Peachtree City, Georgia
Encyclopedia : P : PE : PEA : Peachtree City, Georgia
Peachtree City is a city in Fayette County, Georgia, United States. One of the newest planned cities in Georgia, Peachtree City was chartered on March 9, 1959. The city was developed into four separate villages (Aberdeen, Braelinn, Glenloch and Kedron), each with its own shopping areas, recreational facilities, and elementary schools. The population was 31,580 at the 2000 census. Census Estimates of 2004 indicate a population of 33,810.
The geographic center of Peachtree City is generally considered to be the intersection of Georgia State Route 54 and Georgia State Route 74.
Peachtree City is known for its system of golf cart paths, which are strewn across the town and provides secondary means of access to almost any destination within city limits. Many households own a golf cart, and they are used as an extra vehicle for local transportation. Children as young as twelve may operate a cart on Peachtree City cart paths with a parent, grandparent or guardian in the front seat. Unaccompanied fifteen-year-olds with valid Georgia Learner's Permits are allowed to operate golf carts. Students at local McIntosh High School are even encouraged to drive their golf carts to school due to limited parking. The golf cart paths are also used by bikers, joggers, and pedestrians as a safer alternative to the side of the road.
Peachtree City is home to a small airport, Falcon Field, which hosts a medium-sized airshow every year. The airport is also the location of a National Weather Service radar station and Weather Forecast Office, which serves 96 counties in North and Central Georgia. Peachtree City is also the city of license for WVWA FM 105.7, a Spanish language radio station that covers the south Atlanta metro area.
Peachtree City has been designated a Foreign Trade Zone by the US Customs Service. A Foreign Trade Zone is a site in or near a U.S. Customs port of entry (in this case Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport), designated free of Customs entry procedures.
In February of 2003, Golf Digest magazine discussed the traffic congestion caused by Peachtree City's 9000+ golf carts in an article entitled "Golf Cart Gridlock".
In July of 2005, [CNN/Money and Money magazine] ranked Peachtree City eighth on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States.
World Airways is headquartered in Peachtree City.
Georgia State School Superintendent Kathy Cox is a resident of Peachtree City.
History
Timeline
- In 1957, Flat Creek is dammed to create Lake Peachtree.
- In 1965, the Peachtree City volunteer fire department is created. The one-car Peachtree City police department is created as well. Peachtree City elementary school opens.
- In 1972, Peachtree City is granted its own ZIP code (30269).
- In 1974, public library opens. The Georgia state legislature passes legislation permitting golf carts to be operated on city streets.
- In 1975, named "one of America's best suburbs" by Ladies Home Journal magazine.
- In 1976, Peachtree City gets its own telephone exchange (487). Residents must dial "8" to reach Atlanta. This non-standard phone service will remain until digital equipment is installed in 1988.
- In 1977, amphitheater acquired.
- In 1979, first traffic light within city limits is installed at the intersection of SR 74 and SR 54.
- In 1981, McIntosh High School opens.
- In 1992, Peachtree City altered the length of the mayor and council members´ terms from two years to four years. Term limits are enacted to restrict both mayor and council members to a maximum of two four-year terms.
- In 1994, the National Weather Service central office relocates from Atlanta airport.
- In 2002, Peachtree City was the filming location for the movie Sweet Home Alabama
- In 2005, Ranked No. 8 Best Place to Live by Money (magazine)
Government
Harold Logsdon, a Republican, has served as Mayor of Peachtree City since January 2006.See also: List of Mayors of Peachtree City, Georgia
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 61.9 km² (23.9 mi²). 60.3 km² (23.3 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (2.64%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 31,580 people, 10,876 households, and 8,874 families residing in the city. The population density was 524.0/km² (1,356.9/mi²). There were 11,313 housing units at an average density of 187.7/km² (486.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.66% White, 6.11% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.75% of the population.There were 10,876 households out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $76,458, and the median income for a family was $84,398. Males had a median income of $62,313 versus $33,635 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,667. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Peachtree City is served by the Fayette County School System.Elementary schools that serve the city include:
- Braelinn Elementary School (Peachtree City)
- Huddleston Elementary School (Peachtree City)
- Kedron Elementary School (Peachtree City)
- Oak Grove Elementary School (Peachtree City)
- Peachtree City Elementary School (Peachtree City)
- Crabapple Elementary School (Peachtree City)
- J.C. Booth Middle School (Peachtree City) - Serves most of Peachtree City
- Flat Rock Middle School (Tyrone) - Serves small northern sections of Peachtree City
- Rising Starr Middle School (Unincorporated Fayette County) - Serves southern Peachtree City
- McIntosh High School (Peachtree City) - Serves most of Peachtree City
- Sandy Creek High School (Tyrone) - Serves small northern sections of Peachtree City
- Starr's Mill High School (Unincorporated Fayette County) - Serves southern Peachtree City
Famous Residents
- Reed Sorenson, NASCAR driver
- Tim Hudson, Braves pitcher
Famous People from Peachtree City
- Jeff Sheppard, Basketball Player McIntosh High School '93, won back-to-back NCAA Championships at Kentucky under Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith; Named Most Outstanding Player of 1998 NCAA Tournament
External links
- [Peachtree City Official Website]
- [Peachtree City Fire Department]
- [National Weather Service Forecast Office, Peachtree City, Georgia]
- [Maps and aerial photos]
- * Street map from [Google Maps] or [Yahoo! Maps]
- * Topographic map from [TopoZone]
- * Aerial image or topographic map from [TerraServer-USA]
- * Satellite image from [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]
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