Locust Grove, Georgia

Locust Grove, Georgia, Metro Atlanta
City

Location in Henry County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°20′44″N 84°6′18″W / 33.34556°N 84.10500°W / 33.34556; -84.10500Coordinates: 33°20′44″N 84°6′18″W / 33.34556°N 84.10500°W / 33.34556; -84.10500
Country United States
State Georgia
County Henry
Area
 • Total 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km2)
 • Land 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation 837 ft (255 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 5,402
 • Density 1,055.5/sq mi (407.4/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 30248
Area code 770/678/470
FIPS code 13-47140[1]
GNIS feature ID 0332253[2]

Locust Grove is a city in Henry County, Georgia, United States. The population was 5,402 at the 2010 census. It is one of Atlanta's most southeastern suburbs in the metropolitan area. Some unincorporated communities such as Luella and many rural areas surround Locust Grove, and those communities have Locust Grove postal addresses.

Locust Grove has experienced a growth in population and in businesses coming into the area. In 1900 the population of the city was 254 and is now over 4,000.

History

The city of Locust Grove derived its name from a grove of locust trees that could be seen throughout the town. Locust Grove was a major rail distribution center for cotton, peaches and other farm products. The city had three cotton gins and several warehouses. In 1870, the first store was built on Main Street. Since that time many new businesses have moved to Locust Grove.

In 1893, the town was incorporated and the papers were officially signed on December 20, 1893. The original city limit extended one mile north and south from the train depot in the heart of town and a half-mile east and west of the railroad. The city government consisted of a mayor and five council members. The first to fill these positions were appointed until elections could take place. The first mayor was M.P. Sowell. Those appointed to the first city council were G.P. Combs, C.M. Mahone, J.L. Garnder, R.C. Brown and W.H. Peek. The first city clerk was C. W. Williams.

The first ordinance passed by council restricted the speed of the trains to 15 miles per hour. There were questions on how to enforce this because the city did not have a police department at that time, but the railroad was notified. The town was reincorporated in 1922, and a new charter was established.

One of Henry County's most important landmark buildings is the Locust Grove Institute (LGI), founded by Locust Grove Baptist Church and Mercer University. In 1894, the first building of the institute was erected, and the school opened its doors on November 1, 1894, with 13 students and two instructors. By the end of the school year, 85 students had been enrolled. LGI grew rapidly and several houses in the community, such as the Combs-McKnight-Morfoot House, were used as boarding housing to help accommodate the growing student population. Locust Grove Institute served a very important purpose and was one of the first schools in Georgia to be accredited by the Association of Schools and Colleges of the Southern States. The curriculum stressed learning in all facets of life, The academic building was constructed in 1904 for a total cost of $14,000. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1906. In 1918, LGI began a military training program for its students. In 1919, the institute transferred all property titles to the Georgia Baptist Convention.

The Great Depression and the introduction of public schools in Henry County led to the demise of Locust Grove Institute in May 1930. The school remained empty until 1936. when the academic building served as a public elementary school for the city. In 1983, the city of Locust Grove purchased the building. Numerous renovations were made and the structure was restored, modifying the interior to house the various city government offices, now known as the Locust Grove Municipal Complex. This building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1986.

Geography

Locust Grove's water tower as seen from Georgia State Route 42.

Locust Grove is located at 33°20′44″N 84°6′18″W / 33.34556°N 84.10500°W / 33.34556; -84.10500 (33.345499, -84.104991).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (3.18%) is water.

The unincorporated community of Luella is within the postal limits of Locust Grove.

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890255—
1900254−0.4%
1910716181.9%
1920529−26.1%
1930428−19.1%
1940349−18.5%
195040516.0%
1960369−8.9%
197064274.0%
19801,479130.4%
19901,68113.7%
20002,32238.1%
20105,402132.6%
Est. 20155,790[4]7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,322 people, 817 households, and 637 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,089.5 people per square mile (420.9/km²). There were 863 housing units at an average density of 404.9 per square mile (156.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.00% White, 14.38% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.

There were 817 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,188, and the median income for a family was $46,042. Males had a median income of $32,094 versus $22,845 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,120. About 5.6% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

Tanger Outlet Center opened for business in the fall of 1994. Since that time many new businesses have made Locust Grove their home. Tanger Outlet Center tenants include Coach, J.Crew, Jones New York, Liz Claiborne, Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Pac Sun, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Aeropostale, Jockey, Eddie Bauer, Nike and more.

Locust Grove is also home to Noah's Ark, a non-profit preserve and rehabilitation facility home to more than 1,000 animals. A group home sharing the site was previously licensed by the state of Georgia to provide residential care for up to 24 children but has since closed.

Schools

Public

Elementary

Middle

High

Private

References

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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