Bainbridge, Georgia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bainbridge is a city in Decatur County, Georgia, United States. The population was 11,722 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Decatur County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 General Information
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Bainbridge is located at 30°54′17″N, 84°34′16″W (30.904846, -84.571013)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.9 km² (18.9 mi²). 45.9 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (6.15%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 11,722 people, 4,444 households, and 3,013 families residing in the city. The population density was 255.6/km² (661.8/mi², Georgia average is 141.4/mi², U.S. average is 79.6/mi²). There were 5,051 housing units at an average density of 110.1/km² (285.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.48% White (Georgia 65.1%, U.S. 75.1%), 50.34% African American (Georgia 28.7%, U.S. 12.3%), 0.12% Native American (Georgia 0.3%, U.S. 0.9%), 0.64% Asian (Georgia 2.1%, U.S. 3.6%), 0.02% Pacific Islander (Georgia 0.1%, U.S. 0.1%), 0.78% from other races (Georgia 2.4%, U.S. 5.5%), and 0.61% from two or more races (Georgia 1.4%, U.S. 2.4%). 2.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race (Georgia 5.3%, U.S. 12.5%).

There were 4,444 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 24.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,869, and the median income for a family was $30,557. Males had a median income of $28,918 versus $21,518 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,589. About 24.0% of families and 26.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.1% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] General Information

Bainbridge, like much of Decatur County, is predominantly Republican, conservative, and Christian. However, current Georgia Secretary of State and Bainbridge native Cathy Cox is a Democrat.

Jobs are very scarce and low paying. After much debate, Wal-Mart was finally able to open a Supercenter in Bainbridge in January 2005.

As in many rural areas, Decatur County has a large crack cocaine and methamphetamine problem, which the Sheriff's Department and Bainbridge Public Safety Department have attempted to address.

Popular recreational activities in and around Bainbridge include fishing, hunting, tennis, and softball.

The Bainbridge Police have some of the most overweight cops in southwest Georgia. Among them are Porky, notorious for being very strict on those who are caught for minor offenses.

The town was named after U.S. Navy Commodore William Bainbridge.