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Welcome to Washington, Georgia

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About Washington:

Washington is a city located in Wilkes County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 4,295. The city is the county seat of Wilkes County.

Washington has many claims to fame, and is considered one of the most charming and picturesque small towns in Georgia. Antebellum, Victorian, and Colonial homes shine along the narrow tree-lines streets. A vibrant downtown only adds to the city's charm. The town shows off its history and beauty every year during the Washington-Wilkes tour of homes, which is held the first week in April.

Other noteworthy sites include the Mary Willis library, a stunning victorian building, with original Tiffany stained glass windows, and the first free public library in the state. http://www.wilkes.public.lib.ga.us/branches.html The Robert Toombs State Historic Site http://gastateparks.org/info/rtoombs/ Callaway Plantation http://www.kudcom.com/www/att01.html and the Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum http://www.kudcom.com/www/att02.html

Washington claims many "firsts" in its list of historical events:

First city in the nation to be incorporated in the name of George Washington, 1780

First Baptist church in upper Georgia at Fishing Creek, 1783

First Methodist church in Georgia was organized at Grant's Meeting House in Wilkes County, 1787.

First Presbyterian minister ordained in Georgia was John Springer in Wilkes County, 1790.

First Episcopal conference not under the Church of England, 1788

First successful cotton gin perfected and set up by Eli Whitney in Wilkes county, 1795.

First woman newspaper editor in U.S. was Sarah Hillhouse who became the editor of the Monitor in 1804.

First cotton mill in Georgia erected on Upton Creek in Wilkes County, 1811

First woman hanged in Georgia occurred in Washington in 1806. She was Polly Barclay.

First stamp mill for gold in the world was invented and put into use near Washington by Jeremiah Griffin, 1831-1832.

One of the first plastic garments ever cut in the world was in Wilkes County by Margo and Alfred Moses in February 1946.

The recent restoration of the Fitzpatrick Hotel, built in 1899, http://www.thefitzpatrickhotel.com/ became a catalyst for revitalization of the downtown area, and tourism is now a major player in the city's economy.

Washington Geography:

Washington is located at 33°44'7" North, 82°44'29" West (33.735394, -82.741420).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.4 km² (7.9 mi²). 20.3 km² (7.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.25% water.

Washington Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there are 4,295 people, 1,778 households, and 1,162 families residing in the city. The population density is 211.5/km² (547.5/mi²). There are 1,974 housing units at an average density of 97.2/km² (251.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 38.04% White, 60.75% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,778 households out of which 28.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% are married couples living together, 24.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% are non-families. 31.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 72.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $25,667, and the median income for a family is $32,500. Males have a median income of $27,281 versus $21,230 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,659. 23.0% of the population and 17.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.7% of those under the age of 18 and 23.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.