Douglas, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Douglas is a city in Coffee County
, Georgia
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 11,589. Douglas is the county seat
of Coffee County
and the core city of the Douglas, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area
which has a population of 48,708 as of the 2008 census estimates.
, a renowned stump speaker
and Congressman who was the presidential challenger to Abraham Lincoln
in the Election of 1860. Douglas was chartered as a town in 1895 and as a city in 1897. In 1895, the railroad came to Douglas and the community began to boom. In 1909, the Georgia and Florida Railway located its offices in Douglas. The Eleventh District Agricultural & Mechanical School was established in Douglas in 1906. In 1927, South Georgia College
became Georgia's first state supported junior college. During the 1920s and 1930s, Douglas became one of the major tobacco markets in the state. Much of this history is depicted in the Heritage Station Museum, which is located in the old Georgia and Florida Railway train station on Ward Street in downtown Douglas.
Douglas has two areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places: downtown and Gaskin Avenue historic districts. They were added to the list in 1989.
, 116 miles (186.7 km) driving distance NW of Jacksonville, Florida
, and 205 miles (329.9 km) driving distance SE of Atlanta, Georgia
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), of which, 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.46%) is water. Major water bodies include Twenty Mile Creek, Seventeen Mile Creek, and Hilliard's Pond, which was once the ski show park "Holiday Beach."
Douglas is the principal city of the Douglas Micropolitan Statistical Area, a micropolitan area
that covers Atkinson
and Coffee counties and had a combined population of 45,022 at the 2000 census
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 10,639 people, 3,977 households, and 2,656 families residing in the city. The population density
was 825.7 people per square mile (318.9/km²). There were 4,692 housing units at an average density of 364.2 per square mile (140.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.41% White, 45.33% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.80% from other races
, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.92% of the population.
There were 3,977 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples
living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,946, and the median income for a family was $36,349. Males had a median income of $26,551 versus $20,145 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,652. About 17.9% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
In February 2009, It was announced that Pilgrim's Pride
, a chicken processing plant employing 900 workers, would shut down. http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9921880 This led to a significant economic downturn in the town, causing more businesses to close. http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10847748
In 2010, it was announced that Pilgrim’s Pride expects to be in operation by January of next year and in full production by the summer of 2011, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office.
, and the Ashley-Slater House are also popular tourist attractions in the area. All three were recently named among "Georgia's Hidden Treasures" in a segment on WSB-TV.
Douglas has ten public parks that offer year-round activities for all ages and interest groups. Also, there are four golf courses in and around the city.
Nearby, the 1490 acres (6 km²) General Coffee State Park
draws more than 100,000 visitors a year and is the most popular tourist attraction in the area.
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of nine elementary schools, a middle school, and two high schools. The district has 438 full-time teachers and over 8,000 students.
Coffee County, Georgia
Coffee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 37,413. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 40,085. The county seat is Douglas.-History:...
, 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...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 11,589. Douglas 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 Coffee County
Coffee County, Georgia
Coffee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 37,413. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 40,085. The county seat is Douglas.-History:...
and the core city of the Douglas, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area
Table of United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas
thumb|An enlargeable map of the 942 [[Core Based Statistical Area]]s of the [[United States]]. The 576 [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]]s are shown in blue....
which has a population of 48,708 as of the 2008 census estimates.
History
Douglas was established in 1858 on 50 acres (202,343 m²) of land donated by J.S. Pearson at the confluence of Twenty Mile Creek and Seventeen Mile Creek. It was named for Senator Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
, a renowned stump speaker
Stump speech (politics)
A political stump speech is a standard speech used by a politician running for office. The term derives from the custom in 19th century America for political candidates campaigning from town to town to stand upon a sawed off tree stump to deliver a standard speech...
and Congressman who was the presidential challenger to Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
in the Election of 1860. Douglas was chartered as a town in 1895 and as a city in 1897. In 1895, the railroad came to Douglas and the community began to boom. In 1909, the Georgia and Florida Railway located its offices in Douglas. The Eleventh District Agricultural & Mechanical School was established in Douglas in 1906. In 1927, South Georgia College
South Georgia College
South Georgia College is a two-year, state-supported, residential junior college located in Douglas, Georgia, United States.-Affiliation/Accreditation:...
became Georgia's first state supported junior college. During the 1920s and 1930s, Douglas became one of the major tobacco markets in the state. Much of this history is depicted in the Heritage Station Museum, which is located in the old Georgia and Florida Railway train station on Ward Street in downtown Douglas.
