Jonesboro, Georgia

City in Georgia, United States

Jonesboro, Georgia

City

Buildings in the Jonesboro Historic District

Flag

Seal

Logo

Location in Clayton County and the state of Georgia

Jonesboro

Location of Jonesboro in Metro Atlanta

Coordinates: 33°31′28″N 84°21′15″W﻿ / ﻿33.52444°N 84.35417°W﻿ / 33.52444; -84.35417
Country| United States
State| Georgia
County| Clayton
Government

• Mayor| Donya Sartor
Area

[1]

• Total| 3.00 sq mi (7.76 km2)
• Land| 2.98 sq mi (7.71 km2)
• Water| 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation

| 919 ft (280 m)
Population

(2020)

• Total| 4,235
• Density| 1,422.10/sq mi (549.16/km2)
Time zone| UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes|

30236-30238

Area code(s)| 770/678/470
FIPS code| 13-42604[2]
GNIS feature ID| 0332118[3]
Website| jonesboroga.com

Jonesboro (/ˈdʒoʊnzbʌrə/) is a city in and the county seat of Clayton County, Georgia, United States.[4] The population was 4,724 as of the 2010 census.

The city's name was originally spelled Jonesborough.[citation needed] During the Civil War, the final skirmish in the Atlanta Campaign was fought here south of Atlanta, cutting off the city and forcing the mayor of Atlanta to surrender at Marietta in early September 1864. The final fall of Atlanta in the Battle of Jonesborough ended up being a decisive point in the nation's history, propelling Abraham Lincoln to re-election two months later, and continuing the war until the Confederacy finally surrendered the following year.

## Geography[edit]

Jonesboro is located at 33°31′28″N 84°21′15″W﻿ / ﻿33.52444°N 84.35417°W﻿ / 33.52444; -84.35417 (33.524512, -84.354290).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), of which 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (1.89%) is water.

The railroad through Jonesboro is built on the Eastern Continental Divide and there are no bridges for the tracks for many miles in either direction.

### Climate[edit]

Climate data for Jonesboro, Georgia, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1994-present

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 77
(25)  | 81
(27)  | 89
(32)  | 92
(33)  | 95
(35)  | 103
(39)  | 104
(40)  | 104
(40)  | 99
(37)  | 98
(37)  | 86
(30)  | 78
(26)  | 104
(40)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 69.7
(20.9)  | 73.6
(23.1)  | 80.7
(27.1)  | 85.3
(29.6)  | 90.4
(32.4)  | 95.9
(35.5)  | 96.1
(35.6)  | 95.9
(35.5)  | 92.5
(33.6)  | 82.8
(28.2)  | 76.8
(24.9)  | 72.6
(22.6)  | 97.7
(36.5)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 52.7
(11.5)  | 56.5
(13.6)  | 64.7
(18.2)  | 73.0
(22.8)  | 80.5
(26.9)  | 86.7
(30.4)  | 89.6
(32.0)  | 88.6
(31.4)  | 83.2
(28.4)  | 73.4
(23.0)  | 62.4
(16.9)  | 54.7
(12.6)  | 72.2
(22.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 42.5
(5.8)  | 45.9
(7.7)  | 53.3
(11.8)  | 61.0
(16.1)  | 69.7
(20.9)  | 76.6
(24.8)  | 79.8
(26.6)  | 78.8
(26.0)  | 73.3
(22.9)  | 62.5
(16.9)  | 51.7
(10.9)  | 45.1
(7.3)  | 61.7
(16.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 32.3
(0.2)  | 35.3
(1.8)  | 41.8
(5.4)  | 49.1
(9.5)  | 58.8
(14.9)  | 66.5
(19.2)  | 70.0
(21.1)  | 69.0
(20.6)  | 63.3
(17.4)  | 51.6
(10.9)  | 40.9
(4.9)  | 35.4
(1.9)  | 51.2
(10.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 17.1
(−8.3)  | 22.3
(−5.4)  | 28.6
(−1.9)  | 36.3
(2.4)  | 45.9
(7.7)  | 58.2
(14.6)  | 63.4
(17.4)  | 63.5
(17.5)  | 53.1
(11.7)  | 37.1
(2.8)  | 27.7
(−2.4)  | 24.0
(−4.4)  | 15.9
(−8.9)
Record low °F (°C)  | 5
(−15)  | 6
(−14)  | 14
(−10)  | 29
(−2)  | 37
(3)  | 50
(10)  | 52
(11)  | 57
(14)  | 42
(6)  | 29
(−2)  | 19
(−7)  | 7
(−14)  | 5
(−15)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 5.02
(128)  | 4.86
(123)  | 4.95
(126)  | 4.19
(106)  | 3.47
(88)  | 4.59
(117)  | 5.09
(129)  | 4.42
(112)  | 3.56
(90)  | 3.62
(92)  | 4.19
(106)  | 4.96
(126)  | 52.92
(1,343)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 0.5
(1.3)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.1
(0.25)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.2
(0.51)  | 0.8
(2.06)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.5  | 10.6  | 9.7  | 8.5  | 8.3  | 10.8  | 11.2  | 10.2  | 7.9  | 6.8  | 8.2  | 10.4  | 113.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.3  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.1  | 0.4
Source 1: NOAA[6]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006-2020)[7]

