Tucker is a census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 26,532 at the 2000 Census. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker", is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated. Municipal services such as fire, police, water, and schools are provided by DeKalb County. If incorporated, Tucker would be the largest city in the county (excluding Atlanta which is mostly in Fulton County). An exploratory committee formed by the Tucker Civic Association researched the possibilities of incorporating Tucker as a new city in 1996 and 1997.
The community has maintained a distinctive identity, centered on its public high school, churches, and locally owned and operated businesses such as the Cofer Brothers building supply business, Matthews' Cafeteria, and the Tucker Federal savings and loan association (although the latter institution was merged into RBC Centura). It also has been designated with its own ZIP code of 30084.
In 2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission issued Tucker a grant to develop a Livable Cities Initiative (LCI). The LCI study, published in December 2005, will look to reestablish Main Street in Tucker as a central point for the greater Tucker community. The study will help create a more pedestrian-friendly and interconnected town center by encouraging walking and other modes of transportation to and around the commercial core. Similarly in August 2004, the Tucker Civic Association created a Neighborhood Strategic Plan to assist in the development of the neighborhood.
Geography
Tucker is located at 33°51′6″N 84°13′17″W / 33.85167°N 84.22139°W / 33.85167; -84.22139 (33.851736, -84.221524)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.4 km²), of which, 12.0 square miles (31.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.83%) is water.
The Eastern Continental Divide cuts through downtown Tucker, running down Chamblee-Tucker Road and making a dog-leg onto La Vista Road before continuing south through the woods towards Mountain Industrial Road. All water falling to the west of this line flows into the Chattahoochee River and then into the Gulf of Mexico. All water falling to the east of this line flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Ocmulgee River.[citation needed]
History
The community that became known as Tucker started around Brownings Courthouse. The courthouse building originally stood near the intersection of Pleasantdale and La Vista Roads. It was named for a leading Southern Baptist, Henry Holcombe Tucker.[4] The presiding officer was a Justice of the Peace, and the court heard small claims cases up until the building was moved. The courthouse building was moved to a location in front of the Tucker Recreation Center (Formerly Tucker Elementary) in the late 1980s. Tucker grew as a railroad stop along the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which delivered freight to Cofer Brothers Building Supply and later to a DuPont Paint Factory, now closed. Tucker centered around businesses started or owned by Kelley Cofer and his brother Reid Cofer. The original store was a general store that later grew into a building supply and hardware store. To support the growing building supply business, the Cofer brothers bought the town bank. Today the community holds its annual Tucker Day Parade celebrating Tucker's founding. Many groups parade down mainstreet including schools, churches, police department, Fire Department, Shriners, and clowns. Antique automobiles and their private collectors also participate in the parade. The parade is then followed by a street festival with many companies setting up booths along mainstreet.
Tucker is located 15 miles North East of downtown Atlanta.
Demographics
As of 2007, there were 29,234 people, 10,421 households, and 7,200 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,433 people per square mile (973.2/km²). There were 10,704 housing units at an average density of 890.9/sq mi (343.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 73.26% White, 14.03% African American, 0.50% Native American, 7.60% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.70% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.70% of the population. The common Ancestry of Tucker includes 12.5% English, 10.25% Irish, 10.0% German, 3.1% Scottish, and 3.85% Scotch-Irish.
There were 10,421 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,113, and the median income for a family was $66,549. Males had a median income of $41,784 versus $33,956 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,318. About 2.9% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
Sports
Local sports include the Tucker Youth Soccer Association, Tucker Elite Baseball Association, and the teams of Tucker High School.
Schools
Idlewood Elementary School
Brockett Elementary School
Livsey Elementary School
Tucker Middle School
Tucker High School
References
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Kenneth K. Krakow, Georgia Place-names:Their History and Origins, p.232, 3rd Ed., 1975, Winship Press (Macon, Georgia)
External links
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