Valdosta, Georgia

The city of Valdosta had been named after Governor George Troup, for whom Troup County, Georgia, was also named. Valdosta was named after Troup's plantation, Valdosta (occasionally the "Val d'Osta" spelling was used for the plantation); Troup had named it after the Aosta Valley ({{langx|pms|Val d'Osta}}) in Italy. The name Aosta ({{Langx|la|Augusta}}) refers to Emperor Augustus. A long-standing rumor held that the city's name meant "vale of beauty."{{cite news|url=http://valdostadailytimes.com/features/x546438866/What-does-Valdosta-mean|title=What does Valdosta mean?|last=Poling|first=Dean|date=2009-10-12|access-date=November 4, 2011|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719045637/http://valdostadailytimes.com/features/x546438866/What-does-Valdosta-mean|archive-date=July 19, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

Valdosta was incorporated on December 7, 1860,{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Malia |date=2023-01-07 |title=Welcome Back: Tours fund Roberts House work |url=https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/welcome-back-tours-fund-roberts-house-work/article_58ad7f6a-8bb3-11ed-bba1-77dc6e0e9bed.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Valdosta Daily Times |language=en |quote=Many Troupville residents migrated to nearby Valdosta due to the railroad’s growing potential. Valdosta, a completely new town, was incorporated Dec. 7, 1860.}} when it was designated by the state legislature as the new county seat, formerly at nearby Troupville. The railroad was built to Valdosta that year, rather than Troupville, stimulating development in the new county seat.{{cite web |url=http://valdosta.georgia.gov/05/home/0,2230,8612891,00.html;jsessionid=2AA6BDE2C6D608095EC9E4AACF298E81 |title=Valdosta | Georgia.gov |publisher=Valdosta.georgia.gov |access-date=September 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217004555/http://valdosta.georgia.gov/05/home/0,2230,8612891,00.html;jsessionid=2AA6BDE2C6D608095EC9E4AACF298E81 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Many citizens of Troupville had already relocated to Valdosta when the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad was built {{convert|4|mi|0}} away. The engine known as Satilla No. 3 pulled the first train into Valdosta on the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad on either July 4, 1860, or on July 20, 1860.{{cite book |last= Shelton|first= Jane|date= 2007|title= Pines and Pioneers|location= Valdosta, Georgia|publisher= Lowndes County Historical Society|page= 131}}{{cite news |last= Screven|first= John|date= 15 February 1861|title= Second Report of the President of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad|newspaper= Daily Morning News|location= Savannah, Georgia}}

The American Civil War began the year after the establishment of Valdosta. During the war, many of its male residents served in the Confederate States Army.{{Cite web |title=Reconstruction |url=https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/library/depts/archives-and-special-collections/regional-history/reconstruction.php |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Valdosta State University}} Three years after the beginning of the war, women rioted in the city after the refusal of Confederate dollars as legal tender.{{Cite web |last=McClure |first=Britanny |date=2012-09-04 |title=Valdosta riots! The untold history of the Civil War |url=https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/local_news/valdosta-riots-the-untold-history-of-the-civil-war/article_c93a79dc-59cc-5251-881e-ad6083b9bbb9.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Valdosta Daily Times |language=en}}

During the Reconstruction era, more than 100 freedmen, families of farmers, craftsmen, and laborers, emigrated from Lowndes County to Arthington, Liberia, in 1871 and 1872, looking for a better life.{{Cite web |title=Antebellum to Reconstruction |url=https://valdostamuseum.com/exhibitions/online-exhibits-2/people/african-american-history-in-lowndes-county/antebellum-to-reconstruction/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Lowndes County Historical Society Museum}} Since before the war, the American Colonization Society had supported the relocation of free blacks to Liberia, an American colony in West Africa established for this purpose. The first group from Lowndes County left in 1871, and were led by Jefferson Bracewell; the second group was led in 1872 by Aaron Miller.{{cite web |url=http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/library/depts/archives-and-special-collections/regional-history/liberia-emigrants.php |title=Lowndes County Georgia List of Emigrants to Arithington, Liberia |access-date=8 January 2008 |author=Eric Dewayne Jackson |year=2003}}

Image:Lowndes1915.jpg and Confederate Monument {{Circa|1915|lk=no}}|left]]

One notable event during Reconstruction was at a political meeting in front of the courthouse. A carpetbagger named J. W. Clift was running for United States Congress and was looking for support from former slaves. During Clift's speech he verbally attacked whites of Valdosta. In response five men planted explosives at the courthouse, planning on setting them off at Clift's next political rally. When other whites arrived at the courthouse unaware of the explosives the five men decided to stop the explosives but some still managed to go off. The explosion was small and no injuries occurred. The five men were arrested and were going to go on trial, but federal soldiers took them to Savannah for trial, which was seen by residents as an overreach of authority and an endangerment for self-government.

As mechanization was introduced, the number of agricultural jobs decreased and Valdosta became more industrialized by the 20th century. The world's second Coca-Cola bottling plant began bottling Coca-Cola in Valdosta in 1897.{{cite web |url=http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_272230343.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205160028/http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_272230343.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-05 |title=A trip through time |access-date=January 1, 2008 |author=Jessica Pope |date=2007-09-29 |work=The Valdosta Daily Times}}{{cite web |url=http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/business/local_story_356231757.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209000340/http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/business/local_story_356231757.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-09 |title=Breathing fresh life into Downtown |access-date=January 1, 2008 |author=Billy Bruce |date=2007-12-22 |work=The Valdosta Daily Times}} In 1899, the cotton mill town of Remerton was established {{convert|2|mi|0}} from the center of Valdosta.

