Folkston, Georgia

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,464 people, 1,082 households, and 667 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,502 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 50.0% Black, 45.4% White, 0.1% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.0% from some other race and 2.3% from two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 2,178 people, 817 households, and 548 families living in the city. The population density was 605.7 inhabitants per square mile (233.9/km²). There were 976 housing units at an average density of 271.4 per square mile (104.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.14% White; 51.52% African American; 0.18% Native American. 0.41% Asian; 0.05% Pacific Islander; 0.18% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 817 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 41.6% were married couples living together; 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present; and 32.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18; 8.9% from 18 to 24; 26.4% from 25 to 44; 20.5% from 45 to 64; and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,840, and the median income for a family was $32,375. Males had a median income of $26,302 versus $19,816 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,653. About 26.1% of families and 28.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.8% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.

With a high percentage of rail traffic headed to Florida passing through Folkston, the rail lines through the city have acquired the nickname "The Folkston Funnel." As many as 35 trains a day pass through Folkston heading into and out of Florida, which draws many railfans. To provide for a safe viewing situation, the city has built a platform for visitors, along with picnic tables, chairs, barbecue pits, restrooms,[12] grills, and even WiFi. At night, lights shine from the platform onto the double track if someone wanted to watch after sunset. Freight trains from the east and northeast arrive via Savannah, go through the Folkston Funnel, and proceed to terminals such as Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami. Freight trains from the midwest arrive via Atlanta or Birmingham and proceed into Florida. Freight trains that originate in Florida take the same routes in opposite direction. In addition, Amtrak's Silver Star, Silver Meteor, and Auto Train pass through the Folkston Funnel, they do not stop there.[13]

At the covered viewing platform, there is an active scanner running and visitors can listen to train engineers.[12]

The Charlton County School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve. It consists of three elementary schools, a high school.[14] The district has 114 full-time teachers and over 2,015 students.[15]

• Folkston Elementary School - Pre-K to 4th grade
• Bethune Middle School (named after Mary McLeod Bethune) - 5th to 8th grade
• St. George Elementary School (not located inside the city of Folkston)
• Charlton County High School - 9th to 12th grade