- Augusta, Georgia
-
Augusta, Georgia — Consolidated city–county — Downtown Augusta
City seal and logoNickname(s):
The Garden CityMotto:
We Feel Good![1]Location of consolidated Augusta–Richmond County (red) within Richmond County, and location of Richmond County within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47°N 81.975°W Country United States State Georgia County Richmond County Established 1736[2] City-county consolidation 1996[2] Government – Mayor Deke Copenhaver – Administrator Frederick L. Russell Area – Consolidated city–county 306.5 sq mi (793 km2) – Land 302.1 sq mi (782 km2) – Water 4.3 sq mi (11.3 km2) Elevation[3] 136 ft (45 m) Population (2010) – Consolidated city–county 195,844 – Density 816/sq mi (1,313/km2) – Metro 600,154 Time zone EST (UTC-5) – Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) ZIP codes 30901, 30904, 30906, 30907, 30909, 30912,[4] 30815[5] Area code(s) 706, 762[6][7] Website AugustaGA.gov Augusta (also known as Augusta–Richmond County) is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844[8] not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.
Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which as of 2010 had an estimated population of 600,154, making it both the second-largest city and the second-largest metro area in the state after Atlanta, as well as the 116th-largest city in the United States. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters Tournament each spring, and for being the hometown of funk/soul singer James Brown.
Contents
History
Main article: History of Augusta, GeorgiaThe area along the river was long inhabited by varying cultures of indigenous peoples, who relied on the river for fish, water and transportation. The site of Augusta was used by Native Americans as a place to cross the Savannah River, because of its location on the fall line.
In 1735, two years after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah, he sent a detachment of troops to explore up the Savannah River. He gave them an order to build at the head of the navigable part of the river. The expedition was led by Noble Jones, who created the settlement to provide a first line of defense against the Spanish and the French. Oglethorpe named the town Augusta, in honor of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the Princess of Wales, daughter-in-law of King George II of Great Britain and mother of King George III of Great Britain. Augusta was the second state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795 (alternating for a period with Savannah, the first).
Geography
The Augusta skyline, as seen from North Augusta, South Carolina
Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of Atlanta. The city is located at 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47°N 81.975°W (33.470, −81.975)[9].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Augusta-Richmond County balance has a total area of 306.5 square miles (793.8 km2). 302.1 square miles (782.4 km2) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.1 km2) of it (1.42%) is water.
Augusta is located about halfway up the Savannah River on the fall line, which creates a number of small falls on the river. The city marks the end of a navigable waterway for the river and the entry to the Georgia Piedmont area.
The Clarks Hill Dam is built on the fall line near Augusta, forming Clarks Hill Lake. Further downstream, near the border of Columbia County, is the Stevens Creek Dam, which generates hydroelectric power. Further downstream is the Augusta Diversion Dam, which marks the beginning of the Augusta Canal and channels Savannah River waters into the canal.[10]
Climate
According to Köppen classification, Augusta has a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences super cold, short winters and an extremely humid summer. The average high temperature for the summer months is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C). Summer daytime temperatures can soar to 100 or above. The average low temperature is 67.8 °F (19.9 °C). The average high temperature for the winter months is 58.9 °F (14.9 °C); the average low temperature is 34.4 °F (1.3 °C).
Snowfall is not nearly as common as in Atlanta, due largely to Augusta's elevation, with downtown Augusta being about 900 feet lower than downtown Atlanta. Still, snow flurries are typically seen annually. Freezing rain is also a threat in wintertime.