File:ValdostaGA1900.jpg

A new courthouse was planned in 1900 to replace the smaller courthouse. Construction began in 1904 for around $75,000. The old courthouse was torn down in March 1904. The new courthouse was completed in 1904, and on April 14, 1905, the first session of court took place in the new courthouse.{{cite web |title=Lowndes County Courthouse |url=http://valdostamuseum.com/exhibitions/online-exhibits-2/places/lowndes-county-courthouse/ |access-date=13 April 2017 |website=Lowndes County Historical Society Museum}}

In November 1902, the Harris Nickel-Plate Circus' prize elephant, Gypsy, went on a rampage and killed her trainer James O'Rourke. After terrorizing the town for a couple of hours, she ran off to Cherry Creek, north of Valdosta. Gypsy was chased by Police Chief Calvin Dampier and a posse. Gypsy was shot and killed and buried on site. James O'Rourke was buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2467|title=Gypsy|access-date=December 31, 2007 |encyclopedia=The New Georgia Encyclopedia}}{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/11/24/117983485.pdf|title=Elephant Kills Keeper |date=1902-11-24 |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 13, 2014}}

On July 28, 1907, Valdosta voted to become a dry city; a record $10,000 worth of whiskey was sold on the last day. The city had been wet since its founding.{{cite news |author= |title= Valdosta's Bars Are Now Closed|newspaper= Atlanta Constitution|location= Atlanta, Georgia|date= 29 July 1907}}

In 1910, cotton was still important to the economy, and Fortune magazine ranked Valdosta as the richest city in America by per capita income.{{cite web |url=http://www.georgiaretire.com/main1/staticpages/index.php?page=20040406113914704 |title=Triple Crown Hometowns|access-date=January 8, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071021071002/http://www.georgiaretire.com/main1/staticpages/index.php?page=20040406113914704 |archive-date = 2007-10-21}} Soon after that, the boll weevil invaded the South, moving east through the states and killing much of the cotton crop in this area in 1917. Agriculture in this area turned to tobacco and pine timber. In January 1913, the South Georgia State Normal College opened in Valdosta on the edge of town. Over the course of the following century, it evolved into Valdosta State University.{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.valdosta.edu/about/facts/history.php |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Valdosta State University}}

File:ValdostaStreetcar1912.jpg

On May 16, 1918, a white planter named Hampton Smith was shot and killed at his house near Morven, Georgia, by a black farm worker named Sidney Johnson who was routinely mistreated by Smith. Johnson also shot Smith's wife but she later recovered. Johnson hid for several days in Valdosta without discovery.{{cite journal| author=Meyers, Christopher C.| title='Killing Them by the Wholesale': A Lynching Rampage in South Georgia| journal=The Georgia Historical Quarterly| year=2006| volume=90| number=2| pages=214–235| publisher=JSTOR| url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_q6VhhkczIYU2hSTHJtbHFmWGc/view?usp=sharing |access-date=14 May 2013}} Lynch mobs formed in Valdosta ransacking Lowndes and Brooks counties for a week looking for Johnson and his alleged accomplices. These mobs lynched at least 13 African Americans, among them Mary Turner and her unborn eight-month-old baby who was cut from her body and murdered. Mary Turner's husband Hazel Turner was also lynched the day before.

Sidney Johnson was turned in by an acquaintance, and on May 22 Police Chief Calvin Dampier led a shootout at the Valdosta house where he was hiding. Following his death, a crowd of more than 700 castrated Johnson's body, then dragged it behind a vehicle down Patterson Street and all the way to Morven, Georgia, near the site of Smith's murder. There the body of Johnson was hanged and burned on a tree. That afternoon, Governor Hugh Dorsey ordered the state militia to be dispatched to Valdosta to halt the lynch mobs, but they arrived too late for many victims. Dorsey later denounced the lynchings, but none of the participants were ever prosecuted.

Following the violence, more than 500 African Americans fled from Lowndes and Brooks counties to escape such oppressive conditions and violence. From 1880 to 1930, Brooks County had the highest number of lynchings in the state of Georgia. By 1922 local chapters of the Ku Klux Klan, which had been revived starting in 1915, were holding rallies openly in Valdosta.{{cite web|url=http://www.maryturner.org/ |title=Remembering Mary Turner |publisher=Maryturner.org |date=1918-07-10 |access-date=2016-07-13}}

Image:Moody-retreat-1943.jpg in 1943]]

On June 26, 1941, Moody Army Airfield opened {{convert|10|mi|0}} northeast of town as part of the United States' preparation for the country's potential involvement in World War II.{{Cite web |title=Moody Air Force Base |url=https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/moody-air-force-base/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=New Georgia Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}

The local economy received an important boost in the mid-20th century when Interstate 75 was routed and built through the area. Many vacationers on their way to Florida found Valdosta a convenient "last stop" on their way to Walt Disney World and the Orlando area. The Interstate's route to the west of the city has contributed to its commercial district shifting from the historic downtown area to near the Interstate.

