Folkston, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Folkston, Georgia
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Top, left to right: Charlton County Courthouse, Folkston Funnel, Folkston Train Museum, City Hall, Downtown Folkston, Okefenokee Swamp
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| Motto(s):
"Gateway to the Okefenokee"
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Location in Charlton County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Georgia | |
| Counties | Charlton | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.19 sq mi (10.86 km2) | |
| • Land | 4.19 sq mi (10.86 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,464 | |
| • Density | 1,065.14/sq mi (411.21/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
31537
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| Area code(s) | 912 | |
Folkston is a cool city in Georgia, USA. It's the main town, or county seat, of Charlton County. In 2020, about 4,464 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Folkston's Past
Folkston started as a town on August 19, 1911. It was named after William Brandon Folks, a well-known doctor.
In the 1920s, Folkston grew a lot. Many new homes and modern brick buildings were built. These included a bank, a Masonic Temple, a school, and a courthouse.
For many years, Folkston was known as the "Marriage Capital of the World." People from Florida would come to Folkston to get married. This was because Florida had a waiting period before you could tie the knot.
Where is Folkston Located?
Folkston is in the southern part of Georgia. You can find it near the coordinates 30°50′4″N 82°0′17″W / 30.83444°N 82.00472°W.
Major roads like U.S. Routes 1, 23, and 301 pass right through the city. These roads connect Folkston to other towns. For example, they lead south to the state line or northwest to Waycross.
The city covers an area of about 10.9 square kilometers (4.19 square miles). All of this area is land. The eastern entrance to the amazing Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is also close by. It's about 11 miles southwest of Folkston.
Understanding Folkston's Population
The number of people living in Folkston has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 167 | — | |
| 1910 | 355 | 112.6% | |
| 1920 | 397 | 11.8% | |
| 1930 | 506 | 27.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,024 | 102.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,515 | 47.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,810 | 19.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,112 | 16.7% | |
| 1980 | 2,243 | 6.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,285 | 1.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,178 | −4.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,502 | 14.9% | |
| 2020 | 4,464 | 78.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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In 2020, the city had 4,464 residents. These people lived in 1,082 households. About 667 of these households were families.
Folkston is a diverse city. In 2020, about 24% of the people were White (not Hispanic). About 29% were Black or African American. A large group, about 42%, identified as Hispanic or Latino. There were also smaller numbers of Native American and Asian residents.
Top Attractions in Folkston
The Famous Folkston Funnel
One of the most exciting spots in Folkston is "The Folkston Funnel." This is a special place for train lovers! Many trains heading to Florida pass through Folkston. Because of this, the train tracks here got their cool nickname.
The city built a special platform for visitors to watch the trains safely. It has everything you need for a fun day. There are picnic tables, chairs, and even barbecue pits and grills. You can also find restrooms and free WiFi.
At night, lights shine on the tracks so you can watch trains even after sunset. Both freight trains and Amtrak passenger trains use the Folkston Funnel. Freight trains travel to cities like Jacksonville and Miami.
At the viewing platform, there's a scanner. It lets visitors listen to the train engineers talking. It's a great way to feel like you're part of the action!
Learning in Folkston
Charlton County Schools
The Charlton County School District serves students from pre-school all the way to twelfth grade. The district has three elementary schools and one high school.
- Folkston Elementary School: This school is for younger students, from Pre-K to 4th grade.
- Bethune Middle School: Students in 5th to 8th grade attend this school. It's named after Mary McLeod Bethune.
- St. George Elementary School: This school is located in St. George, a town near Folkston.
- Charlton County High School: This is where students from 9th to 12th grade go.
Famous People from Folkston
Folkston has been home to some amazing athletes!
- Champ Bailey: A legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback in the National Football League.
- Boss Bailey: A talented linebacker who also played in the National Football League. He was born in Folkston.
- Eldridge Milton: He was the first person from Folkston to play in the NFL. He was a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
- Larry Smith Jr.: He had an NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers.
- Courtney Williams: A skilled WNBA shooting guard for the Minnesota Lynx.
See also
In Spanish: Folkston para niños
