North Augusta, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
North Augusta is a city in Aiken County
, South Carolina
, United States
, on the north bank of the Savannah River
. The population was 21,348 at the 2010 census. The city is included in the Central Savannah River Area
(CSRA) and is also part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area.
. Three earlier towns have stood in the same general area. The English established a trading post known as Savannah Town
over 300 years ago. This town was abandoned when Augusta, Georgia
proved to be more prosperous and attractive to traders. Campbelltown was established as a trading point for tobacco and Indian traders over 200 years ago. Again, competition, sometimes violent opposition, from the Georgia side of the Savannah River
, coupled with a recession in the tobacco market spelled the end of Campbelltown in the early 19th century.
With the explosion of the cotton economy, this area became an important market for the increasingly valuable produce of planters throughout upper Georgia and South Carolina. In 1821 the town of Hamburg
was established by the mechanical genius and entrepreneur Henry Shultz
in direct commercial competition with Augusta. In 1833 the South Carolina Rail Road
was established, further connecting the cotton collected at Hamburg to the seaport of Charleston
. The 1848 construction of the Augusta Canal
channeled produce from upriver away from Hamburg. The final blow came when a bridge linked the South Carolina Rail Road to Augusta allowing traffic to bypass the doomed town of Hamburg. Henry Shultz died in poverty and reportedly is buried upright on the bluff overlooking Hamburg with his back to Augusta.
Avoiding the commercial pretensions of its predecessors, North Augusta was founded as a residential and resort town. Much of its development can be traced back to the establishment of the Hampton Terrace Hotel, built in 1902 by James U. Jackson on a hill overlooking the city of Augusta. At the time, the hotel was one of the largest and most luxurious in the nation, and it served many of the travelers who visited Augusta in the early part of the century. An interurban
trolley line was constructed through the town with a terminus at the Hampton Terrace, dubbed the Augusta–Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation
and later extended to Aiken. Trolley service ended around the time of the Great Depression
. North Augusta was being considered as one of the two possible sites for Hollywood, and many in the town speculate that it was only because of the hotel burning down that California was selected. By the time the hotel burned down on New Year's Eve 1916, North Augusta was thriving and remains a major part of the Augusta metropolitan area today.
North Augusta is also home to two antebellum homes, Rosemary Inn and Lookaway Hall.
On April 21–23, 2006, North Augusta celebrated its 100th anniversary.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 17.6 square miles (45.5 km²), of which, 17.2 square miles (44.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (2.05%) is water.
and Fox Creek High School. North Augusta High School is in Aiken County and operates under the Aiken School District. Fox Creek High School is located in Edgefield County and is a Charter School
operated under the Edgefield County School District.
Two middle schools, Paul Knox Middle School and North Augusta Middle School, and four elementary schools (Hammond Hill Elementary, Belvedere Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, and the newest, Mossy Creek Elementary), as well as several church-based smaller schools, such as one at Our Lady of Peace catholic church, one at Victory Baptist church
, and a kindergarten at Grace United Methodist Church
serve the community. Some students will also attend private schools across the river, such as Augusta Preparatory Day School
, Augusta Christian, and Westminster Schools of Augusta
.
of 2010, there were 21,348 people, 9,003 households, and 4,764 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,213 people per square mile (508.7/km²). There were 9,726 housing units at an average density of 552.6 per square mile (213.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.2% White, 20.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2% from other races
, and 2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of the population.
In 2000, there were 7,330 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,600, and the median income for a family was $58,472. Males had a median income of $42,089 versus $28,790 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $23,099. About 9.8% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
Aiken County, South Carolina
Aiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the north bank of the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
. The population was 21,348 at the 2010 census. The city is included in the Central Savannah River Area
Central Savannah River Area
The Central Savannah River Area is a 13-county region in the U.S. state of Georgia, and is also considered to include five to eight counties in South Carolina. The term was coined in 1950 by C.C. McCollum, the winner of a $250 contest held by The Augusta Chronicle to generate the best name for the...
(CSRA) and is also part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area.
History
North Augusta is located on the fall line of the Savannah River, across from Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
. Three earlier towns have stood in the same general area. The English established a trading post known as Savannah Town
Savannah Town, South Carolina
Savannah Town, South Carolina was first observed in the 1670s as a Westo village, located on the Savannah River below the fall line in present day Aiken County. The Savannah displaced the Westos in a 1679-1680 trade war, and the town bore their name on a 1685 Joel Gascoyne Plat of the Province of...
over 300 years ago. This town was abandoned when Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
proved to be more prosperous and attractive to traders. Campbelltown was established as a trading point for tobacco and Indian traders over 200 years ago. Again, competition, sometimes violent opposition, from the Georgia side of the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
, coupled with a recession in the tobacco market spelled the end of Campbelltown in the early 19th century.
