Griffin, Georgia
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| Griffin, Georgia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Griffin, Georgia |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | The Iris City |
| Pushpin label | Griffin |
| Coordinates | 33, 14, 44, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Georgia |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Spalding |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1840 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1843 |
| Government type | Council–Manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Doug Hollberg |
| Area total km2 | 37.8 |
| Area total sq mi | 14.6 |
| Area land km2 | 37.6 |
| Area land sq mi | 14.5 |
| Area water km2 | 0.2 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.1 |
| Elevation m | 298 |
| Elevation ft | 978 |
| Population total | 23257 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 30223-30224 |
| Area code | 770, 678 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 13-35324 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0356128 |
| Website | www.cityofgriffin.com |
Griffin, Georgia. Griffin is a city in and the county seat of Spalding County, located approximately 40 miles south of Atlanta. Founded in 1840 at the intersection of multiple early railroad lines, it developed as a significant textile and agricultural hub, earning the nickname "The Iris City" for its prolific cultivation of the flower. Today, it serves as a regional commercial and medical center for the Southern Crescent region of Metro Atlanta.
History
The city was founded in 1840 by General Lawrence Lewis Griffin, a land speculator and railroad promoter, at the junction of the Macon and Western Railroad and the Atlanta and West Point Railroad. Its strategic location fueled rapid growth, leading to its incorporation by the Georgia General Assembly in 1843 and its designation as the seat of the newly formed Spalding County in 1851. The Griffin Female College, chartered in 1844, was an early educational institution, while the city's economy was heavily shaped by cotton and later textile manufacturing, with mills like the Kincaid-Webb Mill becoming major employers. During the American Civil War, it was a site for Confederate hospitals and ordnance works, and it was occupied by forces under General William T. Sherman in 1864. The 20th century saw the rise of major textile corporations, including the Dundee Mills and the Griffin Spalding County Hospital becoming a key regional facility.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles, of which 14.5 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water. Griffin is situated in the Piedmont region of Georgia, characterized by rolling hills. The primary waterway is the Flint River, which flows to the west of the city. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters, typical of the Southeastern United States. The city is intersected by U.S. Route 41 and Georgia State Route 7, and is located near Interstate 75 in Georgia.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 23,257. The racial makeup was approximately 55.5% African American, 36.5% White American, 3.1% Asian American, and 4.9% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race comprised about 6.5% of the population. The population density was around 1,600 people per square mile. Median household income figures are typically below the state average, with a notable portion of the population employed in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors.
Economy
Historically dominated by textile manufacturing, the city's economy has diversified following the decline of that industry. Major employers now include the Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital, the University of Georgia's Griffin Campus which focuses on agricultural and environmental research, and distribution centers for companies like Amazon and Chewy. Manufacturing remains significant, with facilities for Pirelli tires and Yamaha marine engines. The Downtown Griffin area has undergone revitalization efforts to attract small businesses and tourism.
Education
The city is served by the Griffin-Spalding County School System, which includes schools like Griffin High School. Higher education is represented by the University of Georgia Griffin Campus, a major agricultural research station, and the Southern Crescent Technical College which offers vocational and technical training. The former Griffin Technical College was merged into this system. The city is also home to several private schools, including the Griffin Christian School.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with Griffin include baseball Hall of Famer Ty Cobb, who lived and began his career here; soul singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Otis Redding; former United States Secretary of the Interior John B. Kendrick; National Football League player Takeo Spikes; and actress Joanne Whalley. Astronaut John H. Casper and blues musician Frank Edwards also have connections to the city.
Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Spalding County, Georgia Category:County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)