Milledgeville, Georgia | |
|---|---|
City | |
 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto(s): "Capitols, Columns and Culture" | |
 Location inBaldwin County and the state ofGeorgia | |
  Milledgeville Location of Milledgeville in the US | |
| Coordinates:33°5′16″N83°14′0″W / 33.08778°N 83.23333°W /33.08778; -83.23333 | |
| Country | United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| County | Baldwin |
| Incorporated | December 12, 1804; 221 years ago (1804-12-12) |
| Named after | John Milledge |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–Manager |
| • Mayor | Mary Parham-Copelan |
| • Manager | Hank Griffeth |
| • Council | Members
|
| Area | |
• Total | 20.42 sq mi (52.89 km2) |
| • Land | 20.26 sq mi (52.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.161 sq mi (0.416 km2) |
| Elevation | 330 ft (100 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,070 |
| • Density | 840.0/sq mi (324.31/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 31061 |
| Area code | 478 |
| FIPS code | 13-51492[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0332390[4] |
| Website | milledgevillega |
Milledgeville (/ˈmɪlɪdʒˌvɪl/) is a city in and thecounty seat ofBaldwin County, Georgia, United States.[5] Founded in 1803 along theOconee River, it served as thestate capital of Georgia from 1804 to 1868, including during theAmerican Civil War. The city's layout—modeled after thegrid plans ofSavannah, Georgia, andWashington, D.C.—reflects Milledgeville's intended role as a planned seat of government. During its years as the capital, Milledgeville quickly became a hub of political activity andcotton-based commerce before facing significant economic changes after the capital was relocated toAtlanta in 1868.
Today, Milledgeville lies along theFall Line Freeway, a major east-west corridor that connects Milledgeville with historically significant cities likeAugusta,Macon, andColumbus. Its historic core, including the Old State Capitol, is preserved within theMilledgeville Historic District in downtown Milledgeville.
Milledgeville is home to a public school district, private K-12 schools, and three colleges:Georgia College & State University,Georgia Military College, andCentral Georgia Technical College. These institutions contribute to both the cultural and economic vitality of the city. Other key sectors includehealthcare,retail trade, andpublic administration.Tourism also supports the local economy, with visitors drawn to features like the city's historic architecture,Lake Sinclair, andAndalusia, the former home of authorFlannery O'Connor.
Milledgeville is the principal city of the Milledgevillemicropolitan area, which had a population of 43,799 as of the2020 United States census.[6] The city itself had a population of 17,070. In recent years,[when?] local leaders have prioritizedeconomic diversification anddowntown revitalization as part of broader efforts to support growth and attract investment.
Milledgeville served asGeorgia's state capital from 1804 to 1868 and played a central role in shaping the state's early development.[7] Established during a period ofterritorial expansion followingtreaties with theMuscogee (Creek) Nation, the city became the state's center of political activity and remained so through theAmerican Civil War, after which the capital was relocated toAtlanta.[8] In the decades that followed, Milledgeville responded to the challenges of losing its capital status by expandingpublic institutions andhigher education and, more recently, by investing ineconomic diversification anddowntown revitalization.[9][10]
Milledgeville, named for Georgia governorJohn Milledge (1802–1806), was established in 1804 as Georgia's new centrally locatedcapital.[7] Its founding followed the 1802 Treaty of Fort Wilkinson, through which theMuscogee (Creek) Nation ceded land west of theOconee River to the state.[11] Prior to this, the area had been the subject of prolonged conflict between settlers and the Creek Nation, including violent clashes known as theOconee War.[8] Planned as a grid-based city similar toSavannah, Georgia, andWashington, D.C., Milledgeville quickly rose in prominence, serving as Georgia's capital for over six decades until 1868.[12]
As Georgia's capital, Milledgeville grew into a hub of political activity andcotton-based commerce in the decades leading up to theAmerican Civil War.[12] The city's economic expansion was built in part on the labor ofenslaved people, who worked on plantations and within the town asdomestic workers,skilled tradespeople, and general laborers.[7] By 1828, nearly half of Milledgeville's 1,599 residents were enslaved; only 27 identified asfree Black residents.[8]
Milledgeville continued to expand with the addition of major state institutions, including a penitentiary and theGeorgia State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum (nowCentral State Hospital).[13][12] Taverns, hotels, shops, banks, and newspapers also emerged during this period,[14][8] and in 1838,Oglethorpe University was founded as one of Georgia's earliest chartered colleges.[15] As Milledgeville developed, its appearance began to shift from afrontier town to a more established capital with larger, more refined buildings. Among these were a new statehouse (now known as theOld State Capitol) and an Executive Mansion (now referred to as theOld Governor's Mansion).[16][14]
