Tucker, Georgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tucker is a census-designated place located mainly in DeKalb County, Georgia, there is also a small portion in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The population was 26,532 at the 2000 census. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker", is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated, thus all services such as fire, police, water, schools etc. are provided by the county. If incorporated, Tucker would be the largest city in DeKalb County, Georgia (excluding Atlanta which is mostly in Fulton County). An exploratory committee formed by the Tucker Civic Association is currently exploring the possibilities of incorporating Tucker as a new city.
Nevertheless, the community has maintained a distinctive identity, centered on its public high school, churches, and locally owned and operated businesses such as the Cofer Brothers building supply business, Matthews' Cafeteria, and the Tucker Federal savings and loan association (although the latter institution was merged into RBC Centura). It also has been designated with its own ZIP code of 30084.
In 2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission Atlanta regional commission issued Tucker a grant to develop a Livable Cities Initiative (LCI). The LCI study, published in December 2005, will look to reestablish Main Street in Tucker as a central point for the greater Tucker community. The study will help create a more pedestrian-friendly and interconnected town center by encouraging walking and other modes of transportation to and around the commercial core. Similarly in August 2004, the Tucker Civic Association created a Neighborhood Strategic Plan to assist in the development of the neighborhood.
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[edit] Geography
Tucker is located at (33.851736, -84.221524)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 31.4 km² (12.1 mi²). 31.1 km² (12.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.83%) is water.
The Eastern Continental Divide cuts through downtown Tucker, running down Chamblee-Tucker Road and making a dog-leg onto La Vista Road before continuing south through the woods towards Mountain Industrial Road. All water falling to the west of this line flows into the Chattahoochee River and then into the Gulf of Mexico. All water falling to the east of this line flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Ocmulgee River.
[edit] History
The community that became known as Tucker started around Brownings Courthouse. The courthouse building originally stood near the intersection of Pleasantdale and La Vista Roads. It was named for a leading Southern Baptist, Henry Holcombe Tucker.[1] The presiding officer was a Justice of the Peace, and the court heard small claims cases up until the building was moved. The courthouse building was moved to a location in front of the Tucker Recreation Center (Formerly Tucker Elementary) in the late 1980's. Tucker grew as a railroad stop along the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, which delivered freight to Cofer Brothers Building Supply and later to a DuPont Paint Factory, now closed. Tucker centered around businesses started by the Cofer Brothers - building supplies, hardware store, general store and bank. Today the community holds its annual Tucker Day Parade celebrating Tucker's founding. Many groups parade down mainstreet including school's, churches, Tucker police department, Tucker Fire Department and even clowns. Tucker Day is well known because of famous old cars like, the Modle T, drive in the parade. These cars are owned by private collectors. The parade is then followed by a canival with many companies setting up booth's along mainstreet.(AV)
Tucker is located 15 miles North East of downtown Atlanta.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 26,532 people, 10,421 households, and 7,200 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 852.3/km² (2,208.2/mi²). There were 10,704 housing units at an average density of 343.8/km² (890.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 73.26% White, 14.05% African American, 0.17% Native American, 7.90% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.70% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.72% of the population.
There were 10,421 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% 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 2.95.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $59,953, and the median income for a family was $66,549. Males had a median income of $41,784 versus $33,956 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,318. About 2.9% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Major Contributors to the Tucker Community
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Tucker Livable Cities Initiative
- Tucker LCI Proposal
- Tucker LCI Report
- Tucker Business Association
- Tucker Historical Society
- Tucker Main Street Alliance
- Tucker Civic Association
- Tucker Today
[edit] References
- ^ Kenneth K. Krakow, Georgia Place-names:Their History and Origins, p.232, 3rd Ed., 1975, Winship Press (Macon, Georgia)
