Dawsonville, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Dawsonville is a city in Dawson County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 619 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat
of Dawson County
. It is named for William Crosby Dawson
, political and military leader.
This town was featured in Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy
discussing its history of moonshine
and how boot-legging eventually turned into NASCAR
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all of it land.
The community is at the junction of State Routes 9
, 53
, and 136
.
Amicalola Falls
, located in Dawsonville, is on the List of the seven natural wonders of Georgia (U.S. state).
of 2000, there were 619 people, 234 households, and 153 families residing in the city. The population density
was 320.9 people per square mile (123.8/km²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 133.2 per square mile (51.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.97% from other races
, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.00% of the population.
There were 234 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples
living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 114.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,327, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $25,125 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,207. About 12.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
activity in the area) and celebrates its involvement every October with the yearly festival aptly named by locals as the "Mountain Moonshine Festival." Dawsonville is the home of semi-retired NASCAR
driver Bill Elliott
. His nickname, in homage to his hometown, is "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville". The city hall also has an extravagant racing theme as well.
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. The district has 219 full-time teachers and 3,036 students.
As far as education goes in Dawsonville, the small town is fairly advanced with technology and has a small student to teacher ratio. The Dawson County School system is a charter system. The one and only high school in Dawsonville, Dawson County High School, won the honor of being a part of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program
. Also, Riverview Middle School won the governor's Gold Award on student achievement in the 2008-2009 school year.
Dawson County, Georgia
Dawson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1857 from Gilmer and Lumpkin counties. As of 2000, the population is 15,999. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,484...
, 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 619 at the 2000 census. 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 Dawson County
Dawson County, Georgia
Dawson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1857 from Gilmer and Lumpkin counties. As of 2000, the population is 15,999. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,484...
. It is named for William Crosby Dawson
William Crosby Dawson
William Crosby Dawson was a lawyer, judge, politician, and soldier from Georgia.-Early life, education and legal career:...
, political and military leader.
History
The city was incorporated in 1859.This town was featured in Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy
Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy
Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy is a reality TV show on the History Channel. On January 26, 2010, the TV channel History announced it was ordering a series starring Larry the Cable Guy, titled Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy, It premiered on February 8, 2011...
discussing its history of moonshine
Moonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
and how boot-legging eventually turned into NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
.
Geography
Dawsonville is located at 34°25′N 84°7′W.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 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all of it land.
The community is at the junction of State Routes 9
Georgia State Route 9
State Route 9 is a north–south highway running from Atlanta to just north of Dahlonega. It overlaps U.S. 19 from along 14th Street, in northwest Atlanta, to Roswell Road at I-285, in Sandy Springs. It is also concurrent with U.S. 19 from Dahlonega to its northern terminus at US 129...
, 53
Georgia State Route 53
State Route 53 is a west–east state route located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from the Alabama state line west of Cave Spring northeast, then east, then southeast to State Route 15/State Route 24 Business in Watkinsville....
, and 136
Georgia State Route 136
Georgia State Route 136 is a series of streets, roads and highways that form a rural route in the northern part of the state of Georgia. Its eastern terminus occurs at the route's intersection with Georgia State Route 60, north of Gainesville in Hall County...
.
Amicalola Falls
Amicalola Falls
Amicalola Falls is a 729-foot waterfall in Dawson County, Georgia, USA. It the highest waterfall in Georgia and is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. The name "Amicalola" is derived from a Cherokee language word meaning "tumbling waters."" It is located within...
, located in Dawsonville, is on the List of the seven natural wonders of Georgia (U.S. state).
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 619 people, 234 households, and 153 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 320.9 people per square mile (123.8/km²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 133.2 per square mile (51.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.97% 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 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.00% of the population.
There were 234 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% 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, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 114.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,327, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $25,125 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 $20,207. About 12.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Auto racing
The city's community is known in auto racing circles for its long tradition of involvement in the sport (many racing skills originally developed as a consequence of moonshineMoonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
activity in the area) and celebrates its involvement every October with the yearly festival aptly named by locals as the "Mountain Moonshine Festival." Dawsonville is the home of semi-retired NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver Bill Elliott
Bill Elliott
William Clyde "Bill" Elliott , also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill, is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007. He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup...
. His nickname, in homage to his hometown, is "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville". The city hall also has an extravagant racing theme as well.
Dawson County School District
The Dawson County School DistrictDawson County School District
The Dawson County School District is a public school district in Dawson County, Georgia, USA, based in Dawsonville, Georgia. It serves the communities of Dawsonville and Juno, Georgia.-Schools:...
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. The district has 219 full-time teachers and 3,036 students.
- Black's Mill Elementary School
- Kilough Elementary School
- Robinson Elementary School
- Riverview Elementary School
- Riverview Middle School
- Dawson County Middle School
- Dawson County High School
As far as education goes in Dawsonville, the small town is fairly advanced with technology and has a small student to teacher ratio. The Dawson County School system is a charter system. The one and only high school in Dawsonville, Dawson County High School, won the honor of being a part of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program
Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
. Also, Riverview Middle School won the governor's Gold Award on student achievement in the 2008-2009 school year.
Notable residents
- Bill ElliottBill ElliottWilliam Clyde "Bill" Elliott , also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill, is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007. He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup...
"Awesome Bill From Dawsonville", stock car driver. - Bill GoldbergBill GoldbergGoldberg earned a scholarship to play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team where he served as a defensive tackle. He was taken in the 11th round, with the 302nd overall selection, in the 1990 NFL Draft....
, Professional wrestler and actor (once resided in Dawsonville) - Lloyd SeayLloyd SeayCarl D. "Lightning" Lloyd Seay was an early stock car racing driver from Georgia. NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. described Seay as the "best pure race driver I ever saw". He was shot to death by his cousin over a moonshine operation. His last name was pronounced as "See".Seay came from a racing...
and Roy Hall, moonshine runners and early stock car pioneers - Gober SosebeeGober SosebeeGober Sosebee was an American racecar driver. He won on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was born in Dawson County, Georgia, and began his career in 1940 at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway....
, race car driver from Dawsonville
External links
- City website
- http://www.dawsonvillega.org
- http://www.dawsoncountyschools.org/