By the late 1850s, tensions over slavery and states' rights culminated in political crisis. Following the election ofAbraham Lincoln in 1860, a secession convention was held on January 16, 1861, with approximately 300 voting delegates in attendance.[8] On January 19, the convention adopted the Ordinance of Secession by a vote of 208 to 80, making Georgia the fifth state to secede from the Union. Shortly afterward, Georgia joinedSouth Carolina,Mississippi,Florida,Alabama, andLouisiana to form theConfederate States of America.[17] During the American Civil War, Milledgeville contributed troops and supplies to the Confederate cause, but the community endured several hardships includinginflation, shortages, and one of several regionalfood riots.[18]
In November 1864, during the American Civil War campaign known as theMarch to the Sea,Union GeneralWilliam T. Sherman and 30,000 troops entered Milledgeville.[14] The campaign, which began inAtlanta and ended inSavannah, aimed to weaken the Confederacy by destroying infrastructure, supply lines, and civilian morale.[20] Although Milledgeville avoided widespread destruction, several military sites were damaged, grain and livestock were seized, and homes were looted.[12] After the war's conclusion in 1865, Milledgeville faced major economic disruption.Confederate currency became worthless, infrastructure was damaged, and many citizensbartered for basic goods amid widespread poverty.[9]
In 1868, theGeorgia General Assembly moved the state capital toAtlanta, which was emerging as a transportation and commercial hub.[21] The relocation marked a significant shift in political and economic power, leading to a decline in population that slowed Milledgeville's recovery.[9] Recovery efforts during the Reconstruction era focused on restoring the asylum and penitentiary, while many farmers transitioned to thecrop-lien system—a practice that often trapped them in cycles of debt.[9] In the following decades, the founding of Middle Georgia Military and Agricultural College (nowGeorgia Military College) on the former state capitol site in 1879,[22] and Georgia Normal and Industrial College (nowGeorgia College & State University) on the former penitentiary grounds in 1889, contributed to the city's revitalization.[23] The continued operation of the asylum—renamedGeorgia State Sanitarium in 1897—alongside these institutions helped sustain Milledgeville's recovery into the twentieth century.[12]
The early 20th century brought additional challenges and change. Milledgeville's agricultural economy was disrupted by theboll weevil infestation,[12] which devastated cotton crops across Georgia, pushing many farmers to diversify their crops or seek employment outside agriculture.[24]Central State Hospital, as the former asylum came to be known, grew into one of the largestmental health institutions in theUnited States,[12] housing over 12,000 patients by the 1960s.[25] While its scale and mission were once seen as progressive, the hospital also became the subject of criticism over time, particularly related to overcrowding, inadequate treatment, and patient mistreatment—issues that reflected broader shortcomings in institutional mental health care across the U.S.[25] The national movement towarddeinstitutionalization and the rise ofcommunity-based mental health services later led to a steady decline in the hospital's operations and workforce.[26][27]
Economic diversification efforts gained momentum mid-century.[10] The creation ofLake Sinclair in 1953 by theGeorgia Power Company spurred recreational tourism,[28] and subsequenthistoric preservation projects in the 1980s and 1990s revitalized downtown Milledgeville.[7] Recognition of the city'santebellum heritage, combined withcommunity development initiatives like theMain Street Program,[29] boostedheritage tourism and strengthened Milledgeville's cultural identity.[7]
In the 21st century, local leaders have continued to diversify and strengthen Milledgeville's economy in response to the downsizing of Central State Hospital.[30][31] Combined with state budget cuts and the closure of several correctional facilities, these changes significantly impacted the availability of local jobs and economic stability.[10] As a result, the Milledgeville community has focused on attracting private investment, supporting small businesses, and expanding job opportunities in other sectors.[10]
Milledgeville is situated along theAtlantic Seaboard fall line, a geological boundary that marks the transition between thePiedmont andCoastal Plain regions of the United States.[32] This location results in gently rolling terrain and a mix of soil types, includingred clay common in the Piedmont region.[33] The city lies along theFall Line Freeway, a major east–west transportation corridor that follows the fall line and connects Milledgeville to other historically significant cities in Georgia, includingColumbus,Macon, andAugusta.[34]
