board of Education. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  23. "Harvester Christian Academy". Harvesteracademy.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  24. "Primrose School at Brookmont". Primroseschools.com. November 1, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  25. "The International Montessori Academy". The International Montessori Academy. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  26. "The Kings Way Christian School". Kwcsinfo.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  27. Sunbrook Academy at Chapel Hill
  28. "Pinewood Airport". Airnav.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  29. Wellstar Douglas Hospital
  30. "Douglasville Highway 92 Project". Gagwy92.com. 2009.

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