Commerce, Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Commerce, Georgia
City
Flag Logo
Motto(s):  "A city on the right track"
Location in Jackson County and the state of Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Jackson, Banks
Area
• Total	13.38 sq mi (34.66 km2)
• Land	13.25 sq mi (34.32 km2)
• Water	0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
Elevation	912 ft (278 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	7,387
• Density	557.51/sq mi (215.25/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	30529, 30599
Area code(s)	706
FIPS code	13-19112
GNIS feature ID	0355254

Commerce is a city in Jackson County, Georgia. It is about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta. In 2020, the city had a population of 7,387 people. Its motto is "A city on the right track."

History of Commerce, Georgia

Native American History in the Area

Before European settlers arrived, the land around Commerce was home to the Creek and Cherokee people. These groups had a conflict over the land in the 1770s.

An important path called the Lacoda Trail ran through this area. It was used for trade and travel. Today, a part of Georgia State Route 334 follows this old trail. It was named the "Lacoda Trail Memorial Parkway" in 1998.

The Cherokee and Creek people later gave up their land east of the Oconee River through treaties in the 1780s.

Early European Settlement and Harmony Grove

The first permanent white settlement in Jackson County began near Commerce on January 20, 1784. A German immigrant named William Dunson received a land grant there. The settlement was called "Groaning Rock." This name came from a nearby rock formation that made a moaning sound when the wind blew.

In 1808, Eli Shankle set up a trading post near Groaning Rock. He named it "Harmony Grove." Some say the name was a play on his wife's maiden name, Hargrove. There is also an old hymn tune called "Harmony Grove." This tune is now famous as the melody for "Amazing Grace."

The Harmony Grove Female Academy was the first all-girls school in Georgia. It was officially started on December 20, 1824. The Harmony Grove post office opened on October 14, 1825.

A big change came on September 1, 1876, when the North Eastern Railroad opened. The tracks went right through Harmony Grove. This railroad helped the town grow in both directions along the line. These tracks are now owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway.

From Harmony Grove to Commerce

Harmony Grove officially became a town on December 24, 1884. It included all areas within a one-mile circle of the railroad station.

Harmony Grove Mills, Inc. started in 1893. It processed cotton and made textiles. The mill made denim overalls and was the first place to produce electricity in the city. Many homes on the southeast side of Commerce today were built for the mill's employees. The mill closed in 2004 and is now used for storage.

By the late 1800s, people felt "Harmony Grove" was too long. Mail also sometimes went to another town with the same name. So, on August 6, 1904, Harmony Grove was renamed "Commerce." This new name showed the city's importance in the cotton trade in north Georgia.

In 1959, leaders worked to change the route of Interstate 85. It was originally planned to go through Gainesville. They convinced officials to route it through Commerce instead. This major highway brought huge business benefits to Commerce, helping the city grow even more.

Geography and Location

Commerce is located in northeastern Jackson County. Interstate 85 runs through the northern part of the city. You can get on I-85 from Exits 147 and 149. I-85 goes southwest 70 miles to Atlanta. It goes northeast 78 miles to Greenville, South Carolina.

U.S. Route 441 is along the eastern edge of Commerce. It goes north 27 miles to Demorest. It goes south 19 miles to Athens.

The city has a total area of about 13.38 square miles (34.66 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. Commerce is on a drainage divide. This means some water flows to the Oconee River and some to the Savannah River.

Population and Demographics

Demographics tell us about the people living in a place. As of the 2020 United States census, Commerce had 7,387 residents. There were 2,547 households and 1,824 families living in the city.

The table below shows the different racial groups in Commerce as of 2020:

Education in Commerce

The Commerce City School District manages public schools within the city limits. This district provides education from pre-school through twelfth grade.

The district has four schools:

• Commerce Primary School (pre-K through 2nd grade)
• Commerce Elementary School (3rd and 4th grades)
• Commerce Middle School (5th through 8th grades)
• Commerce High School (9th through 12th grades)

As of August 2010, the district had 89 full-time teachers. It served over 1,358 students. Areas outside the city of Commerce are part of the Jackson County School District.

Notable People from Commerce

Many interesting people have connections to Commerce, Georgia:

• Terry Allen – A former professional football running back. He was born in Commerce.
• Bill Anderson – A famous country music singer and songwriter. He grew up in Commerce.
• Chris Beck – A pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball.
• Mike Bowers – He used to be the Attorney General of Georgia. He was born in Commerce.
• Olive Ann Burns – An award-winning author. Her novel Cold Sassy Tree was inspired by her childhood in Commerce.
• Spud Chandler – A right-handed baseball pitcher. He played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He was born in Commerce.
• Lamartine G. Hardman – He served as the 65th governor of Georgia. He was born in Commerce.
• Clay Hendrix – The current head football coach at Furman University. He was born in Commerce.
• Mary Hood – An award-winning writer known for her Southern literature.
• Dennis Law – A former wide receiver in the National Football League.
• Sammy Brown – A current linebacker for Clemson University.

See also

In Spanish: Commerce (Georgia) para niños