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Damascus, Georgia
Damascus City Hall and Police Department
Damascus City Hall and Police Department
Location in Early County and the state of Georgia
Location in Early County and the state of Georgia
Country United States
State Georgia
County Early
Area
 • Total 1.77 sq mi (4.58 km2)
 • Land 1.76 sq mi (4.56 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
220 ft (67 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 212
 • Density 120.39/sq mi (46.48/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
31741, 39841
Area code(s) 229
FIPS code 13-21436
GNIS feature ID 0355426

Damascus is a city in Early County, Georgia, United States. The population was 212 in the 2020 census, down from 254 in the 2010 census.

History

An early variant name was Kestler. An act of Georgia General Assembly officially changed the name to Damascus in 1914. The present name is a transfer from nearby Old Damascus, which it was named for Damascus, Syria. Old Damascus would be bypassed when a new railroad line was being built through the area.

In 2021, an EF2 tornado struck the area south of town, causing major damage and injuring five people.

On June 14, 2023, a tornado struck the town destroying a home and slightly injuring three people.

Geography

Damascus is located in eastern Early County at 31°17′55″N 84°43′3″W / 31.29861°N 84.71750°W / 31.29861; -84.71750 (31.298580, -84.717429). Georgia State Route 45 passes through the community, leading north 10 miles (16 km) to Arlington and south 9 miles (14 km) to Colquitt. Georgia State Route 200 also passes through the center of town, leading east 24 miles (39 km) to Newton and northwest 15 miles (24 km) to Blakely, the Early County seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Damascus has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.6 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.48%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 413
1920 373 −9.7%
1930 436 16.9%
1940 477 9.4%
1950 402 −15.7%
1960 297 −26.1%
1970 272 −8.4%
1980 403 48.2%
1990 290 −28.0%
2000 277 −4.5%
2010 254 −8.3%
2020 212 −16.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
Damascus city, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 82 65 32.28% 30.66%
Black or African American alone (NH) 162 137 63.78% 64.62%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 0 3 0.00% 1.42%
Asian alone (NH) 6 0 2.36% 0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 3 1 1.18% 0.47%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1 6 0.39% 2.83%
Total 254 212 100.00% 100.00%

In 2020, the city had a population of 212, down from 254 in 2010 and 277 in 2000.

Education

Southwest Georgia Academy, Damascus
Southwest Georgia Academy, located on the grounds of the former Damascus High School

Public school students are zoned to the Early County School District which operates three schools in Blakely: Early County Elementary School, Early County Middle School, and Early County High School.

Damascus is home to Southwest Georgia Academy, which was founded in 1970 as a segregation academy and participates in the Georgia Independent School Association. Its property formerly housed Damascus High School.

Gallery

Notable people

  • Robbie Robinson, bodybuilder, actor, three-time Mr. Universe overall winner
  • Shawn Williams (American football), football player, Atlanta Falcons

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Damascus (Georgia) para niños

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