Baldwin, Georgia

Baldwin is located in northeastern Georgia at 34.490757°N 83.552643°W / 34.490757; -83.552643,[6] split between Banks and Habersham County. It is located along two major arterial routes: U.S. Highway 441 and U.S. Highway 23/Georgia State Highway 365, both of which are divided four-lane highways. Highway 23/365 becomes Interstate 985 in Gainesville, 17 miles (27 km) southwest of the Baldwin limits.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), all land.[5]

Baldwin is home to the Habersham County Airport, located on the north side of town. The airport offers a 5,500-foot (1,700 m) paved runway at 1,447 feet (441 m) above sea level. It serves as the gateway airport to the Georgia mountains with its central location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

According to the 2010 census, the population of Baldwin was 3,279, representing a population growth in the previous decade of 35.2%.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 2,425 people, 845 households, and 583 families residing in the city. The population density was 674.9 people per square mile (260.8/km²). There were 912 housing units at an average density of 253.8 per square mile (98.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.22% White, 3.71% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.43% Asian, 0.82% Pacific Islander, 6.89% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.86% of the population.

There were 845 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,299, and the median income for a family was $33,011. Males had a median income of $25,409 versus $21,823 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,059. About 20.0% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 33.8% of those age 65 or over.

Just over sixty percent of Baldwin's population is a high school graduate or higher. Twelve and half percent have a bachelor's degree or higher.

21.3% of Baldwin's workforce are in management, professional and related occupations, 15.7% are in service occupations, 19.2% are in sales and office occupations, 1.5% are in agricultural occupations, 12.1% are in construction, extraction and maintenance occupations, and 30.2% are in production, transportation and material moving occupations.

Baldwin has a cost of living index of 82.9 against a U.S. average of 100.0. Crime rates in Baldwin have decreased 53% since 2003, with zero violent crimes in 2009 (the latest reported figures). Baldwin's crime index for 2009 was 77.0 against the U.S. average of 319.1. (A higher number equates to more crimes committed.)

Baldwin was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 17, 1896.[8] The city was named in honor of Joseph A. Baldwin, a railroad official.[9]

The closest hospital is Habersham County Medical Center in Demorest. Stephens County Hospital is to the northeast in Toccoa, and Northeast Georgia Medical Center is to the southwest in Gainesville.

Colleges and universities in the region include:

• University of Georgia (Athens, GA), 41 miles to the south
• University of North Georgia (Gainesville, 28 miles southwest, & Dahlonega, 32 miles west)
• Brenau University (Gainesville, 22 miles southwest)
• Athens Technical College (Athens, 41 miles south)
• Georgia Gwinnett College (Gwinnett, 51 miles southwest)
• Piedmont College (Demorest, 6 miles north)
• North Georgia Technical College (Clarkesville, 12 miles north)

In 2007, the city of Baldwin began efforts to develop its Comprehensive Plan Update. This document provides three key planning elements: a Community Assessment with supporting data, a Community Participation Plan and a Community Agenda. The Assessment provides an overview of current conditions in the city and identifies key challenges being faced by our community.

The Community Participation Plan establishes a process for ensuring active public participation and involvement in developing a community vision, setting goals for the future and establishing the community's agenda for the next decade. Finally, the Community Agenda serves as the city's action plan for carrying out this new vision, achieving the goals and objectives as defined in the plan and it serves as a tool for measuring our success during the implementation phase.

• City of Baldwin official website