Thomson, Georgia

Thomson (originally called Slashes) is a city in McDuffie County, Georgia, United States. The population was 6,814 at the 2020 census. The city is the county seat of McDuffie County.[4] Thomson's nickname is "The Camellia City of the South", in honor of the thousands of camellia plants throughout the city. Thomson was founded in 1837 as a depot on the Georgia Railroad. It was renamed in 1853 for railroad official John Edgar Thomson and incorporated February 15, 1854 as a town and in 1870 as a city. It is part of the Augusta – Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Thomson, Georgia
City
Thomson Main Street
Thomson Main Street
Location in McDuffie County and the state of Georgia
Location in McDuffie County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°28′2″N 82°29′58″W
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyMcDuffie
Area
[1]
 • Total4.79 sq mi (12.42 km2)
 • Land4.78 sq mi (12.38 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
531 ft (162 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,814
 • Density1,425.52/sq mi (550.43/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30824
Area code706
FIPS code13-76280[2]
GNIS feature ID0356589[3]
Websitewww.thomson-mcduffie.gov

History

Thomson, originally called "Slashes", was founded in 1837 as a depot on the Georgia Railroad. It was renamed in 1853 for railroad official John Edgar Thomson.[5] In 1870, Thomson was designated seat of the newly formed McDuffie County. It was incorporated as a town in 1854 and as a city in 1870.[6]

The Old Rock House, built in 1785, is said to be one of Georgia's oldest documented houses with its original design intact. Built by Thomas Ansley, the home is said to be the home of ancestors of former president Jimmy Carter. Thomson is also the birthplace of Populist leader and two-time presidential candidate Thomas E. Watson.

Thomson was home to minor league baseball. An affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, the Thomson Orioles became members of the 1956 six–team the Class D level Georgia State League. Playing home games at The Brickyard, Thomson led the league in attendance and qualified for the playoffs. The Georgia State League permanently folded following the 1956 season.[7][8][9]

Geography

Thomson is located at 33°28′2″N 82°29′58″W (33.467346, −82.499450).[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.95 square miles (5.1 km2), all land.

Thomson is considered part of the Central Savannah River Area geographical designation.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880700—
189083619.4%
19001,15438.0%
19102,15186.4%
19202,140−0.5%
19301,914−10.6%
19403,08861.3%
19503,48913.0%
19604,52229.6%
19706,50343.8%
19807,0017.7%
19906,862−2.0%
20006,828−0.5%
20106,778−0.7%
20206,8140.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2020 census
Thomson racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 1,903 27.93%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,487 65.85%
Native American 6 0.09%
Asian 30 0.44%
Pacific Islander 3 0.04%
Other/Mixed 197 2.89%
Hispanic or Latino 188 2.76%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,814 people, 2,581 households, and 1,610 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 6,828 people, 2,609 households, and 1,792 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,726.9 inhabitants per square mile (666.8/km2). There were 2,895 housing units at an average density of 732.2 per square mile (282.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 42.38% White, 56.28% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 2,609 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.7% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,179, and the median income for a family was $30,015. Males had a median income of $25,882 versus $20,607 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,976. 27.6% of the population and 23.8% of families were below the poverty line. 1.7% of those under the age of 18 and 100% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Landmarks
  • Rock House (1785) – Oldest stone residence in Georgia
  • Hickory Hill – Home of US senator Thomas E. Watson (1856–1922), noted author, statesman, and lawyer; known as the father of Rural Free Delivery

Education

The McDuffie County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of four elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and an alternative school.[13] The district has 262 full-time teachers and over 4,312 students.[14]

  • Dearing Elementary School
  • Maxwell Elementary School
  • Norris Elementary School
  • Thomson Elementary School
  • Thomson Middle School
  • Thomson High School
  • McDuffie County Achievement Center

Notable people

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 225. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  6. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 249. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  7. "1956 Georgia State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "The Brickyard". www.visitthomsonga.com.
  9. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  13. Georgia Board of Education, Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  14. School Stats, Retrieved June 23, 2010.
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