Image:Giraffes at Wild Adventures.JPG roller coaster and giraffes at Wild Adventures]]

Valdosta State College was integrated in September 1963. In 1969, Valdosta High School (the formerly all-white school) and Pinevale High School (the formerly all-black school) were merged into one system; integration had begun at Valdosta High School about 1966.{{Cite web |last=Floyd |first=Adam |date=2015-05-24 |title=VHS 1965 desegregated class remembered |url=https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/local_news/vhs-1965-desegregated-class-remembered/article_6282ed5a-01b3-11e5-b042-c7187999dcea.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Valdosta Daily Times |language=en}}

During the Vietnam War, future president George W. Bush entered the National Guard, receiving flight training at Valdosta's Moody Air Force Base in November 1968.{{Cite web |date=2011-05-20 |title=The heritage of President Bush |url=https://www.moody.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/210292/the-heritage-of-president-bush/https://www.moody.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/210292/the-heritage-of-president-bush/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Moody Air Force Base |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In 1994, Kent and Dawn Buescher opened Liberty Farms Animal Park with a playground, entertainment venue and a collection of animals. An amusement park was added, and in 1996 Liberty Farms Animal Park was renamed Wild Adventures. Wild Adventures expanded with Splash Island Water Park in 2002. The Buescher family purchased a botanical garden and theme park called Cypress Gardens in 2004. Due to damage from three hurricanes and a financial struggle in repairing Cypress Gardens, the Buescher family were forced to sell Wild Adventures to Herschend Family Entertainment in 2007.{{cite news|last1=Flaisig|first1=Liz|title=Wild Adventures theme park is sold, but fun will continue|url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/100207/met_204530833.shtml#.WO7UAIjytPY|access-date=13 April 2017|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|date=October 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153843/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/100207/met_204530833.shtml#.WO7UAIjytPY|archive-date=April 13, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Monthly Labor Review, the first automated teller machine (ATM) was installed at a C&S Bank in Valdosta in 1971.{{cite news |url=http://www.bls.gov/mlr/1996/08/art4full.pdf |title=Commercial banking transformed by computer technology |author=Teresa L. Morisi|date=August 1996 |work=Monthly Labor Review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022123131/http://bls.gov/mlr/1996/08/art4full.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-22 |access-date=January 13, 2014}} That ATM was preceded by one installed in Rockville Centre, New York, in 1969.{{cite book |first=Rob |last=Kirkpatrick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XZMrIchANY4C&pg=PA266 |title=1969: The Year Everything Changed |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc. |date=2009 |page=266 |isbn=9781602393660}}

File:Valdosta GA from airplane.jpgValdosta is located in central Lowndes County at {{Coord|30|50|48|N|83|16|59|W|type:city}} (30.846661, -83.283101),{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} {{Convert|15|mi}} north of the Florida state line. It is about {{convert|230|mi}} south of Atlanta,CNN Staff. "[http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/22/justice/georgia-gym-mat-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 Family demands coroner's inquest in teen's gym mat death"], CNN. October 22, 2013. Retrieved on October 22, 2013. {{convert|138|mi}} east of Dothan, Alabama, and {{convert|120|mi}} northwest of Jacksonville, Florida. Regionally, Valdosta is considered part of Southeast Georgia, a region bordering Coastal Georgia, South Georgia, and Southwest Georgia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|94.3|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|93.1|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|1.2|km2|order=flip}}, or 1.26%, are water.{{cite web| url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_13.txt| title=U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Georgia| website=U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division| access-date=December 17, 2019}} The Withlacoochee River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, runs along part of the western edge of the city, while the eastern side of the city drains to Mud Creek, flowing southeast to the Alapahoochee River, also part of the Suwannee River watershed.

Valdosta has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa), with mild, dry/wet winters and hot, humid summers.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=18747&cityname=Valdosta,+Georgia,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Valdosta, Georgia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=August 27, 2017}} Temperatures frequently go over {{convert|90|F|C|1}}, but in extreme heatwaves, temperatures occasionally go over {{convert|100|F|C|1}}. Snowfall is rare but not unknown. Snow fell in Valdosta most recently on January 22, 2025, but the last significant snowfall happened in 1989. However, light frosts regularly occur between December and February.[http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7778#Table1 First and Last Frost Dates in Georgia] 1997-2007 University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Valdosta can experience Indian summers in the winter, where temperatures can get quite warm. Very rarely do winter lows go below {{convert|25|F|C|1}}. As of 2023, Valdosta is in the USDA hardiness zone 9a.{{cite web |title=What Growing Zone Is Valdosta, Georgia? |website=Plant Guide Online |url=https://www.plantguideonline.com/my_growing_zone.php?state=Georgia&city=Valdosta |access-date=15 November 2024}}

{{Weather box

| location = Valdosta, Georgia (Valdosta Regional Airport) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 84

