Forest Park, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Forest Park is a city in Clayton County
, Georgia
, United States
. It is located approximately nine miles south of Atlanta
and is part of the Atlanta–Sandy Springs
–Marietta
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 18,468
, the city was incorporated in 1908.
The 1465 acres (5.9 km²) Fort Gillem
was founded nearby in 1941 and was annexed into the city in 1973.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²), of which, 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.43%) is water.
of 2000, there were 21,447 people, 6,845 households, and 4,839 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,287.5 people per square mile (882.8/km²). There were 7,233 housing units at an average density of 771.5 per square mile (297.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 45.11% White, 37.39% African American, 0.50% Native American, 5.98% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.56% from other races
, and 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.15% of the population.
There were 6,845 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples
living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,556, and the median income for a family was $36,029. Males had a median income of $27,381 versus $23,104 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,932. About 12.0% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
had 6,236 active voters on the rolls, or 5% of all Clayton County, Georgia
voters:
-------------------
TOTAL: 6,236
. Schools in the Forest Park area include five elementary schools, two junior high schools and one senior high school
.
There is commuter rail service in the planning stages along the Norfolk Southern line, with proposed stations in Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro, and initially ending at Lovejoy. This line is projected to run to Macon eventually. However, it has been repeatedly stalled by the Georgia General Assembly, despite having federal funding already available for it.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's Airport station is located just barely in Clayton. Clayton is one of three counties with representation on the MARTA board, but no rail service, since voters refused to approve the 1% sales tax needed to fund it.
Clayton County, Georgia
Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 236,517. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 273,718. The county seat is Jonesboro...
, 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...
. It is located approximately nine miles south of Atlanta
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...
and is part of the Atlanta–Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Sandy Springs is a city in north Georgia, United States. It is a northern suburb of Atlanta. With a 2010 population of 93,853, Sandy Springs is the sixth-largest city in the state and the second-largest city in Metro Atlanta. Sandy Springs is located in north Fulton County, Georgia, just south of...
–Marietta
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 18,468
History
Originally the third stop from Atlanta on the Macon and Western RailroadMacon and Western Railroad
The Macon & Western Railroad was originally chartered as the Monroe Railroad and Banking Company in December, 1833. It was not until 1838 that it opened for business with a line from Macon, Georgia to Forsyth. It was extended to Griffin in 1842...
, the city was incorporated in 1908.
The 1465 acres (5.9 km²) Fort Gillem
Fort Gillem
Fort Gillem is a United States Army military base located in Forest Park, Georgia, on the southeast edge of Atlanta. Founded in 1941, it was a satellite installation of nearby Fort McPherson it has closed due to BRAC. The base houses many different supply and support units including the U.S...
was founded nearby in 1941 and was annexed into the city in 1973.
Geography
Forest Park is located at 33.619659°N 84.365782°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 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²), of which, 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.43%) 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 21,447 people, 6,845 households, and 4,839 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 2,287.5 people per square mile (882.8/km²). There were 7,233 housing units at an average density of 771.5 per square mile (297.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 45.11% White, 37.39% African American, 0.50% Native American, 5.98% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.56% 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 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.15% of the population.
There were 6,845 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% 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, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,556, and the median income for a family was $36,029. Males had a median income of $27,381 versus $23,104 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 $14,932. About 12.0% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
Voter Statistics
According to the Georgia Secretary of State, as of November 1, 2011, Forest ParkForest Park
-Towns and villages:*Forest Park, Ontario, Canada*Forest Park, Georgia, USA*Forest Park, Illinois, USA*Forest Park, Ohio, Hamilton county, Ohio, USA*Forest Park, Ottawa County, Ohio, USA*Forest Park, Oklahoma, USA...
had 6,236 active voters on the rolls, or 5% of all Clayton County, Georgia
Clayton County, Georgia
Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 236,517. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 273,718. The county seat is Jonesboro...
voters:
- Black females: 2,006
- Black males: 1,502
- White females: 969
- White males: 770
- Asian females: 110
- Asian males: 153
- Hispanic females: 120
- Hispanic males: 126
- Native females: 3
- Native males: 1
- Other: 476
-------------------
TOTAL: 6,236
Education
Public education in the city of Forest Park is provided by Clayton County Public SchoolsClayton County Public Schools
Clayton County Public Schools is a public school district located in Jonesboro, Georgia, U.S. With over 48,000 students, CCPS is the fifth largest school district in Georgia.-High schools:...
. Schools in the Forest Park area include five elementary schools, two junior high schools and one senior high school
Forest Park High School (Georgia)
Forest Park High School is a four-year public high school located in Forest Park, Georgia. It is part of Clayton County Public Schools.-Notable alumni:*Hines Ward, University of Georgia - Football - Super Bowl MVP...
.
Highways
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There is commuter rail service in the planning stages along the Norfolk Southern line, with proposed stations in Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro, and initially ending at Lovejoy. This line is projected to run to Macon eventually. However, it has been repeatedly stalled by the Georgia General Assembly, despite having federal funding already available for it.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's Airport station is located just barely in Clayton. Clayton is one of three counties with representation on the MARTA board, but no rail service, since voters refused to approve the 1% sales tax needed to fund it.
Notable people from Forest Park
- Terrell StarrTerrell StarrTerrell Starr was a Democratic member of the Georgia State Senate from 1968 to 2007.Born in Clayton County, Georgia, Starr was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1968. He lived in Jonesboro, Georgia.-Notes:...
, Georgia State Senate - Hines WardHines WardHines E. Ward, Jr. is an American football player who currently plays the wide receiver position for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, where he is the longest-tenured current player on the team. He was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL. He played college football at the University of Georgia...
, NFL wide receiver of the Pittsburgh Steelers - Russel L. HonoréRussel L. HonoréRussel L. Honoré is a retired Lieutenant General who served as the 33rd commanding general of the U.S. First Army at Fort Gillem, Georgia. He is best known for serving as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina-affected areas...
, retired Lieutenant General and former Commander of Joint Task Force KatrinaJoint Task Force KatrinaJoint Task Force Katrina was a joint operation between the United States Department of Defense and the Federal Emergency Management Agency created on August 31, 2005 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi to organize relief efforts along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The operation was... - Roscoe ThompsonRoscoe ThompsonRoscoe Thompson is a retired NASCAR Grand National Series driver who drove from 1948 to 1962 .-Career summary:...
, retired NASCAR Cup Series driver - General Philip M. Breedlove, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
External links
- City of Forest Park, Georgia - Official site.
- http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/documentdirect%20ssvrz229.pdf - "Municipality Statistics by Race and Gender," Georgia Secretary of State