Augusta, Georgia
—  Consolidated city–county  —
From top to bottom left to right: Augusta skyline as seen from North Augusta, Imperial Theatre, Municipal Building and the Signers Monument, Augusta Confederate Monument, Augusta Museum of History, Morris Museum of Art, Augusta Canal and Sibley Mill, Augusta National Golf Club, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, and Riverwalk Augusta
City seal and logo
Nickname(s): The Garden City
Motto: We Feel Good
Location of consolidated Augusta–Richmond County (red) within Richmond County, and location of Richmond County within the U.S. state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47000°N 81.97500°W / 33.47000; -81.97500
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Richmond County
Established	1777[1]
City-county consolidation	1996[1]
Government
• Mayor	Deke Copenhaver
• Administrator	Frederick L. Russell
Area
• Consolidated city–county	306.5 sq mi (793 km2)
• Land	302.1 sq mi (782 km2)
• Water	4.3 sq mi (11.3 km2)
• Urban	259.52 sq mi (672.2 km2)
Elevation[2]	136 ft (45 m)
Population (2011)
• Consolidated city–county	196,494 (US: 116th)
• Density	816/sq mi (1,313/km2)
• Urban	386,787
• Urban density	1,490.4/sq mi (575.4/km2)
• Metro	561,858 (US: 92nd)
• CSRA	709,433
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	30901, 30904, 30906, 30907, 30909, 30912,[3] 30815[4]
Area code(s)	706, 762[5][6]
Website	AugustaGA.gov

Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located at the fall line of the Savannah River, at the head of its navigable portion. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844^[7] not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.

Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta – Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which as of 2010 had an estimated population of 556,877, making it both the second-largest city and the second-largest metro area in the state after Atlanta. It is the 116th-largest city in the United States. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters Tournament in golf each spring.

History [edit]

The area along the river was long inhabited by varying cultures of indigenous peoples, who relied on the river for fish, water and transportation. The site of Augusta was used by Native Americans as a place to cross the Savannah River, because of its location on the fall line.

In 1735, two years after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah, he sent a detachment of troops to explore up the Savannah River. He gave them an order to build at the head of the navigable part of the river. The expedition was led by Noble Jones, who created the settlement to provide a first line of defense for coastal areas against potential Spanish or French invasion from the interior. Oglethorpe named the town Augusta, in honor of Princess Augusta, wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales and mother of the future King George III of the United Kingdom. Augusta was the second state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795 (alternating for a period with Savannah, the first).

It was in the area of Georgia developed as the Black Belt, for large cotton plantations, after the invention of the cotton gin made use of short-staple cotton more profitable. The commodity crops were worked by enslaved Africans, many brought from the Low Country, where the Gullah culture had developed on its large Sea Island cotton and rice plantations.

Geography [edit]

The Augusta skyline, as seen from North Augusta, South Carolina

Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150 miles (240 km) east of Atlanta and 70 miles (110 km) west of Columbia. The city is located at 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47000°N 81.97500°W / 33.47000; -81.97500 (33.470, −81.975)^[8].

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 (782.4 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²) of it (1.42%) is water.

Savannah River and the Augusta Canal, with River Watch Parkway and residential areas in foreground

Augusta is located about halfway up the Savannah River on the fall line, which creates a number of small falls on the river. The city marks the end of a navigable waterway for the river and the entry to the Georgia Piedmont area.

The Clarks Hill Dam is built on the fall line near Augusta, forming Clarks Hill Lake. Further downstream, near the border of Columbia County, is the Stevens Creek Dam, which generates hydroelectric power. Further downstream is the Augusta Diversion Dam, which marks the beginning of the Augusta Canal and channels Savannah River waters into the canal.^[9]

Climate [edit]

According to Köppen classification, Augusta has a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences short winters and an extremely humid summer. The average high temperature for the summer months is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C). Summer daytime temperatures can soar to 100 or above. 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).

Snowfall is not nearly as common as in Atlanta, due largely to Augusta's elevation, with downtown Augusta being about 900 feet lower than downtown Atlanta. Still, snow flurries are typically seen annually. Freezing rain is also a threat in wintertime.

Cityscape [edit]

Historic districts [edit]

Sacred Heart Cultural Center

Augusta Downtown Historic District is a historic district that encompasses most of downtown Augusta and its pre-Civil War area. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.^[12]

Augusta also includes the:

• Summerville Historic District
• Greene Street Historic District
• Broad Street Historic District
• Sands Hill Historic District
• Pinched Gut Historic District
• Laney-Walker North Historic District
• Bethlehem Historic District
• Harrisburg-West End Historic District

Demographics [edit]

As of the 2010 census, Augusta–Richmond County had 195,844 residents. The population density was 816 people per square mile (1313/km²). There were 84,427 housing units at an average density of 279.5 per square mile (782/km²). The racial makeup of the city-county area was 54.7% Black or African American, 39.1% White, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.3% some other race, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.^[14]

There were 75,208 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were headed by married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.^[14]

In the city-county consolidated area the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.0 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.^[14]

As of the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city-county area 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.