| Feb record high F = 88

| Mar record high F = 95

| Apr record high F = 96

| May record high F = 100

| Jun record high F = 106

| Jul record high F = 104

| Aug record high F = 106

| Sep record high F = 101

| Oct record high F = 96

| Nov record high F = 89

| Dec record high F = 85

| year record high F = 106

| Jan avg record high F = 78.7

| Feb avg record high F = 81.5

| Mar avg record high F = 86.1

| Apr avg record high F = 89.8

| May avg record high F = 94.7

| Jun avg record high F = 98.0

| Jul avg record high F = 98.5

| Aug avg record high F = 98.3

| Sep avg record high F = 95.2

| Oct avg record high F = 90.0

| Nov avg record high F = 84.5

| Dec avg record high F = 80.4

| year avg record high F = 99.8

| Jan high F = 62.8

| Feb high F = 67.0

| Mar high F = 72.9

| Apr high F = 79.6

| May high F = 86.4

| Jun high F = 90.1

| Jul high F = 92.1

| Aug high F = 91.5

| Sep high F = 87.8

| Oct high F = 80.5

| Nov high F = 71.4

| Dec high F = 65.0

| year high F = 78.9

| Jan mean F = 50.7

| Feb mean F = 54.6

| Mar mean F = 60.1

| Apr mean F = 66.2

| May mean F = 73.4

| Jun mean F = 79.0

| Jul mean F = 81.1

| Aug mean F = 81.2

| Sep mean F = 77.2

| Oct mean F = 68.6

| Nov mean F = 59.0

| Dec mean F = 53.2

| year mean F = 67.0

| Jan low F = 38.6

| Feb low F = 42.2

| Mar low F = 47.2

| Apr low F = 52.8

| May low F = 60.3

| Jun low F = 67.9

| Jul low F = 70.1

| Aug low F = 71.0

| Sep low F = 66.5

| Oct low F = 56.8

| Nov low F = 46.6

| Dec low F = 41.3

| year low F = 55.1

| Jan avg record low F = 23.6

| Feb avg record low F = 26.7

| Mar avg record low F = 31.3

| Apr avg record low F = 39.2

| May avg record low F = 48.9

| Jun avg record low F = 61.5

| Jul avg record low F = 67.0

| Aug avg record low F = 66.0

| Sep avg record low F = 57.1

| Oct avg record low F = 40.9

| Nov avg record low F = 31.0

| Dec avg record low F = 27.1

| year avg record low F = 21.7

| Jan record low F = 3

| Feb record low F = 15

| Mar record low F = 18

| Apr record low F = 30

| May record low F = 41

| Jun record low F = 46

| Jul record low F = 59

| Aug record low F = 59

| Sep record low F = 46

| Oct record low F = 27

| Nov record low F = 17

| Dec record low F = 10

| year record low F = 3

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 3.83

| Feb precipitation inch = 3.31

| Mar precipitation inch = 3.73

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.66

| May precipitation inch = 2.84

| Jun precipitation inch = 7.08

| Jul precipitation inch = 5.33

| Aug precipitation inch = 5.11

| Sep precipitation inch = 4.22

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.71

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.47

| Dec precipitation inch = 3.12

| year precipitation inch = 48.41

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 9.3

| Feb precipitation days = 9.1

| Mar precipitation days = 9.0

| Apr precipitation days = 7.1

| May precipitation days = 8.1

| Jun precipitation days = 13.5

| Jul precipitation days = 14.2

| Aug precipitation days = 14.7

| Sep precipitation days = 9.2

| Oct precipitation days = 7.6

| Nov precipitation days = 7.4

| Dec precipitation days = 9.1

| year precipitation days = 118.3

| source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tae

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = May 24, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00093845&format=pdf

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| title = Station: Valdosta RGNL AP, GA

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

| access-date = May 24, 2021}}

| date = August 2010

}}

{{US Census population

| 1860 = 166

| 1870 = 1199

| 1880 = 1515

| 1890 = 2854

| 1900 = 5613

| 1910 = 7656

| 1920 = 10783

| 1930 = 13482

| 1940 = 15595

| 1950 = 20046

| 1960 = 30652

| 1970 = 32303

| 1980 = 37596

| 1990 = 39806

| 2000 = 43724

| 2010 = 54518

| 2020 = 55378

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}
1850–1870{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1870|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf |accessdate=|page=}} 1870–1880{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1880|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1880/vol-01-population/1880_v1-09.pdf |accessdate=|page=}}
1890–1910{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1910 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1910|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ga.pdf |accessdate=|page=}} 1920–1930{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1930 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1930|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|pages=251–256}}
1940{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1940 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1940|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=}} 1950{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1950 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1950|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/37779083v2p11ch2.pdf |accessdate=}} 1960{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1960|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-12-c.pdf|accessdate=}}
1970{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1970|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ga-01.pdf|accessdate=}} 1980{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1980|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_gaABC-01.pdf|accessdate=}} 1990{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 1990|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-5/cph-5-12.pdf|accessdate=}}
2000{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 2000|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-12.pdf |accessdate=}} 2010{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=United States Census Bureau|date= 2010|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-12.pdf|accessdate=}}

}}

At the 1860 United States census, Valdosta had a population of 166, which has increased since every decennial census. In 2000, the city's population grew to 43,724, and by the 2020 United States census, there were 55,378 people, 21,153 households, and 11,224 families residing in the city, up from 54,518 at the 2010 U.S. census.

The racial and ethnic makeup of the city in 2020 was 34.06% non-Hispanic white, 54.28% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander American, 3.78% multiracial or another race, and 6.06% Hispanic or Latino of any race. At the 2022 American Community Survey, its population was 55% African American, 35% White, 1% Asian, 2% multiracial, and 5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among its racially diverse population, the median age was 29.2.{{Cite web |title=Census profile: Valdosta, GA |url=http://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US1378800-valdosta-ga/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Census Reporter |language=en}}

In 2022, there were 24,837 housing units in Valdosta. Approximately 87% were occupied and 60% were renter-occupied. The majority of its units were single unit family homes and the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $152,100. Among its population, 16.8% of the city has moved since 2021; of its movers, 7% relocated from the same county, 6% from a different county, and 3% from another state.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $31,940, and the median income for a family was $39,295. Males had a median income of $33,230 versus $25,689 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,003. About 20.3% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.3% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1378800.html |title=Valdosta (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |publisher=Quickfacts.census.gov |url-status=dead |access-date=January 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113203725/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1378800.html |archive-date=January 13, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1378800&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR5&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |title=American FactFinder |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=September 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211183346/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1378800&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR5&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=U.S. Census website |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2010-10-05 |access-date=September 6, 2012}} As of the 2022 American Community Survey's estimates, the median household income was $41,365 with a per capita income of $24,946. An estimated 28.4% of the city's population lived at or below the poverty line, and 38% of children under age 18 were considered in poverty.

