Douglasville, Georgia

Douglasville, Georgia
City
Motto: "New Growth, Old Charm, Always Home"[1]
Location in Douglas County and the state of Georgia
Douglasville Location of Douglasville in Metro Atlanta
Coordinates: 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W / 33.74972; -84.72306
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Douglas
Government
• Mayor	Rochelle Robinson
• City Manager	Marcia Hampton
Area
• Total	22.6 sq mi (58.5 km2)
• Land	22.5 sq mi (58.2 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation	1,201 ft (366 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	30,961
• Estimate (2016)[3]	33,252
• Density	1,448/sq mi (559.0/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	30122, 30133-30135. 30154
Area code(s)	770/678/470
FIPS code	13-23900[4]
GNIS feature ID	0355535[5]
Website	www.ci.douglasville.ga.us

Douglas County Courthouse

The city of Douglasville is the county seat of Douglas County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 30,961,^[2] up from 20,065 in 2000.

Douglasville is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Atlanta and is part of the Atlanta Metro Area. Highway access can be obtained via three interchanges along Interstate 20.

History

Located along a natural rise in the topography, Douglasville was originally known as "Skint Chestnut." The name was derived from a large tree used by Native Americans as a landmark; it was stripped of its bark so as to be more conspicuous.

Douglasville was founded in 1874 as the railroad was constructed in the area. That same year, Douglasville was designated as the county seat of the recently formed Douglas County. The community was named for Senator Stephen A. Douglas.^[6] The town was originally named for Frederick Douglass during Reconstruction and this naming was undone by former Confederate leaders once Reconstruction was abandoned by the country.

An election was held on the first Saturday in March 1875, and a mayor, treasurer, records (secretary), and marshal were chosen.

In 1916, the Reverend Atkinson of Douglasville was a key figure in the Arc Light Controversy in Atlanta.

Natural disasters

On September 21, 2009, Douglas County was devastated by the worst flood in Georgia history. Over 18 inches (457 mm) of rain fell in one night, destroying many roads and homes. The county was later declared a disaster area, and the governor of Georgia declared a state of emergency. The flooding most affected the areas of Douglasville, Villa Rica, Austell, Lithia Springs, and Chapel Hill. The disaster killed more than eight people in the county, most of them in the Douglasville area.

Geography

Douglasville is located in north-central Douglas County at 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W / 33.74972; -84.72306Coordinates: 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W / 33.74972; -84.72306 (33.749824, −84.723190). Lithia Springs is 6 miles (10 km) to the northeast along U.S. Route 78, and Villa Rica is 10 miles (16 km) to the west. Hiram is 9 miles (14 km) to the north via SR 92. Downtown Atlanta is 22 miles (35 km) to the east via Interstate 20.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Douglasville has a total area of 22.6 square miles (58.5 km²), of which 22.5 square miles (58.2 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²), or 0.58%, is water.^[2]

Douglasville has an elevation of 1,209 ft (369 m) above sea level.

Demographics

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 30,961 people, 11,627 households, and 7,692 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,376 people per square mile (532.0/km²). There were 13,163 housing units at an average density of 585.0 per square mile (226.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.9% African American, 36.0% White (33.4% Non-Hispanic White), 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.3% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. 7.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,627 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% 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 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.7 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $47,596, and the median income for a family was $54,375. Males had a median income of $45,933 versus $39,675 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,002. 15.9% of the population and 14.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.2% of those under the age of 18 and 15.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.^[7]

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,065 people, 7,286 households, and 5,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 938.5 people per square mile (362.4/km²). There were 7,903 housing units at an average density of 369.6 per square mile (142.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 63.84% White, 30.29% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. 3.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,286 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% 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 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $45,289, and the median income for a family was $52,340. Males had a median income of $37,464 versus $27,038 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,283. 12.2% of the population and 10.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.^[7]

Economy

The historic Downtown hosts many shops and eateries. A vibrant business area in Douglasville is located south of the city between Chapel Hill Road and Georgia State Route 5, around the Douglas Boulevard Corridor. Arbor Place Mall is located in this area, as are many major retail stores and fast food chains.

