Midway, Georgia
Midway is a city in Liberty County, Georgia, United States. It is a part of the Hinesville-Fort Stewart metropolitan statistical area. The population was 2,121 as of the 2010 census,[5] up from 1,100 at the 2000 census.
Midway, Georgia | |
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Motto(s): "A growing city with a hometown feel" | |
![]() Location in Liberty County and the state of Georgia | |
Coordinates: 31°48′00″N 81°24′44″W | |
Country | United States |
State | Georgia |
County | Liberty |
Settled | 1752 |
Incorporated | 1925 |
Government | |
Area | |
• Total | 6.45 sq mi (16.69 km2) |
• Land | 6.44 sq mi (16.69 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 2,121 |
• Estimate (2019)[2] | 2,061 |
• Density | 319.88/sq mi (123.51/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 31320 |
Area code(s) | 912 |
FIPS code | 13-51352[3] |
GNIS feature ID | 0356389[4] |
Website | historicmidway |
Midway has several museums, including the Midway Museum and Cemetery and the Dorchester Academy Museum. The Midway Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
History
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![](../I/GA_Midway_Cemetery_and_Church01.jpg.webp)
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]
Geography
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]
Industry
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]
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1930 | 42 | — | |
1940 | 96 | 128.6% | |
1950 | 228 | 137.5% | |
1960 | 240 | 5.3% | |
1970 | 167 | −30.4% | |
1980 | 457 | 173.7% | |
1990 | 863 | 88.8% | |
2000 | 1,100 | 27.5% | |
2010 | 2,121 | 92.8% | |
2019 (est.) | 2,061 | [2] | −2.8% |
U.S. Decennial Census[11] |
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.
Culture
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.
Lemonade stand shutdown
In July 2011 Midway received national attention after city police shut down a lemonade stand run by young girls attempting to earn money for a waterpark trip. Police and city officials maintained the girls were required to obtain a business license.[12] Neighboring Richmond Hill allowed the girls to set up their lemonade stand at its first farmer's market later that month.[13]
In the media
The 2014 award-winning independent film A Promise was filmed in Liberty County.[14][15]
In 1980 key scenes for the Italian horror film City of the Living Dead were shot within Midway Cemetery across the road from Midway Congregational Church.
Education
Public education is provided by the Liberty County School System.[16] Public schools located in Midway are:
References
- "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (DP-1), Midway city, Georgia". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- Stokes, Thomas, The Savannah, Rinehart & Co., 1951, p. 124
- National Park Service: Midway Historic District
- "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- "Target opening massive distribution center in Georgia". Atlanta Business Chronicle. January 19, 2005. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- "Police Shut Down Girls' Lemonade Stand". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. July 15, 2011. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- "Richmond Hill Farmers Market opens Tuesday". BryanCountyNews.net. July 18, 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- "Film company sets premieres". www.bryancountynews.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-06. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
- "Georgia hears about local film industry". coastalcourier.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
- "Liberty County School System". 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
- "Liberty Elementary School". liberty.k12.ga.us. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
- "Midway Middle School". liberty.k12.ga.us. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.