Tunnel Hill, Georgia

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Tunnel Hill is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,209 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated in 1848 as Tunnelsville, and changed its name in 1856. Both names refer to a nearby railroad tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain, officially dedicated on October 31, 1849 by Etowah steel-maker Mark A. Cooper on behalf of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad. Another tunnel next to it, completed in 1928, is still used by its eventual successor CSX Transportation. The original Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel is now paved for tourists to walk through, and has even more historic value as the Great Locomotive Chase passed through it in 1862. Throughout the American Civil War, the area homes around Tunnel Hill were used as part of a major hospital system. Wounded Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood was brought to the Clisby Austin House after the Battle of Chickamauga. His leg was buried in a family cemetery near the house. The Clisby Austin House also acted as the Headquarters of Union Gen. William T. Sherman while he made his plans for his famous Atlanta Campaign. The general area of Tunnel Hill hosted many engagements and camps throughout the course of the war. All that is remembered today through an annual Battle Reenactment that is held in September each year. [1] [2] [3]

[edit] Geography

Tunnel Hill is located at 34°50′45″N, 85°2′35″W (34.845934, -85.042955)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,209 people, 451 households, and 359 families residing in the city. The population density was 307.1/km² (794.7/mi²). There were 474 housing units at an average density of 120.4/km² (311.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.46% White, 2.56% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.97% of the population.

There were 451 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,438, and the median income for a family was $49,531. Males had a median income of $31,974 versus $25,078 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,382. About 8.8% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.