Douglas has two areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places: downtown and Gaskin Avenue historic districts. They were added to the list in 1989.
Geography
Douglas is located at 31°30′27"N 82°51′3"W (31.507413, -82.850799). Douglas is 62 miles (99.8 km) driving distance NE of Valdosta, GeorgiaValdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
, 116 miles (186.7 km) driving distance NW of Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, and 205 miles (329.9 km) driving distance SE of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
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 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), of which, 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.46%) is water. Major water bodies include Twenty Mile Creek, Seventeen Mile Creek, and Hilliard's Pond, which was once the ski show park "Holiday Beach."
Demographics
United States micropolitan area
United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas , as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, are urban areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The micropolitan area designation was created in 2003...
that covers Atkinson
Atkinson County, Georgia
Atkinson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia, and was formed in 1917 from parts of Coffee and Clinch counties. As of 2000, the population was 7,609. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 8,223...
and Coffee counties and had a combined population of 45,022 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
As of the census
Census
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 10,639 people, 3,977 households, and 2,656 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 825.7 people per square mile (318.9/km²). There were 4,692 housing units at an average density of 364.2 per square mile (140.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.41% White, 45.33% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.80% 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 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.92% of the population.
There were 3,977 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% 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, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,946, and the median income for a family was $36,349. Males had a median income of $26,551 versus $20,145 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 $15,652. About 17.9% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.2% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
Highways
U.S. Route 221U.S. Route 221U.S. Route 221 is a spur of U.S. Route 21. It runs for 734 miles from Perry, Florida at US Routes 19/98/ALT 27 to Lynchburg, Virginia at U.S. Route 29 . It passes through the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia...
(runs north-south)
U.S. Route 441U.S. Route 441U.S. Route 441 is a spur route of U.S. Route 41. It currently runs for 939 miles from U.S. Route 41 in Miami, Florida to U.S. Route 25W in Lake City, Tennessee. Between its termini, US 441 passes through the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee...
(runs north-south)
Georgia State Route 31Georgia State Route 31State Route 31 is a north–south state route located in the central and southern parts of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from Florida State Road 145 at the Florida state line south of Clyattville to SR 15/SR 57/SR 78 in Wrightsville....
(runs north-south)
Georgia State Route 32Georgia State Route 32State Route 32 is a west–east state route located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from SR 520 in Dawson east to SR 99 west of Sterling.-Route description:...
(runs east-west)
Georgia State Route 135 (runs north-south)
Georgia State Route 158 (runs east-west)
Georgia State Route 206 (runs east-west)
Utilities
- The Electric Department, locally-owned and a member of Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, services Douglas with power.
- The Natural Gas Department, member of both Georgia & American Public Gas Association and the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, provides gas to the area.
- Water and sewer service is conducted by the city's Water Department.
- The Public Works Department handles yard clippings, junk items, and animal control for the city.
Major employers
- Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
is the biggest employer in the area, with a retail store in Douglas and a distribution center which employs over 1,600 people. The distribution center was built in 1987 using $10 million in government funding. - American Insulated Wire
- Fleetwood Mobile Homes Corporation
- PCC Airfoils
- Pilgrim's Pride
Agriculture
Farming plays a large role in the area's economy. Major agricultural products from the town and surrounding county include peanuts, corn, tobacco, and cotton. Chicken is also considered a major part of the economy. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124631125369670273.htmlIn February 2009, It was announced that Pilgrim's Pride
Pilgrim's Pride
Pilgrim's Corp., previously Pilgrim's Pride , is a former U.S.-owned company with its U.S. headquarters relocated to Greeley, Colorado. As a subsidiary of the Brazilian food giant, JBS, it is the largest chicken producer in the United States and Puerto Rico and the second-largest chicken producer...
, a chicken processing plant employing 900 workers, would shut down. http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9921880 This led to a significant economic downturn in the town, causing more businesses to close. http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10847748
In 2010, it was announced that Pilgrim’s Pride expects to be in operation by January of next year and in full production by the summer of 2011, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office.
Tourism
Douglas is home to Heritage Station Museum which displays artifacts of the city's history. The WWII Aviation Museum, Broxton RocksBroxton Rocks
Broxton Rocks is the single largest exposure of sandstone, about 4 miles in extent, found in the Altamaha Grit, a subterranean band of sandstone that lies under some 15,000 square miles of the Atlantic Coastal Plain...
