Augusta__Georgia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Augusta, Georgia Augusta, Georgia Augusta, Georgia - City - Land - Water Elevation [5] Population (2008) - Density - Metro Time zone - Summer (DST) Area code(s) Website Downtown Augusta 306.5 sq mi (793 km2) 302.1 sq mi (782 km2) 4.3 sq mi (11.3 km2) 136 ft (45 m) 648/sq mi (250/km2) 528,519 192851 EST (UTC-5) EDT (UTC-4) 706, 762[6][7] AugustaGA.gov City seal and logo Nickname(s): The Garden City, Disgusta, The AUG[1], [2] Motto: We Feel Good![3] Augusta (also known as Augusta-Richmond County) is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which as of July 2007 had a population of 528,519. It is the largest city in East Central Georgia and the second largest city in the state. The City of Augusta and Richmond County governments merged operations in 1996; as of September 2008, the Augusta-Richmond county population was 192,851,[8] not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament each spring, and for being the hometown of James Brown. History Location in Richmond County and the state of Georgia Coordinates: 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47°N 81.975°W / 33.47; -81.975 Country State County Established City-county consolidation Government - Mayor - Mayor pro tem - Administrator Area United States Georgia Richmond County 1736[4] 1996[4] Deke Copenhaver Alvin Mason Frederick L. Russell Augusta was first used by Native Americans as a place to cross the Savannah River, because of Augusta’s location on the fall line. In 1735, two years after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah, he sent a detachment of troops on a journey up the Savannah River. He gave them an order to build at the head of the navigable part of the river. The job fell into the hands of Noble Jones, who created the settlement to provide a first line of defense against the Spanish and the French. Oglethorpe then named the town Augusta, in honor of Augusta, Princess of Wales, daughter-inlaw of King George II of Great Britain and mother of King George III of Great Britain. Augusta was the second state capital of 1 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Georgia from 1785 until 1795 (alternating for a period with Savannah, the first). Augusta, Georgia Augusta, forming Lake Strom Thurmond, also known as Clarks Hill Lake. Further downstream, near the border of Columbia County, is the Stevens Creek Dam, which generates hydroelectric power, and still further, the Augusta Diversion Dam which marks the beginning of the Augusta Canal and channels Savannah River waters into the canal.[10] Geography Climate According to Köppen classification, Augusta has a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences mild winters and a humid summer. The average high temperature for the summer months is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C); the average low temperature is 67.8 °F (19.9 °C). The average high temperature for the winter months is 58.9 °F (14.9 °C); the average low temperature is 34.4 °F (1.3 °C). The Augusta skyline, as seen from the I-520 US-1 overpass in North Augusta, South Carolina Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of Atlanta. The city is located at 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47°N 81.975°W / 33.47; -81.975 (33.470, -81.975)[9]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Augusta-Richmond County balance has a total area of 306.5 square miles (793.8 km²). 302.1 square miles (782.5 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.3 km²) of it (1.42%) is water. Demographics Historical populations Census Pop. %± 2,215 — 1800 2,476 11.8% 1810 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 6,403 9,448 12,493 15,389 21,891 33,300 39,441 41,040 52,548 60,342 65,919 71,508 70,626 59,864 47,532 44,639 195,182 — 47.6% 32.2% 23.2% 42.3% 52.1% 18.4% 4.1% 28.0% 14.8% 9.2% 8.5% −1.2% −15.2% −20.6% −6.1% 337.2% Savannah River and the Augusta Canal, with River Watch Parkway and residential areas in foreground Augusta is also located about halfway up the Savannah River on the fall line, providing a number of small falls on the Savannah River. The city itself marks the end of a navigable waterway for the river. The Clarks Hill Dam is also built on the fall line near 2000 Est. 2007 192,142 −1.6% Population 1800-2000.[12] As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 195,182 people, 72,307 households, and 48,228 families residing in the Augusta-Richmond County balance. The population density was 646.0 people per square mile (249.4/ km²). There were 80,481 housing units at an average density of 266.4/sq mi (102.8/km²). 