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| Augusta, Georgia | |||
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| Nickname(s): The Garden City, The AUG[1], Disgusta[2], |
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| Motto: We Feel Good![3] |
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Georgia | ||
| County | Richmond County | ||
| Established | 1736[4] | ||
| City-county consolidation | 1996[4] | ||
| Government | |||
| Â -Â Mayor | Deke Copenhaver | ||
| Â -Â Mayor pro tem | Betty Beard | ||
| Â -Â Administrator | Frederick L. Russell | ||
| Area | |||
|  - City | 306.5 sq mi (793 km2) | ||
|  - Land | 302.1 sq mi (782 km2) | ||
|  - Water | 4.3 sq mi (11.3 km2) | ||
| Elevation [5] | 136Â ft (45Â m) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| Â -Â City | 192,142 | ||
|  - Density | 648/sq mi (250/km2) | ||
| Â - Metro | 528,519 | ||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||
|  - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| Area code(s) | 706, 762[6][7] | ||
| Website: AugustaGA.gov | |||
Augusta, Georgia (also known as Augusta-Richmond County) is a consolidated city in the United States state of Georgia. It is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which as of July 2007 had a population of 528,519. It is the largest city in East Central Georgia and the second largest city in the state. The City of Augusta and Richmond County governments merged operations in 1996; as of July 2007, the Augusta-Richmond county population was 192,142,[8] not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.
Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament each spring, and for being the hometown of James Brown.
History
Augusta was first used by Native Americans as a place to cross the Savannah River, because of Augusta's location on the fall line. In 1735, two years after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah, he sent a detachment of troops on a journey up the Savannah River. He gave them an order to build at the head of the navigable part of the river. The job fell into the hands of Noble Jones, who created the settlement to provide a first line of defense against the Spanish and the French. Oglethorpe then named the town Augusta, in honor of Augusta, 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
Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150Â miles (241Â kilometers) east of Atlanta. The city is located at (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 (782.5 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.3 km²) of it (1.42%) is water.
Augusta is also located about halfway up the Savannah River on the fall line, providing a number of small falls on the Savannah River. The city itself marks the end of a navigable waterway for the river. The Clarks Hill Dam is also built on the fall line near Augusta, forming Lake Strom Thurmond, also known as Clarks Hill Lake. Further downstream, near the border of Columbia County, is the Stevens Creek Dam, which generates hydroelectric power, and still further, 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 mild winters and a humid summer. The average high temperature for the summer months is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C); 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).
  Weather averages for Augusta  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
108 (42) |
106 (41) |
97 (36) |
90 (32) |
82 (28) |
108 (42) |
| 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 (24) |
| 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 (11) |
| 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] 2008-07-29 | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. |  %± | |
| 1800 | 2,215 |
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| 1810 | 2,476 | 11.8% | |
| 1840 | 6,403 |
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| 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% | |
| 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% | |
| Est. 2007 | 192,142 | −1.6% | |
| Population 1800-2000.[12] | |||
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 195,182 people, 72,307 households, and 48,228 families residing in the Augusta-Richmond County balance. The population density was 646.0 people per square mile (249.4/km²). There were 80,481 housing units at an average density of 266.4/sq mi (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
In recent years, Augusta has become a center of medicine, biotechnology, and military. The Medical College of Georgia, the state's only health science university, employs over 7,000 people and is ranked as one of the top medical schools in the country. Along with University Hospital, the Medical District of Augusta employs over 25,000 people and has a economic impact of over $1.8 billion [14], the largest in the city and one of the largest in the state.
Along with the Medical College of Georgia, 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.
Companies that have facilities, headquarters or distribution centers in Augusta include Electrolux (US headquarters), CareSouth, T-Mobile, Automatic Data Processing, International Paper, NutraSweet, Teleperformance, E-Z-GO, Club Car, John Deere, Procter & Gamble, and Kellogg's.
Sports
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
Teams
Augusta is currently home to two professional minor league athletic teams. The Augusta Greenjackets are the city’s oldest sporting club, which began play in 1988 as the Augusta Pirates, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team was later affiliated with the Red Sox and now the Giants. Augusta's other minor league team is the American Indoor Football Association's Augusta Colts (formerly known as the Augusta Spartans).
The city's ECHL hockey team, the Augusta Lynx, disbanded in December 2008. Other former city teams include the Augusta Fireball soccer team, and AF2 arena football team the Augusta Stallions.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta GreenJackets | Baseball | South Atlantic League | Lake Olmstead Stadium |
| Augusta Colts | Indoor football | American Indoor Football Association | James Brown Arena |
Tournaments
Tiger Woods at the practice rounds for the 2006 Masters Tournament
The 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 and is part of the Professional Golfers' Association’s Grand Slam. The city is also a hotbed for disc golf. 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. Also, Augusta hosted the 2006 Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Along with Pendleton King and Lake Olmstead, 2 courses in N. Augusta, SC were used for the tournanment. 299 disc golfers from around the world attended the event with Ken Climo winning the tournament and his 12th world championship.
