Folkston, Georgia

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Coordinates: 30°50′4″N 82°0′17″W / 30.83444, -82.00472
Folkston, Georgia
Location in Charlton County and the state of Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Counties	Charlton
Area
- Total	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
- Land	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
- Water	0 sq mi (0 km²)
Population (2000)
- Total	2,178
- Density	605.7/sq mi (233.6/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code
Area code(s)	912
FIPS code	^[1]
GNIS feature ID	^[2]

The city of Folkston is the county seat of Charlton County, Georgia, United States^[3]. The population was 2,178 at the 2000 census.

1 History of Folkston
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Folkston Funnel
5 Traditions
6 Religion/Churches
7 Schools
8 High School Sports
9 References
10 External links

[edit] History of Folkston

Folkston, the county seat of Charlton County, was founded on August 19, 1911. The city was name in honor of Hon. William Brandon Folks, M.D., A prominent physician and surgeon in his day. The years of 1925-1927, many new and commodious residents were built and several modern brick businesses houses were erected, including the citizen Bank Block, the new Masonic Temple Building, a new grammar school building and a new courthouse. Shortly after its creation a village Folkston was incorporated as a town government and Functioned as a town until the year 1911 when the area was incorporated as the city of Folkston. For a number of years, the city of Folkston was the self-proclaimed "Marriage Capital of the world". The city embraced this nickname because Floridians who could not endure their state's waiting period before tying the knot would cross the state line to wed.

[edit] Geography

Folkston is located at 30°50′4″N, 82°0′17″W (30.834437, -82.004829)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 2,178 people, 817 households, and 548 families residing in the city. The population density was 605.7 people per square mile (233.6/km²). There were 976 housing units at an average density of 271.4/sq mi (104.7/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.

[edit] Folkston Funnel

With virtually all rail traffic headed to Florida passing through Folkston, the rail lines through the city have acquired the nickname "The Folkston Funnel". As many as 60 trains a day pass through Folkston heading into and out of Florida, which some years draws ten times as many railfans as people who live in the city. To provide for a safe (and advantageous) viewing situation, the town has followed the example of another high-density rail town, Rochelle, Illinois, and has built a platform for visitors.

[edit] Traditions

The Okefenokee Festival, Is an annual event that occurs the second Saturday of October. The Okefenokee Festival parade usually starts at 11:00 am. As spectators and shoppers stroll through the arts and crafts and sample all the delicious foods. They will enjoy live local entertainment all day on the back porch of the Depot,and Clogging, Line Dancing and karate exhibitions on Main Street.

[edit] Religion/Churches

There are 23 churches located in Folkston,Ga faith ranging from Holiness, Methodist, Baptist, pentecostal and Catholic churches.

[edit] Schools

The local schools that are offered in Folkston,Ga is Bethune Elementary School which was name after Mary Maclaud Bethune range from pre-k-2nd grade,Folkston Elementary School which range from 3rd-6th grade,Christian Academy which range from pre-k-12th and then there is Charlton County High School which range from 7-12th grade.