Hollis and Hinton store on Commerce Street, circa 1911
Summerville was founded in 1838 as the seat of the newly formed Chattooga County. It was incorporated as a town in 1839 and as a city in 1909.[5] Summerville was named from the fact it was a popular summer resort.[6] The city thrived in the late 1880s with the construction of the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad (later part of the Central of Georgia system).[7]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,435 people, 1,769 households, and 997 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,556 people, 1,823 households, and 1,141 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,144.3 inhabitants per square mile (441.8/km2). There were 2,092 housing units at an average density of 525.4 per square mile (202.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.06% White, 25.31% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.90% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.
Summerville Depot
There were 1,823 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,911, and the median income for a family was $35,579. Males had a median income of $26,707 versus $20,222 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,090. About 18.1% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 20.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public education in Summerville is administered by the Chattooga County School District. The district operates three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.[14] The district has 184 full-time teachers and over 2,834 students.[15]
The organization's founder, John Charles Turner, is a retired teacher who taught art at Chattooga High School. He was the advisor of the school's Rotary Interact Club where the World Friendship Flag was created. The flag was designed by Howard Finster, an artist who also resided in Summerville.[18][19]
In 2021, Summerville began the annual Friendship Festival, which occurs in Dowdy Park on the last Saturday in July. Preceding the event is Friendship Week, a week-long event with activities intended to promote community engagement.[21][22] Summerville has branded itself as the "friendship capital of the world."[23][24]
In 2023, a pocket park known as the World Friendship Pocket Park was completed in Summerville. The park was funded by a "Buy a Brick" fundraiser which allowed people to purchase engraved bricks to be displayed in the park.[25] In the center of the park is the "Solid Rock of World Friendship," a commemorative rock for the World Friendship Flag Project.[26]
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