East Point, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Point, Georgia
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| City of East Point | |
Main Street, Downtown East Point
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Location in Fulton County and the state of Georgia
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 East Point, Georgia
Location in Metro Atlanta
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Fulton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.70 sq mi (38.08 km2) |
| • Land | 14.69 sq mi (38.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,050 ft (320 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 38,358 |
| • Density | 2,611.34/sq mi (1,008.24/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
30344, 30364
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| Area code(s) | 404 |
| FIPS code | 13-25720 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0331624 |
East Point is a suburban city located southwest of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,358. The city name is derived from being at the opposite end of the former Atlanta & West Point Railroad from West Point.
Contents
History
The name "East Point" derives from the fact that this is the terminus of the Atlanta & West Point Railroad in the east; West Point, Georgia, is the terminus where the rail line ends in the west.
This settlement was founded as a railroad terminus with 16 families in 1870, but grew quickly after it became an inviting place for industry to develop. Soon it boasted the railway, two gristmills, and a government distillery located on Connally Drive. One of the earliest buildings was the factory of the White Hickory Manufacturing Company, built by B.M. Blount and L.M. Hill (who became the first chairman of the board of aldermen of the city).
By 1880 the town had two churches, a common school, a steam-cotton gin, a sawmill, a post office (founded in 1851), a telegraph office and its own newspaper weekly, The Plow Boy. East Point ranked as a grain and cotton-growing center. With its pleasant upland climate and proximity to the railway, it was a popular summer resort for people from the city of Atlanta.
In 1884 the first telephone rang in East Point, and in 1887 the city received its first charter. In 1890 a major portion of property along East Point Avenue was subdivided and developed, opening the way for more homes, more churches, more people, and more places of employment. By 1892 Main Street was completed, despite protests from a few progress-shy early settlers who maintained that one major thoroughfare, Newnan Road, was more than sufficient.
By the start of the 20th century, the adolescent town was poised to grow into the city it eventually would become.
In late 2015 and early 2016, some scenes from Netflix's highly acclaimed Stranger Things were filmed at the exterior of the First Baptist Church (standing in for a hospital exterior in a fictional Indiana town).
East Point Historic Civic Block
The East Point Historic Civic Block consists of three historically significant buildings and one memorial park in downtown East Point. It is located within the parameters of East Point Street, Linwood Avenue, Church Street, and West Cleveland Avenue. The City Hall, City Auditorium, New Deal Library, and Victory Park make up the Civic Block, which since 2011 has been the focus of both redevelopment interest and historic preservation efforts.
Sports and recreation
East Point is served by Sumner Park, Sykes Park, Brookdale Park, Grayson Field, Jefferson Park, John Milner Park and Chris Stacks Field.
The city boasts of producing several notable athletes, among them Reggie Rutland, Jonas Jennings (NFL), Nick Rogers (NFL), Bill Thorn, Donald Adams (Basketball), John Milner (baseball) and Jay Hudson.
When the Dick Lane Velodrome was built in 1974, it was one of only two in the United States. Named after a longtime City Council member, the Velodrome was inspired by a facility seen by a group of residents and city officials who visited the Munich Olympics in 1972. The Velodrome is a 1/5 mile and 36° banked concrete track for bicycle racing, set in Sumner park in a residential part of historic East Point. Dick Lane is the only velodrome in the world with a green space that contains a large oak tree and a creek running through the in-field. It is located eight miles south of downtown Atlanta.
The City of East Point owns the velodrome and has a long-term partnership with the East Point Velodrome Association (EPVA) to manage it. The EPVA is a 100% volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation, care and growth of the Dick Lane Velodrome. The EPVA conducts Youth Service Activities for children at no cost to the city or state. These activities include the Bicycle Little League (for kids 8-12), summer camps (kids 13-16), and bicycle safety clinics. In addition to raising bicycle safety awareness, these programs promote physical health and wellness, teamwork, and individual growth through the sport. These pioneering grass-root programs are intended to build the base of competitive cycling in the U.S. EPVA hosts three professional-level events annually, held in May, July and September; these are part of the American Track Racing Association National Championship Series.
Geography
East Point is located at 33°40′34″N 84°27′05″W / 33.676008°N 84.451277°W. It is bordered to the north, east, and west by the city of Atlanta, to the southeast by Hapeville, and to the south by College Park. Downtown Atlanta is 7 miles (11 km) northeast of the center of East Point.
According to the United States Census Bureau, East Point has a total area of 14.7 square miles (38.1 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2), or 0.12%, is water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 195 | — | |
| 1890 | 738 | 278.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,315 | 78.2% | |
| 1910 | 3,682 | 180.0% | |
| 1920 | 5,241 | 42.3% | |
| 1930 | 9,512 | 81.5% | |
| 1940 | 12,403 | 30.4% | |
| 1950 | 21,080 | 70.0% | |
| 1960 | 35,633 | 69.0% | |
| 1970 | 39,315 | 10.3% | |
| 1980 | 37,486 | −4.7% | |
| 1990 | 34,402 | −8.2% | |
| 2000 | 39,595 | 15.1% | |
| 2010 | 33,712 | −14.9% | |
| 2020 | 38,358 | 13.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,527 | 9.19% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 29,156 | 76.01% |
| Native American | 74 | 0.19% |
| Asian | 250 | 0.65% |
| Pacific Islander | 11 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,296 | 3.38% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4,044 | 10.54% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 38,358 people, 14,216 households, and 6,721 families residing in the city.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
The Fulton County School System operates the area's public schools.
Elementary schools in East Point and serving sections of East Point include Brookview, Conley Hills, Asa G. Hilliard, Hamilton E. Holmes, and Parklane.
Elementary schools outside of East Point serving sections of East Point include College Park in College Park, Seaborn Lee Elementary School in South Fulton.
Hilliard Elementary, named after former East Point resident Asa Grant Hilliard III, opened in 2016 on the site of the former Mount Olive Elementary School, which opened in 1960. Mount Olive was replaced by Hilliard, with the former building razed in 2014.
Middle schools serving sections of city include Paul D. West Middle School and Woodland Middle School, both in East Point. A portion is zoned to Camp Creek Middle School in South Fulton, and another to Sandtown Middle School.
Most of the city is zoned to Tri-Cities High School in East Point. Some of the city is zoned to Westlake High School in South Fulton, and Banneker High School.
The former Oak Knoll Elementary building, since 2015, houses RISE Grammar School/RISE Prep School (which together serve K-8), which purchased the facility for $1.73 million in May 2018.
Higher education
Point University, formerly Atlanta Christian College, has a location in East Point. Though the University's traditional students are transitioning to West Point, Georgia in Fall 2012, the East Point location will remain active for the school's adult studies program.
Public libraries
Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System operates the East Point Branch.
See also
In Spanish: East Point para niños