## Infrastructure[edit]

### Transit systems[edit]

MARTA and Xpress GA/Georgia RTA buses serve the city.

## Demographics[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 531| | —
1880| 1,048| | 97.4%
1890| 803| | −23.4%
1900| 877| | 9.2%
1910| 970| | 10.6%
1920| 1,060| | 9.3%
1930| 1,065| | 0.5%
1940| 1,204| | 13.1%
1950| 1,741| | 44.6%
1960| 3,014| | 73.1%
1970| 4,105| | 36.2%
1980| 4,132| | 0.7%
1990| 3,635| | −12.0%
2000| 3,829| | 5.3%
2010| 4,724| | 23.4%
2020| 4,235| | −10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

### 2020 census[edit]

Jonesboro racial composition[9] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 1,126  | 26.59%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 2,247  | 53.06%
Native American | 6  | 0.24%
Asian | 124  | 2.93%
Pacific Islander | 3  | 0.07%
Other/Mixed | 146  | 3.45%
Hispanic or Latino | 583  | 13.77%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,235 people, 1,195 households, and 771 families residing in the city.

### 2000 census[edit]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,829 people, 1,466 households, and 1,023 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,477.4 inhabitants per square mile (570.4/km2). There were 1,561 housing units at an average density of 602.3 units per square mile (232.5 units/km2). The racial composition of the city was 72.79% African American, 20.63% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 3.45% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.55% of the population. In the past 2 years that population has doubled to about 15.86%.

There were 1,466 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 25.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% 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 3.09.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,951, and the median income for a family was $39,143. Males had a median income of $29,236 versus $25,797 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,178. About 19.2% of families and 20.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

## History[edit]

Jonesboro was inhabited by settlers as early as 1821, as a result of the Treaty of Indian Springs,[10] and it was founded as Leaksville in 1823.[11] In 1825, the Flint River Baptist Church was erected on a hill in Leaksville. After the Macon and Western Railroad arrived into the area in 1846, the town was renamed to Jonesboro, in order to honor railroad official Samuel G. Jones who was also honored by its citizens.[10] Jonesboro was incorporated over three decades later, in 1859.[12]

Jonesboro hosted the beach volleyball at the 1996 Summer Olympics with the artificial beach created at Clayton County International Park.[13] Jonesboro elected their first Black Mayor, Dr. Sonya Sartor, in March 2023.[14]

