Perry, Georgia
{{for|the New Zealand rower|Georgia Perry}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Perry, Georgia
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| settlement_type = City
| motto = "Where Georgia comes together"{{Cite web| url=http://www.perry-ga.gov| title=Perry| publisher=City of Perry, Georgia| access-date=May 19, 2017| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510123016/http://www.perry-ga.gov/| archive-date=May 10, 2017| df=mdy-all}}
| image_skyline = Perry City Hall, Georgia.JPG
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| image_caption = Perry City Hall
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| image_map = Houston_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Perry_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 250x200px
| map_caption = Location in Houston County and the state of Georgia
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| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Georgia
| subdivision_type2 = Counties
| subdivision_name2 = Houston, Peach
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| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Randall Walker
| leader_title1 = City Manager
| leader_name1 = R. Lee Gilmour
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| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 70.20
| area_land_km2 = 69.87
| area_water_km2 = 0.34
| area_total_sq_mi = 27.11
| area_land_sq_mi = 26.98
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.13
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| population_as_of = 2020
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| population_total = 20624
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| population_density_km2 = 295.19
| population_density_sq_mi = 764.53
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| timezone = EST
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| coordinates = {{coord|32|27|54|N|83|43|16|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 111
| elevation_ft = 364
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 31069
| area_code = 478
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 13-60340{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 0320389{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=October 25, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204035720/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|archive-date=February 4, 2012|df=mdy-all}}
| website = {{URL|www.perry-ga.gov}}, {{URL|www.perryga.com}}
| footnotes =
| named_for = Oliver Hazard Perry
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Perry is a city in Houston and Peach counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the county seat{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011|df=mdy-all}} of Houston County. The population was 13,839 at the 2010 census,{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1360340| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Perry city, Georgia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=May 19, 2017}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} up from 9,602 at the 2000 census. As of 2019 the estimated population was 17,894.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=May 21, 2020}} It is part of the Warner Robins, Georgia metropolitan statistical area, within the Macon–Bibb County–Warner Robins combined statistical area.
Perry is best known as the location of the annual Georgia National Fair.{{cite web |last1=Becker |first1=Jim |title=Seniors Visit Georgie |url=http://seniorcitizen.travel/types-of-vacationtravel/family-travel/seniors-visit-georgia/ |website=Senior Citizen Travel |publisher=Mandarich Media Group |access-date=24 February 2019}}
History
Founded in 1823 as "Wattsville", the town was located near the center of Houston County and served as its courthouse. The name was soon changed to honor Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812.{{cite book | url=http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/p.pdf| title=Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins | publisher=Winship Press | author=Krakow, Kenneth K. | year=1975 | location=Macon, GA | pages=174 | isbn=0-915430-00-2}} The Georgia General Assembly incorporated the town on December 9, 1824. The original city limit was a circle, one mile in diameter, except where bounded on the north by Big Indian Creek.
Antebellum industry in Perry included gristmills, sawmills, and cotton gins. The Houston Home Journal began publishing in 1870. Cotton was the most significant commodity crop in the 20th century.
Tourism has been important to the local economy since about 1920, when U.S. Highway 41 to Florida was paved. The New Perry Hotel, built in 1870 and rebuilt in 1925, became a landmark for many Florida tourists. The hotel was demolished on July 22, 2024, due to its irreparable condition.{{Cite web |last=Western |first=Megan |date=2024-07-22 |title=Residents reflect on 99 years as the historic Perry Hotel is torn down |url=https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/perry/demolition-underway-the-new-perry-hotel/93-ac6fc2d8-b4a0-4bdc-8d55-6f9e46dcb3ba |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=WMAZ |language=en-US}} The downtown area has emphasized its historic heritage and has several quaint shops and restaurants.
Since World War II, when Robins Air Force Base was established in nearby Warner Robins, the military has been a significant employer in the area. Warner Robins is several times larger than Perry. Other manufacturers in the city have included Frito-Lay, Perdue Farms (formally Heileman Brewing Co.), and Cemex, Inc. (formally Penn-Dixie Cement and Medusa Cement Company).
