Smyrna, Georgia

Smyrna is a city in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 40,999. Census estimates of 2005 indicate a population of 47,643.

Pioneers began settling the area in 1832. By the late 1830s, a religious encampment called Smyrna Camp Ground had become a popular travel destination and was well-known throughout Georgia. After the completion of the Western and Atlantic railroad in 1842 the area began to grow. It was known by several names until 1872 – Varner’s Station, Ruff’s Siding, Neal Dow and Ruff’s Station. The city was incorporated with the name Smyrna in 1872.

Two Civil War battles occurred in the area, the Battle of Smyrna Camp Ground on July 3, 1864 and the Battle of Ruff’s Mill the next day. The area’s businesses, homes and 1849 covered bridge (since rebuilt and still in use today) were burned by Sherman’s troops.

Smyrna made history when it elected a woman mayor, Lorena Pace Pruitt, in 1946. The nearby Bell Bomber plant that produced B-29 bombers during World War Two was reopened by Lockheed in 1951 and became a catalyst for growth. The population grew dramatically during the next two decades from 2,005 in 1950 to almost 20,000 by 1970.

In 1991, after being troubled by an identity crisis, Smyrna began a very successful community redevelopment project known as "The Village Green" to create a well-defined downtown. Included were a large community center and 28,000 square foot public library. There's also a mixed retail and residential district modeled after a vibrant early 1900s city village, including a square with a fountain. This, and other expansions have revitalized the downtown area and acted as a magnet for further redevelopment throughout the city -- including thousands of upscale homes - mostly townhouse and condo communities replacing older neighborhoods. As a result of the redevelopment, and Smyrna's key location of a residential suburb in the center of metro Atlanta, the population has skyrocketed.

There's additional mixed retail/residential/office redevelopments around the "Village Green". Ground has broken on Jonquil Village, which is a redevelopment of Jonquil Plaza at the corner of Spring and Atlanta Rd across from "The Village Green". Less than a half mile down, the Belmont Hills plaza is going to be redeveloped, at the corner of Windy Hill and Atlanta Rd. Ground is expected to break on Belmont Hills in summer 2007 and will be completed by 2013. Both these villages, like "Village Green" in Smyrna, and "Market Square" in Vinings are designed to resemble a lively city village of yesteryear with fountains and antique street lamps.(See links section)

The city's official symbol is the jonquil (a flower). It is nicknamed "The Jonquil City" because of the hundreds of thousands of jonquils that bloom in the early spring. A link to a comprehensive city history prepared by its historical society is provided below.

Smyrna is one of the closest suburbs to Atlanta, located near the northern intersection of I-285 and I-75, which is the site of Cumberland, a large business district including the Cobb Galleria, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and Cumberland Mall. It is also near Vinings, Marietta, and Mableton, Sandy Springs and affluent districts of Atlanta known as Buckhead, Northside, and West Paces Ferry. It was also the site of the corporate offices of the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling. Home Depot and the Weather Channel also have headquarters close to the edge of Smyrna. Smyrna is also a short trip to major Atlanta attractions such as Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Whitewater, and the Georgia Aquarium.

The city operates the Smyrna Public Library. This is the only city-operated library system in Georgia and is separate from the Cobb County Public Library System (CCPLS).

Geography

Smyrna is located at 33°52′19″N, 84°31′6″W (33.871854, -84.518380)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.1 km² (13.9 mi²). 36.0 km² (13.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.14%) is water.

Smyrna is located about 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Known as the "Jonquil City", it derives this name from the thousands of jonquils that flourish in gardens and along the streets in early spring. The general terrain of the area is characteristic of the Piedmont region of Georgia, characterized by hills with broad ridges, sloping uplands, and relatively narrow valleys. Smyrna sits at an altitude of about 1,150 feet above sea level.

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 40,999 people, 18,372 households, and 9,498 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,138.8/km² (2,949.9/mi²). There were 19,633 housing units at an average density of 545.3/km² (1,412.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.44% White, 27.19% African American, 0.41% Native American, 3.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.61% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.80% of the population.

There were 18,372 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.3% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 43.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,572, and the median income for a family was $53,821. Males had a median income of $38,896 versus $35,465 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,637. About 6.7% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Smyrna is located near three interstate highways: I-75, I-20, and I-285. Downtown Atlanta is a 15-minute drive at off-peak hours via I-75. In addition, several principal arterial roadways, such as Cobb Parkway (U.S. Highway 41), Atlanta Road (Old State Highway 3) and South Cobb Drive (State Highway 280), pass through the municipality.

Politics

Max Bacon is the current Mayor of Smyrna. Past and present civic leaders have included Bacon's father Arthur Bacon, Frank Johnson, Harold Smith, Robert Moultrie, Charles "Pete" Wood, Bill Scoggins, Hoot Gibson, Lorena Pruitt, Wade Lnenicka ( [1] ), and Jim Hawkins. Other notables from the area include former U.S. Representative Bob Barr and former Atlanta Brave Ron Gant.

Smyrna's politics are an interesting study in location and trends. A longtime stronghold for traditional, small-town, conservative Southern Democrats living literally next door to ever-increasingly liberal and cosmopolitan Atlanta, even well into the 1990s, it is now seen as a largely Republican district, located inside a strong Democratic enclave with a growing minority population (South Cobb), located in a predominantly Republican county (Cobb County). As a result, although local officials are nonpartisan, state and federal representation is fairly evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

School System

Smyrna is served by Cobb County Public Schools. Campbell High School, a magnet school for the IB Program, lies within the city limits.

Notable Residents and Natives

• Julia Roberts, actress, born in Smyrna on October 28, 1967.
• Josh Smith, 2005 NBA Slam Dunk Champion and guard/forward for the Atlanta Hawks

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