Rockmart, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The City of Rockmart
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Rockmart Downtown Historic District
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| Motto(s):
"Where Past & Present Stroll Side by Side in the dark of the day or light of the night!!!"
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Location in Polk County in the state of Georgia
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| Country |  United States of America |
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| State |  Georgia |
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| County | Polk | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor-Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 5.72 sq mi (14.80 km2) | ||
| • Land | 5.64 sq mi (14.61 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 781 ft (238 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,732 | ||
| • Estimate
(2024)
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5,012 | ||
| • Density | 838.71/sq mi (323.82/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
30153
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| Area code(s) | 770/678/470/943 | ||
| FIPS code | 13-66276 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0356502 | ||
| Website | City of Rockmart, Georgia Official Website: http://www.rockmart-ga.gov/ | ||
Rockmart is a town in Polk County, Georgia, in the United States. In 2020, about 4,732 people lived there. The town grew because of the Southern Railway, which built a train station in the area. Rockmart became an official town in 1872. It was named for the many rocks and slate found nearby, which were sold in a "rock market." The historic downtown area of Rockmart is a special place listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Exploring Rockmart's Location
Rockmart is located in the state of Georgia. Most of the town is in Polk County. However, a small part of it also reaches into Paulding County.
How Big is Rockmart?
According to the United States Census Bureau, Rockmart covers a total area of about 5.72 square miles (14.80 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a small part being water.
Major Roads in Rockmart
Several important roads pass through Rockmart. These include U.S. Route 278 and Georgia State Route 101 and 113. These roads help people travel to nearby cities like Dallas, Cedartown, Rome, and Cartersville.
People of Rockmart
The population of Rockmart has changed over the years. In 1880, there were 450 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 4,732 people.
Who Lives in Rockmart?
The 2020 United States census showed that Rockmart is home to a diverse group of people.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,166 | 66.91% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,097 | 23.18% |
| Native American | 14 | 0.3% |
| Asian | 56 | 1.18% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 237 | 5.01% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 161 | 3.4% |
In 2020, there were 4,732 people living in the city. These people made up 1,557 households and 1,131 families.
Rockmart's Economy and Growth
Starting in the mid-1990s, Rockmart saw a lot of economic growth. More people moved to the area, which led to new restaurants and shops opening. This helped the town's economy expand.
Culture and Arts in Rockmart
Rockmart has a lively arts scene, especially with its high school drama and music programs.
Drama and Theater
The Drama Department at Rockmart High School is very active. Every spring, their advanced acting class performs in a competition. The students use the historic Rockmart Art Center Theatre for their shows. The department has won many awards. For example, in 2008, they won first place at a regional competition with their play Godspell. In 2013, they won first place in the State AAA One Act Competition.
Music and Marching Band
The Rockmart High Marching Yellow Jacket band is another important part of the arts in Rockmart. The band has won "best in show" at the Golden River Marching Festival multiple times. Their drumline, tubas, colorguard, and danceline are known as some of the best in Northwest Georgia. Rockmart High School also hosts its own band competition each year, called the Yellow Jacket Classic. Bands from all over the state come to perform.
Rockmart in Movies
The movie Irresistible, produced by Jon Stewart, was filmed in Rockmart. Scenes were shot in Seaborn Jones Park, the historic downtown, and Rockmart Middle School. Downtown Rockmart was used to represent a fictional town in Wisconsin.
Parks and Fun Places
Rockmart has several parks and recreation areas for people to enjoy. These include the Nathan Dean Complex, the Silver Comet Trail & Riverwalk Park, and other Rockmart City Parks. These places offer great spots for outdoor activities.
Education in Rockmart
The city of Rockmart is part of the Polk County School District.
Schools in Rockmart
Rockmart has one high school, Rockmart High School. There is also one middle school, Rockmart Middle School. For younger students, there are two elementary schools: Eastside Elementary and Van Wert Elementary. Rockmart High School serves all high school students in the city, including those from the nearby Aragon community. In the 2011-2012 school year, the high school had 837 students and about 50 teachers. This means there were about 17 students for every teacher.
History of Schools
In 1912, the state of Georgia created its public school system. That year, Rockmart started its own school system. Rockmart High School was first located in a building that used to be a school called the Piedmont Institution. This building burned down in 1915 and was rebuilt. It burned down again in 1940. The land where it stood is now the Rockmart Governmental Complex. For a while, Rockmart High School had its own city school system, separate from the county system.
College Opportunities
The Polk County campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College is also located in Rockmart. This college offers technical education programs.
School Integration
Before the 1960s, schools in Polk County were separated by race. Rockmart had two high schools: Rockmart High School for white students and Elm Street High School for African American students. In 1964, some African American students began attending Rockmart High School. By 1965, the schools were fully integrated, and Elm Street High School closed.
Transportation in Rockmart
Rockmart has important transportation routes, including roads and historical rail lines.
Railroad History
In the past, two important train lines, the Southern Railway and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, had trains that stopped in Rockmart.
- The Southern Railway had trains like the Ponce de Leon and Royal Palm. These trains traveled from the Midwest to Florida and stopped in Rockmart until the 1960s.
- The Seaboard Air Line Railroad ran a train called the Silver Comet. This train stopped in Rockmart on its way between Atlanta and Birmingham. The Silver Comet continued until May 30, 1969.
Major Roads
Today, U.S. Route 278 and Georgia State Route 6 are the main roads that pass through Rockmart.
Notable People from Rockmart
Many interesting people have come from Rockmart, including:
- Fred P. Branson (1881 – 1960), who became a judge and politician in Oklahoma.
- Bill Calhoun, a former professional baseball player for the Boston Braves.
- Nathan Dean, a former Georgia State Senator.
- Danny Ware, a former running back for the NFL New York Giants.
- Brody Malone, a gymnast who has competed in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Rockmart para niños