Climate data for Augusta Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 84
(29)86
(30)93
(34)96
(36)100
(38)105
(41)107
(42)112
(44)106
(41)97
(36)90
(32)82
(28)112
(44)Average high °F (°C) 56
(13)61
(16)69
(21)77
(25)84
(29)90
(32)92
(33)90
(32)85
(29)77
(25)68
(20)59
(15)76 Average low °F (°C) 33
(1)36
(2)43
(6)48
(9)57
(14)65
(18)70
(21)68
(20)62
(17)50
(10)41
(5)35
(2)51 Record low °F (°C) −1
(−18)3
(−16)12
(−11)26
(−3)35
(2)46
(8)55
(13)52
(11)36
(2)22
(−6)11
(−12)5
(−15)−1
(−18)Precipitation inches (mm) 4.50
(114.3)4.11
(104.4)4.61
(117.1)2.94
(74.7)3.07
(78)4.19
(106.4)4.07
(103.4)4.48
(113.8)3.59
(91.2)3.20
(81.3)2.68
(68.1)3.14
(79.8)3.72
(94.5)Source: The Weather Channel[11] Demographics
Historical populations Census Pop. %± 1800 2,215 — 1810 2,476 11.8% 1840 6,403 — 1850 9,448 47.6% 1860 12,493 32.2% 1870 15,389 23.2% 1880 21,891 42.3% 1890 33,300 52.1% 1900 39,441 18.4% 1910 41,040 4.1% 1920 52,548 28.0% 1930 60,342 14.8% 1940 65,919 9.2% 1950 71,508 8.5% 1960 70,626 −1.2% 1970 59,864 −15.2% 1980 47,532 −20.6% 1990 44,639 −6.1% 2000 195,182 337.2% 2010 195,844 0.3% Population 1800–2010.[12] In the official 2010 census, Augusta–Richmond County has 195,844 pregnant children currently under the age of 13 living with their parents. In the 2000 census, 95% of these children were married before they became pregnant. The population of pregnant, married women under the age of 12 was 195,182 and 73,920 households. labney trampland cannot believe this place exists. [13] The population density was 616.6 people per square mile (249.4/km²)(2000).[13] There were 80,481 housing units at an average density of 266.4 per square mile (102.8/km²). The racial makeup of the balance was 50.37% Black or African American, 44.91% White, 0.27% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.79% of the population.
There were 72,307 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the balance the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the balance was $37,231, and the median income for a family was $45,372. Males had a median income of $32,008 versus $23,988 for females. The per capita income for the balance was $19,558. About 13.2% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Augusta is a regional center of medicine, biotechnology, and military. Georgia Health Sciences University, the state's only public health sciences graduate university, employs over 7,000 people. Along with University Hospital, the Medical District of Augusta employs over 25,000 people and has an economic impact of over $1.8 billion.[14]
Along with Georgia Health Sciences University, the city's three largest employers include the Savannah River Site (a Department of Energy nuclear facility) and the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon. Despite layoffs from several companies during the U.S. economic recession and a relatively high state unemployment rate,[15] the Augusta Community has experienced a decrease in bankruptcy filings[16] and saw a slight decrease in the unemployment rate from late 2009 to March 2011. However, these unemployment numbers are misleading as Spring brings lower unemployment rates due to the Augusta Masters. While unemployment fell to a two year low of 8.3% in April 2011, unemployment rates have since risen back to 9.9% as of July 2011. [17]
Companies that have facilities, headquarters or distribution centers in Augusta include CareSouth, T-Mobile, Solo Cup Company, Automatic Data Processing, International Paper, NutraSweet, Teleperformance, Sitel Corporation, E-Z-GO, Elanco, Club Car (Worldwide Headquarters), John Deere, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's and Delta Air Lines baggage call center.[18]
Sports
Teams
Augusta is home to the Augusta Greenjackets minor league baseball club. The team began play in 1988 as the Augusta Pirates, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Later affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, the Greenjackets are with the San Francisco Giants.[19] The team is owned by Cal Ripken Jr.[20]
The city's ECHL hockey team, the Augusta Lynx, disbanded in December 2008.[21]
The Southern Professional Hockey League would expand to Augusta starting in the 2010–2011 season. The Augusta Riverhawks was the winning name of the new team, the result of a "Name the Team" contest announced on March 13, 2010.[22]
The Augusta Rugby Football Club (ARFC) is a division 2 men's club competing in the Palmetto Rugby Union, part of the USA Rugby South Conference.