Located in the far southern portion of the state, near the Florida line along the Interstate 75 corridor, it is a commercial center of South Georgia with numerous manufacturing plants. The surrounding area produces tobacco, naval stores, particularly turpentine, as well as pine lumber and pulpwood. According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Valdosta is called the "Naval Stores Capital of the World" because it supplies 80% of the world demand for naval stores.{{cite web | url = http://www.dca.state.ga.us/CityScapes/comm.asp?D=1&city=Valdosta&YRID= | title = Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Data for Valdosta | access-date = July 28, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143354/http://www.dca.state.ga.us/CityScapes/comm.asp?D=1&city=Valdosta&YRID= | archive-date = April 13, 2014 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://archives.valdosta.edu/folklife/turpentine.html | title="Faces in the Piney Woods": A History of Turpentine, Valdosta State Archives and Special Collections |access-date=December 12, 2014}}

In the retailing field, Valdosta has one major regional mall, Valdosta Mall, which features national chain anchor stores. Several large stores surround the mall or are near the mall. Valdosta has other notable shopping areas such as the Historic Downtown area with many local businesses,{{cite web|url=http://www.valdostamainstreet.com/ |title=Downtown Valdosta, GA |publisher=Valdosta Main Street |access-date=September 6, 2012}} and the Five Points area which has large retailers and numerous national franchise and local restaurants. Moody Air Force Base is located about {{convert|10|mi|0}} northeast of Valdosta in northern Lowndes County. Wild Adventures, a {{convert|166|acre|adj=on}} theme and water park, is located {{convert|10|mi|0}} south of the center of Valdosta in rural Lowndes County. Wild Adventures is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment.

File:Willis L. Miller Library Grand Opening 5.jpg

The South Georgia Regional Library operates two libraries in Valdosta: Valdosta Lowndes County Library and Mae Wisenbaker McMullen Memorial Southside Library. Valdosta Lowndes County Library, with over {{convert|32000|sqft|sqm}} of space, houses the administrative offices of the library system. Built for $450,000, it first opened in 1968."[http://www.sgrl.org/index.php/find-a-branch/valdosta-lowndes-county-library Valdosta Lowndes County Library]." South Georgia Regional Library. Retrieved on May 14, 2017. The Mae Wisenbaker McMullen Memorial Southside Library opened on May 31, 1992. An area businessperson, J.C. McMullen, donated the land used for the Southside Library, which was built as part of a larger library construction program; it was named after Mae Wisenbaker McMullen, the mother of J.C. McMullen."[http://www.sgrl.org/index.php/find-a-branch/mcmullen-southside-library McMullen Southside Library ]." South Georgia Regional Library. Retrieved on May 14, 2017.

The first library for African-Americans in Lowndes County began operations in the Walton Building on January 21, 1935, closed in February 1939, and reopened in 1955. In 1963, all libraries became available to patrons of all races.

File:Valdosta GA Carnegie Library01.jpg

The Lowndes County Historical Society & Museum is located at the Carnegie Library of Valdosta, a National Register of Historic Places listed building and Carnegie library,{{cite web|url=http://www.valdostamuseum.org/ |title=Valdosta Museum and Lowndes County Historical Society |publisher=Valdostamuseum.org |access-date=September 6, 2012}} one of 24 Carnegie libraries in Georgia.

The Lowndes County Civic Center is a 120-seat multi-purpose arena that can be rented by the public and is often used to host community sporting events.{{cite web |title=Lowndes County Civic Center |url=https://www.visitvaldosta.org/Play/Recreation-Sports-and-Outdoors/lowndes-county-civic-center |website=Visit Valdosta |access-date=December 16, 2019}} The arena was also an occasional venue for Southern Championship Wrestling and Spinebusters Championship Wrestling.{{cite news |title=Tifton native to highlight Valdosta wrestling card |url=https://www.tiftongazette.com/sports/tifton-native-to-highlight-valdosta-wrestling-card/article_ee141757-27a5-54ed-ba1d-900f58c32e81.html |access-date=December 16, 2019 |work=The Tifton Gazette |date=December 7, 2005}}

The South Georgia Pride Festival is held every third Saturday in September. The first festival was held in 2008 on the front lawn of Valdosta State University. In 2009, the festival became South Georgia Pride and held its festival at the John W. Saunders Park in Valdosta in 2010. Valdosta Mayor John J. Fretti proclaimed September 17, 2011, as South Georgia Pride Day.{{cite news |title=Valdosta Mayor Proclaims Sept. 17 as "South Georgia Pride Day" |url=http://thegavoice.com/valdosta-mayor-proclaims-sept-17-as-south-georgia-pride-day/ |publisher=Georgia Voice |date=September 16, 2011}} Since 2010, the festival has grown to over 3,000 people attending. In July 2012, Mayor John Gayle refused to give a proclamation to South Georgia Pride, the only one he has refused.{{cite news |title=Valdosta mayor refuses to sign South Georgia Pride proclamation |url=http://thegavoice.com/valdosta-mayor-proclaims-sept-17-as-south-georgia-pride-day/ |publisher=Georgia Voice |date=July 25, 2012}}{{cite news |title=Pride denied: Valdosta mayor denies LGBT event proclamation |url=http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/local_news/pride-denied-valdosta-mayor-denies-lgbt-event-proclamation/article_c7a9725e-fa40-536f-815a-d9b37e9a5690.html |publisher=Valdosta Daily Times |date=July 27, 2012}}

Valdosta hosted several different minor league baseball teams during the twentieth century, and was one of six cities in the Georgia State League which began play in 1906, with the team known as the Valdosta Stars.{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-838 |title=New Georgia Encyclopedia: Minor League Baseball |publisher=Georgiaencyclopedia.org |date=2005-03-17 |access-date=September 6, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Valdosta&state=GA&country=US |title=Valdosta, Georgia Minor League History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 6, 2012}} From 1946 to 1958, the Valdosta Tigers were a "Class-D" minor league team. Valdosta was also home to the Valdosta Trojans which was a "farm" team for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

