Blackshear, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blackshear, Georgia
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Blackshear City Hall
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Location in Pierce County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Pierce |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.14 sq mi (13.32 km2) |
| • Land | 5.07 sq mi (13.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) |
| Elevation | 112 ft (34 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,506 |
| • Density | 692.06/sq mi (267.20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
31516
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| Area code(s) | 912 |
| FIPS code | 13-08284 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0331178 |
Blackshear is a city in Georgia, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Pierce County. In 2020, about 3,506 people lived there.
Blackshear is also part of the larger Waycross area. This means it's connected to a bigger group of towns and cities nearby.
Contents
Where is Blackshear Located?
Blackshear is found at coordinates 31.298941 degrees North and -82.247726 degrees West.
The city covers a total area of about 13.32 square kilometers (5.14 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
A Look Back in Time: Blackshear's History
Blackshear was started in 1858. It became the main town for the new Pierce County. The city got its name from General David Blackshear. He was an important person who helped build roads and forts.
General David Blackshear's Contributions
General Blackshear was a hero in the American Revolution. He fought in battles like Moore's Creek Bridge. He also served as a general during the War of 1812. Besides being a military leader, he was also a senator in Georgia's state government.
Blackshear During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Blackshear was used as a temporary camp. More than 5,000 Union soldiers were held there as prisoners. Today, a special sign marks this historical spot.
Tobacco Farming in Blackshear
Long ago, the main crop grown in this part of Georgia was tobacco. Blackshear was home to Georgia's very first brick tobacco warehouse. It was known as the Brantley Brick.
Who Lives in Blackshear?
The population of Blackshear has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 319 | — | |
| 1870 | 490 | 53.6% | |
| 1880 | 778 | 58.8% | |
| 1890 | 656 | −15.7% | |
| 1900 | 876 | 33.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,235 | 41.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,329 | 7.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,817 | 36.7% | |
| 1940 | 2,010 | 10.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,271 | 13.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,482 | 9.3% | |
| 1970 | 2,624 | 5.7% | |
| 1980 | 3,222 | 22.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,263 | 1.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,283 | 0.6% | |
| 2010 | 3,445 | 4.9% | |
| 2020 | 3,506 | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Makeup in 2020
In 2020, there were 3,506 people living in Blackshear. They lived in 1,355 homes, and 898 of these were families.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Blackshear in 2020:
| Race | Number of People | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 2,552 | 72.79% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 696 | 19.85% |
| Native American | 5 | 0.14% |
| Asian | 24 | 0.68% |
| Other/Mixed | 138 | 3.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 91 | 2.6% |
Education in Blackshear
Blackshear has good schools for its young people.
Pierce County School District
The Pierce County School District teaches students from pre-school all the way to twelfth grade. The district has many teachers and thousands of students. Four of the schools in this district are located right in Blackshear:
- Blackshear Elementary School
- Midway Elementary School
- Patterson Elementary School
- Pierce County Middle School
- Pierce County High School
Private Schools
For those interested in private education, Blackshear also has:
- Crossroads Christian Academy
Famous People from Blackshear
Some well-known individuals have connections to Blackshear:
- Stetson Bennett (born 1997), a talented football player who was a quarterback for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He won two national championships and was drafted by the NFL's LA Rams.
- Ella Thomas Foreacre Brantley (1864–1948), who was the President of the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs.
- Nikki DeLoach (born 1979), an actress and singer. She was born nearby but grew up in Blackshear.
- KaDee Strickland (born 1975), another actress.
See also
In Spanish: Blackshear (Georgia) para niños