The Fairburn Road area also hosts many shops, food stores and fast food spots. Some vacated to make way for an expansion of the highway in early 2008. Expansion is aided by the Douglasville Development Authority (described below).

In recent years, the historic downtown district and surrounding areas have become favorite backdrops for the film industry.^[8] Productions include Netflix's Stranger Things (2016), The Founder (2015), Mocking Jay Part 1 (2014), Catching Fire (2013), Finding Carter (MTV series 2014), and Kill the Messenger (2014).^[9]

Top employers

According to Douglasville's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[10] the top employers in the city are:

The Douglasville CAFR table of principal employers (p. 77) does not show public employees. The Douglas County School System currently employs over 3,550 people, including teachers, administrators, and support staff.^[11]

Arts and culture

Points of interest

Photo of the White section of the Basket Creek Cemetery, including Civil War soldiers' graves and one Native American grave (several rocks are piled on top located in the back)

The Central Business District of downtown Douglasville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district; it is an outstanding example of a turn-of-the-century southern railroad town. The majority of the buildings are one- and two-story brick structures dating from the mid-19th century into the mid-20th century. Most are of Victorian-era commercial design set flush with the sidewalk. The buildings' styles include Romanesque, Italianate, and Queen Anne. Many of the doorways and windows have Gothic arched openings and hooded windows. The dominant landscape feature is the railroad right-of-way running east-to-west through downtown.

In the center of town is a small plaza, which was converted from a street block, known as O'Neal Plaza (named after the former O'Neal's department store, now used as the Douglasville City Hall). The plaza features a brick pyramid fountain and a small performance venue. It is home to many festivals year round. This is the site of the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival.

• The Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau^[12] is located in the heart of downtown and serves as the city's welcome center.
• The Douglas County Cultural Arts Center^[13] is located at Campbellton Street, south of Downtown. The center holds art shows and special events throughout the year, and hosts events for schools across the county. Classes for a variety of visual and performing arts are available year round for all ages.^[14]
• The courthouse on Hospital Drive hosts the Douglasville Farmers and Artisans Market every Wednesday from 4 pm until 7 pm, from April until November.
• The Douglasville Downtown Conference Center is located at 6701 Church Street. It hosts corporate meetings, community events, and social gatherings. Summit Church of West Georgia meets here on Sunday mornings. The 37,000-square-foot (3,400 m²) conference center, with a two-level, 300-space parking deck, opened in early 2013. It has a 7,600-foot (2,300 m) ballroom space that can be divided into five rooms. It includes a 150-seat auditorium, a 15-person boardroom, a business center, three meeting rooms, two pre-function spaces, bride and groom dressing rooms, and a terrace in the back.
• The Douglas County Museum of History and Art^[15] on West Broad Street is housed in the county's historic 1956 courthouse, which has been preserved for its unique architecture and is listed in the National Register for Historic Places. The museum features an exhibit of county history as well as seasonal displays.
• Arbor Place Mall is home to over 100 shops and restaurants. The anchor stores are Dillard's, Sears, Macy's, Belk, J.C. Penney, Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond. The mall sponsors many festivals, as well as Douglasville's July 4 celebrations.
• Champ's Clock Shop and Museum's^[16] attractions include the world's largest real cuckoo clock.