TitleTown USA was a month-long segment on ESPN that started in the spring of 2008 and continued through July. Fans nominated towns and cities across the country based on their championship pedigree. A panel reviewed the nominees, and fan voting in May determined the 20th finalist. SportsCenter visited each city in July, and fan voting July 23–27 determined the winner. Due to the Valdosta High School football team's record as well as multiple championships in many sports by Valdosta State University, Lowndes High School, Valwood School, Georgia Christian School, and other academic institutions in the town, Valdosta was nominated as a finalist in 2008 for ESPN's "Titletown USA" contest. On July 28, 2008, with 29.2% of fan votes on ESPN's website poll, Valdosta was named TitleTown USA.{{cite web |url=http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/prepsports/entries/2008/07/28/espn_names_vald.html |title=ESPN names Valdosta TitleTown USA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801045117/http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/prepsports/entries/2008/07/28/espn_names_vald.html |archive-date=2008-08-01 |access-date=January 13, 2014}}

The football team at Valdosta High School has more wins than any other American high school,{{Cite web |title=National High School Sports Record Book: Football |url=https://www.nfhs.org/core/contentmanager/uploads/PDFs/Publications/football_part1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317225820/http://www.nfhs.org/core/contentmanager/uploads/PDFs/Publications/football_part1.pdf |archive-date=March 17, 2009 |website=National Federation of State High School Associations}} and is second in overall wins in the country after University of Michigan.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

File:Vsugate.jpg]]

File:Wiregrass Tech, Flagpoles.jpg]]

File:Georgia Military College (SE Corner).JPG Valdosta Campus]]

The Valdosta City School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, consisting of five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school (Valdosta High School). The school district serves the city limits of Valdosta.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13185_lowndes/DC20SD_C13185.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lowndes County, GA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-26}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13185_lowndes/DC20SD_C13185_SD2MS.txt Text list] {{As of|2022}} the district has 482 full-time teachers and over 8,294 students.[http://www.school-stats.com/GA/LOWNDES/VALDOSTA_CITY.html School Stats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809211440/http://www.school-stats.com/GA/LOWNDES/VALDOSTA_CITY.html |date=August 9, 2014 }}, Retrieved June 23, 2010.

The Lowndes County School District serves communities of Lowndes County outside of the Valdosta city limits. The Lowndes County School District, which has its administration building located in the city limits,{{cite web|url=https://www.lowndes.k12.ga.us/|title=Home|publisher=Lowndes County School District|access-date=2024-09-27|quote=1592 Norman Drive Valdosta, GA 31601}} has seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school (Lowndes High School in the Valdosta city limits). The District has a total of 10,728 students and nearly 600 teachers and staff.[http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=111&PID=62&PTID=69&CountyId=692&T=0&FY=2009 Georgia Board of Education]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Retrieved June 23, 2010.

Scintilla Charter Academy is a free public school of choice open to any student who resides in Lowndes County or the city of Valdosta. SCA holds grades kindergarten to ninth grade.{{Cite web |title=Scintilla Charter Academy |url=https://gacharters.org/school/scintilla-charter-academy/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Georgia Charter Schools Association |language=en-US}}

Valwood School is an independent college preparatory school north of Valdosta enrolling students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.{{cite web |url=http://www.valwood.org/page/about_valwood |title=Valwood School - About Valwood |publisher=Valwood.org |access-date=September 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830162734/http://www.valwood.org/page/about_valwood |archive-date=August 30, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} Several Christian schools offering grades K–12 also operate in and near Valdosta, including Crossroads Baptist School,{{Cite web |title=CBS - About Us |url=https://crossroadsbaptist.com/cbs/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Crossroads Baptist Church {{!}} Valdosta |language=en}} Georgia Christian School,{{Cite web |title=About Us - Georgia Christian School |url=https://www.georgiachristian.org/about-us/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.georgiachristian.org}} Lighthouse Christian School,{{Cite web |title=History – Lighthouse Christian School |url=https://www.lcsministry.org/history/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |language=en-US}} Open Bible Christian School,{{Cite web |title=Open Bible Christian School |url=https://www.openbiblechristianschool.org/index.html |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.openbiblechristianschool.org}} Highland Christian Academy,{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://hcavaldosta.org/about-us/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Highland Christian Academy |language=en-US}} St. John Catholic School,{{Cite web |title=School & History - St John the Evangelist Catholic School |url=https://www.sjcsvaldosta.org/about/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.sjcsvaldosta.org}} and Victory Christian School.{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.victorychristianvaldosta.org/our-history |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Victory Christian School |language=en-US}}

Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University (VSU), founded in 1906 as South Georgia State Normal College for Women.[http://www.valdosta.edu/ Valdosta State University], Retrieved June 23, 2010. It became part of the University System of Georgia in 1950 as Valdosta State College. It achieved university status and became VSU in 1993 and is one of two regional universities in Georgia.

An extension of Georgia Military College is in the city limits,[http://valdosta.gmc.cc.ga.us/ Georgia Military College- Valdosta Campus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522221439/http://valdosta.gmc.cc.ga.us/ |date=May 22, 2010 }}, Retrieved June 23, 2010. and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is located a mile outside of the city limits off Interstate 75.[http://www.valdostatech.edu/ Valdosta Technical College] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615183303/http://www.valdostatech.edu/ |date=June 15, 2010 }}. Retrieved June 23, 2010.

