Homer, Georgia

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Homer, Georgia
Town
Location in Banks County and the state of Georgia
Location in Banks County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 34°20′2″N 83°29′59″W / 34.33389°N 83.49972°W / 34.33389; -83.49972Coordinates: 34°20′2″N 83°29′59″W / 34.33389°N 83.49972°W / 34.33389; -83.49972
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyBanks
Area
 • Total9.84 sq mi (25.48 km2)
 • Land9.80 sq mi (25.39 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation
814 ft (248 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,141
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
1,220
 • Density124.46/sq mi (48.06/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30547
Area code(s)706
FIPS code13-39720[3]
GNIS feature ID0332015[4]

Homer is a town in Banks County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,141 at the 2010 census.[5] The town is the county seat of Banks County.[6]

History[edit]

The community was named after Homer Jackson, a pioneer citizen.[7] Homer was founded in 1858 as seat for the newly established Banks County.[8] Homer was incorporated as a town in 1859, and its first courthouse was built in 1863.

Geography[edit]

A view of downtown Homer's main street
Looking across the park downtown towards the old Banks County Courthouse, the large brick building in the left background
A closeup of the Old Banks County Courthouse, now a tourist attraction
A view down a side street off the main street of Homer. The church is the First Baptist Church of Homer.

Homer is located at 34°20′2″N 83°29′59″W / 34.33389°N 83.49972°W / 34.33389; -83.49972 (34.333851, -83.499844).[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.0 km2), of which 9.6 square miles (24.9 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.38%, is water.[5]

Education[edit]

Banks County students in kindergarten to grade twelve are in the Banks County School District, which consists of two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.[10] The district has 150 full-time teachers and over 2,428 students.[11]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870120—
188014016.7%
1900221—
19102283.2%
192029127.6%
1930248−14.8%
194028314.1%
195034020.1%
196061280.0%
1970365−40.4%
1980734101.1%
19907421.1%
200095028.0%
20101,14120.1%
2019 (est.)1,220[2]6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 950 people, 366 households, and 249 families residing in the town. The population density was 99.1 people per square mile (38.2/km2). There were 406 housing units at an average density of 42.4 per square mile (16.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 84.32% White, 11.79% African American, 1.16% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 1.16% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.00% of the population.

There were 366 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,500, and the median income for a family was $41,667. Males had a median income of $30,147 versus $23,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,353. About 8.9% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture[edit]

Homer is among the earliest to hold the world record for an Easter egg hunt - 80,000 eggs, listed in the 1985 Guinness Book of World Records. The event in the small town of 1,100 people is an Easter Sunday tradition that has lasted 47 years. The egg hunt each year draws about 5,000 egg hunters, children and adults. Even though it no longer holds the record, Homer has long touted its annual hunt as the world's largest.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Homer town, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 111. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  8. ^ Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 233. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ^ Georgia Board of Education[permanent dead link], Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  11. ^ School Stats, Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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