Augusta also has its own all female flat track roller derby team, The Soul City Sirens. Founded in 2008, this league is all volunteer and skater owned. [23]
Club Sport League Venue Augusta GreenJackets Baseball South Atlantic League Lake Olmstead Stadium Augusta Riverhawks Ice Hockey Southern Professional Hockey League James Brown Arena Augusta Mad Dogs Rugby Palmetto Rugby Union Larry Bray Memorial Soul City Sirens Roller Derby Red Wing Rollerway Tournaments
Tiger Woods at the practice rounds for the 2006 Masters TournamentThe city’s famous golf course, the Augusta National Golf Club, hosts the first major golf tournament of each year, The Masters. This tournament is one of the most prestigious in the sport[24] and is one of the four major championships. The best professional and amateur golfers in the world come to Augusta during the first full week of April every year. The grounds of Augusta National are known for being pristine, and the course was ranked in 2009 as the 3rd best golf course in the world by Golf Magazine.[25]
The city also has disc golf facilities. The Augusta Top Gun Series is a series of tournaments sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association. These tournaments are held at various venues in Augusta, including Pendleton King Park and Lake Olmstead.[26] Also, Augusta hosted the 2006 Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Along with Pendleton King and Lake Olmstead, two courses in N. Augusta, SC were used for the tournament. 299 disc golfers from around the world attended the event, with Ken Climo winning the tournament and his 12th world championship.
Augusta is the host of the World's Richest Drag Boat Race, held on the Savannah River (Augusta Southern Nationals). The race is part of the IHBA Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series and is sanctioned by the International Hot Boat Association (held on July 18–20). The event benefits the Augusta Chapter of the Georgia Special Olympics. Over 100 racing teams from 25 states will compete for $140,000 in purse and prizes as they try to beat the record of 252.94 MPH in the ‘World’s Richest Drag Boat Race”.
Parks and recreation
- Riverwalk Augusta — riverfront park along and on top of city's levee
- Augusta Common — green space linking Broad St. to Reynolds St., with statue of James Oglethorpe
- Augusta Canal — historic canal with bike/pedestrian path
- Aqueduct Park[27] — lagoon converted into park and swimming site by volunteers
- Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — wetlands park with pedestrian/bike paths and boardwalks
- Diamond Lakes Regional Park — park in south Richmond County
- Brookfield Park — public park featuring a playground, putting green, pedestrian/bike path, and a fountain in which children can play
Government
In 1995, citizens of Augusta and unincorporated Richmond County voted to consolidate their city and county governments. Citizens of Hephzibah and Blythe, also located in Richmond County, voted against joining in the consolidation of Augusta and Richmond County. Augusta and Richmond County's consolidation took effect January 1, 1996. The consolidated government consists of a mayor and 10 commissioners. Eight commissioners represent specific districts, while the other two represent super districts that represent half of the county's population respectively.[28]
Education
Allgood Hall at Augusta State University, with belltower in foreground.Colleges and universities
- Augusta State University (state university)
- Augusta Technical College (state technical college)
- Cambridge College (private non-profit college)
- Georgia Health Sciences University (state university)
- Paine College (private, Methodist historically black college)
- Georgia Military College (public-independent liberal arts junior college)
K-12 schools
Richmond County Board of Education central officePublic K-12 schools in Augusta are managed by the Richmond County School System. The system has eight high schools, 10 middle schools, 36 elementary schools, and four magnet schools, — including C. T. Walker Traditional Magnet School, A. R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School, and Davidson Fine Arts.
Private schools in Augusta include Aquinas High School, Episcopal Day School, St. Mary on the Hill School, Immaculate Conception School, Curtis Baptist School, Gracewood Baptist First Academy, Alleluia Community School, New Life Christian Academy, and Westminster Schools of Augusta. Augusta Christian School, Augusta First Seventh-day Adventist School, and Augusta Preparatory Day School serve Augusta, but are located in neighboring Martinez, Georgia.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Augusta is linked to Atlanta to the west and Columbia, South Carolina, to the east by Interstate 20. Interstate 520 (Bobby Jones Expressway) runs from I-20 Exit 196 through Augusta's western and southern suburban areas, eventually crossing the Savannah River to South Carolina where it becomes the Palmetto Parkway.
