East Point, Georgia
Encyclopedia
The city of East Point is southwest of the neighborhoods of Atlanta in Fulton County
, Georgia
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,712. The city is named for being at the opposite end of the former Atlanta & West Point Railroad from West Point, Georgia
.
The city started with a citizenry of only 16 families in 1870, but grew quickly after it became an inviting place for industry to develop. Soon it boasted the railway, two gristmills and a government distillery located on Connally Drive. One of the earliest buildings was the factory of the White Hickory Manufacturing Company, built by B.M. Blount and L.M. Hill (who became the first chairman of the board of aldermen, i.e. mayor, of the city).
By 1880 the town had two churches, a common school, a steam-gin, a sawmill, a post office (actually founded in 1851), a telegraph office and its own newspaper weekly, The Plow Boy. East Point ranked as a grain and cotton-growing center, and with its pleasant climate and proximity to the railway, had also become a popular summer resort.
In 1884 the first telephone rang in East Point, and in 1887 the city received its first charter. Then came the first housing boom in 1890, when a major portion of property along East Point Avenue was subdivided and developed, opening the way for more homes, more churches, more people and more places of employment. By 1892 Main Street was completed, despite protests from a few progress-shy early settlers who maintained that one major thoroughfare, Newnan Road, was more than sufficient.
By the turn of the century, the adolescent town was poised to grow into the city it eventually would become.
While some areas of the city would be considered blighted, East Point has seen a great resurgence in recent years with new businesses and residences popping up all over the city. A large new shopping center, Camp Creek Marketplace, has opened on the city's western side and more and more older World War II era homes have been purchased and remodeled, especially in the Jefferson Park neighborhood. A new multiplex
, the first in many years in East Point, opened in Camp Creek in December 2007.
The National Archives
regional repository for data collected by the U.S. Census
was originally located in the Colonial Hills
area of East Point until it was moved to a new facility in nearby Morrow
.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons
Southeast Region Office is in East Point.
Several notable athletes have emerged from the city of East Point, among them Reggie Rutland, Jonas Jennings
(NFL), Nick Rogers
(NFL), Bill Thorn, Donald Adams (Basketball), John Milner
(baseball) and Jay Hudson.
When the Dick Lane Velodrome was first built, it was one of only two in the United States. Constructed in 1974, the Dick Lane Velodrome (named after a longtime City Council member) was inspired by a group of residents and city officials that visited the Munich Olympics
. Located eight miles south of downtown Atlanta, the Dick Lane Velodrome is a 1/5 of a mile and 36° banked concrete track for bicycle racing, set in Sumner park in a residential part of beautiful historic East Point. Dick Lane is the only velodrome in the world with a green space that contains a large oak tree and a creek running through the in-field http://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/pages/history.html. The City of East Point owns the velodrome and has a long-term partnership with the The East Point Velodrome Association, Inc. (EPVA) to manage the Dick Lane Velodrome, and continue its use as one of the premier facilities of its kind. The EPVA is a 100% volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation, care and growth of the Dick Lane Velodrome. The EPVA conducts Youth Service Activities for children at no cost to the city or state. These activities include the highly acclaimed Bicycle Little League (for kids 8-12), summer camps (kids 13-16), and bicycle safety clinics. In addition to raising bicycle safety awareness, these programs promote physical health and wellness, teamwork and individual growth through the sport and positive alternatives to drugs and gangs. These pioneering grass-root programs will hopefully ignite positive changes in kids and in competitive cycling in the U.S. EPVA also hosts 3 professional level events per year, held in May, July and September and are part of the American Track Racing Association National Championship Series.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 13.8 square miles (35.7 km²), of which 0.07% is water.
of 2000, there were 39,595 people, 14,553 households, and 9,430 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,878.9 people per square mile (1,111.8/km²). There were 15,637 housing units at an average density of 1,137.0 per square mile (439.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.16% African American, 16.10% White, 0.20% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 3.40% from other races
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.57% of the population.
There were 14,553 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.7% were married couples
living together, 28.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,874, and the median income for a family was $36,099. Males had a median income of $27,114 versus $25,839 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,175. About 17.2% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
, which operates area public schools, is headquartered in East Point.
