Smyrna, Georgia
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Image:Atlanta from Smyrna.jpg Smyrna is a city located in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 40,999. Census estimates of 2004 indicate a population of 45,755.
During the American Civil War, it was known as Ruff's Station, along the Western & Atlantic Railroad (then-known as the State Road). In 1862 it was the site of the Battle of Ruff's Station on July 4th during the Atlanta Campaign. The city was later known as Varner's Station, and subsequently named after a nearby campground, which was in turn named for the historic city of Smyrna, due to the area's large Greek-American population.
Smyrna is one of the closest suburbs to Atlanta, located near the northern intersection of I-285 and I-75, which is the site of Cumberland Mall, a large commercial district including several shopping centers. It is also near Vinings, Marietta, and Mableton.
The city operates the Smyrna Public Library. This is the only city-operated library system in Georgia and is separate from the Cobb County Public Library System (CCPLS).
The Rotary Club of Smyrna was chartered in 1963 and is the City's oldest and largest service organization. Comprised of the business and professional leaders of the City, Smyrna Rotary supports the humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs of The Rotary Foundation.
Smyrna is also the birthplace of actress Julia Roberts, who famously refused in the 1990s to acknowledge her hometown's praise of her earlier accomplishments. The snubs have taken their toll on her local popularity, however, which has largely died down.Template:Fact
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Geography
Image:GAMap-doton-Smyrna.PNG Smyrna is located at 33°52'19" North, 84°31'6" West (33.871854, -84.518380)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.1 km² (13.9 mi²). 36.0 km² (13.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.14% water.
Smyrna is located about 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Known as the "Jonquil City", it derives this name from the thousands of jonquils that flourish in gardens and along the streets in early spring. The general terrain of the area is characteristic of the Piedmont region of Georgia, characterized by hills with broad ridges, sloping uplands, and relatively narrow valleys. Smyrna sits at an altitude of about 1,150 feet above sea level.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 40,999 people, 18,372 households, and 9,498 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,138.8/km² (2,949.9/mi²). There were 19,633 housing units at an average density of 545.3/km² (1,412.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.44% White, 27.19% African American, 0.41% Native American, 3.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.61% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 13.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 18,372 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.3% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 43.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,572, and the median income for a family was $53,821. Males had a median income of $38,896 versus $35,465 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,637. 8.9% of the population and 6.7% of families were below the poverty line. 10.9% of those under the age of 18 and 8.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Transportation
Smyrna is located near three interstate highways: I-75, I-20, and I-285. Downtown Atlanta is a 15-minute drive at off-peak hours via I-75. In addition, several principal arterial roadways, such as Cobb Parkway (U.S. Highway 41), Atlanta Road (Old State Highway 3) and South Cobb Drive (State Highway 280), pass through the municipality.
Politics
Max Bacon is the current Mayor of Smyrna. Past and present civic leaders have included Bacon's father Arthur Bacon, Frank Johnson, Harold Smith, Robert Moultrie, Wade Lnenicka, and Jim Hawkins. Other notables from the area include former U.S. Representative Bob Barr and former Atlanta Brave Ron Gantt.
Smyrna's politics are an interesting study in location and trends. A longtime stronghold for traditional, small-town, conservative Southern Democrats living literally next door to ever-increasingly liberal and cosmopolitan Atlanta, even well into the 1990s, it is now seen as a largely Republican district, located inside a strong Democratic enclave with a growing minority population (South Cobb), located in a predominantly Republican county (Cobb County). As a result, although local officials are nonpartisan, state and federal representation is fairly evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
School System
Smyrna is served by the Cobb County School District.