Economy [edit]

Augusta is a regional center of medicine, biotechnology, and military. Georgia Health Sciences University, 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 an economic impact of over $1.8 billion.^[15]

Along with Georgia Health Sciences University, 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. Despite layoffs from several companies during the U.S. economic recession and a relatively high state unemployment rate,^[16] the Augusta Community has experienced a decrease in bankruptcy filings^[17] and saw a slight decrease in the unemployment rate from late 2009 to March 2011. However, these unemployment numbers are misleading as Spring brings lower unemployment rates due to the Augusta Masters. While unemployment fell to a two year low of 8.3% in April 2011, unemployment rates have since risen back to 9.9% as of July 2011.^[18]

Companies that have facilities, headquarters or distribution centers in Augusta include CareSouth, T-Mobile, Covidien, Solo Cup Company, Automatic Data Processing, International Paper, NutraSweet, Teleperformance, Sitel Corporation, E-Z-GO, Elanco, Club Car (Worldwide Headquarters), John Deere, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's and Delta Air Lines baggage call center.^[19]

The economy of Augusta has been drawing manufacturers from large and small companies. The cost of having a operation ex-labor, labor costs and low regulations are the main attractions of businesses. The labor pool in Augusta is very blue collar, and was the worst hit during the recession that otherwise bypassed Augusta. The Port of Savannah expanding for the accommodation mega-tankers will be a competitive benefit that Augusta can continue to attract manufacturers. A proposed Highway (I-3) would link Augusta to Savannah, cutting time to a little over 2 hours. The cost of electricity, land and construction is among the most competitive for competing cities in the South-East.

A problem hindering Augusta's economy is a 22% poverty rate and a high crime rate in reality and in perception. Augusta has been called by Butch Palmer as "One big Ghetto". Augusta has stunning poverty in the neighborhoods bordering downtown and increasingly in South Augusta. The poverty ignites crime, ignorance, malnutrition in a semi rural environment for many in South Augusta. The perception of crime is the worst Downtown. Despite being relatively one of the safest parts of Augusta, Broad Street is still correlated with crime. Recently increased patrols, installation of cameras and other safety measures are being considered to combat the actual and perceived crime rate of Downtown.

Sports [edit]

Teams [edit]

Augusta is home to the Augusta Greenjackets minor league baseball club. The team began play in 1988 as the Augusta Pirates, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Later affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, the Greenjackets are with the San Francisco Giants.^[20] The team is owned by Cal Ripken Jr.^[21]

The city's ECHL hockey team, the Augusta Lynx, disbanded in December 2008.^[22]

The Southern Professional Hockey League would expand to Augusta starting in the 2010–2011 season. The Augusta Riverhawks was the winning name of the new team, the result of a "Name the Team" contest announced on March 13, 2010.^[23]

The Augusta Rugby Football Club (ARFC) is a division 2 men's club competing in the Palmetto Rugby Union, part of the USA Rugby South Conference.

Augusta also has its own all female flat track roller derby team, The Soul City Sirens. Founded in 2008, this league is all volunteer and skater owned. ^[24]

Tournaments [edit]

Tiger Woods at the practice rounds for the 2006 Masters Tournament

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 one of the most prestigious in the sport^[25] and is one of the four major championships. The best professional and amateur golfers in the world come to Augusta during the first full week of April every year. The grounds of Augusta National are known for being pristine, and the course was ranked in 2009 as the 3rd best golf course in the world by Golf Magazine.^[26] Augusta is also home to Augusta Golf Instruction created by Master swing & mental coach B. J. Hathaway.

The city also has disc golf facilities. The Augusta Top Gun Series is a series of tournaments sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association. These tournaments are held at various venues in Augusta, including Pendleton King Park and Lake Olmstead.^[27] Also, Augusta hosted the 2006 Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Along with Pendleton King and Lake Olmstead, two 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 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 100 racing teams from 25 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”.

