Cumming, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Cumming is a city in Forsyth County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 5,430 at the 2010 census. However, places with a Cumming mailing address have a population of around 100,000. The city is the county seat
of Forsyth County
.
The area now called Cumming is located west of Hall County
around the area of Vann's Crossing.
tribes. They came in 1755, the Cherokee and Creek people developed disputes over hunting land. After two years of fighting, the Cherokee won the land in the Battle of Taliwa
. The Creek people were forced to move south of the Chattahoochee River
.
The Cherokee coexisted with the settlers until the discovery of gold in Georgia
in 1828. Settlers that moved to the area to mine for gold pushed for the removal of the Cherokee
. Finally in 1835, the Treaty of New Echota
was signed. The treaty stated that the Cherokee Nation must move to the Indian Territory
. This resulted in the Trail of Tears
. The Cherokee territory was then formed into Cherokee County
in 1831. In 1832, the county was then split into several counties including Forsyth County
.
in 1849 put the city into an economic depression. Newly-built railroads bypassed the city and took traffic from the Federal Road
that ran near Cumming. The city was spared during the Civil War
because William T. Sherman did not pass through the city during his March to the Sea
. In 1900, the county courthouse was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1905.
In 1912, Georgia governor, Joseph M. Brown
, sent four companies of state militia to Cumming to prevent riots after several rapes of young white women by African-American men.
The governor then declared martial law, but the effort did little to stop a month-long barrage of attacks by night riders on the African-American citizens. This led to a diaspora of African-Americans, and the city had virtually no black population.
Racial tensions were strained even more in 1987. A civil rights demonstration was held through the streets of Cumming to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Meanwhile, a Ku Klux Klan
chapter started a counter-demonstration that threw stones and bottles at the civil rights activists. This garnered nationwide attention during the following week. As many as 20,000 people formed a second march. Civil rights leader, Hosea Williams
, and former senator, Gary Hart
, were in the demonstration. A group of the National Guard kept the opposition of about 1,000 in check. Oprah Winfrey
featured the Cumming and Forsyth County on her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show
. She formed a town hall meeting
where one audience member said this:
However, it was found the most of the audience members agreed that Forsyth County should integrate.
Today, the city is experiencing new growth. The completion of Georgia 400
has helped turn Cumming into a commuter town
for Atlanta. The city holds the Cumming Country Fair & Festival every October. The Sawnee Mountain Preserve also provides views of the city from the top of Sawnee Mountain. In 1956, Buford Dam, along the Chattahoochee River, started operating. The reservoir that it created is called Lake Lanier
. The lake, being a popular spot for boaters
, has generated income from tourists for Cumming as well as provide a source of drinking water. However, because of rapid growth of the Atlanta area, drought, and mishandling of a stream gauge
, Lake Lanier has seen record-low water levels. Moreover, the lake is involved in a longstanding lawsuit between Georgia, Alabama
, and Florida
. Because of a recent ruling, the city may not be able to withdraw its water. However, the city is looking into different sources of water such as wells and various creeks.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.34%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,220 people, 1,427 households, and 960 families residing in the city. The population density
was 717.1 people per square mile (276.6/km²). There were 1,507 housing units at an average density of 256.1 per square mile (98.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.48% White, 2.01% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 5.69% from other races
, and 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.68% of the population.
There were 1,417 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,237, and the median income for a family was $47,270. Males had a median income of $27,201 versus $29,115 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,445. About 10.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over.
Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
Charter Schools
Alternative Schools
Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat is Cumming, Georgia. Forsyth County is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,430 at the 2010 census. However, places with a Cumming mailing address have a population of around 100,000. The city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Forsyth County
Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat is Cumming, Georgia. Forsyth County is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
.
History
Hall County, Georgia
Hall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population was 139,277. It is included in the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
around the area of Vann's Crossing.
Early history
The area, now called Cumming, was first inhabited by CherokeeCherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
tribes. They came in 1755, the Cherokee and Creek people developed disputes over hunting land. After two years of fighting, the Cherokee won the land in the Battle of Taliwa
Battle of Taliwa
The Battle of Taliwa was fought in Ball Ground, Georgia in 1755. According to Cherokee folklore, it was mainly fought over land disputed between the Cherokees and Creek, with the Cherokees winning...
. The Creek people were forced to move south of the Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
.
Georgia Gold Rush
The Georgia Gold Rush was the second significant gold rush in the United States. It started in 1828 in the present day Lumpkin County near county seat Dahlonega, and soon spread through the North Georgia mountains, following the Georgia Gold Belt. By the early 1840s, gold became harder to find...
in 1828. Settlers that moved to the area to mine for gold pushed for the removal of the Cherokee
Indian Removal
Indian removal was a nineteenth century policy of the government of the United States to relocate Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river...
. Finally in 1835, the Treaty of New Echota
Treaty of New Echota
The Treaty of New Echota was a treaty signed on December 29, 1835, in New Echota, Georgia by officials of the United States government and representatives of a minority Cherokee political faction, known as the Treaty Party...
was signed. The treaty stated that the Cherokee Nation must move to the Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
. This resulted in the Trail of Tears
Cherokee removal
Cherokee removal, part of the Trail of Tears, refers to the forced relocation between 1836 to 1839 of the Cherokee Nation from their lands in Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina to the Indian Territory in the Western United States, which resulted in the deaths of approximately...
