| Folkston, Georgia | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Location in Charlton County and the state of Georgia | |
| Coordinates: | |
| 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 | 31537 |
| Area code(s) | 912 |
| FIPS code | [1] |
| GNIS feature ID | [2] |
Folkston is a city in and the county seat of Charlton County, Georgia, United States[3]. The population was 2,178 at the 2000 census.
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Folkston was founded on August 19, 1911. The city was named in honor of William Brandon Folks, M.D., a prominent physician and surgeon in his day. In the years 1925 - 1927, many new and commodious residences were built and several modern brick buildings 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, the village of 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.
Folkston is located at (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.
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 per square mile (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.
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, along with picnic tables, chairs, BBQ pits, restrooms, [1] and grills. And at night, lights shine from the platform onto the double rail so if someone wanted to, he or she could watch after sunset. Trains that come from the north move south toward Savannah, go through the Folkston Funnel, and arrive in Jacksonville. Trains that come from Florida do the same, just the opposite direction. [2]
At the covered viewing platform, there is an active scanner running and visitors can listen to train engineers as they run the trains through. As of 2006, there is also free WiFi for laptop users. [3]
The Okefenokee Festival Is an annual event that occurs the second Saturday of October. The Okefenokee Festival parade usually starts at 11:00 a.m. As spectators and shoppers stroll through the arts and crafts, they sample all the delicious foods. They can enjoy live local entertainment all day on the back porch of the Depot, and Clogging, Line Dancing and karate exhibitions on Main Street.
The Charlton County School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of three elementary schools, a high school, and a private school.[5] The district has 114 full-time teachers and over 2,015 students.[6]
NFL Cornerback Champ Bailey and his younger brother NFL Linebacker Boss Bailey.
Current Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) star QB, Dwight Dasher is from Folkston. In the 2009 New Orleans Bowl, Dasher broke the all-time rushing record for QB in a bowl game with 201 yards. The previous record was held by Vince Young.
Canadian political prisoner Marc Emery was serving a five-year prison sentence at D. Ray James Correctional Institution in Folkston before he was transferred to The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Yazoo City, Mississippi.[7]
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