Rincon, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Rincon is a city in Effingham County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 4,376 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Savannah
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
and southward to Savannah
. The name of the city is believed to have had its origin from the Spanish or Mexican name "Rincón" after a small but prosperous town in Mexico
. ("Rincón" means "corner.")
Once the railroad and depot were built a telegraph
operator or agent is known to have been on duty as early as about 1895. This opened up the area to communication. With the coming of the railroad and service to Rincon and the combined availability of the "dirt" road (now state Hwy21) between Savannah and Rincon and beyond, and other country roads between farms and the town and outlying other towns, Rincon became a small hive of activity. The surrounding farmers, sawmill operators and the like, who "wagoned" their products, cotton and lumber, to Savannah, now could "wagon" to the Rincon railhead for shipment. They also could receive shipments and travel as rail passengers.
About the time of World War I
there was a spurt of local activity. Some men were absent in military services, and many locals in and around Rincon commuted daily to work in ship building and other war-related plants in Port Wentworth and Savannah. Soon after the war, new homes were built or completed by new residents and old.
Concerning Rincon GA's early schools there was a grade school that began about 1900 in an old two story building opposite the Lutheran church. A few years later the school was moved further north between 4th and 5th streets into a new two story building that had a steeple bell-tower and bell to signal recess and lunch periods and the opening and closing of school for the day. That building stood and was used for at least 40 years for both grade school and high school. It was originally known as Effingham Institute. Its name was changed in the early 1920s to Rincon High School.
Although Rincon, GA was first incorporated in 1927, as mentioned earlier, by 1929 the corporate government had become inactive. This was partially due to the small population. Sometime later, however, the population began to increase, first gradually and then rapidly. By 1950 the population was 454. By 1955 it was 650 and by 1960 it was 1,057. Times and circumstances having changed, Rincon was reincorporated and organized as the Town of Rincon around the end of 1954. The incorporated limits
of Rincon can generally be described as within a circle having a diameter of 2½ miles, with the center at the site of the old (now gone) railroad depot.
In approximately 1934, Georgia State Route 21 was paved from the Chatham County
line in the south, northward through Rincon and Springfield
and beyond. In about 1939, electric lines were installed and electric power from the Savannah Electric and Power Company came to Rincon replacing private individual small plants. In late 1955, Rincon installed its own city pump, tank, lines and water system, enabling "running water" throughout for the first time. In 1956, a volunteer fire department was organized. Also beginning in that year, many arterials and streets were paved.
Rincon's growth within the past few years has been nothing short of phenomenal. A large number of commercial enterprises have shot up on Hwy 21 on the southern part of the city. Housing sub-divisions are growing throughout the area as more and more families are becoming aware that Rincon is a great place to live. In light of its past and present, Rincon can confidently look forward to a bright future.
One famous Rinconite is country singer Billy Currington
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²)---.15% is water.
of 2000, there were 4,376 people, 1,681 households, and 1,222 families residing in the city. The population density
was 651.9 people per square mile (251.8/km²). There were 1,892 housing units at an average density of 281.9 per square mile (108.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.37% White, 19.13% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 1.69% from other races
, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% of the population.
There were 1,681 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples
living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,903, and the median income for a family was $46,607. Males had a median income of $42,443 versus $25,449 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,023. About 8.0% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Effingham County, Georgia
Effingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In the United States Census of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat of Effingham County is Springfield....
, 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 4,376 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Savannah metropolitan area
The Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Georgia, anchored by the city of Savannah. As of the 2010 census, the Savannah MSA had a population of 347,611, an 18.6 percent increase from the 2000 population of ...
.
History
The City of Rincon, in the southeast area of Effingham County, was first incorporated as recently as 1927. Even though its incorporation was not that long ago it appears that the earliest settlers came to the area in 1751. But, its existence as a full-fledged community with families and businesses dates back to the late 19th century. The origin and development of Rincon, Georgia really got its start with the coming of the railroad. Around the time of the turn of the 20th century a rail line was built from the Carolinas across the state line at the Savannah RiverSavannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
and southward 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 name of the city is believed to have had its origin from the Spanish or Mexican name "Rincón" after a small but prosperous town in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. ("Rincón" means "corner.")
