Midway, Georgia

Declaration of Independence Signers from Midway, Georgia

Midway Church and cemetery

Midway's history dates back to the 18th century. Puritans migrated to St. John's Parish, Georgia, from Dorchester, South Carolina, in 1752 and established several settlements, including what became the Midway community. The Council of Georgia granted them 31,950 acres (129.3 km²), as colonial officials wanted a large number of settlers in the area to help protect them from the Creek Indians. The original Midway settlers were primarily rice planters and developed a strong agricultural economy, aided by the 1,500 slaves they brought from South Carolina.[6]

The city of Midway was incorporated in 1925.

In 1973, the Midway Historic District, encompassing the Midway Congregational Church and Cemetery, the Midway Museum, and the Old Sunbury Road, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Midway is located in eastern Liberty County at 31°48′00″N 81°24′44″W (31.799873, -81.412298).[8] The current city limits include the former unincorporated community of Dorchester. The city limits extend east to include Exit 76 on Interstate 95, at the eastern terminus of U.S. Route 84. Via I-95 it is 32 miles (51 km) northeast to Savannah and 45 miles (72 km) south to Brunswick. US 84 leads west from I-95 through Midway 15 miles (24 km) to Hinesville, the Liberty county seat. To the east from I-95, Islands Highway continues 10 miles (16 km) to Colonels Island among the Atlantic coastal marshes.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Midway has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.7 km²), of which 1.74 acres (7,053 m²), or 0.04%, are water.[9]

Midway has an industrial park with nine manufacturing facilities. In 2007, Target Corporation opened a 1,500,000-square-foot (140,000 m²) regional distribution center, with two sections to the facility being present: Tradeport East and Tradeport West [10]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,121 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 45.8% Black, 44.9% White, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other race and 2.5% from two or more races. 5.2% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census [3] of 2000, there were 1,100 people, 331 households, and 241 families living in the city. The population density was 197.8 people per square mile (76.4/km²). There were 395 housing units at an average density of 71.0 per square mile (27.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.82% White, 37.18% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.

There were 331 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,205, and the median income for a family was $31,607. Males had a median income of $27,014 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,078. About 15.2% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 20.6% of those age 65 or over.

The Midway Museum is home to documents, exhibits, and furnishings associated with the Midway Society from the Colonial period through its last meeting in December 1865. The Midway Museum was Georgia's first colonial museum.

Public education is provided by the Liberty County School System.[16] Public schools located in Midway are:

• Liberty Elementary School (grades K through 5)[17]
• Midway Middle School (grades 6 through 8)[18]

• Official website
• Midway Museum