. The Cherokee territory was then formed into Cherokee County
Cherokee County, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 141,903 people, 49,495 households, and 39,200 families residing in the county. The population density was 335 people per square mile . There were 51,937 housing units at an average density of 123 per square mile...
in 1831. In 1832, the county was then split into several counties including Forsyth County
Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat is Cumming, Georgia. Forsyth County is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
.
Modern history
During the 1830s and 1840s, Cumming benefited from the gold mining industry as many business were created to meet the needs of the miners. However, the California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
in 1849 put the city into an economic depression. Newly-built railroads bypassed the city and took traffic from the Federal Road
Federal Road (Cherokee lands)
The Federal Road, originally called Georgia Road, was a federal toll highway passing through the Cherokee Nation in the northern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. From 1805 to the 1840s, the road linked Savannah, Georgia with Knoxville, Tennessee...
that ran near Cumming. The city was spared during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
because William T. Sherman did not pass through the city during his March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea is the name commonly given to the Savannah Campaign conducted around Georgia from November 15, 1864 to December 21, 1864 by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army in the American Civil War...
. In 1900, the county courthouse was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1905.
In 1912, Georgia governor, Joseph M. Brown
Joseph Mackey Brown
Joseph Mackey Brown was an American politician and alleged to be one of the ringleaders in the lynching of Leo Frank...
, sent four companies of state militia to Cumming to prevent riots after several rapes of young white women by African-American men.
The governor then declared martial law, but the effort did little to stop a month-long barrage of attacks by night riders on the African-American citizens. This led to a diaspora of African-Americans, and the city had virtually no black population.
Racial tensions were strained even more in 1987. A civil rights demonstration was held through the streets of Cumming to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Meanwhile, a Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
chapter started a counter-demonstration that threw stones and bottles at the civil rights activists. This garnered nationwide attention during the following week. As many as 20,000 people formed a second march. Civil rights leader, Hosea Williams
Hosea Williams
Hosea Lorenzo Williams was a United States civil rights leader, ordained minister, businessman, philanthropist, scientist and politician...
, and former senator, Gary Hart
Gary Hart
Gary Hart is an American politician, lawyer, author, professor and commentator. He served as a Democratic Senator representing Colorado , and ran in the U.S...
, were in the demonstration. A group of the National Guard kept the opposition of about 1,000 in check. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
featured the Cumming and Forsyth County on her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
. She formed a town hall meeting
Town hall meeting
A town hall meeting is an American English term given to an informal public meeting. Everybody in a town community is invited to attend, not always to voice their opinions, but to hear the responses from public figures and elected officials about shared subjects of interest. Attendees rarely voted...
where one audience member said this:
Today, the city is experiencing new growth. The completion of Georgia 400
Georgia State Route 400
Georgia State Route 400 is a highway in the U.S. state of Georgia, concurrent with U.S. Route 19 from exit 4B until its terminus just south of Dahlonega. ST 400 goes from Atlanta, at Interstate 85 , to Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Dawson County, and Dahlonega...
has helped turn Cumming into a commuter town
Commuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
for Atlanta. The city holds the Cumming Country Fair & Festival every October. The Sawnee Mountain Preserve also provides views of the city from the top of Sawnee Mountain. In 1956, Buford Dam, along the Chattahoochee River, started operating. The reservoir that it created is called Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier is a reservoir in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, and is also fed by the waters of the Chestatee River. The lake encompasses of water, and of shoreline at normal level, a "full...
. The lake, being a popular spot for boaters
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, has generated income from tourists for Cumming as well as provide a source of drinking water. However, because of rapid growth of the Atlanta area, drought, and mishandling of a stream gauge
Stream gauge
A stream gauge, stream gage or gauging station is a location used by hydrologists or environmental scientists to monitor and test terrestrial bodies of water. Hydrometric measurements of water surface elevation and/or volumetric discharge are generally taken and observations of biota may also be...
, Lake Lanier has seen record-low water levels. Moreover, the lake is involved in a longstanding lawsuit between Georgia, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Because of a recent ruling, the city may not be able to withdraw its water. However, the city is looking into different sources of water such as wells and various creeks.
Geography
Cumming is located at 34°12′30"N 84°8′15"W (34.208464, -84.137575).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.34%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,220 people, 1,427 households, and 960 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 717.1 people per square mile (276.6/km²). There were 1,507 housing units at an average density of 256.1 per square mile (98.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.48% White, 2.01% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 5.69% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.68% of the population.
There were 1,417 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,237, and the median income for a family was $47,270. Males had a median income of $27,201 versus $29,115 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,445. About 10.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Cumming is served by Forsyth County SchoolsForsyth County Schools
Forsyth County Schools is a public school district in Forsyth County, Georgia, USA, based in Cumming, Georgia. FCS serves over 36,000 students and is the largest employer in the county with over 4,100 full-time employees and 1,500 substitutes...