Elementary schools in East Point and serving sections of East Point include Brookview, Conley Hills, Hamilton E. Holmes, Mount Olive, Oak Knoll, and Parklane. Elementary schools outside of East Point serving sections of East Point include Hapeville Elementary School in Hapeville
, Seaborn Lee Elementary School in an unincorporated area
, and Harriet Tubman Elementary School in College Park
.
Middle schools serving sections of city include Paul D. West Middle School and Woodland Middle School, both in East Point. A portion is zoned to Camp Creek Middle School in an unincorporated area
. Most of the city is zoned to Tri-Cities High School
in East Point. Some of the city is zoned to Westlake High School in an unincorporated area
.
Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat is Atlanta, the state capital since 1868 and the principal county 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...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,712. The city is named for being at the opposite end of the former Atlanta & West Point Railroad from West Point, Georgia
West Point, Georgia
West Point is a town in Troup County, with a small tail of the south end of town in Harris County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town had a total population of just 3,382 people...
.
History
The name East Point derives from the fact that it is the place where the Atlanta & West Point Railroad ends in the east, just as West Point, Georgia, is the place where the rail line ends in the west.The city started with a citizenry of only 16 families in 1870, but grew quickly after it became an inviting place for industry to develop. Soon it boasted the railway, two gristmills and a government distillery located on Connally Drive. One of the earliest buildings was the factory of the White Hickory Manufacturing Company, built by B.M. Blount and L.M. Hill (who became the first chairman of the board of aldermen, i.e. mayor, of the city).
By 1880 the town had two churches, a common school, a steam-gin, a sawmill, a post office (actually founded in 1851), a telegraph office and its own newspaper weekly, The Plow Boy. East Point ranked as a grain and cotton-growing center, and with its pleasant climate and proximity to the railway, had also become a popular summer resort.
In 1884 the first telephone rang in East Point, and in 1887 the city received its first charter. Then came the first housing boom in 1890, when a major portion of property along East Point Avenue was subdivided and developed, opening the way for more homes, more churches, more people and more places of employment. By 1892 Main Street was completed, despite protests from a few progress-shy early settlers who maintained that one major thoroughfare, Newnan Road, was more than sufficient.
By the turn of the century, the adolescent town was poised to grow into the city it eventually would become.
Government and infrastructure
While the city has an elected mayor, the majority of daily decisions are made by a hired city manager. The manager is approved by the eight-member city council, headed by the mayor who has veto power. The city is divided into four wards (A, B, C, & D), each with two city council members.While some areas of the city would be considered blighted, East Point has seen a great resurgence in recent years with new businesses and residences popping up all over the city. A large new shopping center, Camp Creek Marketplace, has opened on the city's western side and more and more older World War II era homes have been purchased and remodeled, especially in the Jefferson Park neighborhood. A new multiplex
Multiplex (movie theater)
A multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens, typically three or more. They are usually housed in a specially designed building. Sometimes, an existing venue undergoes a renovation where the existing auditoriums are split into smaller ones, or more auditoriums are added in an...
, the first in many years in East Point, opened in Camp Creek in December 2007.
The National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
regional repository for data collected by the U.S. Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
was originally located in the Colonial Hills
Colonial Hills, Georgia
Colonial Hills is a neighborhood in the northernmost section of East Point, Georgia. It rests alongside of Langford Parkway Just to the north of Colonial Hills is Fort McPherson-, which is due to be shut down due to military downsizing.-Schools:Schools that serve the Colonial Hills area:*...
area of East Point until it was moved to a new facility in nearby Morrow
Morrow, Georgia
Morrow is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,882 at the 2000 census. It is the home of Clayton State University.-Geography:Morrow is located at ....
.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a federal law enforcement agency subdivision of the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. The system also handles prisoners who committed acts considered felonies under the District of Columbia's...
Southeast Region Office is in East Point.
Sports and recreation
East Point has a continual history of community involvement in youth and adult sports. East Point is served by Sumner Park, Sykes Park, Brookdale Park, Grayson Field, Jefferson Park, John Milner Park and Chris Stacks Field.Several notable athletes have emerged from the city of East Point, among them Reggie Rutland, Jonas Jennings
Jonas Jennings
Jonas D. Jennings is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
(NFL), Nick Rogers
Nick Rogers (American football)
Nicholas Quixote "Nick" Rogers was an American football linebacker for the National Football League and the Arena Football League...
