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 a city in Georgia, United States. It is the largest city and the main town (county seat) of Oconee County. In 2020, about 2,896 people lived there. Watkinsville is part of the larger Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History of Watkinsville
Watkinsville was first mentioned in records in 1791. It was named after Colonel Robert Watkins. At that time, it was on the western edge of the new United States, which was a wild and sometimes dangerous area. The Methodist Church was very important in the early days of the city.
The state government of Georgia officially made Watkinsville a city in 1815. Before 1875, Watkinsville was part of Clarke County. In 1872, the main town of Clarke County moved to Athens. This change eventually led to the creation of Oconee County in 1875, with Watkinsville as its new county seat.
Where is Watkinsville?
Watkinsville is located in Georgia, United States. It is found at coordinates 33.862818 degrees North and -83.408094 degrees West.
The city covers a total area of about 3.2 square miles (8.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water. Watkinsville is also close to the University of Georgia.
People Living in Watkinsville
The number of people living in Watkinsville has changed over many years. Here's how the population has grown:
| 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 | |||
In 2020, there were 2,896 people living in Watkinsville. These people made up 1,042 households, with 741 of them being families.
Diversity in Watkinsville
The city of Watkinsville is home to people from many different backgrounds. Here's a look at the racial makeup of the city in 2020:
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic or Latino) | 2,344 | 80.94% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) | 158 | 5.46% |
| Native American | 5 | 0.17% |
| Asian | 82 | 2.83% |
| Other/Mixed | 146 | 5.04% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 161 | 5.56% |
Education in Watkinsville
The Oconee County School District is in charge of public schools for all students in Watkinsville. This includes schools for younger children (primary education) and older students (secondary education).
The only public school located right inside Watkinsville city limits is Colham Ferry Elementary School. Watkinsville's education system is considered one of the best in Georgia by the Georgia Department of Education. There are also private schools nearby, such as Westminster Christian Academy, Athens Academy, and Prince Avenue Christian School.
Arts and Culture in Watkinsville
In 2021, Watkinsville adopted a new saying: "Come. Connect. Create." This shows the city wants to be a place people visit, where citizens can connect, and where artists and business owners can create. The city's unofficial motto, "The Artland of Georgia," is even on a wall at City Hall.
The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) is located in Watkinsville. It's in the old high school building, which is now called the 1902 OCAF Center and Gallery. OCAF has also fixed up "Rocket Hall," a building from the 1930s. Rocket Hall was once used for school sports. Now, it hosts art shows and community events.
Outside Rocket Hall is Rocket Field, an old sports field and play area. It has been restored and now includes a new play structure and a stage for concerts. The city recently spent $1 million to improve this park.
A famous sculpture called the Iron Horse stands in a field about twelve miles south of Watkinsville.
Downtown and Local Businesses
Watkinsville has a lively Main Street. A special group has been created to help guide future growth and planning for the downtown area. The city is also home to Wire Park, which used to be a wire factory. Now, it's a busy place with businesses, entertainment, and restaurants.
Watkinsville also has an industrial park and many small businesses. These include LAD Truck Lines, IMI, Taylor's Iron, Tifosi Optics, and Core Blend Fitness.
Getting Around Watkinsville
Main Roads
Several important roads pass through or near Watkinsville, making it easy to travel to other places.
State Route 15
State Route 24
State Route 53
U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 441
Walking and Biking
Watkinsville is becoming a more walkable city. This means there are more options for people to walk around safely. The city has a new plan to help guide future projects for bikes and pedestrians.
- A sidewalk on VFW Drive and nearby streets helps people walk downtown.
- A new sidewalk and pedestrian bridge on Harden Hill Road also make it safer to walk.
- The city is planning a new sidewalk on Simonton Bridge Road.
- There are also plans to connect to the new Thomas Farm Preserve. This is a large green space with over five miles of trails for walking, running, and mountain biking.
Famous People from Watkinsville
Many notable people have connections to Watkinsville. Here are a few:
- Nathan Crawford Barnett – A member of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Secretary of State.
- Brady Boswell – A racing car driver.
- Alan Busenitz – A baseball player.
- Ed Crowley – A baseball player.
- Atticus Haygood – A Methodist Bishop and president of Emory College.
- Hank Huckaby – A chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
- Zach Mettenberger – A former NFL quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.
- Jeannette Rankin – The first woman to serve in the United States Congress.
- Tony Taylor – A professional football player.
- Buck Thrasher – A baseball player.
- John Wes Townley – A retired NASCAR driver.
- Marcus Wiedower – A politician and member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
Images for kids
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The Playground of Possibilities in Watkinsville, Georgia
See also
In Spanish: Watkinsville para niños