With the explosion of the cotton economy, this area became an important market for the increasingly valuable produce of planters throughout upper Georgia and South Carolina. In 1821 the town of Hamburg
Hamburg, Aiken County, South Carolina
The dead town of Hamburg, South Carolina, was once a thriving upriver market located in Edgefield District . It was founded by Henry Shultz in 1821, across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia, in direct competition with that city . In its heyday, 60,000 bales of cotton worth $2,000,000 were...
was established by the mechanical genius and entrepreneur Henry Shultz
Henry Shultz
Henry Shultz was an eccentric entrepreneur in the antebellum American South. Born in Hamburg, Germany, he came to Augusta, Georgia in 1806, built an admirable bridge across the Savannah River, and founded the town of Hamburg, South Carolina...
in direct commercial competition with Augusta. In 1833 the South Carolina Rail Road
South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company
Chartered in 1827, the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company ran scheduled steam service over its line from Charleston, South Carolina, to Hamburg, South Carolina. beginning in 1833. At that time it was the longest railroad in the world...
was established, further connecting the cotton collected at Hamburg to the seaport of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. The 1848 construction of the Augusta Canal
Augusta Canal
The Augusta Canal is a historic canal located in Augusta, Georgia. The canal connects two points of the Savannah River. It was devised to harness the power of the fall line of the Savannah River for mills, to provide transportation of goods, and to provide drinking water for the city...
channeled produce from upriver away from Hamburg. The final blow came when a bridge linked the South Carolina Rail Road to Augusta allowing traffic to bypass the doomed town of Hamburg. Henry Shultz died in poverty and reportedly is buried upright on the bluff overlooking Hamburg with his back to Augusta.
Avoiding the commercial pretensions of its predecessors, North Augusta was founded as a residential and resort town. Much of its development can be traced back to the establishment of the Hampton Terrace Hotel, built in 1902 by James U. Jackson on a hill overlooking the city of Augusta. At the time, the hotel was one of the largest and most luxurious in the nation, and it served many of the travelers who visited Augusta in the early part of the century. An interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
trolley line was constructed through the town with a terminus at the Hampton Terrace, dubbed the Augusta–Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation
Augusta–Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation
The Augusta–Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation was an electric interurban railroad that operated between Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina. Once completed in 1902 the railroad remained in operation until it was abandoned in 1929.- History :...
and later extended to Aiken. Trolley service ended around the time of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. North Augusta was being considered as one of the two possible sites for Hollywood, and many in the town speculate that it was only because of the hotel burning down that California was selected. By the time the hotel burned down on New Year's Eve 1916, North Augusta was thriving and remains a major part of the Augusta metropolitan area today.
North Augusta is also home to two antebellum homes, Rosemary Inn and Lookaway Hall.
On April 21–23, 2006, North Augusta celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Geography
North Augusta is located at 33°30′47"N 81°57′46"W (33.512935, -81.962640).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 17.6 square miles (45.5 km²), of which, 17.2 square miles (44.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (2.05%) is water.
Schools
North Augusta public schools include two high schools, North Augusta High SchoolNorth Augusta High School
North Augusta High School is a four-year public high school located in North Augusta, South Carolina. Approximately 1,600 students attend the school. The school offers over thirty student organizations including Future Business Leaders of America, SADD, NJROTC, NAHS Band, and National Honor...
and Fox Creek High School. North Augusta High School is in Aiken County and operates under the Aiken School District. Fox Creek High School is located in Edgefield County and is a Charter School
Charter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
operated under the Edgefield County School District.
Two middle schools, Paul Knox Middle School and North Augusta Middle School, and four elementary schools (Hammond Hill Elementary, Belvedere Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, and the newest, Mossy Creek Elementary), as well as several church-based smaller schools, such as one at Our Lady of Peace catholic church, one at Victory Baptist church
Victory Baptist Church
Victory Baptist Church, having just celebrated its 33rd year of service to the community of Louisville, Kentucky was once one of the largest churches in the region. With the evangelical movement of the 1970s came booming congregation numbers and a busing ministry designed and run by Pastor Gardner...
, and a kindergarten at Grace United Methodist Church
Grace United Methodist Church
Grace United Methodist Church could refer to:* Grace United Methodist Church * Grace United Methodist Church * Grace United Methodist Church...
serve the community. Some students will also attend private schools across the river, such as Augusta Preparatory Day School
Augusta Preparatory Day School
Augusta Preparatory Day School is a non-sectarian private school in Martinez, Georgia.It accepts students from Preschool through Twelfth Grade.-APDS:...
, Augusta Christian, and Westminster Schools of Augusta
Westminster Schools of Augusta
Westminster Schools of Augusta was founded in 1972 as a private, Christian college-preparatory school located in Augusta, Georgia. The school serves 595 students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade...
.
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 2010, there were 21,348 people, 9,003 households, and 4,764 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 1,213 people per square mile (508.7/km²). There were 9,726 housing units at an average density of 552.6 per square mile (213.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.2% White, 20.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2% 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 2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of the population.
In 2000, there were 7,330 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% 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, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,600, and the median income for a family was $58,472. Males had a median income of $42,089 versus $28,790 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 $23,099. About 9.8% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.