Sylvania, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sylvania, Georgia
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| Nickname(s):
"The Welcome Station City"
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| Motto(s):
"The Azalea & Dogwood City"
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Location in Screven County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Screven |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.05 sq mi (13.08 km2) |
| • Land | 4.98 sq mi (12.89 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,634 |
| • Density | 529.13/sq mi (204.31/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
30467
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| Area code(s) | 912 |
| FIPS code | 13-75160 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0323862 |
| Website | City of Sylvania Georgia |
Sylvania is a city in Screven County, Georgia, United States. It is the main city and the "county seat" of Screven County, meaning it's where the local government offices are located. Sylvania is known by two nicknames: "The Welcome Station City" and "The Azalea & Dogwood City." In 2020, about 2,634 people lived there.
Contents
Sylvania's Past: A Look at History
Early Inhabitants and Founding
For thousands of years, different groups of indigenous peoples lived in the area where Sylvania is now. When Europeans first arrived, the Yuchi people lived there. Some of their allies, the Creek people, also moved into the area during the time of the colonies.
The town of Sylvania was started in 1790. Settlers moved here after the American Revolutionary War. The name "Sylvania" comes from a Latin word that means "forest land" or "place in the woods."
Growth and Cotton Farming
Sylvania was part of a region in Georgia known as the Black Belt. This area had very fertile soil. After the invention of the cotton gin, it became much easier to grow and process cotton. Cotton quickly became the most important crop.
Many enslaved African Americans were brought to the area to work on the cotton farms. By 1830, the county was very populated. In 1847, Sylvania became the county seat, taking over from Jacksonborough.
Art and Community: The Post Office Mural
From 1934 to 1943, the United States government supported artists to create murals. These murals were placed in public buildings like post offices. This was part of a program called the Works Progress Administration.
In 1941, an artist named Caroline Speare Rohland painted a mural for the Sylvania post office. The painting showed a farming family and their farm worker. Later, in the 1980s, the mural was removed. It was found again in 1995 and restored. Today, you can see this mural at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.
Civil War Times
During the American Civil War, General Sherman's army passed through the Sylvania area. This was part of his famous march.
Where is Sylvania? Geography and Nature
Sylvania is located at coordinates 32°45′01″N 81°38′23″W / 32.750151°N 81.639590°W. It covers an area of about 3.8 square miles (9.8 square kilometers), and all of it is land. The city's elevation is 230 feet (70 meters), which is a bit higher than most of the land around Screven County.
Main Roads and Location
Two important roads, U.S. Route 301 and Georgia State Route 21, pass through Sylvania. U.S. 301 goes north and south, bypassing the downtown area. It connects Sylvania to Allendale, South Carolina, to the northeast and Statesboro to the southwest.
GA-21 also runs along the western side of the city with U.S. 301. It goes southeast to Springfield and west to Millen. Another road, Georgia State Route 73, goes through the downtown area. Sylvania is located about halfway between the larger cities of Savannah and Augusta.
Local Plants and Trees
The area around Sylvania has many pine and oak trees. One of the most notable trees is the dogwood, which is why the city is called "The Dogwood City." You might also see Spanish moss hanging from trees, though it's more common closer to Savannah.
Who Lives in Sylvania? Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 314 | — | |
| 1890 | 338 | 7.6% | |
| 1900 | 545 | 61.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,400 | 156.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,413 | 0.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,781 | 26.0% | |
| 1940 | 2,531 | 42.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,939 | 16.1% | |
| 1960 | 3,469 | 18.0% | |
| 1970 | 3,199 | −7.8% | |
| 1980 | 3,352 | 4.8% | |
| 1990 | 2,871 | −14.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,675 | −6.8% | |
| 2010 | 2,956 | 10.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,634 | −10.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 |
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| Group | Number | Percentage |
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| White (not Hispanic) | 1,254 | 47.61% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 1,175 | 44.61% |
| Native American | 4 | 0.15% |
| Asian | 36 | 1.37% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.04% |
| Other/Mixed | 98 | 3.72% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 66 | 2.51% |
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 2,634 people living in Sylvania. These people made up 1,092 households and 672 families in the city.
Fun Things to Do: Arts and Culture
Yearly Events
Sylvania hosts an exciting event every April called the Annual Livestock Festival. It's a great chance to see local animals and enjoy community fun.
Learning in Sylvania: Education
The Screven County School District manages all the public schools in Sylvania. This district includes schools for students from pre-school all the way up to 12th grade.
There is one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The district has about 186 full-time teachers and teaches over 3,130 students. Dr. Jim Thompson is the superintendent, who is like the head of all the schools.
Famous People from Sylvania
- William Lovett Anderson: He was a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy and received the Navy Cross award for his bravery.
- Bob Waters: He was an American football player, a coach, and later worked as a college administrator.
See also
In Spanish: Sylvania (Georgia) para niños