## Notable people[edit]

* Dan T. Cathy (born 1953), CEO of Chick-fil-A
* Chidi "Chi Chi" Osondu, Nigerian-American record producer and songwriter
* Tashard Choice, former running back in National Football League
* Harry Douglas, former NFL wide receiver
* Toney Douglas (born 1986), basketball player for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Jesse Fuller, Afro-American blues musician
* Sister Mary Melanie Holliday, Catholic nun
* Garrett Liberty, racing driver
* Steve Lundquist, two-time gold medal swimmer in 1984 Olympics
* Johnny Nave, racing driver
* Thomas Milton Rivers, bacteriologist and virologist with the Rockefeller Institute, Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy
* Adam Smith (born 1992), basketball player for Hapoel Holon in the Israel Basketball Premier League
* Annie Fitzgerald Stephens, landowner and businesswoman, grandmother of Margaret Mitchell
* Cameron Sutton, cornerback for the Detroit Lions
* M. J. Walker, shooting guard for Florida State

## Movies and literature[edit]

Many of the scenes from the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit were filmed in Jonesboro. Another 1977 movie, the obscure 'In Hot Pursuit (aka The Polk County Pot Plane), was filmed in and around Jonesboro.

Tara, the fictional plantation in Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone with the Wind was supposed to be located approximately five miles outside of Jonesboro, the closest town.

"We Are Marshall" was briefly filmed at Tara Stadium in Jonesboro. The stadium was changed from green to light blue and light yellow for the scene.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's (pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) album cover was photographed near the corner of Mill and Main streets.

## Landmarks[edit]

* Rural Home (now demolished)
* Stately Oaks

## Education[edit]

Clayton County Public Schools operates public schools.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Jonesboro, GA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
7. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Atlanta". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
9. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
10. ^ a b "Jonesboro, GA - City History". www.jonesboroga.com. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
11. ^ Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 234\. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
12. ^ "City History." (Archive) City of Jonesboro. Retrieved on September 21, 2012.
13. ^ Georgia Department of Economic Development. "Clayton County International Park". Explore Georgia.
14. ^ "Jonesboro voters elect Dr. Donya Sartor as their first-ever Black mayor". March 24, 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Media related to Jonesboro, Georgia at Wikimedia Commons
* City of Jonesboro

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Clayton County, Georgia, United States

County seat: Jonesboro

Cities|

* College Park‡
* Forest Park
* Jonesboro
* Lake City
* Lovejoy
* Morrow
* Riverdale

Map of Georgia highlighting Clayton County

CDPs|

* Bonanza
* Conley
* Irondale

Unincorporated
communities|

* Ellenwood‡
* Mountain View
* Mundys Mill
* Rex

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Georgia portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Historic districts in metro Atlanta

Clayton County|

Jonesboro

Cobb County|

Acworth
Acworth
Collins Ave.
Clarkdale
Clarkdale
Kennesaw
Cherokee St.
North Main St.
Summers St.
Marietta
Church St.–Cherokee St.
North Marietta
Washington Ave.
Whitlock Ave.

Coweta County|

Newnan
Cole Town
Greenville St.–LaGrange St.
Newnan Commercial
Newnan Cotton Mill and Mill Village
Northwest Newnan Residential
Platinum Point
Other
Grantville
Roscoe–Dunaway Gardens
Sargent
Senoia

DeKalb County|

Atlanta
Candler Park
Druid Hills (Atlanta)
Inman Park–Moreland
Kirkwood
Avondale Estates
Brookhaven

Oglethorpe University
Decatur
Clairemont
MAK (McDonough, Adams, King)
Ponce de Leon Court
South Candler Street–Agnes Scott College
Winnona Park
Druid Hills
Emory Grove
Emory University District
University Park–Emory Highlands–Emory Estate
Stone Mountain