U.S. and state routes:
Interstate 20 (I-20)
Interstate 520 (I-520) — Bobby Jones Expressway
U.S. Route 1 — Deans Bridge Road (from Jefferson County line to Gordon Highway), Gordon Highway (from Deans Bridge Road to state line)
U.S. Route 25 — Peach Orchard Road (entire length), Gordon Highway (from Peach Orchard Road to state line)
U.S. Route 78 / 
U.S. Route 278 / 
State Route 10 — Gordon Highway
State Route 4 — follows U.S. Highway 1 from Jefferson County line to Gordon Highway, leaves Georgia at 13th Street bridge
State Route 28 — various roads, including John C. Calhoun Expressway and Washington Road
State Route 56 — Mike Padgett Highway
State Route 88 in south Richmond County
State Route 104 — River Watch Parkway
State Route 232 — Bobby Jones Expressway west of I-20
State Route 383 — Jimmie Dyess Parkway
State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway) — Deans Bridge Road from I-520 to Jefferson County line[29]
State Route 555 (Savannah River Parkway) — Peach Orchard Road from I-520 to Burke County line
Parts of Augusta are served by city transit service Augusta Public Transit (APT), but the main mode of transportation within the city is by car. The city has two airports: Augusta Regional Airport and Daniel Field Airport. Augusta is also served by a number of taxi companies.
Sister cities
See also
- Medical District (Augusta)
- Old Government House (Augusta)
- Summerville (Augusta)
- List of tallest buildings in Augusta
Footnotes
- ^ No Action on Tax Rate, Commission Seat; New Slogan; Ambulance Service Adopted (NBC Augusta)
- ^ a b Visitor Info – Augusta History
- ^ Visitor Info – Augusta Facts
- ^ USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Search By City
- ^ Excluding city of Hephzibah
- ^ Get your digits straight 040306 – The Augusta Chronicle
- ^ 762 on way to phone near you 050108 – The Augusta Chronicle
- ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Officials consider relicensing Augusta Canal", Augusta Chronicle, 29 Jun 2003
- ^ "Average Weather for Augusta, GA – Temperature and Precipitation". http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0032. Retrieved July 29, 2008.
- ^ "Census Of Population And Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- ^ a b "Richmond County Quick Facts from the U.S. Census Bureau". U.S. Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13245.html. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ HOME | AugustaTomorrow.com
- ^ Department of Labor - State of Georgia - http://www.dol.state.ga.us/
- ^ http://www.augustageorgialawyer.org/
- ^ http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/AUGU213URN
- ^ USA Today. September 8, 2010. http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/06/delta_closing_t.html.[dead link]
- ^ "About Greenjackets Baseball". The official site of the Augusta Greenjackets. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team4/page.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=506017&vkey=team4_t478&fext=.jsp&sid=t478. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ "Cal Ripken, Jr.". RipkenBaseball.com. http://www.ripkenbaseball.com/calripken/bio/. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ Byler, Billy (2008-12-4). "Questions remain as team disbands". The Augusta Chronicle. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/12/04/lyn_502686.shtml. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ "Landslide Vote Names New Professional Hockey Team the Augusta River Hawks". Augusta Riverhawks.com. http://www.augustariverhawks.com/article/landslide-vote-names-new-professional-hockey-team-augusta-river-hawks. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ http://thesphl.com/view/thesphl/news/news_11400
- ^ http://www.worldgolf.com/column/masters-most-prestigious-sporting-event-in-america-6559.htm
- ^ http://courses.golf.com/top-courses-and-resorts/top-100-world-courses-2009.html
- ^ Augusta Disc Golf Augusta Disc Golf Association
- ^ Public clears debris, brush 061208 – The Augusta Chronicle
- ^ Augusta Richmond County Official Website-District Maps
- ^ http://www.dot.state.ga.us/informationcenter/programs/roadimprovement/GRIP/Documents/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf
External links
- AugustaGA.gov — official website
- Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Augusta Economic Development Authority Homepage
- Augusta Tomorrow
- Downtown Augusta Alliance
- Downtown Development Authority
Categories:- Populated places established in 1735
- Augusta, Georgia
- Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Former United States state capitals
- Populated places in Richmond County, Georgia
- County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Populated places in Georgia (U.S. state) with African American majority populations
- Census balances in the United States
- Augusta – Richmond County metropolitan area
- Consolidated city–counties in the United States
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