Skidaway Island, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skidaway Island, Georgia
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Location in Chatham County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Chatham |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.86 sq mi (46.26 km2) |
| • Land | 16.49 sq mi (42.71 km2) |
| • Water | 1.37 sq mi (3.55 km2) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,310 |
| • Density | 564.55/sq mi (217.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 13-71184 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1867245 |
Skidaway Island is a special kind of community in Chatham County, Georgia. It's located on a barrier island with the same name. A barrier island is a long, narrow island that protects the mainland from ocean storms.
This island is south of Savannah. It's famous for its homes right on the water and its many golf courses. These are part of a large gated community called The Landings. In 2020, about 9,310 people lived here.
The United States Census Bureau calls Skidaway Island a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that looks like a town but isn't officially governed by its own city rules. It's still part of the larger county.
Skidaway Island is also home to the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. This is a research center run by the University of Georgia. Scientists and students from other Georgia universities, like Georgia Tech and Savannah State University, also come here to study the ocean. Skidaway Island is part of the larger Savannah metropolitan area.
It's not totally clear how Skidaway Island got its name. The name might come from a word in the Yamacraw language or another Native American Creek language. Some people think the name might be a changed version of "Scenawki." She was the wife of a Yamacraw chief named Tomochichi. James Oglethorpe, who founded Georgia, may have named the island after her.
In March 2019, people living on Skidaway Island voted on whether to become an official city. Most voters said no. So, the island remains an unincorporated community, meaning it's still governed by the county.
Contents
Island Geography
Skidaway Island is located at 31°55′39″N 81°2′33″W / 31.92750°N 81.04250°W.
The island covers about 17.9 square miles (46.26 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area, about 16.4 square miles (42.71 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 1.5 square miles (3.55 square kilometers), is water.
Island Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 1,264 | — | |
| 1990 | 4,495 | 255.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,914 | 53.8% | |
| 2010 | 8,341 | 20.6% | |
| 2020 | 9,310 | 11.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 |
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Skidaway Island was first counted as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 1980 U.S. Census.
Population in 2020
The table below shows the different groups of people living on Skidaway Island over the years. The US Census counts people based on their race and if they are of Hispanic or Latino background.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop. 2000 | Pop. 2010 | Pop. 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 6,703 | 7,954 | 8,605 | 96.95% | 95.36% | 92.43% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 33 | 65 | 97 | 0.48% | 0.78% | 1.04% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0.01% | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 95 | 154 | 184 | 1.37% | 1.85% | 1.98% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Some other race alone (NH) | 3 | 13 | 24 | 0.04% | 0.16% | 0.26% |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | 26 | 33 | 193 | 0.38% | 0.40% | 2.07% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 53 | 112 | 207 | 0.77% | 1.34% | 2.22% |
| Total | 6,914 | 8,341 | 9,310 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 9,310 people living on Skidaway Island. There were 4,272 households and 3,014 families.
Notable People from Skidaway Island
- Dorothea Orem: A famous nursing theorist who passed away on Skidaway Island in 2007.
- Ron Senkowski: The person who started Farmer's Almanac TV.
- Bobby Thomson: A well-known baseball player who died at his home on the island in 2010.
See also
In Spanish: Skidaway Island para niños
