Watkinsville, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Watkinsville, Georgia
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Oconee County Courthouse in Watkinsville, Georgia
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Location in Oconee County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Oconee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.31 sq mi (8.58 km2) |
| • Land | 3.28 sq mi (8.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 735 ft (224 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,896 |
| • Density | 884.00/sq mi (341.36/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
30677
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| Area code(s) | 706 |
| FIPS code | 13-80788 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405687 |
Watkinsville is the largest city and county seat of Oconee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 2,896. It served as the seat of Clarke County until 1872 when the county seat of that county was moved to Athens, a move which ultimately led to the creation of Oconee County in 1875. It is included in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
Geography
Watkinsville is located at 33°51′46″N 83°24′29″W / 33.86278°N 83.40806°W (33.862818, -83.408094).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), of which 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) is land and 0.31% is water. Watkinsville is located near the University of Georgia.
History
Named after colonel Robert Watkins, Watkinsville was first named in records in 1791. It was located on the dangerous western frontier of the new United States. The Methodist Church played a prominent role in the city’s early history. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Watkinsville in 1815.
Watkinsville had previously been in Clarke County. Oconee County was created from the southwestern part of Clarke County in 1875 by the Georgia General Assembly.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 224 | — | |
| 1870 | 643 | — | |
| 1880 | 350 | −45.6% | |
| 1890 | 314 | −10.3% | |
| 1900 | 351 | 11.8% | |
| 1910 | 483 | 37.6% | |
| 1920 | 465 | −3.7% | |
| 1930 | 425 | −8.6% | |
| 1940 | 558 | 31.3% | |
| 1950 | 662 | 18.6% | |
| 1960 | 758 | 14.5% | |
| 1970 | 986 | 30.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,240 | 25.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,600 | 29.0% | |
| 2000 | 2,097 | 31.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,832 | 35.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,896 | 2.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 3,631 | 28.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,344 | 80.94% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 158 | 5.46% |
| Native American | 5 | 0.17% |
| Asian | 82 | 2.83% |
| Other/Mixed | 146 | 5.04% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 161 | 5.56% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,896 people, 1,042 households, and 741 families residing in the city.
Education
The Oconee County School District provides primary and secondary public education services for all residents of Watkinsville. The only public school within the Watkinsville city limits is Colham Ferry Elementary School. Watkinsville has one of the best education systems in Georgia as ranked by the Georgia Department of Education. There are also several private schools such as Westminster Christian Academy, Athens Academy, and Prince Avenue Christian School nearby.
Arts and culture
Watkinsville adopted a tagline in 2021 of "Come. Connect. Create." highlighting its desire to become a destination, its goal of better connecting its citizens and its embrace of creators of the arts and entrepreneurs. Its unofficial motto "The Artland of Georgia" is on the wall at City Hall, and was designed by the late artist Jim Shearon. The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation or OCAF is located in Watkinsville in the old high school as part of the 1902 OCAF Center and Gallery near the Board of Education. OCAF also has recently restored "Rocket Hall," a WPA project in the 1930s. Rocket Hall, long used for school and youth basketball, is now used for exhibitions and community gatherings. Just outside Rocket Hall is the recently restored Rocket Field, an historic ball field and play area for community youth that also includes a new play structure and stage for concerts and performances. The city recently finished a $1 million renovation of the park with support from Value Added Concepts. The Iron Horse sculpture stands in a field approximately twelve miles south of Watkinsville (barely in Greene County).
The city has a thriving Main Street and recently established a downtown development authority to help guide future growth and planning for downtown. It is also home to Wire Park, a hub for business, entertainment, and dining created from a former wire factory on the eastern side of town. The city also has a full industrial park and a thriving base of small businesses on its southern side, including LAD Truck Lines, IMI, Taylor's Iron, Tifosi Optics and Core Blend Fitness.
Transportation
Major roads
State Route 15
State Route 24
State Route 53
U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 441
Pedestrians and cycling
The city has an increasing amount of walkability options available. The city adopted a new transportation plan to guide future bike and pedestrian investments. A sidewalk on VFW Drive (and a few surrounding streets) and a new sidewalk and pedestrian bridge along Harden Hill Road have enabled more citizens to safely walk downtown, and the city is currently working on plans for a sidewalk on Simonton Bridge Road and to connect to the new Thomas Farm Preserve, a 100-acre greenspace that will have more than five miles of trails for walking, running, and mountain biking.
Notable people
- Nathan Crawford Barnett, member of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Secretary of State
- Brady Boswell, racing driver
- Alan Busenitz, baseball player
- Ed Crowley, baseball player
- Atticus Haygood, Methodist Bishop and Emory College president
- Hank Huckaby, chancellor of University System of Georgia
- Zach Mettenberger, former NFL quarterback for Tennessee Titans
- Jeannette Rankin, first woman to serve in Congress
- Tony Taylor, pro football player
- Buck Thrasher, baseball player
- John Wes Townley, retired NASCAR driver, notable for driving Zaxby's car
- Marcus Wiedower, Politician. Member of Georgia House of Representatives.
See also
In Spanish: Watkinsville para niños
