Waynesboro, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waynesboro, Georgia
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Downtown Waynesboro, within the historic district
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| Nickname(s):
"The Bird Dog Capital of the World"
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Location in Burke County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Georgia | |
| County | Burke | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.53 sq mi (14.31 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.47 sq mi (14.17 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2) | |
| Elevation | 295 ft (90 m) | |
| Population
(2024)
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| • Total | 5,472 | |
| • Density | 1,000.4/sq mi (386.2/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
30830
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| Area code(s) | 706 | |
| FIPS code | 13-80984 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0347180 | |
Waynesboro is a city in Georgia, United States. It is the main city and government center for Burke County. In 2024, about 5,472 people lived there. Waynesboro is also part of the larger Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area.
This city is famous for being "The Bird Dog Capital of the World". This means it's a very important place for training and events related to bird dogs. The Waynesboro Commercial Historic District is a special area in the city. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its important historical buildings.
Contents
History of Waynesboro
Waynesboro is located in Burke County, which was one of the first eight counties created in Georgia. The city got its name from General Anthony Wayne. He was a brave leader during the Revolutionary War. His bold actions earned him the nickname "Mad Anthony Wayne".
Early Beginnings of the City
Even though people from Europe lived in this area before the Revolutionary War, the town itself was planned in 1783. Waynesboro officially became a city in 1883. At first, it was called Waynesborough, but the name later changed to Waynesboro. The city grew into an important place for trade and government in the county. It is where the county courthouse and jail are located.
Famous Visitors and Events
President George Washington once stayed overnight in Waynesboro. This happened on May 17, 1791. You can find a stone monument on Liberty Street that marks this historical spot. It stands in front of a store called Golden Pantry.
A major event during the Civil War happened near Waynesboro. On December 4, 1864, the Battle of Waynesboro took place just south of the town. During this battle, Union General Judson Kilpatrick stopped Confederate General Joseph Wheeler's troops. This helped Union General William T. Sherman continue his important march. Sherman was on his way to Savannah, Georgia, to destroy parts of the South.
Geography and Nature
Waynesboro is in the middle of Burke County. Its exact location is 33°5′26″N 82°0′55″W / 33.09056°N 82.01528°W. U.S. Route 25 goes around the east side of the city. State Route 121 runs through the city center as Liberty Street.
Location and Size
Waynesboro is about 28 miles north of downtown Augusta. It is also about 49 miles south of Statesboro. The city covers a total area of about 5.5 square miles (14.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The city is about 295 feet (90 meters) above sea level.
Local Trees and Plants
The area around Waynesboro is home to many types of trees. You can find pine, oak, and dogwood trees. These are common trees found throughout the southern United States.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 196 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,008 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,711 | 69.7% | |
| 1900 | 2,030 | 18.6% | |
| 1910 | 2,729 | 34.4% | |
| 1920 | 3,311 | 21.3% | |
| 1930 | 3,922 | 18.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,793 | −3.3% | |
| 1950 | 4,461 | 17.6% | |
| 1960 | 5,359 | 20.1% | |
| 1970 | 5,530 | 3.2% | |
| 1980 | 5,760 | 4.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,701 | −1.0% | |
| 2000 | 5,813 | 2.0% | |
| 2010 | 5,766 | −0.8% | |
| 2020 | 5,799 | 0.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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In 2020, the city of Waynesboro had 5,799 people living there. There were 1,991 households and 1,339 families.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,603 | 27.64% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,861 | 66.58% |
| Native American | 9 | 0.16% |
| Asian | 32 | 0.55% |
| Other/Mixed | 157 | 2.71% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 137 | 2.36% |
Economy and Industry
Waynesboro's economy includes various businesses. A very important part of the local economy is the nearby nuclear power plant.
Nuclear Power Plant near Waynesboro
A large nuclear power plant called Plant Vogtle is located about 21 miles east of Waynesboro. It is along the Savannah River. In 2010, the U.S. government helped fund the building of new nuclear units at this plant. This was a big step, as they were the first new nuclear power units built in the U.S. in over 30 years. These new units help provide electricity to many homes and businesses.
Arts and Culture
The Burke County Museum is a great place to learn about the area's history. It shows how life was in the past, from large farms to the growth of farming businesses.
Education in Waynesboro
Waynesboro has several schools for students from kindergarten through high school. There are also options for higher education.
Public Schools in Burke County
Public education in Waynesboro is managed by Burke County Public Schools. This district serves all of Burke County.
The elementary schools in Waynesboro are:
- Blakeney Elementary School (for grades 3-5)
- Waynesboro Primary School (for Pre-Kindergarten through grade 2)
The secondary schools for all of Burke County include:
- Burke County Middle School (for grades 6-8)
- Burke County High School (for grades 9-12)
- Burke County Alternative School (for grades 6-12)
Private Schools in the Area
There are also three private schools located just outside Waynesboro:
- Faith Christian Academy (for Pre-K through grade 12)
- Edmund Burke Academy (for Pre-K through grade 12)
- Waynesboro Mennonite School (for grades 1-12)
Burke County Bears Sports
Waynesboro is home to the Burke County Bears high school sports teams. The Bears won the state football championship in 2011. They played against the Trojans from Peach County. Before 2011, the former Waynesboro High School team, the Purple Hurricanes, won a state championship in the 1950s.
Higher Education Opportunities
For students looking for education after high school, there is the Augusta Technical College, which has a campus in Waynesboro.
Notable People from Waynesboro
Many interesting people have come from Waynesboro, including athletes and musicians.
- Jonathan Broxton – A professional Major League Baseball player.
- Wycliffe Gordon – A famous jazz trombonist.
- Cornelius Washington – An NFL (National Football League) player.
- Robert Lee Scott, Jr. – A brave pilot and fighter ace in World War II.
- Beau Jack (born Sidney Walker) – A World Champion Boxing boxer.
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
See also
In Spanish: Waynesboro (Georgia) para niños