In the early 1960s Interstate 75 was constructed through the western side of the city. It has attracted more businesses that cater to travelers. The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter opened in 1990. The Go Fish Georgia Education Center opened October 8, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://georgiawildlife.com/node/2369 |title=Press Release | Georgia DNR - Wildlife Resources Division |access-date=2012-02-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026231632/http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/2369 |archive-date=October 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}
Geography
Perry is located in west-central Houston County. The city limits extend northwest into Peach County. It is on Big Indian Creek, a tributary of the Ocmulgee River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Perry has a total area of {{convert|68.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|67.8|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.3|sqkm|order=flip|1}}, or 0.48%, are water.
Demographics
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 836
| 1880 = 929
| 1890 = 665
| 1900 = 650
| 1910 = 649
| 1920 = 678
| 1930 = 1398
| 1940 = 1542
| 1950 = 3849
| 1960 = 6032
| 1970 = 7771
| 1980 = 9453
| 1990 = 9452
| 2000 = 9602
| 2010 = 13839
| 2020 = 20624
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|df=mdy-all}}
}}
| class="wikitable"
|+Perry racial composition as of 2020{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1360340&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-18|website=data.census.gov}} !Race !Num. !Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic)
|11,152 |54.07% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
|7,139 |34.62% |
| Native American
|24 |0.12% |
| Asian
|401 |1.94% |
| Pacific Islander
|15 |0.07% |
| Other/Mixed
|906 |4.39% |
| Hispanic or Latino
|987 |4.79% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 20,624 people, 6,242 households, and 4,160 families residing in the city.
Circa 2019, of the 13,839 residents, 13,776 of them were in Houston County and 63 were in Peach County.{{cite web|url=https://www.dot.ga.gov:443/DriveSmart/MapsData/Documents/CountyMaps/Houston.pdf|title=General Highway Map Houston County Georgia|publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation|access-date=2024-09-25}}
Arts and culture
The Georgia National Fair is a state-sponsored fair each October at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The 11-day event features agricultural shows, competitions, and midway rides.
The Go Fish Education Center features aquatic wildlife, and is associated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The Perry Area Historical Museum features regional historical artifacts.
The Dogwood Festival features a pageant, run, and vendors.
Education
Areas in Houston County are within the Houston County School System (as are all other parts of Houston County).{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13153_houston/DC20SD_C13153.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Houston County, GA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-25}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13153_houston/DC20SD_C13153_SD2MS.txt Text list]
Areas in Peach County are within the Peach County School District (as are all other parts of Peach County).{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13225_peach/DC20SD_C13225.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Peach County, GA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-25}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13225_peach/DC20SD_C13225_SD2MS.txt Text list]
Infrastructure
=Transportation=
Highways include U.S. Highway 41, Interstate 75, U.S. Highway 341.
Perry-Houston County Airport is a general aviation airport located in the city.
Notable people
- Ernest Greene, chillwave musician, known by his stage name Washed Out
- Casey Hayward, cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons, and former Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, and Vanderbilt University football player
- Courtney Hodges, General and commander of the First United States Army during World War II
- Willis Hunt, senior federal judge
- Sam Nunn, former United States Senator
- Michelle Nunn, daughter of Sam Nunn, born and partly raised there, later CEO of Points of Light and candidate for U.S. Senate
- Sonny Perdue, United States Secretary of Agriculture and former Governor of Georgia
- Deborah Roberts, correspondent for ABC News
- Ron Simmons, WCW/WWE wrestler and former Florida State Seminoles football player
- Dontarrious Thomas, former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers also the Minnesota Vikings and former Auburn University Tigers football player.
- Al Thornton, former NBA player for Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, also the Golden State Warriors and former Florida State Seminoles basketball standout.
- Richard Ray, former United States Representative.{{cite book |last1=Barone |first1=Michael |author-link1=Michael Barone (pundit) |last2=Ujifusa |first2=Grant |title=The Almanac of American Politics 1988|work=National Journal |year=1987 |page=295}}
- Admiral James Harrison Oliver, Director of Navy Intelligence during World War I, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to be the first governor of the Virgin Islands
- Kanorris Davis, former Troy University Trojans linebacker and NFL New England Patriots safety/linebacker, currently a free agent
References
{{Reflist}}
- Bobbe Hickson Nelson, A Land So Dedicated: Houston County, Georgia ([Perry, Ga.], 1977) OCLC 3597733.
External links
- {{Official website|www.perry-ga.gov}}
{{Houston County, Georgia}}
{{Peach County, Georgia}}
{{Macon Metro}}
{{Georgia county seats}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Cities in Houston County, Georgia