Elementary Schools
- Big Creek Elementary (South Forsyth)
- Brookwood Elementary
- Chattahoochee Elementary (North Forsyth)
- Coal Mountain Elementary (North Forsyth)
- Cumming Elementary (Forsyth Central)
- Daves Creek Elementary (South Forsyth)
- Haw Creek Elementary
- John's Creek Elementary (South Forsyth)
- Mashburn Elementary (Forsyth Central)
- Matt Elementary (North Forsyth)
- Midway Elementary
- Sawnee Elementary(Forsyth Central)
- Settles Bridge Elementary
- Sharon Elementary
- Shiloh Point Elementary (South Forsyth)
- Silver City Elementary (North Forsyth)
- Vickery Creek Elementary (West Forsyth)
- Whitlow Elementary
Middle Schools
- Liberty Middle (West Forsyth)
- Little Mill Middle (North Forsyth)
- North Forsyth Middle (North Forsyth)
- Otwell Middle (Forsyth Central)
- Piney Grove (South Forsyth)
- South Forsyth Middle (South Forsyth)
- Vickery Creek Middle (West Forsyth)
- Riverwatch Middle (South Forsyth)
- Lakeside Middle (East Forsyth)
High Schools
- Forsyth Central High School
- Lambert High School
- North Forsyth High SchoolNorth Forsyth High School (Georgia)North Forsyth High School is a public high school located in Cumming, Georgia a suburb northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The school is located at 3635 Coal Mountain Drive, Cumming, Georgia 30041. It is 1 of 5 high schools in the Forsyth County School District, and serves students residing in Cumming,...
- South Forsyth High SchoolSouth Forsyth High SchoolSouth Forsyth High School is a pubic high school, built in 1989, located in Cumming, Georgia, a suburb northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. It is 1 of 5 high schools in the Forsyth County School District, and serves students residing in parts of Cumming, Alpharetta, Duluth, and Suwanee...
- West Forsyth High SchoolWest Forsyth High School (Georgia)West Forsyth High School is a public high school, located in Cumming, Georgia, a suburb northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The school opened in 2007 and is located at 4155 Drew Road, Cumming GA 30040. It is 1 of 5 high schools in the Forsyth County School District, and serves students residing in...
Charter Schools
- Forsyth County Academy
Alternative Schools
- Creative Montessori School
- Piedmont Learning Center (6-12)
- Ignite Student Ministries (6-12)
Notable natives and residents
- Zac Brown, leader of the grammy-winning Zac Brown BandZac Brown BandZac Brown Band is an American country music, southern rock, and folk band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The lineup consists of Zac Brown , Jimmy De Martini , John Driskell Hopkins , Coy Bowles , Chris Fryar and Clay Cook...
was born in Cumming. - Junior SamplesJunior SamplesJunior Samples, born Alvin Samples Jr. in Cumming, Georgia was an American comedian best known for his 14-year run as a cast member of the TV show Hee Haw.-Early Years:...
was a comedian on the TV show Hee HawHee HawHee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
. - Micah OwingsMicah OwingsMicah Burton Owings is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks....
, Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
starting pitcher, was born in Cumming. - The town of Cumming (incorporated 1834) is named in honor of Col. William CummingWilliam Cumming (colonel)William Cumming was an American planter and soldier from Augusta, Georgia.-Career:Colonel Cumming served the United States Army as adjutant general of the northern army in the War of 1812. Cumming was born in Augusta to Thomas and Ann Cumming...
, distinguished officer in the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. - Actress Kelli GiddishKelli GiddishKelli Giddish is an American actress. She is known for her role as Diana Henry on the ABC's daytime drama All My Children . She is also known for her leading roles in the short-lived TV series Past Life and Chase...
was born in Cumming. - Actress Skyler DaySkyler DaySkyler Day is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her recurring role as Maggie Ritter on the TeenNick series Gigantic. She currently has a recurring role as Amy Ellis on the NBC series Parenthood....
was born in Cumming. - American Idol contestant and singer R. J. Helton lived in Cumming.
- Gene Ray, inventor of the pseudoscientific theory of everything Time Cube lives in Cumming.
- Laura Thompson is co-host of the Harry Potter Podcast MuggleCast.
- Constantine Tzortzis, contestant on The Bachelorette lives in Cumming
- Christian recording artistContemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
Kristian StanfillKristian StanfillKristian Stanfill is an American Christian rock singer-songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. His 2011 album Mountains Move reached #64 on the Billboard 200...
was born in Atlanta, but resides in Cumming with his wife. - American ReunionAmerican ReunionFor the fourth installment in the American Pie series, see American Pie Presents: Band CampAmerican Reunion is an upcoming comedy film written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg...
was partially filmed in Cumming at Mary Alice Park
External links
- City of Cumming website
- Forsyth County Georgia, Information and Directory, Government,Business and more. Cumming is the county seat.
- Video of Annual Steam Engine Parade 60 Minute DVD of parade with many antique steam engines.
- Cumming Steam, Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Exposition
- Forsyth Herald