Kennesaw, Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kennesaw
City
City of Kennesaw
Kennesaw City Hall
Flag Seal Logo
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Cobb
Incorporated	September 21, 1887
Area
• Total	9.82 sq mi (25.43 km2)
• Land	9.71 sq mi (25.16 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation	1,089 ft (332 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	33,036
• Density	3,400.51/sq mi (1,312.88/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	30144/30152
Area code(s)	770 678, 470, and 943
FIPS code	13-43192
GNIS feature ID	0316387

Kennesaw is a city in Georgia, USA. It is located northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County. The city was first settled in the 1830s and was known as Big Shanty until 1887. That year, it officially became Kennesaw.

In 2020, Kennesaw had a population of 33,036 people. This was a 10.9% increase from ten years before. Kennesaw is important in railroad history. During the Civil War, it was where the famous Great Locomotive Chase began on April 12, 1862. Kennesaw is also home to Kennesaw State University, a large public university in Georgia.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Kennesaw

The name "Kennesaw" comes from a word in the Cherokee language. That word is gah-nee-sah. It means 'cemetery' or 'burial ground'.

Kennesaw's Past: A Look at History

When the Western and Atlantic Railroad was being built in the late 1830s, small towns grew up. These "shanty towns" housed the workers. They were built near a large spring. A hill leading up from the Etowah River became known as "the big grade to the shanties." This name later became "Big Shanty Grade" and then simply "Big Shanty."

Kennesaw During the Civil War

From 1861 to 1863, a training camp called Camp MacDonald was located in Big Shanty.

During the Civil War, Big Shanty was a key location for fighting. This was during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. This battle was part of the larger Atlanta Campaign. Today, the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is southeast of the city. It protects many of these historic battle areas.

Later History of Kennesaw

The Kennesaw Cemetery has a long history. In 1934, L.C. Chalker bought land next to it for burials. He bought more land in 1948 for the same purpose. The Chalker family managed these parts of the cemetery. They sold them to the City of Kennesaw in the mid-1950s.

The oldest known burial in the cemetery is an infant named Lucius B. Summers, buried in 1863. Other grave markers date back to the 1860s and 1890s. Many Civil War veterans are also buried here. The Kennesaw Cemetery is still used today.

In March 2004, the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush, named Kennesaw a Preserve America Community. This means the city works to protect its history.

Kennesaw's Location and Landscape

Kennesaw is in the northwest part of Cobb County. The city of Acworth is to its northwest. Kennesaw Mountain is located southeast of the city limits. It is part of the battlefield park. The top of Kennesaw Mountain is the highest point in the Atlanta metro area. It is about 1,808 feet (551 meters) above sea level. The city was named after this mountain.

Major roads like U.S. Route 41 and State Route 3 go through Kennesaw. They are known as Cobb Parkway. These roads lead southeast to Marietta (about 7 miles away) and northwest to Cartersville (about 17 miles away). Interstate 75 is just northeast of the city. You can get on I-75 from exits 269, 271, and 273. Downtown Atlanta is about 27 miles southeast via I-75. Chattanooga, Tennessee, is about 94 miles northwest.

You can see the famous peaks of Kennesaw Mountain from the bridge over Interstate 75. This bridge crosses over the city limits of Kennesaw.

Kennesaw has a total area of about 9.82 square miles (25.43 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water.

Kennesaw's Weather

Kennesaw has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. On November 22, 1992, a strong tornado hit the area. It caused 34 injuries.

People of Kennesaw: Demographics

Kennesaw's Population in 2020

In 2020, Kennesaw had 33,036 people living in the city. There were 12,803 households and 8,250 families.

Kennesaw's Population in 2010

In 2010, Kennesaw had 29,783 people. There were 11,413 households and 7,375 families. About 38.1% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.59 people. The average family had 3.18 people.

The population was spread out by age. About 27.0% were under 18. About 10.6% were 18 to 24. About 33.2% were 25 to 44. About 21.8% were 45 to 64. And 7.3% were 65 or older. The average age was 32 years.

Kennesaw's Economy and Fun Events

Money Matters: Personal Income

The average income for a household in Kennesaw was $61,355. For families, the average income was $75,465. The average income per person in the city was $27,165. About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of all people lived below the poverty line.

Fun for Everyone: Tourism and Festivals

Kennesaw hosts several festivals each year. Every April, the annual Big Shanty Festival takes place. It features over 200 booths with arts and crafts. There are also 20 food booths. Many local businesses and entrepreneurs participate. Over 60,000 people from around North Georgia attend the festival. The festival starts with a parade through downtown.

Kennesaw's Unique Gun Law

Kennesaw is known for a special law about firearms. This law was passed in 1982. It was a response to a handgun ban in another city, Morton Grove, Illinois.

The Kennesaw law states:

(a) To help with city emergencies and to protect the safety and well-being of the city and its people, every head of household living in the city must have a firearm and ammunition for it.

(b) Some people are excused from this law. These include heads of households with a physical or mental disability that stops them from using a firearm. Also excused are very poor people, those who oppose firearms for religious reasons, or people who have been found guilty of a serious crime.

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

Other cities have passed similar laws. These include Virgin, Utah (in 2000), Nelson, Georgia, Nucla, Colorado, and Gun Barrel City, Texas.

Places to Visit in Kennesaw

• Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History: This museum tells the story of the Civil War and trains.
• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: This park has about 18 miles of nature trails. It also has historic Civil War battle sites.
• The Kennesaw State University Bentley Rare Book Room and Archives: This place holds special old books and historical documents.

Learning in Kennesaw: Education

Public schools in Kennesaw are managed by the Cobb County School District.

• Elementary schools include Big Shanty Intermediate, Bullard, Chalker, Hayes, Kennesaw, and Lewis.
• Middle schools include Awtrey, Lost Mountain, McClure, Palmer, and Pine Mountain.
• High schools include Harrison High School, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb, and Kennesaw Charter Science & Math Academy.

There are also private schools like Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park, Sunbrook Academy at Stilesboro, and Mount Paran Christian School.

Kennesaw State University is located in the city. It is part of the University System of Georgia.

Sports in Kennesaw

In 2016, the Atlanta Blaze lacrosse team played their first season in Kennesaw. They were part of Major League Lacrosse. Their home games were at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University. The team moved in 2019.

Famous People from Kennesaw

• Darvin Adams, a Canadian football player
• Caroline Cossey, an English model
• Jesse James Dupree, lead singer of the rock band Jackyl
• Justin Fields, a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League
• Yan Kaminsky, an NHL left winger
• Payne Lindsey, a filmmaker and podcast host known for Up and Vanished
• Ron Lester, an actor
• Scott F. McAfee, a judge
• Sean O'Pry, a model
• Mathew Pitsch, a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Dansby Swanson, an infielder for the Chicago Cubs baseball team
• Lucas Till, an actor
• Brian Voss, a professional ten-pin bowler

See also

In Spanish: Kennesaw para niños