Milledgeville has a total area of 20.42 sq mi (52.89 km2), of which 20.26 sq mi (52.47 km2) is land and 0.161 sq mi (0.416 km2), or 0.79%, is water.[2] TheOconee River flows just east of the downtown area and continues southward to merge with theAltamaha River, eventually reaching theAtlantic Ocean.[35] Just north of the city lies Lake Sinclair, a 15,300-acre reservoir created by damming the Oconee River in 1953.[28]
Milledgeville has ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) with hot, humid summers and mild winters.[36] Average high temperatures peak in July, while January tends to be the coldest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, with summer thunderstorms being common.[37] Snowfall is rare but does occasionally occur during the winter months.[38]
| Climate data for Milledgeville, Georgia, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1891–2017 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 79 (26) | 86 (30) | 94 (34) | 98 (37) | 101 (38) | 109 (43) | 110 (43) | 110 (43) | 108 (42) | 101 (38) | 90 (32) | 83 (28) | 110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 74.1 (23.4) | 77.9 (25.5) | 84.3 (29.1) | 88.6 (31.4) | 93.3 (34.1) | 98.9 (37.2) | 100.1 (37.8) | 100.0 (37.8) | 95.2 (35.1) | 88.6 (31.4) | 82.2 (27.9) | 75.5 (24.2) | 102.1 (38.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 58 (14) | 59 (15) | 65 (18) | 74 (23) | 81 (27) | 90 (32) | 92 (33) | 91 (33) | 81 (27) | 76 (24) | 64 (18) | 58 (14) | 74 (23) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 45.5 (7.5) | 49.0 (9.4) | 55.6 (13.1) | 62.7 (17.1) | 71.0 (21.7) | 78.2 (25.7) | 81.8 (27.7) | 80.6 (27.0) | 75.1 (23.9) | 64.7 (18.2) | 54.2 (12.3) | 48.1 (8.9) | 63.9 (17.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.0 (0.6) | 36.1 (2.3) | 41.9 (5.5) | 48.8 (9.3) | 57.9 (14.4) | 66.8 (19.3) | 70.3 (21.3) | 69.8 (21.0) | 63.9 (17.7) | 52.0 (11.1) | 40.5 (4.7) | 35.9 (2.2) | 51.4 (10.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 16.6 (−8.6) | 20.2 (−6.6) | 25.7 (−3.5) | 32.8 (0.4) | 43.6 (6.4) | 56.0 (13.3) | 62.4 (16.9) | 61.0 (16.1) | 48.9 (9.4) | 34.8 (1.6) | 26.3 (−3.2) | 19.0 (−7.2) | 13.3 (−10.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −3 (−19) | 8 (−13) | 13 (−11) | 25 (−4) | 37 (3) | 45 (7) | 54 (12) | 53 (12) | 36 (2) | 24 (−4) | 10 (−12) | 1 (−17) | −3 (−19) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 4.20 (107) | 4.40 (112) | 4.75 (121) | 3.90 (99) | 3.16 (80) | 4.30 (109) | 4.16 (106) | 4.73 (120) | 4.22 (107) | 2.83 (72) | 3.36 (85) | 4.49 (114) | 48.5 (1,232) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.2 (0.51) | 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) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.6 (1.52) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 10.4 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 10.6 | 11.0 | 11.1 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 9.5 | 108.0 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 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[39] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)[40] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 1,256 | — | |
| 1820 | 2,069 | 64.7% | |
| 1840 | 2,095 | — | |
| 1850 | 2,216 | 5.8% | |
| 1860 | 2,480 | 11.9% | |
| 1870 | 2,750 | 10.9% | |
| 1880 | 3,800 | 38.2% | |
| 1890 | 3,322 | −12.6% | |
| 1900 | 4,219 | 27.0% | |
| 1910 | 4,385 | 3.9% | |
| 1920 | 4,619 | 5.3% | |
| 1930 | 5,534 | 19.8% | |
| 1940 | 6,778 | 22.5% | |
| 1950 | 8,835 | 30.3% | |
| 1960 | 11,117 | 25.8% | |
| 1970 | 11,601 | 4.4% | |
| 1980 | 12,176 | 5.0% | |
| 1990 | 17,727 | 45.6% | |
| 2000 | 18,757 | 5.8% | |
| 2010 | 17,715 | −5.6% | |
| 2020 | 17,070 | −3.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[41] | |||
| Race/Ethnicity | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 8,176 | 47.92% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 7,728 | 45.28% |
| Two or More Races | 454 | 2.66% |
| Some Other Race (non-Hispanic) | 382 | 2.24% |
| Asian alone (non-Hispanic) | 280 | 1.64% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native (non-Hispanic) | 33 | 0.19% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) | 17 | 0.10% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 555 | 3.25% |
| Note: The U.S. Census Bureau considers Hispanic or Latino to be an ethnicity, not a race; individuals who identify as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.[43] All racial categories refer to respondents who reported only one race, unless otherwise noted. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. | ||
As of the2020 United States census, Milledgeville had a population of 17,070, reflecting a slight decline from the 2010 population of 17,715.[6] The city's median age was 27.1,[6] lower than the state median of 37.4 years.[44] In terms of racial composition, 47.9% of residents identified as White (non-Hispanic), 45.3% as Black or African American (non-Hispanic), 1.6% as Asian (non-Hispanic), 0.2% as American Indian or Alaska Native (non-Hispanic), 0.1% as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic), 2.2% as some other race (non-Hispanic), and 2.7% as two or more races. Additionally, 3.3% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.[42] The median household income in Milledgeville was approximately $39,669, which is below both the state and national averages, and the poverty rate stood at approximately 41.3%, significantly higher than the national average of 13.5%.[45]
