Dawson, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Dawson is a city in and the county seat
of Terrell County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 5,058 at the 2000 census. Incorporated on December 22, 1857, the city is named for Senator William Crosby Dawson
.
Dawson is part of the Albany, Georgia
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 5,058 people, 1,791 households, and 1,276 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,373.5 people per square mile (530.7/km²). There were 1,967 housing units at an average density of 534.1 per square mile (206.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 21.49% White, 77.26% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.
There were 1,791 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples
living together, 32.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,140, and the median income for a family was $25,511. Males had a median income of $26,006 versus $18,629 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,752. About 31.6% of families and 36.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.8% of those under age 18 and 26.0% of those age 65 or over.
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The district has 98 full-time teachers and over 1,764 students.
has three colleges to which students may easily commute: Darton College
, Albany State University
, and Albany Technical College. To the west, in Cuthbert
, is historic Andrew College
. Also nearby is Georgia Southwestern State University
in Americus
.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Terrell County
Terrell County, Georgia
Terrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 United States Census reported the county's population at 10,970. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,260...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,058 at the 2000 census. Incorporated on December 22, 1857, the city is named for Senator William Crosby Dawson
William Crosby Dawson
William Crosby Dawson was a lawyer, judge, politician, and soldier from Georgia.-Early life, education and legal career:...
.
Dawson is part of the Albany, Georgia
Albany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Albany, Georgia metropolitan area
The Albany, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties – Baker, Dougherty, Lee, Terrell, and Worth – in southwest Georgia, anchored by the city of Albany...
.
Geography
Dawson is located at 31°46′26"N 84°26′27"W (31.773969, -84.440870).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,058 people, 1,791 households, and 1,276 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,373.5 people per square mile (530.7/km²). There were 1,967 housing units at an average density of 534.1 per square mile (206.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 21.49% White, 77.26% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.10% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.
There were 1,791 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 32.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,140, and the median income for a family was $25,511. Males had a median income of $26,006 versus $18,629 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,752. About 31.6% of families and 36.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.8% of those under age 18 and 26.0% of those age 65 or over.
Terrell County School District
The Terrell County School DistrictTerrell County School District
The Terrell County School District is a public school district in Terrell County, Georgia, USA, based in Dawson, Georgia. It serves the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, Georgia.-Schools:...
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The district has 98 full-time teachers and over 1,764 students.
- Carver Elementary School
- Cooper Primary School
- Terrell Middle School
- Terrell High School
Higher Education
Nearby AlbanyAlbany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
has three colleges to which students may easily commute: Darton College
Darton College
Darton College is now a four-year state college unit of the University System of Georgia, located in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, U.S. The college has 84 two-year transfer and career associate degrees and 49 certificate programs.- History :...
, Albany State University
Albany State University
Albany State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Albany, Georgia, United States. It is one of three HBCU's in the University System of Georgia.-History:-Establishment:...
, and Albany Technical College. To the west, in Cuthbert
Cuthbert, Georgia
Cuthbert is a city in, and the county seat of, Randolph County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,731 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cuthbert is located at 31º46'15" North, 84º47'37" West ....
, is historic Andrew College
Andrew College
Andrew College is a private, liberal arts junior college located a few blocks off the town square in Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia, United States...
. Also nearby is Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the University System of Georgia.-The College of Arts and Sciences:The College of Arts and Sciences at GSW offers undergraduate degrees in art Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the...
in Americus
Americus, Georgia
-Early years:Americus, Georgia was named and chartered by Sen. Lovett B. Smith in 1832.For its first two decades, Americus was a small courthouse town. The arrival of the railroad in 1854 and, three decades later, local attorney Samuel H. Hawkins' construction of the only privately financed...
.
Notable natives and residents
- Chadwick G. Jenkins, American inventor
- Benjamin J. DavisBenjamin J. DavisBenjamin J. "Ben" Davis , was an African-American lawyer and communist who was elected to the city council of New York City, representing Harlem, in 1943...
, New York City Councilman - Otis ReddingOtis ReddingOtis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
, American soul singer - Walter WashingtonWalter WashingtonWalter Edward Washington, was an American politician, the first home-rule mayor of the District of Columbia...
, first black mayor of Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... - Lucius D. BattleLucius D. BattleLucius Durham Battle , known as Luke Battle, was a career Foreign Service officer who served with distinction in Washington, Europe and the Middle East.-Early life:...
, ambassador to Egypt - Wayland FlowersWayland FlowersWayland P. Flowers, Jr. was an American puppeteer. He was born and raised in Dawson, Georgia. Flowers was best known for the puppet act he created with his puppet Madame...
, puppeteer best known for his outrageous puppet Madame - Erle Cocke, Jr.Erle Cocke, Jr.Erle Cocke, Jr. was a Brigadier General in the National Guard of the United States.-Biography:A native of Dawson, Georgia, Cocke was born on May 10, 1921. Cocke attended the University of Georgia and Harvard University. He would marry Madelyn Grotnes and have three children...
, U.S. National Guard general