, and the Ashley-Slater House are also popular tourist attractions in the area. All three were recently named among "Georgia's Hidden Treasures" in a segment on WSB-TV.
Douglas has ten public parks that offer year-round activities for all ages and interest groups. Also, there are four golf courses in and around the city.
Nearby, the 1490 acres (6 km²) General Coffee State Park
General Coffee State Park
General Coffee State Park is a 1,511 acre Georgia state park located near Douglas. The park is named after politician, farmer, and military leader General John E. Coffee. The park plays host to many rare and endangered species, especially in the cypress swamps through which the Seventeen-Mile...
draws more than 100,000 visitors a year and is the most popular tourist attraction in the area.
Media
- Dixie Country 106.7 (WOKA)
- WULS Radio 103.7 FM
- WDMG Radio 97.9 FM 860 AM
- WPNG Radio Shine 101.9
- The Douglas News
- The Douglas Enterprise
Coffee County School District
The Douglas-Coffee County area is serviced by the Coffee County Board of Education. The Coffee County School DistrictCoffee County School District
The Coffee County School District is a public school district in Coffee County, Georgia based in Douglas, Georgia. It serves the communities of Ambrose, Broxton, Douglas, Nicholls, and West Green, Georgia.-Our Mission:...
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of nine elementary schools, a middle school, and two high schools. The district has 438 full-time teachers and over 8,000 students.
- Pre-K Center
- Ambrose Elementary School
- Broxton Mary-Hayes Elementary School
- Eastside Elementary School
- Indian Creek Elementary School
- Nicholls Elementary School
- Satilla Elementary School
- West Green Elementary School
- Westside Elementary School
- Coffee Middle School
- George Washington Carver Freshman Campus
- Coffee High SchoolCoffee High SchoolCoffee High School is a public high school located in Douglas, Georgia. The school mascot is the Trojan.- Activities and clubs :*Anchor Club,*Art Club,*4-H,*FCCLA,*Marching Band,*Debate Team,*Drama Club,*Epiphany,*Fellowship of Christian Athletes,...
Private schools
- Citizens Christian Academy and Faith Christian Academy are both K-12.
- First United Methodist Church provides Pre-Kindergarten
- First Baptist Church provides Pre-Kindergarten
Higher Education
- South Georgia CollegeSouth Georgia CollegeSouth Georgia College is a two-year, state-supported, residential junior college located in Douglas, Georgia, United States.-Affiliation/Accreditation:...
is a public two-year institution of the University System of GeorgiaUniversity System of GeorgiaThe University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
. - Adjoining SGC, is a satellite campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, which has four campuses: Ben Hill-Irwin Campus, Coffee County Campus, Cook County Workforce Development Center, and the Valdosta Campus. Two extended campuses include the Wilcox Learning Center in Rochelle and a Moody Air Force Base location in Valdosta.
Notable residents and natives
- Jennifer NettlesJennifer NettlesJennifer Nettles is an American country music artist. She is known primarily for her role as lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland alongside Kristian Bush. Before Sugarland's inception, she also fronted Atlanta, Georgia-based bands called Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band...
, one-half of the country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
duo Sugarland, is a native of Douglas. - Maureen TuckerMaureen TuckerMaureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
, drummerDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and occasional singer of Sixties and Seventies rock group The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
lives in Douglas. - Greg WalkerGreg WalkerGregory Lee Walker is a former power-hitting first baseman in Major League Baseball and the former hitting coach of the Chicago White Sox, the team for which he played all but the last 14 games of his career. As a player for 9 years, Walker hit 113 home runs and drove in 444 runs, while scoring...
, former first baseman and current hitting coach for the 2005 World Champion Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, is a native of Douglas. - Dr. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and former president of Georgia Institute of Technology (1994–2008), spent his early years in Douglas. His father served as mayor.
- James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, singer, lived here for a short time while working at a local saw mill. - Bobby BowdenBobby BowdenRobert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
, Former FSU football coach, first head coaching job was with the football team at South Georgia College. - Greg HollandGreg HollandGreg Holland is an American country musician. Holland grew up in Douglas, Georgia, where he performed as a youngster in local play productions and on television. He recorded a demo before reaching his teens and opened in concert for Ronnie Milsap when he was 12 years old...
, country singer - Matt ChildersMatt ChildersMatthew Wilkie Childers is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan.-Career:...
, MLB player for the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.