In recent decades, Milledgeville's economy has undergone significant changes as the community worked to offset the decline of employment at state-run facilities.[46] The downsizing ofCentral State Hospital, combined with state budget cuts and the closure of multiple correctional institutions, led to substantial job losses and economic challenges in the area.[31] The impact was further intensified in the late 2000s, when the city's manufacturing sector contracted. In 2008,Rheem Manufacturing closed its Milledgeville operations, relocating production to Mexico and eliminating approximately 1,500 jobs.[46] Shortly afterward,Shaw Industries shut down its carpet yarn plant, resulting in an additional 150 job losses.[47]
In response to these shifts, local leaders have prioritized diversifying Milledgeville's economy by attracting private investment, supporting small businesses, and expanding opportunities across a broader range of industries.[10] Efforts to recruit new industries and improve local infrastructure have included grant-supported improvements to the Smith-Sibley Industrial Park and initiatives focused on downtown revitalization.[48][49]
As of 2025, the leading sectors of Milledgeville's economy by employment numbers include healthcare and social services, education, retail, and public administration.[50] Healthcare and social services account for the largest share of employment, with over 3,600 jobs across more than 200 establishments.[50] Education services, including Milledgeville's colleges and schools, contribute approximately 2,100 jobs.[50] Retail trade and public administration also remain major employment sectors, with around 2,100 and 1,600 jobs respectively.[50]
Milledgeville's higher education institutions and local tourism, in particular, contribute significantly to employment and commercial activity.[51][52] The presence ofGeorgia College & State University andGeorgia Military College provides not only job opportunities but also drives local business activity through student spending, cultural events, and campus-related initiatives.[51] Tourism adds to the economic base as well, with visitors drawn to attractions such as theMilledgeville Historic District,Antebellum architecture,Flannery O'Connor's Andalusia Farm, and outdoor recreation atLake Sinclair.[30][53] In 2016, tourism generated $88.7 million in direct spending in Baldwin County, supported 796 jobs, and contributed over $6 million in state and local tax revenue.[52]
The Milledgeville City Council is the city's legislative body, responsible for passing ordinances and resolutions and overseeing the city's budget.[54] The council consists of six members, each elected to represent one of the city's districts, while the mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term.[54] Together, the mayor and council oversee public spaces, city infrastructure, nuisance regulation, public safety, and the management of street and sidewalk improvements, among other responsibilities.[55]
Mary Parham-Copelan, elected in 2017, serves as mayor.[56]
Milledgeville's public schools are operated by theBaldwin County School District, which includes multiple elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as early learning and early college programs.[57] As of the 2023–2024 school year, the district serves approximately 4,588 students with 348.90full-time equivalent (FTE) classroom teachers, resulting in a student–teacher ratio of about 13.15:1.[58] The district includes four elementary schools (Lakeview Academy, Lakeview Primary, Midway Hills Academy, and Midway Hills Primary), one middle school (Oak Hill Middle School), one high school (Baldwin High School), the Early Learning Center (for Pre-K students), and Georgia College Early College (serving students in grades 6 through 12).[57]
Private K–12 education is available throughGeorgia Military College Preparatory School andJohn Milledge Academy, both serving grades K-12. These schools offer alternatives to public education, with programs that emphasize college preparation, character development, and extracurricular involvement.[59][60]
Milledgeville is home to three institutions of higher education.Georgia College & State University is the state's designated publicliberal arts university, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines.[61]Georgia Military College serves as a public military junior college, with both associate and bachelor's degree programs.[62] In addition,Central Georgia Technical College operates a local campus that provides career-focused technical training and adult education programs.[63]
Highways include:
Baldwin County operates a demand-response public transportation service.[64]
Baldwin County Regional Airport is a general aviation airport located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) north of downtown Milledgeville.[65][66]
SeeNational Register of Historic Places listings in Baldwin County, Georgia for entries located in Milledgeville.
Other historic buildings In Milledgeville include:
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