Covington is a city and the county seat of Newton County, Georgia. It is located 35 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia. As of 2012, its population was 13,347.
"History">History
Covington was founded by European Americans and incorporated in 1822 as the seat of the newly organized Newton County. Covington was named for United States Army Brigadier General and United States Congressman Leonard Covington, a hero of the War of 1812. The city grew with the advent of the railroad in 1845.
In 1864, General Sherman's troops marched through during their March to the Sea. Although they looted the city, destroying numerous buildings, several antebellum homes were spared.
Historic districts
The Covington Historic District and the North Covington Historic District within the city are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The maps and materials describing these two districts are available for review through City Hall. The Covington Historic District contains Floyd Street and the downtown square. The North Covington Historic District contains North Emory Street and Odum Street as its hub. Both districts have an ordinance to preserve their character, regulating changes proposed for properties, and special permits may be required.
The Covington Mill Village is also a vital part of local history. The Starrsville Historic District, site of the historic settlement of Starrsville, is in the exurban area around Covington. The Newton County Courthouse, brick store, and Salem campground are separately NRHP-listed.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.9 square miles (36Â km2), of which 13.8 square miles (36Â km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26Â km2) (0.72%) is water.
Climate
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,547 people, 4,261 households, and 2,906 families residing in the city. The population density was 839.2 people per square mile (324.0/km²). There were 4,542 housing units at an average density of 330.1 per square mile (127.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 51.55% White, 45.54% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.87% of the population.
There were 4,261 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 23.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city, the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,997, and the median income for a family was $36,408. Males had a median income of $29,622 versus $23,339 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,554. About 14.8% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Newton County School District
The Newton County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of fourteen elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, an elementary theme school, and a charter school. The district has 853 full-time teachers and 13,681 students.
Private education
- Grace Christian Academy -- www.gcacovington.org
- Montessori School of Covington
- Providence Classical Christian School
- Peachtree Academy
- Covington Academy
Higher education
- Dekalb Technical College - Covington Campus
- Georgia Perimeter College - Newton County Campus
- Emory University - Oxford Campus
Tourism events
- Gaither's Plantation hosts a Fall Festival every year.
- The Satsuki Garden Club conducts tours of historic houses in Covington every other Christmas.
- The Vampire Diaries, Mystic Falls Tours
In film and television
Covington has been featured in numerous TV shows and movies since the early 1970s."
Notable people
- George Adams, jazz tenor saxophonist
- George T. Anderson - Confederate General during the Civil War
- Leon Ashley - singer
- Jay Bailey - manufacturing expert
- Boondox (David Hutto) - rapper on Psychopathic Records
- Dale Carter - professional football player
- Ellia English - actress best known for her role as Aunt Helen on the Jamie Foxx Show
- Andy Offutt Irwin award-winning storyteller and recording artist
- Ryan Klesko - Major League Baseball player
- Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar (II) - politician, Secretary of the Interior for Grover Cleveland - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
- Demetrius McCray - football player, cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jake Reed - former professional football player
- Steadman Vincent Sanford - Chancellor of the University System of Georgia
- Sheldon Rankins- Defensive Tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL
- Akeem Hunt- Running back for the Houston Texans of the NFL
See also
- Main Street Bank, former local bank
References
External links
- Covington Newton County Life and Living
- The City of Covington official site
- Downtown Covington
- The Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce
- The Center for Community Preservation and Planning
- The Newton Citizen
- The Arts Association in Newton County
- The Covington Municipal Airport Authority