Parks and recreation [edit]

• 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^[28] — lagoon converted into park and swimming site by volunteers
• Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — wetlands park with pedestrian/bike paths and boardwalks
• Diamond Lakes Regional Park — park in south Richmond County
• Brookfield Park — public park featuring a playground, putting green, pedestrian/bike path, and a fountain in which children can play

Government [edit]

In 1995, citizens of Augusta and unincorporated Richmond County voted to consolidate their city and county governments. Citizens of Hephzibah and Blythe, also located in Richmond County, voted against joining in the consolidation of Augusta and Richmond County. Augusta and Richmond County's consolidation took effect January 1, 1996. The consolidated government consists of a mayor and 10 commissioners. Eight commissioners represent specific districts, while the other two represent super districts that represent half of the county's population respectively.^[29]

Education [edit]

Allgood Hall at Georgia Regents University

Colleges and universities [edit]

• Augusta Technical College (state technical college)
• Georgia Regents University (state university), formerly Georgia Health Sciences University and Augusta State University
• Paine College (private, Methodist historically black college)
• Georgia Military College (public-independent liberal arts junior college)
• Brenau University(Private four year University)
• Cambridge College (private non-profit college)
• Miller-Motte Technical College (private for-profit college)
• Virginia College (private for-profit college)

K–12 schools [edit]

Richmond County Board of Education central office

Public K–12 schools in Augusta are managed by the Richmond County School System. The system has eight high schools, 10 middle schools, 36 elementary schools, and four magnet schools, — including C. T. Walker Traditional Magnet School, A. R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School, and Davidson Fine Arts.

Private schools in Augusta include Aquinas High School, Episcopal Day School, St. Mary on the Hill School, Immaculate Conception School, Hillcrest Baptist Church School, Curtis Baptist High School, Gracewood Baptist First Academy, Alleluia Community School, New Life Christian Academy, and Westminster Schools of Augusta. Augusta Christian School, Augusta First Seventh-day Adventist School, and Augusta Preparatory Day School serve Augusta, but are located in neighboring Martinez, Georgia.

Infrastructure [edit]

Transportation [edit]

Augusta is linked to Atlanta 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.

U.S. and state routes:

• Interstate 20 (I-20)
• Interstate 520 (I-520) — Bobby Jones/ J.D.Paugh Memorial Highway Expressway
• U.S. Route 1 — Deans Bridge Road (from Jefferson County line to Gordon Highway), Gordon Highway (from Deans Bridge Road to state line)
• U.S. Route 25 — Peach Orchard Road (entire length), Gordon Highway (from Peach Orchard Road to state line)
• U.S. Route 78 / U.S. Route 278 / State Route 10 — Gordon Highway
• State Route 4 — follows U.S. Highway 1 from Jefferson County line to Gordon Highway, leaves Georgia at 13th Street bridge
• State Route 28 — various roads, including John C. Calhoun Expressway and Washington Road
• State Route 56 — Mike Padgett Highway
• State Route 88 in south Richmond County
• State Route 104 — River Watch Parkway
• State Route 232 — Bobby Jones Expressway west of I-20
• State Route 383 — Jimmie Dyess Parkway
• State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway) — Deans Bridge Road from I-520 to Jefferson County line^[30]
• State Route 555 (Savannah River Parkway) — Peach Orchard Road from I-520 to Burke County line

Parts of Augusta are served by city transit service Augusta Public Transit (APT), but the main mode of transportation within the city is by car. The city has two airports: Augusta Regional Airport and Daniel Field Airport. Augusta is also served by a number of taxi companies.

Notable people [edit]

• List of people from Augusta, Georgia

• Frank Yerby, author/educator
• Jessye Norman, opera singer
• Butterfly McQueen, actress
• Effie Germon, 19th-century actress
• Michael Dease, jazz trombonist
• Laurence Fishburne, actor
• James Brown, singer-songwriter/musician
• Dave Haywood, singer-songwriter
• Josh Kelley, singer-songwriter/musician
• Charles Kelley, singer-songwriter
• Carl E. Sanders, governor of Georgia, 1963-1967
• Hulk Hogan, famous professional wrestler.
• Quinton Aaron, Actor, The Blind Side (film)
• Aquilla J. Dyess, Only American to receive both the Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism and the Medal of Honor.
• Ty Cobb, Former baseball player, Baseball Hall of Fame
• Lady Antebellum, Grammy award winning Country singing group
• Amy Grant Christian Music Artist
• Forrest Griffin MMA Fighter
• Dub Taylor, actor, reared in Augusta but born in Richmond, Virginia
• Casper, german rapper

Sister cities [edit]

• Biarritz, France
• Takarazuka, Japan

See also [edit]

Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia List of mayors of Augusta, Georgia List of people from Augusta, Georgia Media in Augusta, Georgia

State of Georgia portal Medical District (Augusta) Old Government House (Augusta) Summerville (Augusta) List of tallest buildings in Augusta

Footnotes [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Augusta, Georgia

• AugustaGA.gov — official website
• Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Augusta Economic Development Authority Homepage
• Augusta Tomorrow
• Downtown Augusta Alliance
• Downtown Development Authority
• SouthStar Emergency Medical Services

