Dawsonville, Georgia | |
---|---|
Motto(s): "Protecting our history and providing for the future" | |
Coordinates: 34°25′N84°7′W / 34.417°N 84.117°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Georgia |
County | Dawson |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-council government |
• Mayor | John Walden |
Area | |
• Total | 8.61 sq mi (22.31 km2) |
• Land | 8.59 sq mi (22.25 km2) |
• Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
Elevation | 1,365 ft (416 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 3,720 |
• Density | 433.01/sq mi (167.19/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 30534 |
Area code | 706 |
FIPS code | 13-21940 [2] |
GNIS feature ID | 0331529 [3] |
Website | www |
Dawsonville is a city in and the county seat of Dawson County, [4] Georgia, United States. The population was 2,536 at the 2010 census, [5] up from 619 in 2000.
Dawsonville is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The city head is Mayor John Walden, who was sworn in on December 18, 2023. [6]
Dawsonville was founded in 1857 as seat of the newly formed Dawson County. It was incorporated as a town in 1859 and as a city in 1952. [7] The community and the county are named for U.S. Senator William Crosby Dawson. [8]
Dawsonville is located at 34°25′N 84°7′W.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.2 square miles (21.3 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2), or 0.26%, is water. [5]
The community is at the junction of State Routes 9, 53, and 136. SR 9 leads northeast 14 miles (23 km) to Dahlonega and south 17 miles (27 km) to Cumming, while SR 53 leads southeast 6 miles (10 km) to U.S. Route 19 and west 24 miles (39 km) to Jasper. SR 136 also leads to Jasper, on a 29-mile (47 km) route that runs further to the north through the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Amicalola Falls, 15 miles (24 km) north of the center of Dawsonville, is one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 199 | — | |
1900 | 217 | — | |
1910 | 179 | −17.5% | |
1920 | 198 | 10.6% | |
1930 | 203 | 2.5% | |
1940 | 319 | 57.1% | |
1950 | 318 | −0.3% | |
1960 | 307 | −3.5% | |
1970 | 288 | −6.2% | |
1980 | 342 | 18.8% | |
1990 | 467 | 36.5% | |
2000 | 619 | 32.5% | |
2010 | 2,536 | 309.7% | |
2020 | 3,720 | 46.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] |
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 3,236 | 86.99% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 29 | 0.78% |
Native American | 15 | 0.4% |
Asian | 20 | 0.54% |
Pacific Islander | 5 | 0.13% |
Other/mixed | 167 | 4.49% |
Hispanic or Latino | 248 | 6.67% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,720 people, 998 households, and 667 families residing in the city.
As of the census [2] of 2000, there were 619 people, 234 households, and 153 families residing in the city. The population density was 320.9 inhabitants per square mile (123.9/km2). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 133.2 per square mile (51.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.97% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.00% of the population.
There were 234 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,327, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $25,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,207. About 12.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
The city's community is known in auto racing circles for its long tradition of involvement in the sport; many racing skills originally developed as a consequence of moonshine activity in the area. Dawsonville celebrates this legacy each October with the annual "Mountain Moonshine Festival". [11]
Dawsonville is the home of retired NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, who won the Winston Cup championship in 1988 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015, and his son Chase Elliott, who won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Championship and who currently races in the NASCAR Cup Series. Bill Elliott's nickname is "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville". [12] The former city hall has a racing theme as well, and serves as the location of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Following a significant racing accomplishment made by Bill or Chase Elliott, such as a win, the siren on the Dawsonville Pool Room near the city square goes off to let the town know.
The Dawson County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. [13] The district has 219 full-time teachers and 3,036 students. [14]
The Dawson County School System is a charter system.
Dawson County is a county located in the Northeast portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,798 up from 22,330 in 2010. The county seat is Dawsonville.
Calhoun is a city in Gordon County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 16,949. Calhoun is the county seat of Gordon County.
Lilburn is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. The population was 14,502 at the 2020 census. The estimated population was 12,810 in 2019. It is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Stockbridge is a city in Henry County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 25,637, up from 9,853 in 2000.
Jasper is a city in Pickens County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,684 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Pickens County.
Mooresville is a town located in the southwestern section of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States, and is a part of the fast-growing Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 50,193 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous municipality in Iredell County. It is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of Charlotte.
Cornelius is a suburban town located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. It is a major suburb in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 24,866 at the 2010 census.
Huntersville is a large suburban town in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. At the 2020 census, its population was 61,376, making Huntersville the 15th-most populous municipality in North Carolina. It is located in the Charlotte metropolitan area and 14 mi (23 km) north of Charlotte.
Randleman is a city in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,113 at the 2010 census. It is the home of NASCAR's Petty family, the Victory Junction Gang Camp and was the location of the Richard Petty Museum from 2003 to 2014.
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,131 at the 2020 US Census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in the community. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces of the sport of stock-car racing, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first NASCAR-sanctioned track. Due to the town's proximity to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and its numerous tourist venues, North Wilkesboro has been nicknamed the "Key to the Blue Ridge".
Easley is a city in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Most of the city lies in Pickens County, with a small portion of the city in Anderson County.
William Clyde Elliott Sr., also known as "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville", "Million Dollar Bill", or "Wild Bill" is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He last competed in the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience part-time in 2022. His accolades include the 1988 Winston Cup Championship and garnering 44 wins in that series, including two Daytona 500 victories in 1985 and 1987, three Southern 500 victories in 1985, 1988, and 1994, one Winston 500 victory in 1985, one Brickyard 400 victory in 2002, one "The Winston All-Star Race" win in 1986, and a record four consecutive wins at Michigan International Speedway between 1985 and 1986.
The 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock season was the inaugural season of professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at Charlotte Speedway on June 19, 1949, the season included eight races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the Wilkes 200 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on October 16. Raymond Parks won the Owners' Championship, while Red Byron won the Drivers' Championship with a 16th-place finish at the final race of the season.
The Daytona Beach and Road Course was a motorsport race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It originally became famous as the location where 15 world land speed records were set.
Raymond Parks was an American stock car racing team owner. He was the owner of Red Byron's car which won the inaugural NASCAR Strictly Stock Series championship in 1949. Parks was announced as one of the members of the 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame class.
Gober C. Sosebee was an American racecar driver. He won on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949, 1950, and 1951. He was born in Dawson County, Georgia, and began his career in 1940 at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway.
Carl D. "Lightning" Lloyd Seay was an early stock car racing driver from Georgia. NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. described Seay as the "best pure race driver I ever saw". He was shot to death by his cousin Woodrow Anderson over a moonshine operation. His last name was pronounced as "See".
Roy Hall, known as "Rapid Roy" and "Reckless Roy", was a pioneering American stock car racing driver, who achieved success in the early days of the sport driving cars owned by Raymond Parks and prepared by Red Vogt. Hall was also involved in the moonshine trade in north Georgia in the 1930s and 1940s and would compete in three events in the NASCAR Strictly Stock Series shortly following its formation.
Ed Samples was a pioneering American stock car driver, who competed in NSCRA and NASCAR events in the 1940s and early 1950s. He was the winner of the 1946 stock car racing championship and later won the 1949 National Stock Car Racing Association championship.
David Sosebee is a retired NASCAR Winston Cup Series race car driver who competed from 1979 to 1988. He is the son of racer Gober Sosebee.