2 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Club Augusta GreenJackets Augusta Colts Augusta Groove Sport Baseball Indoor football Basketball League South Atlantic League American Indoor Football Association Premier Basketball League Augusta, Georgia Venue Lake Olmstead Stadium James Brown Arena Christenberry Fieldhouse The racial makeup of the balance was 50.37% Black or African American, 44.91% White, 0.27% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.79% of the population. There were 72,307 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.13. In the balance the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males. The median income for a household in the balance was $37,231, and the median income for a family was $45,372. Males had a median income of $32,008 versus $23,988 for females. The per capita income for the balance was $19,558. About 13.2% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over. Along with the Medical College of Georgia, the city’s three largest employers include the Savannah River Site (a Department of Energy nuclear facility) and the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon. Companies that have facilities, headquarters or distribution centers in Augusta include Electrolux (US headquarters), CareSouth, T-Mobile, Solo Cup Company, Automatic Data Processing, International Paper, NutraSweet, Teleperformance, E-ZGO, Club Car, John Deere, Procter & Gamble, and Kellogg’s. Sports Teams Augusta is currently home to two professional minor league athletic teams. The Augusta Greenjackets is the city’s oldest sporting club, which began play in 1988 as the Augusta Pirates, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team was later affiliated with the Red Sox and now the Giants. Augusta’s other minor league team is the American Indoor Football Association’s Augusta Colts (formerly known as the Augusta Spartans). The city’s ECHL hockey team, the Augusta Lynx, disbanded in December 2008. Other former city teams include the Augusta Fireball soccer team, and AF2 arena football team the Augusta Stallions. Tournaments The city’s famous golf course, the Augusta National Golf Club, hosts the first major golf tournament of each year, The Masters. This tournament is the most prestigious in the sport and is part of the Professional Golfers’ Association’s Grand Slam. The city is also a hotbed for disc golf. The Augusta Top Gun Series is a series of tournaments sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association. These tournaments are held at various Economy In recent years, Augusta has become a center of medicine, biotechnology, and military. The Medical College of Georgia, the state’s only public health sciences graduate university, employs over 7,000 people. Along with University Hospital, the Medical District of Augusta employs over 25,000 people and has a economic impact of over $1.8 billion. [14] 3 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Augusta, Georgia Tiger Woods at the practice rounds for the 2006 Masters Tournament venues in Augusta, including Pendleton King Park and Lake Olmstead. Also, Augusta hosted the 2006 Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Along with Pendleton King and Lake Olmstead, 2 courses in N. Augusta, SC were used for the tournament. 299 disc golfers from around the world attended the event with Ken Climo winning the tournament and his 12th world championship. Augusta is also the host of the World’s Richest Drag Boat Race held on the Savannah River (Augusta Southern Nationals). The race is part of the IHBA Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series and is sanctioned by the International Hot Boat Association (held on July 18-20). The event benefits the Augusta Chapter of the Georgia Special Olympics. Over one hundred racing teams from twentyfive states will compete for $140,000 in purse and prizes as they try to beat the record of 252.94 MPH in the ‘World’s Richest Drag Boat Race”! Also, the 2009 Science Olympiad National tournament will be held at Augusta State University, May 15-16 Baseball has not been forgotten in Augusta, as current closing pitcher Jonathan Broxton was born here. Lower level of Riverwalk Augusta • Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — wetlands park with pedestrian/bike paths and boardwalks • Diamond Lakes Regional Park — park in south Richmond County Government In 1995, the citizens of Augusta and unincorporated Richmond County voted to consolidate their city and county governments. Citizens of Hephzibah, Georgia and Blythe, Georgia, also located in Richmond County, decided to maintain separate governments. Augusta and Richmond County’s consolidation took effect January 1, 1996, with the city and county merging operations. The consolidated government consists of a mayor and 10 commissioners. Eight commissioners represent specific districts, while the other two represent super districts that represents half of the county’s population respectively.[16] After a history of political division along racial lines, politics in Augusta-Richmond County have become progressively more issue-oriented. [17][18] Parks and recreation • Riverwalk Augusta — riverfront park along and on top of city’s levee • Augusta Common — green space linking Broad St. to Reynolds St., with statue of James Oglethorpe • Augusta Canal — historic canal with bike/ pedestrian path • Aqueduct Park[15] — lagoon converted into park and swimming site by volunteers Education Colleges and universities • Augusta State University (public university) • Augusta Technical College (public technical college) • Medical College of Georgia (public medical college) • Paine College (private historically black college) 4 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Augusta, Georgia Augusta, but are located in neighboring Martinez, Georgia. Infrastructure Transportation Allgood Hall at Augusta State University, with belltower in foreground. • Savannah River College (private technical college), formerly known as Kerr Business College • Georgia Military College (publicindependent Liberal Arts Junior College) • University of Phoenix satellite campus • Cambridge College • Troy University • Strayer College Flyover ramp under construction at I-20/ I-520 interchange. Augusta is linked to Atlanta, Georgia to the west and Columbia, South Carolina to the east by Interstate 20. Interstate 520 (Bobby Jones Expressway) runs from I-20 Exit 196 through Augusta’s western and southern suburban areas, eventually crossing the Savannah River to South Carolina where it becomes the Palmetto Parkway. The current South Carolina terminus of I-520 is at U.S. Route 1, but construction is currently underway to complete its connection to I-20 in South Carolina near Exit 5. U.S. and state routes: • Interstate 20 Interstate 520 — Bobby Jones Expwy. U.S. Highway 1 — Deans Bridge Rd. (from Jefferson County line to Gordon Hwy.), Gordon Hwy. (from Deans Bridge Rd. to state line) U.S. Highway 25 — Peach Orchard Rd. (entire length), Gordon Hwy. (from Peach Orchard Rd. to state line) U.S. Highway 78 / 278 / • U.S. Highway State Route 10 — Gordon Hwy. • • K-12 schools Richmond County Board of Education central office Public K-12 schools in Augusta are managed by the Richmond County School System. The system has 8 high schools, 10 middle schools, 36 elementary schools, 4 magnet schools, and 3 other-format schools. Private schools in Augusta include Aquinas High School, Episcopal Day School, St. Mary on the Hill School, Curtis Baptist School, Gracewood Baptist First Academy, Alleluia Community School, New Life Christian Academy, and Westminster Schools of Augusta. Augusta Christian School and Augusta Preparatory Day School serve • • Georgia State Route 4 — follows U.S. Highway 1 from Jefferson County line to Gordon Hwy., leaves Georgia at 13th St. bridge 5 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Augusta, Georgia [5] Visitor Info - Augusta Facts [6] Get your digits straight 040306 - The Augusta Chronicle [7] 762 on way to phone near you 050108 The Augusta Chronicle [8] http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/ tables/SUB-EST2007-01.csv [9] "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/ www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. [10] http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/ 062903/pav_pavey.shtml Officials consider relicensing Augusta Canal, Augusta Chronicle, June 28, 2003 [11] "Average Weather for Augusta, GA Temperature and Precipitation". http://www.weather.com/weather/ wxclimatology/monthly/graph/ USGA0032. Retrieved on July 29, 2008. [12] "Census Of Population And Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/ decennial/index.htm. Retrieved on 2008-11-02. [13] "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. [14] HOME | AugustaTomorrow.com [15] Public clears debris, brush 061208 - The Augusta Chronicle [16] Augusta Richmond County Official Website-District Maps [17] http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/ 112698/met_098-3062.001.shtml [18] http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/ 110598/met_124-7096.shtml • Georgia State Route 28 — various roads, including John C. Calhoun Expwy. and Washington Rd. Georgia State Route 56 — Mike Padgett Hwy. Georgia State Route 88 in south Richmond County Georgia State Route 104 — River Watch Pkwy. State Route 383 — Jimmie Dyess Pkwy. Savannah River Parkway • • • • • • Fall Line Freeway Augusta is served by city transit service Augusta Public Transit (APT), but the main mode of transportation within the city is by car. The city has 2 airports: Augusta Regional Airport featuring commercial air service by USAirways and Delta Air Lines, and a smaller airport for private and chartered planes, Daniel Field Airport. Augusta is also served by a number of Taxi companies. There was a proposal for a possible four mile long Trolley system that would run through the city’s Downtown district. Sister cities • • Takarazuka, Japan Biarritz, France See also • Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia • List of mayors of Augusta, Georgia • List of people from Augusta, Georgia • Media in Augusta, Georgia • Medical District (Augusta) • Old Government House (Augusta) • Summerville (Augusta) External links • AugustaGA.gov — official website • Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau • Augusta Economic Development Authority Homepage • Augusta Tomorrow • Downtown Augusta Alliance • Downtown Development Authority Coordinates: 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47°N 81.975°W / 33.47; -81.975 References [1] Prentice Elliott, PBR in the A-U-G, WRDW-TV, April 26, 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-04 [2] Mike Wynn and Johnny Edwards, Turning Away from Disgusta, The Augusta Chronicle, October 21, 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-08 [3] No Action on Tax Rate, Commission Seat; New Slogan; Ambulance Service Adopted (NBC Augusta) [4] ^ Visitor Info - Augusta History 6 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Augusta, Georgia Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta,_Georgia" Categories: Settlements established in 1735, Augusta, Georgia, Cities in Georgia (U.S. state), Former United States state capitals, Richmond County, Georgia, County seats in Georgia (U.S. state), United States communities with African American majority populations, Census balances in the United States, Augusta-Richmond County metropolitan area This page was last modified on 4 May 2009, at 17:23 (UTC). All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) taxdeductible nonprofit charity. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers 7