Millen, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Millen, Georgia
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Downtown Millen, 2014
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Location in Jenkins County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Jenkins (since 1905) |
| Settled | 1835 |
| Incorporated | 1881 |
| Named for | McPherson B. Millen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.60 sq mi (9.33 km2) |
| • Land | 3.58 sq mi (9.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 167 ft (51 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,966 |
| • Density | 828.72/sq mi (319.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
30442
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| Area code(s) | 478 |
| FIPS code | 13-51520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0356393 |
Millen is a city in the state of Georgia, United States. It is the main town, also called the county seat, of Jenkins County. In 2020, about 2,966 people lived there.
The city is located where two important roads meet: U.S. Route 25 and State Route 17.
Contents
History of Millen
Millen was first settled in 1835. It was located where two counties, Burke and Screven, met. The first name for the settlement was "79." This name came from its distance, about 79 miles, from the city of Savannah on the coast. Early settlers grew cotton as a main crop.
How Millen Got Its Name
In 1854, two railway lines, the Central of Georgia Railway and the Georgia Railroad, connected at "79." Because of this important connection, the town became known as "Millen's Junction." It was named after McPherson B. Millen, who was in charge of the Central of Georgia Railway.
Millen During the Civil War
During the Civil War, a special camp was built near Millen's Junction. This camp, called Camp Lawton, was a prisoner-of-war camp for Union soldiers. It was built in what is now Magnolia Springs State Park. The location was chosen because of its fresh water springs and its closeness to the Augusta and Savannah Railroad.
By November 14, 1864, about 8,600 prisoners were held at Camp Lawton. On December 3, 1864, Sherman's March to the Sea, a famous Union Army movement, passed through Millen. Before the Union soldiers arrived, the Confederate soldiers moved the prisoners from Camp Lawton to Savannah. The Union soldiers then destroyed Millen's Junction to prevent the railway from being used by the Confederates.
Rebuilding and Growth
After the war, the town was rebuilt. In 1881, the city of Millen was officially made a city by the Georgia State Legislature. In 1905, it became the county seat for the new Jenkins County.
In 1996, the historic downtown area of Millen, known as the Downtown Millen Historic District, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historical places in the United States. Today, Jenkins County is mostly rural, meaning it has many farms and open spaces.
Geography and Location
Millen is the only official city in Jenkins County. It is located on the eastern side of the Ogeechee River.
Major Roads in Millen
- U.S. Route 25 runs through the western part of the city. It goes north to Waynesboro (about 20 miles) and south to Statesboro (about 29 miles).
- Georgia State Route 17 goes through the center of Millen. It enters from the west as Winthrope Avenue and leaves to the south as Masonic Street. This road leads northwest to Louisville (about 35 miles) and southeast to Savannah (about 77 miles).
- State Route 21 goes around Millen to the northeast. It connects with US 25 at the northern edge of the city. SR-21 leads east to Sylvania (about 20 miles).
Size of Millen
According to the United States Census Bureau, Millen covers a total area of about 3.6 square miles (9.3 square kilometers). A very small part of this area, about 0.02 square miles (0.06 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 411 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,030 | 393.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,405 | 18.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,527 | 5.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,820 | 11.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,449 | 22.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,633 | 5.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,713 | 2.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,988 | 7.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,808 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 3,492 | −8.3% | |
| 2010 | 3,120 | −10.7% | |
| 2020 | 2,966 | −4.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,966 people living in Millen. These people lived in 1,113 households, and 563 of these were families.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 999 | 33.68% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,773 | 59.78% |
| Native American | 7 | 0.24% |
| Asian | 8 | 0.27% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.1% |
| Other/Mixed | 73 | 2.46% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 103 | 3.47% |
Education in Millen
Millen is part of the Jenkins County School District. This district provides education from pre-school all the way to twelfth grade.
Schools in Jenkins County
The district has three main schools:
- Jenkins County Elementary School
- Jenkins County Middle School
- Jenkins County High School
The Jenkins County School District has about 119 full-time teachers. They teach over 1,754 students in total.
Famous People from Millen
Several notable people have connections to Millen:
- Jim Busby: A former Major League Baseball player who later lived in Millen.
- Nathan Deal: The 82nd governor of Georgia, who was born in Millen.
- Melvin E. Thompson: The 70th governor of Georgia, also born in Millen.
- Kountry Wayne: A comedian, TV and film actor, and content creator who was born and grew up in Millen.
Images for kids
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Downtown Millen, 2014
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Location in Jenkins County and the state of Georgia
See also
In Spanish: Millen (Georgia) para niños