Parks and recreation

• Hunter Park is Douglasville's largest park, and is home to the county Boys & Girls Club. Many festivals, sports activities, and recreational activities take place here. The park features a playground, wildlife pond and trail, seven tennis courts, 11 baseball/softball fields, including one designed for the handicapped, and an 18-hole disc golf course that opened in 2015. The small train for children that operated during the summer no longer exists. The park is named after the late 1st Lt. "Jerry" Hunter (USAF), Douglas County's first casualty of the Vietnam War.
• Boundary Waters Park, located on GA Highway 92 North/Highway 166 East, has several pools which are open to the public. The Boundary Waters Aquatic Center ^[17] features an eight-lane, 25-yard heated competition pool and a four-lane, heated therapeutic/teaching pool. The center is home to the ouglas County Stingrays^[18] swim team as well as local high school and Special Olympics swim teams. The park complex includes an array of ball fields, walking and horseriding trails,^[19] and an 18-hole disc golf course^[20]
• Deer Lick Park^[21] is located approximately 3 miles (5 km) south of Interstate 20 and east of the city limits on Mack Road. This 66-acre park features softball fields, a sand volleyball court, an 18-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and batting cages. It also hosts a three-acre fishing lake with a pier, playground, an amphitheater, gazebo, group shelters, and restroom facilities.
• The West Pines Golf Club^[22] was purchased by the city in 2003 and is now operated as a public course.
• The Fowler Field Soccer Complex^[23] is located in the southwest part of the city, on Chapel Hill Road.
• The Chestnut Log Soccer Complex is located on Pope Road beside Chestnut Log Middle School, about ½ mile west of SR 92 (Fairburn Road).
• Jesse Davis Park is located north of downtown Douglasville and serves as a neighborhood park for residents of North Douglasville. The park was recently renovated, and has a playground asnd a community swimming pool.
• Sweetwater Creek State Park is a 2,549-acre (10.32 km²) park 7 miles (11 km) east of Douglasville. The park has 9 miles (14 km) of wooded trails that follow the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. The park has a 215-acre (0.87 km²) lake with two fishing docks, canoe and fishing boat rentals, 11 picnic shelters, playground, visitors center and museum.
• Clinton Nature Preserve^[24] located 7 miles (11 km) west of Douglasville, is a 200-acre historical preserve, located off the Post Road exit of Interstate 20, which features a pre-Civil War log cabin, picnic areas, walking and mountain biking trails, a gravel walking track, fishing, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a 100-percent disabled-accessible children's play garden.

Government

In 2015, the city elected Rochelle Robinson as its first female and first African American mayor.^[25]

The City Council is elected from single-member districts.

Law enforcement

The Douglasville police chief is Gary Sparks.^[26] The Douglasville Police Department is located at 2083 Fairburn Road.^[27] The sheriff is Tim Pounds, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is located at 8470 Earl D Lee Boulevard in Douglasville.^[28]

Education

Education in Douglasville is varied, with a large public school system^[29] and many private schools. The Douglas County School District operates 21 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and five high schools, covering grades pre-K to 12th grade.^[30]

Douglasville hosts a campus ("instructional site") of Georgia Highlands College. Nearby universities and colleges include Strayer College,^[31] West Georgia Technical College,^[32] and Mercer University.^[33]

Douglasville has numerous secular and religious private schools, including:

• Harvester Christian Academy^[34]
• Heirway Christian Academy^[35]
• The International Montessori Academy^[36]
• The Kings Way Christian School^[37]
• Primrose School at Brookmont^[38]
• Saint Rose Academy^[39]
• Sunbrook Academy at Chapel Hill^[40]

Media

Douglasville is served by the Douglas County Sentinel,^[41] a three-day-a-week publication that covers local and state news.

Infrastructure

Transportation

• U.S. Highway 78 (State Route 8, Veterans' Memorial Highway) runs directly east to west through downtown Douglasville.
• State Route 92 runs north to southeast just ¼ of a mile to the east of downtown as a truck route designed to keep large trucks from crossing an elevated railroad crossing at Campbellton Street. The city and the Georgia DOT are working on plans to reroute Highway 92 farther east of downtown on a four-lane bridge serving as a bypass.
• State Route 5 is colocated with US 78 through downtown east to the Cobb County line and west just past Hunter Park. Highway 5 continues in a southwesterly direction through the village of Bill Arp and crosses into Carroll County near Whitesburg.
• Interstate 20 (Ga Hwy 402) extends roughly east to west about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of downtown, with access from Exits 34, 36, and 37.