Douglas County|

Douglasville

Fulton County|

Atlanta
Adair Park
Ansley Park
Atkins Park
Atlanta University Center
Berkeley Park
Brookhaven
Brookwood Hills
Cabbagetown
Castleberry Hill
Collier Heights
Fairlie–Poplar
Fox Theatre Historic District
Garden Hills
Georgia Tech
Grant Park
Hotel Row
Howell Interlocking
Knight Park–Howell Station
Inman Park
Inman Park–Moreland
King Plow/Railroad Historic District (proposed)
Knox Apts., Cauthorn House and Peachtree Rd. Apts.
Lakewood Heights
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
Means St.
Midtown
Mozley Park
Oakland City
Peachtree Highlands–Peachtree Park
Pittsburgh
Reynoldstown
Southern Ry. North Ave. Yards
Sunset Ave. (proposed)
Sweet Auburn
Techwood Homes
Underground Atlanta
Virginia-Highland
Washington Park
West End * Whittier Mills
Other
College Park
East Point Industrial District
Fairburn
Hapeville
Roswell

Gwinnett County|

Norcross

Hall County|

Gainesville
Brenau University
Chicopee Mill and Village
Gainesville Commercial
Green Street
Green St.–Brenau
Other
Clermont
Flowery Branch
Gillsville
Lula

Newton County|

Covington
Covington
Covington Mills and Mill Village
Floyd Street
Other
Newborn
North Covington
Oxford
Porterdale
Starrsville

Rockdale County|

Conyers
Commercial
Residential

* v
* t
* e

County seats of Georgia

* Abbeville
* Adel
* Alamo
* Albany
* Alma
* Americus
* Appling
* Ashburn
* Athens
* Atlanta
* Augusta
* Bainbridge
* Barnesville
* Baxley
* Blackshear
* BlaIrsville
* Blakely
* Blue Ridge
* Brunswick
* Buchanan
* Buena Vista
* Butler
* Cairo
* Calhoun
* Camilla
* Canton
* Carnesville
* Carrollton
* Cartersville
* Cedartown
* Chatsworth
* Clarkesville
* Claxton
* Clayton
* Cleveland
* Cochran
* Colquitt
* Columbus
* Conyers
* Cordele
* Covington
* Crawfordville
* Cumming
* Cusseta
* Cuthbert
* Dahlonega
* Dallas
* Dalton
* Danielsville
* Darien
* Dawson
* Dawsonville
* Decatur
* Donalsonville
* Douglas
* Douglasville
* Dublin
* Eastman
* Eatonton
* Elberton
* Ellaville
* Ellijay
* Evans
* Fayetteville
* Fitzgerald
* Folkston
* Fort Gaines
* Fort Valley
* Franklin
* Gainesville
* Georgetown
* Gibson
* Gray
* Greensboro
* Greenville
* Griffin
* Hamilton
* Hartwell
* Hawkinsville
* Hazlehurst
* Hiawassee
* Hinesville
* Homer
* Homerville
* Irwinton
* Jackson
* Jasper
* Jefferson
* Jeffersonville
* Jesup
* Jonesboro
* Knoxville
* LaFayette
* LaGrange
* Lakeland
* Lawrenceville
* Leesburg
* Lexington
* Lincolnton
* Louisville
* Ludowici
* Lumpkin
* Lyons
* Macon
* Madison
* Marietta
* McDonough
* McRae–Helena
* Metter
* Milledgeville
* Millen
* Monroe
* Monticello
* Morgan
* Moultrie
* Mount Vernon
* Nahunta
* Nashville
* Newnan
* Newton
* Ocilla
* Oglethorpe
* Pearson
* Pembroke
* Perry
* Preston
* Quitman
* Reidsville
* Ringgold
* Rome
* Sandersville
* Savannah
* Soperton
* Sparta
* Springfield
* Statenville
* Statesboro
* Summerville
* Swainsboro
* Sylvania
* Sylvester
* Talbotton
* Thomaston
* Thomasville
* Thomson
* Tifton
* Toccoa
* Trenton
* Valdosta
* Vienna
* Warrenton
* Washington
* Watkinsville
* Waycross
* Waynesboro
* Winder
* Woodbine
* Wrightsville
* Zebulon

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Israel
* United States

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* NARA

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template