Grovetown

Grovetown, Georgia
—  City  —
Location in Columbia County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°26′58″N 82°11′49″W / 33.44944°N 82.19694°W / 33.44944; -82.19694
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Columbia
Area
- Total	2.9 sq mi (7.5 km2)
- Land	2.9 sq mi (7.5 km2)
- Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	482 ft (147 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	6,089
- Density	2,099.7/sq mi (811.9/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	30813
Area code(s)	706
FIPS code	13-35716[1]
GNIS feature ID	0356123[2]

Grovetown, Georgia is a city in Columbia County, in the United States state of Georgia. It is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area as well as the Central Savannah River Area. The population was 6,089 at the 2000 census. The mayor of Grovetown is George W. James III^[3]

Geography

Grovetown is located at 33°26′58″N 82°11′49″W / 33.44944°N 82.19694°W / 33.44944; -82.19694 (33.449324, -82.196972)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it is land and 0.35% is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 6,089 people, 2,159 households, and 1,597 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,111.9 people per square mile (816.3/km²). There were 2,473 housing units at an average density of 857.7/sq mi (331.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.95% White, 19.94% African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 3.05% from other races, and 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.25% of the population.

There were 2,159 households out of which 47.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.6% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 36.3% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,382, and the median income for a family was $32,546. Males had a median income of $28,432 versus $21,489 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,256. About 16.3% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Grovetown High School, Grovetown Middle School, Columbia Middle School, Grovetown Elementary School, Brookwood Elementary School, Cedar Ridge Elementary School, Euchee Creek Elementary School ^[5]

History

The City of Grovetown was chartered by the Georgia Legislature and officially incorporated in 1881. The name of the small village purportedly came from the old Grove Baptist Church that was founded in 1808. A southern poet famous in the post-Civil War era, Paul Hamilton Hayne, moved to Copse Hill (in the Parham Road area) in the 1860's. As a man of letters (author, poet, and editor), Hayne solicited the postal service to establish the Grovetown post office. The first U.S. mail service was inaugurated in Grovetown on September 28, 1877 with Charles Clifford as postmaster. Mr. Clifford was also the train depot agent and the owner of the corner store.

The first railroad depot was a small structure built in 1878-79. The last depot, that many older residents remember, was an ornate structure built in 1891 at a cost of $5,041.74. It served the citizens of Grovetown until 1970 when passenger trains no longer ran the Augusta¬Atlanta line. It was demolished in 1973.

Many wealthy and influential Augusta residents had summer homes in Grovetown, escaping the heat and disease of the city in the swampy river area. They commuted on the old "Picayune" train, relying on its frequent service. The old Rosland Hotel, later known as the "Eagle," was built in the 1880's. Its huge rotunda was frequently used for church gatherings, suppers, parties, and dances. The hotel later became a boarding house and burned in the 1970's. The Church of Christ is now located on that site.

Several country stores were established on Old Wrightsboro Road near the railroad crossing. The last of these was S. F. Poole's store, where the gazebo now stands, with the "philosophers' bench" by the door. During the early days, many famous residents have lived in the Grovetown area: Hayne, the literary figure; Stewart Phinizy and James Tobin, cotton brokers; Charles Phinizy, banker and railroad president; Dr. H.H. Steiner, prominent physician; and John Dodge, pharmacist and harness racing enthusiast. Mr. Dodge brought his stable from Ohio, built a large home and race track on Dodge Lane.

With the construction of Camp Gordon in 1942, Grovetown experienced rapid growth; no longer the small agricultural town. Camp Gordon, later Fort Gordon, took advantage of the railroad and many military families looked to Grovetown for housing. Gradually more and more retired military saw the benefits of living in this small town, and population began to grow and stabilize.

Currently, Grovetown has a population of approximately 7000, up from the 1990 census figure of 3,596. It is one of two chartered cities in Columbia County. Current annexation and multi-housing construction has increased the population potential of the former quiet town. A variety of stores, dining establishments, expanded schools, and churches add to the town's culture. City services have increased with recreational facilities, increased public safety department, two fire stations, water and sewer services, a new city hall, senior center, and the Grovetown Museum.

A "quiet village" no more, it is still a great place to live.

The City of Grovetown

From the building of the Georgia Railroad which passes through town until at least the 1860s, it was known as "Belair, Georgia". Grovetown was incorporated in 1881. Georgia.gov - City of Grovetown

See also

State of Georgia portal

• Central Savannah River Area

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ www.grovetowngeorgia.com
4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
5. ^ www.ccboe.net

External links

• The City of Grovetown website
• Grovetown Heritage Festival website
• Grovetown website

• Grovetown, Georgia is at coordinates 33°26′58″N 82°11′49″W / 33.449324°N 82.196972°W / 33.449324; -82.196972 (Grovetown, Georgia)Coordinates: 33°26′58″N 82°11′49″W / 33.449324°N 82.196972°W / 33.449324; -82.196972 (Grovetown, Georgia)

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Columbia County, Georgia County seat: Appling Cities Grovetown | Harlem CDPs Evans | Martinez Unincorporated community Appling