Also located in Valdosta is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide: Moody Campus.{{cite web |title=Embry-Riddle Worldwide |url=https://worldwide.erau.edu/locations/moody |access-date=February 22, 2024 |df=mdy-all}}

• The Valdosta Daily Times

AM:

{{div col}}

• WJEM 1150 AM; 5 kW Gospel
• WVLD 1450 AM; 1 kW Rock (Rock 106.9)
• WGUN 950 AM; 4 kW Adult Urban Contemporary
• WRFV 910 AM; 50 kW

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FM:

{{div col}}

• WDDQ TALK 92.1 FM Talk radio
• WAYT 88.1 FM Christian Contemporary (licensed to Thomasville)
• WVVS 90.9 FM VSU station
• WWET 91.7 FM (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
• WAAC 92.9 FM Country
• WJYF 95.3 FM Christian Contemporary
• WQPW 95.7 FM Adult Contemporary
• WJEM 96.1 (repeater of 1150 AM)
• WGOV-FM 96.7 FM Urban
• WAFT 101.1 FM Christian
• WXHT 102.7 FM Pop Hits (Broadcast from Valdosta but licensed to Madison, Florida)
• WSTI 105.3 FM Classic Soul and R&B (Broadcast from Valdosta but licensed to Quitman)
• W295AO 106.9 Rock (repeater of WVLD 1450AM)
• WWRQ 107.9 FM The Beat

{{div col end}}

Valdosta and Lowndes County is part of the Tallahassee, Florida television market and receives most channels from that city; it also receives some channels from the neighboring Albany market.

• WSWG channel 44 is the local CBS affiliate licensed to Valdosta and based in Moultrie. The station serves the Valdosta and Albany areas, and includes subchannels offering programming from MyNetworkTV and Me-TV.
• WXGA-TV channel 8 is the local GPB outlet, licensed to Waycross.

• 20px Interstate 75 (State Route 401) runs north to south through a western section of Valdosta, with access from Exits 11 through 22. I-75 leads north {{convert|46|mi}} to Tifton and southeast {{convert|62|mi}} to Lake City, Florida.
• 20px U.S. Highway 41 (State Route 7) runs north to south entering the city at the Withlacoochee River being known as North Valdosta Road, and continuing south on North Ashley Street. It branches into two sections at Five Points, US 41 Business / SR 7 Business traveling south down North Ashley Street, US 41 Alternate / SR 7 Alternate traveling south down Patterson Street. At the overpass over the CSX railroad, they join to become US 41 Business / SR 7 Business following South Patterson Street.
• 20px U.S. Highway 84 (Wiregrass Georgia Parkway) is colocated with State Route 38 and runs west to east bisecting the city and is known as Hill Avenue through the city limits. US 84 leads northeast {{convert|62|mi}} to Waycross and west {{convert|43|mi}} to Thomasville.
• 20px U.S. Highway 221 follows US 84 and SR 38 west of Valdosta and State Route 31 northeast of Valdosta. US 221 leads west with US 84 {{convert|17|mi}} to Quitman and northeast {{convert|21|mi}} to Lakeland.

• The Valdosta Regional Airport, {{convert|3|mi|0}} south of the center of Valdosta, is served by Delta Air Lines to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a Delta Connection. There is also a Greyhound bus station.

• Azalea City Trail
• VSU Walking Trail System

• In 1898, the Valdosta Street Railway Company secured the right to operate streetcars on Patterson, Ashley, Toombs, Lee, Hill, Central, Crane and Gordon streets. Valdosta was one of the smallest cities in America to have a street railway system. The streetcar operated in the downtown area between 1899 and 1924. The abandoned tracks were removed in the 1940s to be used as scrap metal for the war effort.Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum

For several decades the Atlantic Coast Line and the Southern Railway ran regular passenger trains on a Chicago to Florida circuit, making stops in Valdosta, albeit at different stations. The Atlantic Coast Line ran the South Wind through Valdosta, and the Southern operated the Ponce de Leon and the Royal Palm through the town.

After Amtrak assumed passenger rail operations in the United States in 1971 it operated the Floridian from Chicago to St. Petersburg and Miami. In a group of several train disestablishments in 1979, Amtrak discontinued the Floridian, thus marking the last time that passenger trains served south Georgia (excepting the New York-Florida service in eastern Georgia).

==Notable people==

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• Michelle Anderson, president of Brooklyn College and a scholar on rape law
• Alex W. Bealer, Atlanta blacksmith and author; born in Valdosta in 1921
• Alfred Corn, poet and essayist; raised in Valdosta
• Doc Holliday, Western dentist, gunfighter and gambler; spent his youth in Valdosta
• Louis Lomax, African-American journalist and the son of a leading local educator
• James Lord Pierpont, composer of "Jingle Bells"; lived many years in Valdosta, where he taught music
• Elsie Quarterman, plant biologist and professor of biology at Vanderbilt University; born in Valdosta in 1910
• Mary Turner, African-American lynching victim

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• Rhett Akins, country artist, two-time Songwriter of the Year, member of the Peach Pickers writing trio and his son, Thomas Rhett, country music artist
• Don Fleming, indie rock musician and producer
• From First to Last (Matt Good, Derek Bloom and Travis Richer), post-hardcore band
• Ben Hayslip, two-time Country Music Songwriter of the Year. Member of The Peach Pickers along with Valdosta native Rhett Akins
• Bill Hicks, comedian; born in Valdosta
• NewSong, Christian band
• Margaret Pardee, violinist and violin teacher
• Pauley Perrette, actress best known for NCIS; attended Valdosta State University
• Billy Joe Royal, country music and pop artist; born in Valdosta
• Sonny Shroyer, actor best known for role as Enos Strate on The Dukes of Hazzard; born in Valdosta
• Domonique Simone, adult film star
• Pierce Wallace, ESPN Fan Hall of Fame and television personality
• Demond Wilson, minister and TV actor best known for playing Lamont on Sanford and Son
• William Workman, opera singer{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGT1AAAAMAAJ&dq=william+workman+1940+baritone&pg=PA2529|title=William Workman|work=Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians|volume=2|year=1984|author=Nicolas Slonimsky|editor=Theodore Baker|publisher=G. Schirmer, Inc.|isbn=9780028702704}}