Once the railroad and depot were built a telegraph
Telegraphy
Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages via some form of signalling technology. Telegraphy requires messages to be converted to a code which is known to both sender and receiver...
operator or agent is known to have been on duty as early as about 1895. This opened up the area to communication. With the coming of the railroad and service to Rincon and the combined availability of the "dirt" road (now state Hwy21) between Savannah and Rincon and beyond, and other country roads between farms and the town and outlying other towns, Rincon became a small hive of activity. The surrounding farmers, sawmill operators and the like, who "wagoned" their products, cotton and lumber, to Savannah, now could "wagon" to the Rincon railhead for shipment. They also could receive shipments and travel as rail passengers.
About the time of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
there was a spurt of local activity. Some men were absent in military services, and many locals in and around Rincon commuted daily to work in ship building and other war-related plants in Port Wentworth and Savannah. Soon after the war, new homes were built or completed by new residents and old.
Concerning Rincon GA's early schools there was a grade school that began about 1900 in an old two story building opposite the Lutheran church. A few years later the school was moved further north between 4th and 5th streets into a new two story building that had a steeple bell-tower and bell to signal recess and lunch periods and the opening and closing of school for the day. That building stood and was used for at least 40 years for both grade school and high school. It was originally known as Effingham Institute. Its name was changed in the early 1920s to Rincon High School.
Although Rincon, GA was first incorporated in 1927, as mentioned earlier, by 1929 the corporate government had become inactive. This was partially due to the small population. Sometime later, however, the population began to increase, first gradually and then rapidly. By 1950 the population was 454. By 1955 it was 650 and by 1960 it was 1,057. Times and circumstances having changed, Rincon was reincorporated and organized as the Town of Rincon around the end of 1954. The incorporated limits
City limits
The terms city limits and city boundary refer to the defined boundary or border of a city. The area within the city limits is sometimes called the city proper. The terms town limits/boundary and village limits/boundary mean the same as city limits/boundary, but apply to towns and villages...
of Rincon can generally be described as within a circle having a diameter of 2½ miles, with the center at the site of the old (now gone) railroad depot.
In approximately 1934, Georgia State Route 21 was paved from the Chatham County
Chatham County, Georgia
Chatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
line in the south, northward through Rincon and Springfield
Springfield, Georgia
Springfield is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,520 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Effingham County .Springfield is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
and beyond. In about 1939, electric lines were installed and electric power from the Savannah Electric and Power Company came to Rincon replacing private individual small plants. In late 1955, Rincon installed its own city pump, tank, lines and water system, enabling "running water" throughout for the first time. In 1956, a volunteer fire department was organized. Also beginning in that year, many arterials and streets were paved.
Rincon's growth within the past few years has been nothing short of phenomenal. A large number of commercial enterprises have shot up on Hwy 21 on the southern part of the city. Housing sub-divisions are growing throughout the area as more and more families are becoming aware that Rincon is a great place to live. In light of its past and present, Rincon can confidently look forward to a bright future.
One famous Rinconite is country singer Billy Currington
Billy Currington
William Matthew "Billy" Currington is an American country music artist. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he has released four studio albums for the label: 2003's Billy Currington, 2005's Doin' Somethin' Right, 2008's Little Bit of Everything, and 2010's Enjoy Yourself...
Geography
Rincon is located at 32°17′36"N 81°14′3"W (32.293258, -81.234171).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 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²)---.15% 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 4,376 people, 1,681 households, and 1,222 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 651.9 people per square mile (251.8/km²). There were 1,892 housing units at an average density of 281.9 per square mile (108.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.37% White, 19.13% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 1.69% 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 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% of the population.
There were 1,681 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% 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, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,903, and the median income for a family was $46,607. Males had a median income of $42,443 versus $25,449 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 $22,023. About 8.0% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.