Millen, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Millen is a city in Jenkins County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 3,492 at the 2000 census, a decline of 8.3% since 1990, during a decade in which the state's population grew by 26.4%.
The city, centered near the intersection of U.S. Route 25
and State Route 17
and along the proposed Interstate 3
, is the county seat
of Jenkins County
.
, Millen (originally named "79" due to its approximate distance from Savannah) was first settled in 1835 along the border of what was then Burke
and Screven
counties.
In 1854 the Central of Georgia Railway and the Georgia Railroad connected at 79; subsequently the town became known as Millen's Junction after McPherson B. Millen, the superintendent of the Central of Georgia Railway.
During the Civil War
, a site for a prison camp
to house Union soldiers
was chosen just outside of Millen's Junction. Camp Lawton—also referred to as Fort Lawton—was built in what is today Magnolia Springs State Park
; the location was favorable because the springs provided potable water, which was supplied by the springs, and because of its proximity to the Augusta and Savannah Railroad
. On December 3, 1864, Sherman's March to the Sea
passed through Millen. Prior to the arrival of Union forces, Confederate soldiers evacuated the Camp Lawton prisoners to Savannah
. The presence of a prison camp and the proximity of a train depot led the Union soldiers to destroy Millen's Junction.
The town was rebuilt after the war and in 1881 the city of Millen was incorporated by an act of the Georgia State Legislature, becoming the county seat of the newly-created Jenkins County in 1905.
The Downtown Millen Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1996
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,492 people, 1,321 households, and 854 families residing in the city. The population density
was 966.9 people per square mile (373.5/km²). There were 1,567 housing units at an average density of 433.9 per square mile (167.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.31% African American, 37.92% White, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.06% Native American, 1.35% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.
There were 1,321 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were married couples
living together, 27.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,701, and the median income for a family was $23,423. Males had a median income of $25,792 versus $17,330 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,851, placing Millen among the poorest locations in the state. About 30.0% of families and 35.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.2% of those under age 18 and 28.2% of those age 65 or over.
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of one elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The district has 119 full-time teachers and over 1,754 students.
Jenkins County, Georgia
Jenkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 8,575. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,595. The county seat is Millen.-Geography:...
, 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 3,492 at the 2000 census, a decline of 8.3% since 1990, during a decade in which the state's population grew by 26.4%.
The city, centered near the intersection of U.S. Route 25
U.S. Route 25
U.S. Route 25 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from Brunswick, Georgia to the Ohio state line in Covington, Kentucky.-Georgia:...
and State Route 17
Georgia State Route 17
State Route 17 is a north–south route located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The route runs from its southern terminus at I-16 south of Bloomingdale north to the North Carolina border north of Hiawassee.-Route description:...
and along the proposed Interstate 3
Interstate 3
Interstate 3 , the Third Infantry Division Highway, is a proposed Interstate Highway in the United States to run from Savannah, Georgia, north to Augusta, Georgia, and Knoxville, Tennessee...
, 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 Jenkins County
Jenkins County, Georgia
Jenkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 8,575. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,595. The county seat is Millen.-Geography:...
.
History
After the establishment of the Thirteen ColoniesThirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
, Millen (originally named "79" due to its approximate distance from Savannah) was first settled in 1835 along the border of what was then Burke
Burke County, Georgia
Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...
and Screven
Screven County, Georgia
Screven County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037...
counties.
In 1854 the Central of Georgia Railway and the Georgia Railroad connected at 79; subsequently the town became known as Millen's Junction after McPherson B. Millen, the superintendent of the Central of Georgia Railway.
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...
, a site for a prison camp
Prison camp
Prison camp may be:* Concentration or internment camp* Federal prison camp, low-security facility among those on list of U.S. federal prisons* Labor camp* Death or extermination camp* Prisoner-of-war camp...
to house Union soldiers
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
was chosen just outside of Millen's Junction. Camp Lawton—also referred to as Fort Lawton—was built in what is today Magnolia Springs State Park
Magnolia Springs State Park
Magnolia Springs State Park is a 1,071 acre Georgia state park located between Perkins and Millen. The park itself is well known for its crystal clear springs that are estimated to flow per day. The park has a unique history, as it was used during the American Civil War as a prison, during...
; the location was favorable because the springs provided potable water, which was supplied by the springs, and because of its proximity to the Augusta and Savannah Railroad
Augusta and Savannah Railroad
The Augusta and Savannah Railroad was chartered in 1838 as the Augusta and Waynesboro Railroad but didn't begin operations until 1854. Two years later in 1856, it changed its name to Augusta and Savannah Railroad. The A&S ran of track between Augusta and Millen, Georgia, USA. It was absorbed by...
. On December 3, 1864, Sherman's 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...
passed through Millen. Prior to the arrival of Union forces, Confederate soldiers evacuated the Camp Lawton prisoners to Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. The presence of a prison camp and the proximity of a train depot led the Union soldiers to destroy Millen's Junction.
The town was rebuilt after the war and in 1881 the city of Millen was incorporated by an act of the Georgia State Legislature, becoming the county seat of the newly-created Jenkins County in 1905.
The Downtown Millen Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1996
Geography
Millen is located at 32°48′N 81°57′W (32.8055, -81.9422), on the Ogeechee RiverOgeechee River
Ogeechee River is a river in the U.S. state of Georgia. It heads at the confluence of its North and South Forks, about south-southwest of Crawfordville and flowing generally southeast to Ossabaw Sound about south of Savannah. Its largest tributary is the Canoochee River...
.
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 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all of it land.
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 3,492 people, 1,321 households, and 854 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 966.9 people per square mile (373.5/km²). There were 1,567 housing units at an average density of 433.9 per square mile (167.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.31% African American, 37.92% White, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.06% Native American, 1.35% 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 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.
There were 1,321 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% 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, 27.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,701, and the median income for a family was $23,423. Males had a median income of $25,792 versus $17,330 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 $11,851, placing Millen among the poorest locations in the state. About 30.0% of families and 35.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.2% of those under age 18 and 28.2% of those age 65 or over.
Jenkins County School District
The Jenkins County School DistrictJenkins County School District
The Jenkins County School District is a public school district in Jenkins County, Georgia, USA, based in Millen, Georgia. It serves the communities of Millen and Perkins, Georgia.- Schools :...
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of one elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The district has 119 full-time teachers and over 1,754 students.
- Jenkins County Elementary School
- Jenkins County Middle School
- Jenkins County High SchoolJenkins County High SchoolJenkins County High School is located in Jenkins County in the city of Millen, Georgia, United States. Their mascot is the War Eagle.Jenkins County's track team won the state championship in 2003 and were state runners-up in 2004. The Jenkins County JROTC Raiders and Regulation Drill Team were 2008...
External links
- The Millen News, website for the city's weekly newspaper