Douglasville is home to the single-runway Pinewood Airport, located 5.7 miles (9.2 km) northwest of downtown.^[42]

Healthcare

Residents of Douglasville are served by the WellStar Douglas Hospital located at 8954 Hospital Drive; it has 98 licensed beds.^[43]

Douglasville Development Authority

The primary goals of the City of Douglasville Development Authority (CDDA) are to promote the economic prosperity of the city while simultaneously increasing the existing industry and business sectors in order to raise the quality of life for the city's residents. The City Development Authority also focuses on education in order successfully promote the labor force.

In the fall of 2009, an area of interest for the CDDA was the reconstruction and widening of Highway 92, which runs through the heart of the city.^[44] This major roadway reconstruction was expected to have a significant impact on the city and its ability to promote economic development.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Georgia

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Douglasville, Georgia.

• City of Douglasville official website
• Main Street Douglasville
• City of Douglasville Development Authority
• Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Celebrate Douglas County
• Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Metro Atlanta
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Georgia

Municipalities and communities of Douglas County, Georgia, United States
County seat: Douglasville
Cities	Austell‡ Douglasville Villa Rica‡
CDP	Lithia Springs
Unincorporated communities	Beulah Bill Arp Chapel Hill Fairplay Fouts Mill Hannah McWhorter Tributary White City Winston
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Historic Districts in Metro Atlanta
Clayton County	Jonesboro
Cobb County	Acworth Acworth Collins Ave. Clarkdale Clarkdale Kennesaw Cherokee St. North Main St. Summers St. Marietta Church St.–Cherokee St. North Marietta Washington Ave. Whitlock Ave.
Coweta County	Newnan Cole Town Greenville St.–LaGrange St. Newnan Commercial Newnan Cotton Mill and Mill Village Northwest Newnan Residential Platinum Point Other Grantville Roscoe–Dunaway Gardens Sargent Senoia
DeKalb County	Atlanta Candler Park Druid Hills (Atlanta) Inman Park–Moreland Kirkwood Avondale Estates Brookhaven Oglethorpe University Decatur Clairemont MAK (McDonough, Adams, King) Ponce de Leon Court South Candler Street–Agnes Scott College Winnona Park Druid Hills Emory Grove Emory University District University Park–Emory Highlands–Emory Estate Stone Mountain
Douglas County	Douglasville
Fulton County	Atlanta Adair Park Ansley Park Atkins Park Atlanta University Center Berkeley Park Brookhaven Brookwood Hills Cabbagetown Castleberry Hill Collier Heights Fairlie–Poplar Fox Theatre Historic District Garden Hills Georgia Tech Grant Park Hotel Row Howell Interlocking Knight Park–Howell Station Inman Park Inman Park–Moreland King Plow/Railroad Historic District (proposed) Knox Apts., Cauthorn House and Peachtree Rd. Apts. Lakewood Heights Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Means St. Midtown Mozley Park Oakland City Peachtree Highlands–Peachtree Park Pittsburgh Reynoldstown Southern Ry. North Ave. Yards Sunset Ave. (proposed) Sweet Auburn Techwood Homes Underground Atlanta Virginia-Highland Washington Park West End · Whittier Mills Other College Park East Point Industrial District Fairburn Hapeville Roswell
Gwinnett County	Norcross
Hall County	Gainesville Brenau University Chicopee Mill and Village Gainesville Commercial Green Street Green St.–Brenau Other Clermont Flowery Branch Gillsville Lula
Newton County	Covington Covington Covington Mills and Mill Village Floyd Street Other Newborn North Covington Oxford Porterdale Starrsville
Rockdale County	Conyers Commercial Residential