Baxley, Georgia
Baxley is a city in Appling County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 4,942. The city is the county seat of Appling County.[4]
Baxley, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 City hall in Baxley | |
 Location in Appling County and the state of Georgia | |
| Coordinates: 31°46′31″N 82°20′51″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Appling |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.11 sq mi (21.01 km2) |
| • Land | 8.11 sq mi (20.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 4,942 |
| • Density | 609.67/sq mi (235.40/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 31513, 31515 |
| Area code | 912 |
| FIPS code | 13-06016[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0331106[3] |
| Website | www |
History
Baxley was first settled as a result of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad being built through Appling County in 1870. Originally, it was a railroad depot known as Station Number 7, but soon was named Baxley (after one of the community's first settlers, Wilson Baxley of North Carolina).[5] Baxley incorporated in 1875.[6]
Geography
Baxley is approximately 42 miles (68 km) east of Douglas, 47 miles (76 km) north of Waycross and 29 miles (47 km) southwest of Glennville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.7 km2), of which 0.012 square miles (0.03 km2), or 0.16%, is water.[7]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 110 | — | |
| 1890 | 337 | 206.4% | |
| 1900 | 488 | 44.8% | |
| 1910 | 831 | 70.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,142 | 37.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,122 | 85.8% | |
| 1940 | 2,916 | 37.4% | |
| 1950 | 3,409 | 16.9% | |
| 1960 | 4,268 | 25.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,503 | −17.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,586 | 2.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,841 | 7.1% | |
| 2000 | 4,150 | 8.0% | |
| 2010 | 4,400 | 6.0% | |
| 2020 | 4,942 | 12.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,338 | 47.31% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,696 | 34.32% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.06% |
| Asian | 89 | 1.8% |
| Other/Mixed | 154 | 3.12% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 662 | 13.4% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,942 people, 1,436 households, and 1,068 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,400 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 51.7% White, 35.3% Black, 0.1% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% from some other race and 0.8% from two or more races. 10.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
2000 census
At the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,150 people, 1,567 households, and 1,048 families living in the city. The population density was 580.7 inhabitants per square mile (224.2/km2). There were 1,866 housing units at an average density of 261.1 per square mile (100.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 57.28% White, 37.93% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 3.16% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.23% of the population.
There were 1,567 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,441, and the median income for a family was $30,648. Males had a median income of $28,087 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,321. About 21.6% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.0% of those under age 18 and 26.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant is located north of the city along U.S. Route 1, on the banks of the Altamaha River. It is the area's largest employer.
International Forest Products Limited operates a sawmill employing over 50 people.
Education
Appling County students in K-12 grades are in the Appling County School District, which consists of four elementary schools (three include a pre-school), a middle school and a high school.[10] The district has 210 full-time teachers and over 3,303 students.[11]
- Altamaha Elementary School
- Appling County Primary School
- Appling County Elementary School
- Fourth District Elementary School
- Appling County Middle School
- Appling County High School
Notable people
- Robert Butler, painter best known for his portrayals of the woods and backwaters around Florida's Everglades; member of the African-American artists' group The Highwaymen
- Byron Buxton, Major League Baseball outfielder; second overall pick (drafted by the Minnesota Twins) in the 2012 MLB draft; 2022 All-Star
- Dexter Carter, running back for San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets from 1990 to 1996; born in Baxley and graduated from Appling County High School
- Frankie King, NBA guard for Los Angeles Lakers (1995); born in Baxley
- The Lacs, country/rap music group; from Baxley
- Caroline Miller, Georgia's first Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist; received the award for Lamb in His Bosom in 1934
- Jamie Nails, NFL guard for Buffalo Bills (1997–2000) and Miami Dolphins (2002–2003); born in Baxley
- Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood (1999), a memoir about growing up in Baxley which includes description of the ecosystem of the vanishing longleaf pine that once covered the area
- Carl Simpson, defensive tackle for Chicago Bears (1993–1997), Arizona Cardinals (1998–1999), and Las Vegas Outlaws (2001)
- Harry Skipper, defensive back in the CFL, Montreal Concordes and Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1983–1989[12]
- Vonzell Solomon, nicknamed Baby V, singer and actress
- Kandiss Taylor, candidate in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election, conservative activist, and host of the show "Jesus, Guns, and Babies"
- Michael Timpson, wide receiver for New England Patriots (1989–1994), Chicago Bears (1995–1996), and Philadelphia Eagles (1997); born in Baxley
References
- "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- Georgia Info. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 15. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
- "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Baxley city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- Georgia Board of Education , Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- Free District Report, Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- "Bombers announce coaching staff - OurSports Central". April 26, 2004.
External links
Municipalities and communities of Appling County, Georgia, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  Map of Georgia highlighting Appling County | |
| Town | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||