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[15] — lagoon converted into park and swimming site by volunteers
- Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — wetlands park with pedestrian/bike paths and boardwalks
- Augusta Botanical Gardens — botanical gardens on Reynolds St. in downtown
- Diamond Lakes Regional Park — park in south Richmond County
Government
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
In 1995, the citizens of Augusta and unincorporated Richmond County voted to consolidate their city and county governments. Citizens of Hephzibah, Georgia and Blythe, Georgia, also located in Richmond County, decided to maintain separate governments. Augusta and Richmond County's consolidation took effect January 1, 1996, with the city and county merging operations. The consolidated government consists of a mayor and 10 commissioners. Eight commissioners represent specific districts, while the other two represent super districts comprising the other eight.
Politics in Augusta-Richmond County have evolved to more of a spirit of cooperation in recent years, thanks to new members on the Commission and a new Mayor. Deke Copenhaver was elected Mayor in 2006 and began healing a racial divide that harmed the city in the 1990s.[16][17] Mayor Copenhaver hosts monthly prayer breakfasts at various churches. Split votes down racial or party lines were common in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, with the new mayor and commission, these types of split votes are extremely rare, according to the Augusta Chronicle and other media reporting outlets. Augusta and Richmond County also have a long history of Democratic Party political machines such as The Crackers, which had a monopoly on local politics for much of the first half of the 20th century. The Southside Mafia was a political machine that dominated county government for much of the latter half of the 20th century prior to consolidation in 1996.
The local economy in Augusta-Richmond County has bucked the national downward trend, with constant and consecutive months and years of steady growth in job creation and investment. New investments and new jobs have been in the areas of customer service, logistics, warehousing and distribution, life sciences, military support companies and retail. The new Prominade at Augusta Mall is the city's newest "town center" concept.
Education
Colleges and universities
- Augusta State University (public university)
- Augusta Technical College (public technical college)
- Medical College of Georgia (public medical college)
- Paine College (private historically black college)
- Savannah River College (private technical college), formerly known as Kerr Business College
- Georgia Military College (public technical college)
- University of Phoenix satellite campus
- Cambridge College
- Troy University
K-12 schools
Richmond County Board of Education central office
Public K-12 schools in Augusta are managed by the Richmond County School System. The system has 8 high schools, 10 middle schools, 36 elementary schools, 4 magnet schools, and 3 other-format schools.
Private schools in Augusta include Aquinas High School, Episcopal Day School, St. Mary on the Hill School, Curtis Baptist School, Gracewood Baptist First Academy, Alleluia Community School, and Westminster Schools of Augusta. Augusta Christian School and Augusta Preparatory Day School serve Augusta, but are located in neighboring Martinez, Georgia.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Flyover ramp under construction at I-20/ I-520 interchange.
Augusta is linked to Atlanta, Georgia 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. The current South Carolina terminus of I-520 is at U.S. Route 1, but construction is currently underway to complete its connection to I-20 in South Carolina near Exit 5.
U.S. and state routes:
Interstate 20
Interstate 520 — Bobby Jones Expwy.
U.S. Highway 1 — Deans Bridge Rd. (from Jefferson County line to Gordon Hwy.), Gordon Hwy. (from Deans Bridge Rd. to state line)
U.S. Highway 25 — Peach Orchard Rd. (entire length), Gordon Hwy. (from Peach Orchard Rd. to state line)
U.S. Highway 78 / 
U.S. Highway 278 / 
State Route 10 — Gordon Hwy.
Georgia State Route 4 — follows U.S. Highway 1 from Jefferson County line to Gordon Hwy., leaves Georgia at 13th St. bridge
Georgia State Route 28 — various roads, including John C. Calhoun Expwy. and Washington Rd.
Georgia State Route 56 — Mike Padgett Hwy.
Georgia State Route 88 in south Richmond County
Georgia State Route 104 — River Watch Pkwy.
State Route 383 — Jimmie Dyess Pkwy.
Savannah River Parkway
Fall Line Freeway
Augusta is served by city transit service Augusta Public Transit (APT), but the main mode of transportation within the city is by car. The city has 2 airports: Augusta Regional Airport featuring commercial air service by USAirways and Delta Air Lines, and a smaller airport for private and chartered planes, Daniel Field Airport. Augusta is also served by a number of Taxi companies. There was a proposal for a possible four mile long Trolley system that would run through the city's Downtown district.
Sister cities
See also
References
- ^ Urban Dictionary: aug
- ^ Urban Dictionary: Disgusta
- ^ No Action on Tax Rate, Commission Seat; New Slogan; Ambulance Service Adopted (NBC Augusta)
- ^ a b Visitor Info - Augusta History
- ^ Visitor Info - Augusta Facts
- ^ Get your digits straight 040306 - The Augusta Chronicle
- ^ 762 on way to phone near you 050108 - The Augusta Chronicle
- ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-01.csv
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/062903/pav_pavey.shtml Officials consider relicensing Augusta Canal, Augusta Chronicle, June 28, 2003
- ^ "Average Weather for Augusta, GA - Temperateure and Precipitation". Retrieved on July 29, 2008.
- ^ "Census Of Population And Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-11-02.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ HOME | AugustaTomorrow.com
- ^ Public clears debris, brush 061208 - The Augusta Chronicle
- ^ http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/112698/met_098-3062.001.shtml
- ^ http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/110598/met_124-7096.shtml
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Augusta, Georgia |
- AugustaGA.gov — official website
- Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Augusta Economic Development Authority Homepage
- Augusta Tomorrow
- Downtown Augusta Alliance
- Downtown Development Authority
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