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Briny Baird, professional golfer on PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour
• Buck Belue, former Valdosta High School standout and quarterback of the University of Georgia's 1980 national championship team, now a radio talk show host
• Dusty Bonner, VSU quarterback, later played for Kentucky, NFL's Atlanta Falcons and arena football league
• Dana Brinson, former NFL player
• Cliff Brown, soccer player and coach{{cite web |title=NASL–Cliff Brown |url=https://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/B/Brown.Cliff.htm |website=(NASL) jerseys |access-date=February 14, 2025}}
• Vincent Burns, NFL defensive tackle (Indianapolis Colts)
• Lorenzo Cain, MLB center fielder
• Ellis Clary, former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, coach, and scout
• Buck Coats, former MLB player
• Pepper Daniels, baseball player in the Negro leagues{{Cite web|title=Pepper Daniels - Seamheads Negro Leagues Database|url=https://www.seamheads.com/NegroLgs/player.php?playerID=danie01pep|access-date=2020-08-21|website=www.seamheads.com}}
• William "Red" Dawson, only surviving coach of the 1970 Marshall tragedy, chronicled in the movie We Are Marshall{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758794/|title=We Are Marshall (2006)|website=IMDb.com|date=December 22, 2006|access-date=August 27, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.marshall.edu/ |title=Marshall University - Huntington, WV |publisher=Marshall.edu |access-date=September 6, 2012}}
• Harris English, professional golfer on the PGA Tour
• Dot Fulghum, played in MLB for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1921
• Willie Gary, NFL, St. Louis Rams, played in Super Bowl XXXVI
• Randall Godfrey, NFL linebacker, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers
• DL Hall, MLB prospect and former first-round pick
• Brice Hunter, NFL wide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Sean Kazmar Jr., former MLB player
• Malcolm Mitchell, NFL wide receiver, New England Patriots
• Kenny Moore II, NFL player
• Todd Peterson, former NFL player
• Jay Ratliff, NFL nose tackle, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears
• Greg Reid, former Florida State and Valdosta State football player, now plays for Arena Football League team, Tampa Bay Storm
• Desmond (Desi) Relaford, MLB infielder
• Stan Rome, NFL player, Kansas City Chiefs (1979–1982){{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RomeSt00.htm |title=Stan Rome NFL Football Statistics |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=1956-06-04 |access-date=September 6, 2012}}
• Coleman Rudolph, football player, Georgia Tech and NFL's New York Giants and Jets
• Glenn Schumann, football coach who is currently the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the Georgia Bulldogs
• Telvin Smith, NFL linebacker, played for Florida State Football, before being drafted to the Jacksonville Jaguars

{{div col end}}

File:Valdosta City Hall front 12713.JPG

• Allen Boyd, served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida from 1997 to 2011
• Charlie Norwood, served as a Republican congressman from Georgia from 1995 to 2007
• Melvin E. Thompson, the 71st governor of Georgia, retired and died in Valdosta

{{div col}}

• Parts of Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe and the 1991 film based upon the novel are set in Valdosta.
• In Allen Steele's science fiction novel Coyote Frontier, Valdosta in the year 2070 is the site of Camp Buchanan, an internment camp for dissident liberal intellectuals.
• Scenes from Ernest in the Army take place in Valdosta, even though the entire film was shot in South Africa.
• Scenes from the film Zombieland, starring Woody Harrelson, were shot on Valdosta streets and at nearby Wild Adventures theme park.{{cite web |url=http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_057005646.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630184623/http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_057005646.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |title=Zombieland: Psst! There's a movie in town |access-date=March 5, 2009 |author=Dean Poling |date=February 26, 2009 |publisher=Valdosta Daily Times }}
• In Cotton Patch Gospel, Joe moves Jesus and the rest of the family to Valdosta when Herod dies.
• The Lady Chablis performed in Valdosta in the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.
• The 1986 movie As Summers Die starring Bette Davis and Jamie Lee Curtis was filmed in Valdosta.
• In John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden, Adam Trask stops in Valdosta to steal supplies and request money from his brother Charles after escaping from a Florida chain gang on his way back to Connecticut.
• In the movie The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck, the title character claims that they are heading towards "the roughest country this side of Valdosta, Georgia".
• One of the opening sketches of the second episode of the first season of the sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David features a Dixiecrat senator, played by Bob Odenkirk, attending a folk festival in Valdosta and ordering it shut down when he decides the featured exhibits are too suggestive.

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wiktionary|Valdosta}}

{{wikivoyage|Valdosta}}

• [https://www.valdostacity.com/ City of Valdosta official website]
• [http://www.newgeorgiaencyclopedia.com/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2212 Valdosta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620085303/http://www.newgeorgiaencyclopedia.com/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2212 |date=June 20, 2013 }} at New Georgia Encyclopedia
• [https://dlg.usg.edu/collection/dlg_sgan South Georgia Historic Newspapers Archive], Digital Library of Georgia

{{Portal bar|Cities|Georgia (U.S. state)}}

{{Valdosta, Georgia}}

{{Lowndes County, Georgia}}

{{Georgia (U.S. state)}}

{{Georgia county seats}}

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Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Cities in Lowndes County, Georgia

Category:County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)

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