(NFL), Bill Thorn, Donald Adams (Basketball), John Milner
John Milner
John David Milner was an American first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up a huge Hank Aaron fan, even appropriating his idol's nickname, "The Hammer." He was a member of the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the World Series...
(baseball) and Jay Hudson.
When the Dick Lane Velodrome was first built, it was one of only two in the United States. Constructed in 1974, the Dick Lane Velodrome (named after a longtime City Council member) was inspired by a group of residents and city officials that visited the Munich Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
. Located eight miles south of downtown Atlanta, the Dick Lane Velodrome is a 1/5 of a mile and 36° banked concrete track for bicycle racing, set in Sumner park in a residential part of beautiful historic East Point. Dick Lane is the only velodrome in the world with a green space that contains a large oak tree and a creek running through the in-field http://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/pages/history.html. The City of East Point owns the velodrome and has a long-term partnership with the The East Point Velodrome Association, Inc. (EPVA) to manage the Dick Lane Velodrome, and continue its use as one of the premier facilities of its kind. The EPVA is a 100% volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation, care and growth of the Dick Lane Velodrome. The EPVA conducts Youth Service Activities for children at no cost to the city or state. These activities include the highly acclaimed Bicycle Little League (for kids 8-12), summer camps (kids 13-16), and bicycle safety clinics. In addition to raising bicycle safety awareness, these programs promote physical health and wellness, teamwork and individual growth through the sport and positive alternatives to drugs and gangs. These pioneering grass-root programs will hopefully ignite positive changes in kids and in competitive cycling in the U.S. EPVA also hosts 3 professional level events per year, held in May, July and September and are part of the American Track Racing Association National Championship Series.
Geography
East Point is located at 33.676008°N 84.451277°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 13.8 square miles (35.7 km²), of which 0.07% 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 39,595 people, 14,553 households, and 9,430 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 2,878.9 people per square mile (1,111.8/km²). There were 15,637 housing units at an average density of 1,137.0 per square mile (439.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.16% African American, 16.10% White, 0.20% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 3.40% 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 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.57% of the population.
There were 14,553 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.7% 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, 28.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,874, and the median income for a family was $36,099. Males had a median income of $27,114 versus $25,839 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 $15,175. About 17.2% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
Primary and secondary schools
The Fulton County School SystemFulton County School System
The Fulton County School System is a school district headquartered in East Point, Georgia, United States. The system serves the area of Fulton County, Georgia outside the Atlanta city limits...
, which operates area public schools, is headquartered in East Point.
Elementary schools in East Point and serving sections of East Point include Brookview, Conley Hills, Hamilton E. Holmes, Mount Olive, Oak Knoll, and Parklane. Elementary schools outside of East Point serving sections of East Point include Hapeville Elementary School in Hapeville
Hapeville, Georgia
Hapeville is a city in Fulton County, Georgia, United States, located directly adjacent to the city of Atlanta. The population was 6,373 at the 2010 census. It is named for Dr...
, Seaborn Lee Elementary School in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
, and Harriet Tubman Elementary School in College Park
College Park, Georgia
College Park is a city located partly in Fulton County, Georgia and partially in Clayton County, Georgia, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,942...
.
Middle schools serving sections of city include Paul D. West Middle School and Woodland Middle School, both in East Point. A portion is zoned to Camp Creek Middle School in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
. Most of the city is zoned to Tri-Cities High School
Tri-Cities High School
Tri-Cities High School is a public high school in East Point, Georgia, United States. It is a part of the Fulton County School System. The school opened in 1988 under the leadership of principal Dr. Herschel Robinson. It was originally formed by combining 4 schools: Woodland High School, Russell...
in East Point. Some of the city is zoned to Westlake High School in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
.
Higher Education
Point University, formerly Atlanta Christian College, has a location in East Point. Though the University's traditional students are transitioning to West Point, Georgia in Fall 2012, the East Point location will remain active for the school's adult studies program.External links
- City of East Point
- East Point Police Department
- East Point Historical Society (501c3)
- East Point Main Street Association
- Center Park Neighborhood Association
- Hillcrest Cemetery Memorial Association
- Colonial Hills Neighborhood Association (501c3)
- Jefferson Park Neighbors Association (501c3)
- Dick Lane Velodrome