Articles relating to Augusta and Richmond County v t e Augusta, Georgia Main article Augusta, Georgia History History of Augusta List of mayors Notable past/present residents Arts and culture Arts and culture in Augusta Colleges and universities Augusta Technical College Georgia Regents University Georgia Military College Paine College K-12 education Richmond County School System Augusta Education Hospitals Doctors Hospital Eisenhower Army Medical Center GRHealth (GRU) Norwood VA Medical Ctr. Trinity Hospital University Hospital Sports Masters Tournament Augusta GreenJackets Augusta Riverhawks Venues Augusta National Golf Club Lake Olmstead Stadium James Brown Arena Christenberry Fieldhouse Media Media in Augusta, Georgia See also Category:Augusta, Georgia v t e Municipalities and communities of Richmond County, Georgia, United States County seat: Augusta Cities Augusta Blythe‡ Hephzibah Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties v t e Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina     Burke County, Georgia: Keysville · Midville · Waynesboro Girard · Sardis · Vidette Columbia County, Georgia: Grovetown · Harlem · EvansCDP · MartinezCDP · ApplingU Glascock County, Georgia: Edge Hill · Gibson · Mitchell Hancock County, Georgia: Sparta · CulvertonU Jefferson County, Georgia: Avera · Louisville · Stapleton · Wadley · Wrens · Bartow Jenkins County, Georgia: Millen · PerkinsU Lincoln County, Georgia: Lincolnton · ChennaultU McDuffie County, Georgia: Thomson · Dearing Richmond County, Georgia: Augusta · Blythe · Hephzibah Taliaferro County, Georgia: Crawfordville · Sharon Warren County, Georgia: Norwood · Warrenton · Camak · JewellU Washington County, Georgia: Davisboro · Oconee · Sandersville · Tennille · Deepstep · Harrison · Riddleville Wilkes County, Georgia: Washington · Rayle · Tignall Aiken County, South Carolina: Aiken · North Augusta · Jackson · Burnettown · Monetta · New Ellenton · Perry · Salley · Wagener · Windsor · BelvedereCDP · ClearwaterCDP · GlovervilleCDP · BathU · Beech IslandU · GranitevilleU · LangleyU · VaucluseU · WarrenvilleU Edgefield County, South Carolina: Edgefield · Johnston · Trenton · Murphys EstatesCDP Allendale County, South Carolina: Allendale · Fairfax · Sycamore · Ulmer · MartinU Barnwell County, South Carolina: Barnwell · Blackville · Elko · Hilda · Kline · Snelling · Williston McCormick County, South Carolina: McCormick · Parksville · Plum Branch · Clarks HillCDP · ModocCDP · Mount CarmelCDP · WillingtonCDP CDP Census-designated place · U Unincorporated area v t e  State of Georgia Atlanta (capital) Topics Index Geology History Delegations Government Governors People Music Elections Geography State Parks Sports Transportation Visitor Attractions Society Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Politics Symbols Regions Atlantic coastal plain Blue Ridge Central Georgia Cumberland Plateau Golden Isles Historic South Lower Coastal Plain Metro Atlanta North Georgia North Georgia Mountains Northeast Georgia Piedmont Ridge and Valley Sea Islands Southern Rivers Southeast Georgia Southwest Georgia Tennessee Valley Wiregrass Region Largest cities Albany Atlanta Athens Augusta Columbus Johns Creek Macon Marietta Roswell Sandy Springs Savannah Valdosta Warner Robins Counties Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham Chattahoochee Chattooga Cherokee Clarke Clay Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady Greene Gwinnett Habersham Hall Hancock Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln Long Lowndes Lumpkin Macon Madison Marion McDuffie McIntosh Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth (Campbell) (Milton) v t e 50 most populous places of Georgia (U.S. state)     Atlanta Augusta[a] Columbus[a] Macon Savannah Athens[a] Sandy Springs Roswell Albany Johns Creek Warner Robins Alpharetta Marietta Valdosta Smyrna Dunwoody Brookhaven Mableton Rome Martinez Peachtree City Gainesville East Point Hinesville Dalton Newnan Redan Milton Douglasville Kennesaw LaGrange Evans Lawrenceville Statesboro Tucker Duluth Stockbridge Carrollton Woodstock Griffin Candler-McAfee Canton McDonough Acworth Cartersville Union City Decatur Pooler North Druid Hills Sugar Hill ^ a b c Augusta, Columbus, and Athens are consolidated city-counties, but have independent municipalities within them, so the balance is used here. (2010 U.S. Census Bureau)

Coordinates: 33°28′12″N 81°58′30″W / 33.47000°N 81.97500°W / 33.47000; -81.97500